Reid McAlpine

Councillor Unionville Ward 3

…for a better Markham!

January 2025

Dear Neighbour,

I begin by extending my wishes to you and your loved ones for a happy, safe and prosperous new year. I hope you were able to enjoy a relaxing holiday season.

While there was a pause in council and committee meetings during the latter part of December a number of initiatives were advanced by Council:
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The city’s Multi-Year Accessibility Plan was approved, as required by the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). About 15% of Ontarians report living with a disability and this number is expected to grow as our society ages. Most of us are one of those 15% or know someone who is. The plan is organized into the following sections:
1. Inclusive Culture
2. General
3. Information and Communication
4. Employment
5. Transportation
6. The Design of Public Spaces
7. Customer Service
You can find the plan here.
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Over the past two years the city has been forced by provincial legislation to “designate” most identified heritage properties outside the Heritage Conservation Districts or lose any heritage protection at all for those properties. This is a complex process requiring detailed historical research. Property owners are provided opportunities to appeal designations to council and to the Ontario Land Tribunal. The process has to date run quite smoothly with council support for staff recommendations and few appeals. Well over 100 properties have been protected. However, suddenly in December council’s attitude inexplicably changed. Designations for four houses were rejected. One in particular was particularly disappointing. It was associated with a prominent participant of the Rebellion of 1837, a milestone in the development Canadian democracy. The house is owned by developers who are clearly interested only in their own profits, with no consideration for Canadian history. This is despite the fact that that city has worked successfully with other developers over many years to renovate, restore and when necessary, relocate heritage homes. The results can be seen dotted throughout newer neigbourhoods. They provide a reminder of Markham’s deep roots and enhance the character of our communities.
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Council also endorsed a motion developed by the Ontario Big City Mayors in support of their Solve the Crisis campaign. It calls on the provincial and federal governments to urgently address the homelessness, addictions and mental health crisis faced across the province. Here is the motion. And at solvethecrisis.ca you too can add your voice to the call for action.
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You may recall from November newsletter my concern about a new  Council – Staff Relations Policy. Unfortunately the policy was endorsed without amendment, though it will now reviewed in September. I hope I am wrong and that the new policy will not impede my ability to do my job. We’ll see.
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On a brighter note I think we have plenty to look forward to in 2025. Main Street will be reconstructed and by this time next year we should all be the beneficiaries of a much enhanced public space. Both the Unionville Festival and the TD Markham Jazz Festival plan to stage their events this year while working around the disruption. It is important that we all continue to patronize our favourite businesses there throughout the process.

We can also look forward to expansions of the trail system in Markham Centre and other parts of Ward 3.

And in 2025, fingers crossed, we should also finally have approved secondary plans for Markville and Markham Centre. They will help the city guide the inevitable new development there and avoid a “Wild West” approach dominated by developers.
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More immediately January 29 marks the beginning of the Lunar New Year,the Year of the Snake. I look forward to attending celebrations around that time, to participate in eye dotting ceremonies and enjoy the cultural performances.

Again, wishing you a successful 2025.