Markham Stouffville Review, May 2024

STOUFFVILLE
Vol.13 Issue 5 May 2024
WWW.STOUFFVILLEREVIEW.COM
WWW.MARKHAMREVIEW.COM
WHAT’S INSIDE
Main Street 5K run supports MSH
The Town of Stouffville has announced the return of
the Main Street 5K and 1K Kids Dash. The second
annual Stouffville Main Street 5K will continue to
benefit the Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation.
Multi-generational giving shapes
Markham family’s legacy with MSH
SEE PAGE 6
Annual YRP multicultural fair a
celebration of cultures
York Region Police’s annual multicultural festival
again took over Crystal Fountain on April 14 for
what was a celebration of culture and music from
around the world.
SEE PAGE 3
Walk for Alzheimer’s supports York Region
residents impacted by dementia
The Alzheimer Society of York Region hosts the
IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s on
May 25.
Plan to ‘end severe collisions’
SEE PAGE 6
York Regional Council has given the green light
to a plan that has the “aspirational goal” of ending
severe road collisions here.
The Morrises have grown up sharing and doing everything together—weekly dinners, vacationing, and leading a business,
Grote Industries. But it was matriarch Nancy’s career as a nurse that nurtured a multi-generational passion for supporting health
care and Oak Valley Health’s Markham Stouffville Hospital (MSH). SEE PAGE 14
COMMUNITY
‘Home Safe Home’ program returns
SEE PAGE 2
Stouffville firefighters will be knocking on doors this
summer to share more information about the ‘Home
Safe Home’ program and will be offering free home
fire safety assessments on the spot.
SEE PAGE 12
Celebrating Community Spirit:
The Unionville Festival
The Unionville Festival has been a beloved
tradition for over half a century, bringing
together residents and visitors in a vibrant
celebration of community spirit.
McHappy Day funds support
families with sick children
At Ronald McDonald Houses and Family
Rooms, families are given a caring place
to stay while their child is treated at the
hospital.
‘Outstanding’ young volunteers
receive awards
Twin Markham sisters who offer free
tutoring to new Canadians across the
country are among the recipients of the
Ontario Medal for Young Volunteers for
2022.
You don’t have to miss out on local news and
information. Just check out markhamreview.com
and stouffvillereview.com for fresh, original articles,
updated daily. Did you miss a print edition?
Catch up with our replica e-paper, available
anytime on our website.
SEE PAGE 2 SEE PAGE 4
SEE PAGE 5
Ballet Jörgen
Anne of Green Gables — The Ballet
Friday, May 17 // 8pm
Saturday, May 18 // 2pm
flatomarkhamtheatre.ca // 905.305.7469
230110 FMT_Markham Review - 23.24 Season - Anne of Green Gables March 18 - NEW SIZE 10x1.75.indd 1 2024-03-18 11:11 AM

2 MARKHAM STOUFFVILLE REVIEW COMMUNITY MAY 2024
Celebrating Community Spirit: The Unionville Festival
the annual Duck Race, while food enthusiasts
are spoiled for choice with a mouthwatering
array of culinary delights, from
beloved classics to international flavours.
Unionville BIA has announced the
highly anticipated return of the Unionville
Festival Parade. Witness a colourful spectacle
as dazzling floats, music, and community
groups make their way along Main
Street Unionville to kick off a weekend of
celebration.
Mark your calendars for June 1 and
2, and get ready to enjoy a great weekend
with friends and family at the Unionville
Festival.
Main Street 5K run supports MSH
Unionville Festival returns on June 1 and 2.
The Unionville Festival has been a
beloved tradition for over half a century,
bringing together residents and visitors in
a vibrant celebration of community spirit.
Rooted in history and brimming with modern
flair, this annual event has become a
highlight on the calendar for many, offering
a diverse array of activities, entertainment,
and culinary delights.
In 1969, Unionville residents banded
together to save what is now Main Street
Unionville in a protest that would eventually
transform into the Unionville Festival.
The widening of Kennedy Road, which was
taking place south of Highway 7, concerned
residents that it would continue north and
destroy historic homes and businesses. They
rallied in protest and successfully demonstrated
their commitment to maintaining
and safeguarding historic Main Street.
Today, the annual Unionville Festival
ignites the summer, transforming Main
Street into a bustling hub of excitement.
Visitors can meander along historic Main
Street Unionville and uncover handcrafted
goods and unique finds from local vendors.
The air is alive with a medley of live music,
spanning genres from jazz and blues to rock
and pop. Families can enjoy performances
from The Ultimutts, inflatables, games, and
The Town of Stouffville has announced
the return of the Main Street 5K and 1K Kids
Dash.
The second annual Stouffville Main
Street 5K will continue to benefit the
Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation.
Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or
just looking for a fun way to stay active while
supporting an amazing local cause, this event
is perfect for runners and walkers of all levels.
You can sign up as an individual, couple,
family, group of friends, or team. The event
features a 1K Kids Dash, making it the perfect
opportunity for the entire family to participate
together.
Mark your calendar for the morning of
June 16 and plan on joining your neighbours
for a great run, walk or stroll.
For more information or to register, visit
www.townofws.ca/5k.
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MAY 2024
COMMUNITY 3 MARKHAM STOUFFVILLE REVIEW
Markham Fire switches
to ‘safer alternative’
Markham Fire & Emergency Services
(MFES) is the first large municipal fire department
in the world to transition its entire
fire apparatus fleet to a non-toxic, bio-based
gel.
“The City of Markham and MFES
takes the health and safety of our staff,
residents, visitors and our natural environment
very seriously,” MFES Deputy Chief
Matt Keay says. “Once we identified the
risk associated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl
substances – known as PFAS – in our
firefighting foams, we immediately began
looking for safer alternatives.”
MFES partnered with FireRein and
PPE Solutions to replace its fluorinated firefighting
foam, which contains PFAS, with
the new fire suppressant Eco-Gel. The
substance is a non-toxic water additive that
suppresses both Class A and Class B fires.
Firefighters will use less water to knock
down both regular fires and hydrocarbon
fuel fires. The gel suppressant is already in
use in several other industries, including
wildfire and mining, due to its safety and
effectiveness.
“This project involved two main components:
safely removing and responsibly
disposing of the PFAS containing chemicals
and replacing it with a safe and effective
alternative,” says Keay. “FireRein and PPE
Solutions provided outstanding support and
expertise in helping us switch over our fleet
and provide training on the new product’s
use.”
The non-toxic gel was tested in the
DRAGO unit, an auxiliary vehicle that
shoots mist more than 200 feet with a width
of 50 feet wide, and increased reach by
about 20 per cent while improving the effectiveness
of fire suppression.
“The Markham Professional Firefighters
Association (MPFFA) supports any innovation
based on making Markham’s firefighters
and residents safer,” says MPFFA
President Andrew Ireland. “The removal of
PFAS containing foam and the conversion
to a safer alternative is fully supported by
the MPFFA.”
Mayor Frank Scarpitti also lauds the
transition. “I want to thank the leadership
at MFES for recognizing the hazards posed
by firefighting foams and undertaking the
transition of our fire trucks to the non-toxic
gel,” he says.
The BluSoul quartet performs at a recent multicultural event.
Annual YRP multicultural fair
a celebration of cultures
York Regional Police’s annual multicultural
festival again took over Crystal
Fountain on April 14 for what was a celebration
of culture and music from around
the world.
Commemorating the International Day
for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination,
the event saw a steady stream of
performers, including a multicultural Irish
dance group, indigenous performers, a Sri
Lankan Dance team, Taiwanese drummers
and some up-tempo blues and soul among
others.
The event theme this year was Sharing
Our Similarities While Celebrating Our Differences.
The dozens of booths of cultural, faith,
social service and educational groups saw
enthusiastic crowds roaming the aisles in a
feel-good environment.
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4 MARKHAM STOUFFVILLE REVIEW COMMUNITY MAY 2024
McHappy Day funds support families with sick children
When a child is seriously ill or injured
and requires medical care, families often
have to travel far for treatment and to support
their child’s needs.
At Ronald McDonald Houses and
Family Rooms, families are given a caring
place to stay while their child is treated at
the hospital. Bedrooms, kitchens, and quiet
spaces allow families to be together in a
loving and supportive atmosphere. RMHC
truly becomes a home away from home
for our families. Funds raised throughout
the year at all McDonald’s locations make
it possible for families to receive this free
service.
McDonald’s celebrates its 30th
McHappy Day — its signature annual fundraising
event — on May 8.
Local McDonald’s owner/operators
Marcia and Todd Finlayson have been
raising funds to support RMHC for 15
years and were instrumental in getting
the Markham Stouffville Hospital Family
Room opened in 2013.
In 2023, the duo and their many amazing
supporters raised $201,000 for the MSH
Everyday Superheroes sought
for new exhibition
Markham Museum wants to celebrate
Markham’s Everyday Superheroes for a
new exhibition and invites you to nominate
a person, group or organization that makes
Markham a great place to live.
The exhibition will celebrate the
people and organizations that demonstrate
care and compassion in our community.
“We are hoping to spotlight the good
work of members of our community and
inspire others to carry on their legacy
through acts great and small,” the Markham
Museum says.
You can nominate anyone, living or
deceased, including yourself. The deadline
for nominations is May 31. Visit markhammuseum.ca
for more information or to
complete the nomination form.
Local McDonald’s owners Todd and Marcia Finlayson with York Region CEO Wayne Emmerson
and Stouffville Mayor Iain Lovatt at last year’s McHappy Day event.
Family Room.
“Thanks to our local community,”
Marcia says, “we have been the number one
owner/operator organization in Canada for
several years in terms of raising funds for
McHappy Day.”
Over 200 VIPs will serve up an order
of ‘Happy’ on May 8 to help the Finlaysons
beat last year’s fundraising total. Some
of the local dignitaries who could be seen
wearing a McDonald’s apron that day include
York Region CEO Wayne Emmerson,
Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti, Stouffville
Mayor Iain Lovatt, and many local councillors.
Whether coming in as a whole family
or just stopping by for a coffee, every visit
counts as the Finlaysons will donate 10 per
cent of all sales to RMHC.
With inflation hitting everyone’s wallet,
you’ll want to pick up a $5 coupon
book, which offers over $15 in value on
some of McDonald’s favourites. These sell
out fast, so you might want to get them in
the days leading up to McHappy Day.
If you don’t have time to treat yourself
to a break that day, you can still drop
by and donate $2, $5, or $10 and receive a
McHappy Day Heart or purchase the new
Peace Collective socks featuring retro Mc-
Donald’s characters.
As the hospital re-establishes normal
operations after the pandemic, volunteers
are needed at the Ronald McDonald Family
Room to ensure the room can remain open
for the full potential slate of hours.
Visit rmhccanada.ca for more information
or to donate.
6- Review quarter pg Ad.qxp_6- Review quarter pg Ad 2/7/24 2:17 PM Page 1
What is New
Logan Kanapathi
Member Provincial Parliament ~ Markham - Thornhill
We've launched a new online service called the Single Window for
Business. It helps business owners easily see the status of their
permits and licenses online, saving them time and trouble. This new
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approvals, helping them focus more on growing their business and
less on paperwork. Soon, this service will expand to include more
types of permits from other government departments, making it
even easier for business owners to get the help they need.
My office is here to help you with
provincial services and programs.
Please feel free to visit us.
For appointments, email
logan.kanapathico@pc.ola.org
Tel: 905 305 1935
www. logankanapathi.ca
Constituency Office
7380 McCowan Road, Unit 3
Markham, ON L3S 3H8
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MAY 2024
COMMUNITY 5 MARKHAM STOUFFVILLE REVIEW
‘Outstanding’ young volunteers receive awards
Twin Markham sisters who offer free
tutoring to new Canadians across the country
are among the recipients of the Ontario
Medal for Young Volunteers for 2022.
Meihuan and Meilun Yu, students at
Markville Secondary School, both struggled
learning English as immigrants and cofounded
The New Gen, a non-profit with
a mission to provide free art and science,
technology, engineering and math (STEM)
tutoring for newcomers and refugees, in
2021.
Meilun Yu
Meihuan also established the Canadian
Young Investors Society to offer educational
resources to help prepare students for real
life with a focus on investing, budgeting
and tax planning. She’s also credited with
inventing Computer Operating Assistance
System Technology that enables people with
disabilities to operate a computer with their
feet using a mouse. Meilun is also the cochair
of MP Mary Ng’s Markham-Thornhill
From left, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario Edith Dumont, Meihuan Yu and Minister of Citizenship and
Multiculturalism Michael Ford. Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism.
Youth Council among many other groups,
helping tackle mental health, education, employment
and climate change issues among
youth.
The Ontario Medal for Young Volunteers
represents the highest honour bestowed
by the province for young people between
the ages of 15 and 24 in recognition of
outstanding contributions through volunteering
in their communities and throughout the
province.
“I am excited to help present the Ontario
Medal for Young Volunteers to such an
inspiring group of recipients,” Lieutenant
Governor of Ontario Edith Dumont said
at the March 1 award ceremony. “As we
recognize their achievements, we also shine
a light on their tremendous potential and the
bright future for Ontario that these youth
represent.”
Kanish Baskaran
Dumont also presented awards
to 2021 recipients, including Kanish
Baskaran of Stouffville. He co-founded
Health for Homeless after learning about
the barriers to health care that people
experiencing homelessness face. His
pro-bono organization has raised almost
$3,000 to provide care kits to families
and has grown to provide conferences,
workshops and a podcast entitled, ‘A Hidden
Epidemic.’ Baskaran is now a medical
student at the University of Toronto,
passionate about addressing the social
and biomedical facets shaping the health
of homeless and low-income communities.
Fellow 2021 award recipient Natalie
Chen of Markham co-founded World
in Focus at the age of 15 after learning
about the barriers to accessing vision care
overseas. The organization has raised
more than $6,000 and sponsored 24
pediatric cataract surgeries. In 2017, she
launched an annual international writing
and art contest to celebrate the importance
of vision that has since received
650 submissions from 50 countries. Chen
also contributed her time to McMaster
University’s Emergency First Response
Team. She’s currently in her second year
of medical school and hopes to use the
skills and knowledge she’s gained along
her journey to advocate for future patients
and make a positive impact.
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6 MARKHAM STOUFFVILLE REVIEW COMMUNITY MAY 2024
Multi-generational giving shapes Markham family’s legacy with MSH
BY KATIE JORDON
Philanthropy is a family affair for the
Morrises. Nancy and Eric Morris moved to
Markham with their two children, Brad and
Jennifer, in 1977. A close-knit family, the
Morrises have grown up sharing and doing
everything together—weekly dinners, vacationing,
and leading a business, Grote Industries.
But it was matriarch Nancy’s career as
a nurse that nurtured a multi-generational
passion for supporting health care and Oak
Valley Health’s Markham Stouffville Hospital
(MSH).
“We were brought up with a culture of
‘do what you can’ to get involved,” explains
Brad. “It really came from a place of first
respecting what mom did, who she is, and
what she represents.”
The Morris family has made giving
back to MSH a cornerstone of their values.
Brad is a former Board Chair of MSH Foundation,
an MSH Hero, a monthly donor,
and is involved in countless community
fundraisers, including The Annual MSH
Foundation Golf Tournament—the Foundation’s
longest-running community event. He
even trekked Mount Everest to raise money
for MSH in 2018.
Brad and his wife Lara have fostered
the family tradition of getting involved at
MSH with their daughters, Hannah and
Erica, from a young age. As children, Erica
and Hannah asked to donate to MSH on
their birthdays for multiple years.
“We have exposed them as much as
The Morris family at a recent visit to Oak Valley Health’s Markham Stouffville Hospital.
possible to areas we have chosen to get
involved in and support,” says Brad. “The
lesson that government doesn’t fund the
hospital’s priority needs is an important
one.”
Having MSH close to home has made
all the difference for the Morris family.
They have experienced generations of care
there, from the births of Erica and Hannah
to the compassionate palliative care Lara’s
mother received.
Currently, Brad’s sister Jennifer is
navigating her recent diagnosis of diabetes
at MSH’s Adult Diabetes Clinic. “We cannot
say enough about the entire Adult Diabetes
Clinic team. Their comfort, their professionalism,
their support in navigating something
that at first can feel intimidating or scary,
makes all the difference,” says Brad.
“It’s peace of mind having a hospital
close to you,” Nancy adds.
Each Morris family member is proud to
be a legacy donor, having made the personal
decision to leave MSH as a beneficiary in
their wills. The Morrises recognize legacy
giving as a powerful way to extend their
support while also building their family’s
own unique story for its future generations.
“In the end, you hope you have created
an environment that helps your kids
feel safe, happy, and healthy—that’s my
checklist,” says Brad. “There’s an expectation
and a hope for what we believe the
MSH Foundation can do. From start of life
to end, there is one thing we all share—that
we are going to need the hospital at one, or
multiple, stages of our life.”
“It’s also about finding your own capacity
to give, which doesn’t have to be a lot,”
adds Nancy. “You give what you can.”
Above all, the Morrises believe that
everyone should be empowered to own their
story and how it is remembered. “Define
what legacy means to you and then create
and protect that. Why would you leave
someone else to decide for you?” asks Brad.
May is Leave a Legacy month in Canada,
a time to highlight the impact of providing
a charitable contribution that ensures a
lifetime of care for our growing, aging, and
diverse community. Naming MSH Foundation
in your will is a powerful act of giving.
To learn more, contact Elaine Bernard,
Senior Development Officer, MSH Foundation,
at 905-472-7373 ext. 6619 or ebernard@mshf.on.ca
or visit www.mshf.on.ca.
It’s time to focus on yourself
The Alzheimer Society of York Region hosts the IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s
on May 25. Photo courtesy of AS York.
Walk for Alzheimer’s supports York Region
residents impacted by dementia
Book your 2 for 1 May coaching sessions for
support establishing and attaining the
following types of goals:
*less stress *better nutrition
*more exercise *better sleep
The Alzheimer Society of York Region
(AS York) hosts the IG Wealth Management
Walk for Alzheimer’s on May 25. The
event raises funds to support programs and
services for York Region residents impacted
by Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
More than 17,000 people in York
Region live with dementia, and that number
is expected to double by 2033. For every
one person diagnosed with this fatal disease,
which does not have a cure, another 10 to 12
people are directly impacted.
AS York provides people living with
dementia social and recreational programming
while also providing caregivers
programs and services that provide respite,
education, and support.
The #IGWalkforAlz raises vital funds
to help AS York continue to meet the needs
of the rising number of York Region families
who turn to the organization for support.
The event is the largest event in the region
that raises funds and awareness for local
families impacted by dementia.
“Dementia not only affects the person
living with the disease but also their caregivers
who often become isolated as the
disease advances,” said AS York’s CEO Kari
Quinn-Humphrey. “We invite people to walk
to show family, friends and neighbours living
with dementia that they are not alone.”
Redefined Finds owner Alison Jackson
has been a big supporter of AS York through
fundraising and participation in the walk
for the past few years. She walks in honour
of the memory of Mel and Edith Todd, her
grandfather and grandmother, who both
lived with Alzheimer’s.
“I hope you will open your heart to
support me in raising awareness and funds
that will make a difference in the lives of
people living with dementia, their caregivers
and families locally in York Region,”
Jackson says. You can purchase a Forget Me
Not charm bracelet, which she has partnered
with Jess Dever to make available, for $35
at redefinedfinds.ca, with proceeds going to
AS York.
Visit www.alzgiving.ca/yorkregion2024
to register for the walk or make a donation.
The 1.5 km walk starts at 9 a.m. on
May 25 at Lake Wilcox Park, and check-in
opens at 8 a.m.

MAY 2024
COMMUNITY 7 MARKHAM STOUFFVILLE REVIEW
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8 MARKHAM STOUFFVILLE REVIEW COMMUNITY
MAY 2024
Theatre GM takes his final Markham bow with the end of this season
BY JEFF JONES
This May not only marks the end of the
23/24 Diamond Season at the Flato Markham
Theatre, but it also brings general manager
Eric Lariviere’s 15 years of service to a close.
Since 2009, Lariviere’s guidance,
wisdom, and influence have been both
unmistakable and invaluable when it comes
to the theatre’s stability and growth but it’s
in his leadership and community building
that his legacy will be felt as he moves on to
new challenges at Kitchener’s Centre in the
Square.
“I’m very grateful for what we’ve accomplished,”
Lariviere says.”My wish is that
our work here continues to grow.”
One way to consider the lasting impact
of Lariviere on the theatre and the arts community
in Markham is to look at the final two
shows of his final season as GM. They span
multiple demographics generationally and
culturally while also being broadly entertaining
shows with critical acclaim.
On May 4 at 4 p.m., the 360 All-Stars
bring their Urban Jungle performance to
town. The performance fuses performance
artistry with street culture and manages to
merge BMX, basketball, breakdancing, beatboxing,
acrobatics, and drumming. The cast
is full of world champion and world recordholding
athletes and artists. After 2000 shows
worldwide, they still receive raves.
“It’s such a unique show that I hope will
attract some folks who might not normally
come to the theatre,” Lariviere says. “It’s
quite spectacular.”
After proudly hosting the world premiere
of Ballet Jorgen’s Anne of Green Gables The
Ballet in 2019, the show has become a hit and
a fresh take on the Canadian classic. The show
succeeds by using the famous imagination and
energy of its title character as a way of merging
the story with the world of dance. This May 17
at 8 p.m. and May 18 at 2 p.m., the show returns
home to thrill Markham audiences again.
“This show is such a good way to end the
season…and my time in Markham,” Lariviere
says. “Ballet Jorgen is such an important
company, and they’ve managed to merge their
art with one of the most beloved and classic
Canadian stories out there. It’s wonderful to
finish with a show where I know the whole
community is coming.”
Much like these final two Diamond Season
shows of his tenure, Lariviere has focused
on engaging, discipline-merging, and demographic-breaking
shows to help unite disparate
parts of the arts community in his successful,
15-year quest to broaden the appeal of live
professional performance in Markham.
“I tried to reposition the local or municipal
operation at the theatre into a cultural hub and
a leading performing arts centre in the province,”
Lariviere says. “We did it by strategizing
around the idea that live arts matter, potentially,
to everyone, no matter the background.”
With Markham’s diversity index sitting
around 82 per cent, this mission is still
relevant. “It’s more relevant than ever,” says
Lariviere.
Another important and lasting aspect of
Lariviere’s leadership is the team he built and
Eric Lariviere
maintained at the theatre.
“You know, it’s like a family,” acting
GM Scott Hill says. “It’s been a privilege
to work as part of the team that Eric built
around him.”
“I’m telling you, the people you work
with are what makes it happen,” Lariviere
says. “You’re only as good as the team.
We’ve been blessed.”
This attitude and ethic that pervade the
theatre and its staff are not merely a nice
thing that has happened. It’s by design and
very much about how the building runs too.
“Whether it’s a rental client, a performer
or any patron who comes to the theatre,” Hill
explains, “Eric’s goal was to make every
experience at the theatre a special one. It’s
our belief that every single person that goes
on our stage deserves everything we have to
offer, always, whether you’re a legend or in
your first dance recital.”
With multiple local dance recitals coming
up this May, it’s a great time to think
about the way this work ethic builds community
around the theatre.
Of course, Lariviere himself has his
own opinion about what his most important
impact has been for these past 15 years.
“I think the Discovery Markham
program has had the biggest impact,” adds
Lariviere.
The Discovery program, pioneered by
Lariviere, offers free school matinee performances
for Markham elementary schools,
specialized performing arts programming and
camps for youth ages 4-16, masterclasses and
workshops for youth and adults, and partnerships
with community festivals and events.
“Making the theatre a familiar place for
young people and artists has changed the face
of the community here,” says Lariviere.
Even though his absence will be felt by
all who worked with him, Lariviere leaves
the theatre in capable hands. Hill has worked
at the theatre for more than thirty years and
has successfully done nearly every job imaginable
in the building. To say he knows the
place is an understatement.
“The 2024/25 season that we’re announcing
this coming May 13 still has Eric’s
fingerprints on it,” Hill says. “It’s going to be
a wonderful mix of Canadian and international
talent that will take our audience on
any number of wonderful rides as always.”
Visit markhamtheatre.ca for more information.
The
Whitchurch-Stouffville
Strawberry Festival
is proudly hosting the awards this year for:
Citizen of the Year
Sportsperson of the Year
If you know someone who deserves to be
recognized for their contributions to our
community, we want to know.
Nominations are now open!
StrawberryFestival.ca/2024PeopleOfTheYear
Awards to be presented at the Opening Ceremonies
on Friday June 28, 2024 in Memorial Park

MAY 2024
COMMUNITY 9 MARKHAM STOUFFVILLE REVIEW
And you’re invited to bring a friend!
Join in on the latest TikTok trends & dances with our friends at
Bounce Entertainment who know how to throw a party in style!
Friday
May 24, 2024
7pm to 9pm
Snacks and fun
mocktails will be served up by
Food For Thought Catering.
Hot bevvies and snacks
for parents
Tiny Seedlings Open Air Arena
14245 Ninth Line, Stouffville
**Parents / guardians must stay on site for kids to attend.
* Admission is upon RSVP only by May 17 at 11:59pm to info@tinyseedlings.com
with full name of member and guest (s).
Entry time must be punctual of 6:45pm.
Event wrap up is 9:00pm with a fab fireworks display.
Appropriate comfortable attire is a requirement.
Washrooms on site.
Rain or shine event.

10 MARKHAM STOUFFVILLE REVIEW COMMUNITY MAY 2024
Provincial grant lights up hope for families with special needs
Jiang and her team for this well-deserved
recognition and their unwavering commitment
to our community.”
Gifted People Services is committed to
improving the lives of Canadians affected
by developmental disabilities as well as
their families.
Established in August 2012, Gifted
People Services has been serving the community
for 12 years and more than 1000
families in GTA. Gifted People Services is
offering more events to raise awareness of
Autism Spectrum Disorder. For more information,
visit the website: www.giftedpeopleser.org
“Non-profit organizations across
Ontario deliver programming that makes a
difference,” said Neil Lumsden, Minister of
Tourism, Culture and Sport. “Our government
wants to ensure that these programs
and spaces remain the heart of communities
across our province.”
The Ontario Trillium Foundation’s
(OTF) mission is to build healthy and
vibrant communities across Ontario. As an
agency of the Government of Ontario, and
one of Canada’s leading granting foundations,
last year, OTF invested over $110M
into 1,022 community projects and partnerships.
Visit otf.ca to learn more.
(l-r): MPP Logan Kanapthi, Gifted People Services executive director Dianna Jiang, and
OTF member Janice McGurran.
The team at Gifted People Service were
ecstatic with the recent announcement of
its $135,500 capital grant coming from the
provincial government’s Ontario Trillim
Foundation (OTF) .
The money will help provide kids with
special needs with accessibility upgrades
in therapeutic spaces, sensory rooms, and
bathrooms to enhance the use of the organization’s
spaces and facilities.
“The impact of this Ontario government
grant cannot be over stated,” said
Dianna Jiang, Executive Director of Gifted
People Services. “This grant has allowed
needed renovations to be made. Now we can
accommodate more kids with special needs,
and their parents will have more access to
our free programs and services.”
According to the Canadian Medical
Association Journal, Autism Spectrum Disorder
(ASD) affects approximately 1 in 36
children and youth aged 5-17 years, the situation
has significantly deteriorated after the
pandemic. There are not enough therapeutic
facilities and spaces for children with ASD
as well as their families or caregivers in the
community.
“I’m thrilled to celebrate the $135,500
Capital grant awarded to Gifted Peoples Services
by the Ontario Trillium Foundation,”
MPP Logan Kanapathi said. “This funding
is a testament to their exceptional work in
creating accessible spaces for children with
special needs. Congratulations to Dianna
Providing dog guides to those in need
The Lions Club is organizing a Pet
Valu Walk for Dog Guides on May 25.
The Walk for Dog Guides has been a
project of the Stouffville Lions for several
years. Lion Carl Vanseader has led the
project for the last five years. “By helping
provide Dog Guides to local Stouffville area
residents who have medical or physical disabilities
is very satisfying and rewarding,”
says Vanseader.
Lions Foundation of Canada Dog
Guides (LFCDG) is a national charity created
by the Lions of Canada. All Dog Guides
and required training, including transportation
and accommodation, are provided at no
cost to qualified applicants. LFCDG does
not receive any government funding and
relies on the support of fundraising events
like the Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides.
The Stouffville Lions walk starts at 10
a.m. at Latcham Hall, and the Markham Lions
walk begins at 9 a.m. at Grace Anglican
Church. Plan on arriving earlier to register.
Treats and lout bags will be available
for the walkers and dogs.
Visit walkfordogguides.com and click
on the local Stouffville or Markham walk
for more information or to donate.

MAY 2024
11 MARKHAM STOUFFVILLE REVIEW

12 MARKHAM STOUFFVILLE REVIEW MAY 2024
Helping seniors ‘age in the right place’
A plan recently approved by York Regional
Council promises to help seniors “age
in the right place” based on their preferences,
circumstances and care needs.
While many seniors remain healthy,
active and connected to their communities,
some require additional levels of care
and support, the region notes. The 2024 to
2027 York Region Plan to Support Seniors:
Navigating Forward Together identifies
four priorities that include keeping seniors
healthy longer.
The goal of that priority is to provide
seniors, caregivers and staff supporting seniors
with information to help them improve
physical activity and social connectedness
and slow the decline of or prevent chronic
disease. Among other things, the region
will call on the provincial government to
provide annual health professional in-home
or supported virtual visits for seniors aged
75 years and older.
The Plan to Support Seniors will also
prioritize supporting seniors to live in agefriendly,
complete communities by better
integrating services for seniors. In addition
to other things, the region plans to complete
the design and construction and operationalize
the seniors’ hub and community centre
located in Unionville Commons.
The region’s plan to connect seniors
and caregivers to the right programs and
services at the right times includes promoting
Access York to seniors and caregivers
as a central access point for York Region
and community resources. Finally, it will
achieve the fourth priority of improving
coordination, organization and planning of
services for seniors through such actions as
implementing the York Region Integrated
Response for Vulnerable Seniors Network.
Some 200,000 seniors aged 65 years
and older live in York Region. That’s an
increase of more than 23 per cent since
2016, when York Region Seniors Strategy:
Thinking Ahead was approved to support
seniors to age in place in their own homes
and communities for as long as possible.
By 2051, York’s total seniors’ population is
projected to more than double.
About 97 per cent of seniors in York
live in private dwellings within the community.
The region’s senior population is
diverse: 76 per cent were born outside of
Canada and about 18 per cent don’t speak
either English or French. The top five nonofficial
languages spoken most often at
home are Cantonese, Italian, Mandarin, Russian
and Tamil. Of almost 54,000 newcomers
settling in York Region in last five years,
‘Home Safe Home’ program returns
Stouffville firefighters will be knocking
on doors this summer to share more
information about the ‘Home Safe Home’
program and will be offering free home fire
safety assessments on the spot.
“Our goal with the ‘Home Safe Home’
initiative is to ensure that every household
in Stouffville is equipped with the necessary
tools and knowledge to protect themselves
in the event of a fire emergency,”
Stouffville Fire & Emergency Services
Chief Bill Snowball says.
The ‘Home Safe Home’ program includes
free home fire safety assessments for
residents year-round to ensure every home
in the community is equipped with working
smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and
have a well-planned home escape route.
“By offering free assessments and
engaging with our community directly, we
hope to make a meaningful impact on home
fire safety,” Snowball says.
To schedule your free home fire safety
approximately 5,400 were seniors.
The region is planning progress reports
of the Plan to Support Seniors in 2026 and
2028 and will provide council with a review
and plan update for consideration in 2028.
For more information, visit york.ca/
PlanForSeniors.
The Home Safe Home initiative helps ensure
everyone’s home is equipped with working
smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Photo
courtesy of the Town of Stouffville.
assessment, contact Stouffville Fire &
Emergency Services at (905) 640-9595 or
fire.prevention@townofws.ca.

MAY 2024
13 MARKHAM STOUFFVILLE REVIEW
Visionary transformation of the Stouffville GO transit corridor
BY CONNOR SIMONDS,
LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER
The Markham City Council has set
forth a visionary proposal to reimagine the
Stouffville GO Transit Corridor, aiming to
transform it from a conventional commuter
service into a dynamic subway-style system.
This ambitious initiative goes beyond
mere infrastructure upgrades, seeking to
foster economic revitalization, job creation,
and community development that extends
beyond municipal boundarie.
Central to this plan is the introduction
of the high-speed 407 Crosstown Transitway
Corridor, heralding a significant shift
in the region’s transportation landscape. By
integrating transit innovation with strategic
land use planning, the proposal aims
to reshape traditional commuting patterns,
fostering vibrant, walkable communities
with a diverse range of housing options and
increased affordability.
The resolution, championed by Regional
Councillor Jim Jones, embodies a
transformative vision for the Stouffville GO
Transit Corridor.
Jones emphasized the importance of
diverse amenities at each Transit-Oriented
Development (TOD) station, saying, “I
believe that planning at the corridor level
is vital to ensure diverse amenities are
included at each TOD.”
He further advocated for collaboration
among different levels of government,
stakeholders, and residents, suggesting that
“the province brings everyone together in
the form of a committee.”
This initiative aims to enhance
economic opportunities, job creation, and
increase ridership.
Acknowledging the underperformance
of GO Commuter Transit Lines, the resolution
calls for revitalization into vibrant
TODs with high animation activity, multiple
amenities, and increased ridership. It emphasizes
corridor-level planning to coordinate
land use and transportation efficiently,
supporting sustainable choices and reducing
vehicle use.
Additionally, the resolution highlights
the importance of collaboration between
government levels, agencies, and stakeholders
to reimagine the corridor across municipal
boundaries. It aligns with Toronto/
Markham/Stouffville Growth Strategy, focusing
on sustainable growth, transportation
choices, and urban development patterns.
Some key considerations include attracting
economic development, enhancing
community connectivity, and establishing
consistent design standards. The resolution
emphasizes public engagement, environmental
impact assessment, and mitigating
ecological footprints.
“I believe that as we build TODs, we
should incorporate new technologies like
pre-fabricated condos […] urban vertical
farming, and autonomous vehicles – to
handle first and last mile challenges,” Jones
said.
He proposed that “pilot projects on
each of these topics be conducted at a TOD
like Markham Centre to ensure feasibility
and cost-effectiveness.”
The proposed resolutions include forming
an intergovernmental steering committee,
conducting a comprehensive study, and
implementing a series of steps to guide the
transformation. A focus on Transit-Oriented
Development planning, autonomous vehicles,
waste-to-energy infrastructure, and
economic analyses is outlined.
A call for a Technical and Financial
Feasibility Study and engagement of a
Transit-Oriented Development Planning
Consultant Team is made. The consultant
team is tasked with developing master
plans, zoning studies, and strategies for
TODs, along with assessments of vertical
farming and autonomous vehicles.
Further, the motion underscores the
importance of community engagement,
visual preference surveys, and addressing
NIMBYism. It suggests developing policies
for heritage districts, planning major destinations,
and seeking guidance on a Sports,
Entertainment and Convention Centre.
Jones recommends to “have the public
represented on a multi-jurisdictional committee
right from the beginning to help
address NIMBYism, and to educate the
broader public on the need to intensify
developments around transit.”
To fund the plan, the resolution proposes
a financial strategy, exploring publicprivate
partnerships and creating a phased
implementation plan. It emphasizes the establishment
of a Stakeholder and Ratepayer
Committee for integrated TOD planning.
In weaving together the threads of transit
innovation, community collaboration,
and economic foresight, the proposal for the
Stouffville GO Transit Corridor emerges
not just as a blueprint for transportation
evolution but as a symphony of progress
orchestrating vibrant, sustainable communities.
As stakeholders converge and plans
take shape, the journey ahead promises not
only to redefine commuter experiences but
to catalyze a renaissance in urban connectivity,
economic vitality, and environmental
stewardship for generations to come.
BE ON THE LOOKOUT
STOP INVASIVE SPECIES IN YORK REGION
Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) is an aphid-like invasive insect that
attacks and kills Hemlock trees. Spring is peak time to spot HWA egg sacs,
which look like tiny cotton balls found at the base of needles.
HWA has not yet been found in York Region. Residents and visitors to the
York Regional Forest play a vital role in preventing the introduction and
spread of HWA.
Report suspected sightings of HWA egg sacs to the Canadian Food
Inspection Agency at cfia.surveillance-surveillance.acia@canada.ca
or 647-790-1100.
Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (Adelges Tsugae)
egg sacs look like tiny cotton balls found
at the base of needles.
QUESTIONS?
ACCESS YORK
1-877-464-9675
TTY 1-866-512-6228
accessyork@york.ca
REPORT HEMLOCK WOOLLY ADELGID

14 MARKHAM STOUFFVILLE REVIEW MAY 2024
Plan to ‘end severe collisions’
York Regional Council has given the
green light to a plan that has the “aspirational
goal” of ending severe road collisions
here.
“The Vision Zero Traveller Safety Plan
reaffirms York Regional Council’s commitment
to keep our roads safe and communities
healthy,” says York Region Chairman
and CEO Wayne Emmerson.
“Developed with data, best practices,
and public and partner input, this comprehensive
plan enhances and identifies areas
to further improve safety on our roads,”
he says. “With every countermeasure we
implement, we’ll be one step closer to
reaching our aspirational goal of ending
severe collisions on roads in York Region.”
Both total collisions and traffic volumes
here rose by 13 per cent from 2015 to
2023, the region reports. In 2020, collisions
fell to about 6,200 due to traffic volumes
dropping sharply during pandemic-related
closures. When restrictions eased in 2021
and traffic volumes increased, collisions
increased from just under 7,000 to a projected
10,500 in 2023. Seventy-six per cent
of severe collisions occur at intersections,
followed by aggressive driving, vulnerable
road users, and distracted and impaired
driving
The plan recommends more than 100
countermeasures, including engineering and
technology solutions, public engagement,
education and heightened enforcement to
reduce risk of collision. Specific measures
include automated speed enforcement,
intersection improvements, pedestrian and
cycling measures, red light cameras, roundabouts,
school zone speed reductions and
speed feedback boards.
“Traveller safety is a shared responsibility.
This plan’s development is a collaborative
effort between York Region, the
public, all nine local cities and towns, York
Regional Police, school boards and other
road safety partners,” says Tom Mrakas,
Chair of Public Works – Transportation
Services.
“We must continue working together
to protect our most vulnerable road users
including pedestrians, cyclists, seniors, children
and motorcyclists. This is especially
critical as these travellers are more likely
to sustain severe injury or even death when
involved in a collision.”
The Traveller Safety Plan is driven by
international initiative Vision Zero, which
was first implemented in Sweden in the
1990s and attracted widespread attention
by cutting its traffic deaths by half within
20 years. Data will be analyzed yearly to
identify trends and help inform decisions on
where improvements are needed.
Learn more at york.ca/trafficsafety.
Markham among most expensive
cities for car insurance
Markham rounds out the 10 most expensive
cities for car insurance in Ontario,
according to an insurance comparison
service.
In response to an “alarming escalation
in auto theft,” My Choice conducted a study
using both its internal quote data and Ministry
of Transportation data to determine the
correlation between carjacking rates and
auto insurance premiums across Ontario
cities.
The study looked at the carjacking
rates across cities with populations of more
than 100,000 and compared those to the
monthly insurance premiums across the
same cities. The top 10 cities with carjacking
rates per 1,000 people and the average
2024 premium in brackets are North York
(5.42; $2,202) Brampton (5.25; $2,922),
Etobicoke (4.96; $2,030), Scarborough
(3.84; $2,710), Vaughan (3.69; $2,447),
Ajax (3.61; $2,104), Mississauga (3.59;
$2,315), Toronto (3.32; $2,139), Richmond
Hill (2.61; $2,248) and Markham (2.25;
$2,447).
Some 40,510 vehicles of all types were
registered as stolen in Ontario between November
2021 and January 2024, according
to Ministry data. That averages out to more
than 50 thefts a day. For a vehicle to be
registered as stolen, it means the owner has
given it up: it’s gone for good, rather than
taken for a joyride and recovered.
According to a report posted by the
Insurance Bureau of Canada, auto thefts
cause car insurance premiums to rise by
an average of $130 annually for Ontario
drivers. “But that’s only part of the story,”
the report says. “Ontarians are paying more
than $1.6 billion to cover the costs associated
with auto theft, from law enforcement
and court resources to the mental anguish
of being victimized to the general economic
costs.”
The auto theft crisis is also creating
unsafe communities across the country as
many of these thefts are linked to organized
crime and the proceeds are used to fund the
trafficking of guns and drugs, the report
adds. One in four Canadians say either they
or someone they know has had their car
stolen in the last five years.
Lake Wilcox Park
REGISTER TODAY

MAY 2024
15 MARKHAM STOUFFVILLE REVIEW
City pilots new
AI program to look for potholes
Markham’s Operations team is piloting
new artificial intelligence (AI) to look for
potholes.
“The City of Markham continues to
lead the way in digital innovation and in
how we maintain our road and sidewalk
network using AI,” Mayor Frank Scarpitti
says.
The city has previously used AI
software to detect potholes. The new pilot
project uses additional AI software streams
from Visual Defence’s CityROVER’s Pulse
for Pavement technology to assess and report
the pavement condition of local roads.
The more advanced AI software is
installed on mobile devices mounted on
Operations vehicle dashboards. Through
the assistance of AI and the mobile device’s
built-in camera, the software automatically
collects data about road conditions, such as
cracks and potholes in the pavement. It then
provides a report for the Operations staff.
Currently, pavement condition assessment
uses laser technology, which requires
staff to visually assess and manually log
conditions. The new AI allows staff to
make faster, more efficient and data-driven
decisions to plan for road maintenance and
repair.
Operations staff repaired about 2,300
potholes last year. Residents can report potholes
and damaged amenities at markham.
ca or contact the Contact Centre at 905-477-
5530 or customerservice@markham.ca.
LJI funding
from the
Government
of Canada

16 MARKHAM STOUFFVILLE REVIEW MAY 2024