Markham's Future: Highlights from York Region’s 2025 Budget

York Region's 2025 budget highlights Markham as an epicenter of innovation, sustainability, and growth. Through ambitious transit, housing, and environmental projects planned for Markham in its investment plan for this period, its residents stand to reap significant returns.

Markham District Energy Expansion

One of Markham's most ambitious projects is MDE Wastewater Energy Transfer Initiative. Scheduled to go live by 2026, this global initiative aims to save up to 30,000 tonnes annually of greenhouse gas emissions - equivalent to taking 5,500 cars off the road!

Under a 30-year agreement, MDE will expand their heating and cooling network in Markham Centre to cover over 14 million square feet, using heat exchangers connected to York Region's trunk sewer near Warden Avenue and Highway 407 that extract or inject heat as seasonal needs dictate - not only reducing reliance on natural gas while simultaneously creating revenue through utility cost savings as well as carbon offset opportunities.

Housing Developments

Markham will experience a significant boost to community housing with around 400 new units planned over the coming years, aligning with Markham Region's target of building 150,000 new homes by 2031 as part of their provincial housing strategy.

Unionville Commons, a 265-unit senior housing complex scheduled to open by 2023, symbolizes the Region's commitment to affordable and accessible housing solutions for senior residents. It includes a hub that will serve as a central location for senior activities and programming slated to launch by 2026.

Transit and Road Infrastructure

Markham's transit and road networks play an essential role in York Region's overall transportation strategy:

• Highway 7 East Bus Rapid Transit (BRT): Work is underway to plan an 8.5-kilometer BRT segment from Birchmount Road in Markham Centre to Cornell Bus Terminal that will improve east-west connectivity and support residential and commercial growth in this part of Markham Township.
• Road Upgrades: Major investments include widening 16th Avenue between Highway 404 and Woodbine Avenue for an estimated total cost of $20 million to improve traffic flow and accommodate future growth.
• Donald Cousens Parkway: Connecting Major Mackenzie Drive and Highway 48 is a top priority project; however, its timeline depends on development charges and additional funding sources.

Environmental Sustainability

Markham continues to lead in environmental sustainability initiatives with their annual budget including investments in forestry, climate change, and energy conservation projects - totalling over $31 Million across the region - that reflect their goal of realizing a low carbon future and creating clean-tech jobs.

Water and Wastewater Infrastructure

York Region's 10-year capital plan allocates considerable funding for water and wastewater infrastructure projects to accommodate for Markham's continued growth, such as:

• North Markham Trunk Sewer Expansion: Essential to accommodating increased capacity as Markham expands its northern areas.
• Infrastructure Maintenance: With our proactive approach ensuring reliability and sustainability of services such as tracking water usage and encouraging conservation, the Region strives to maintain reliable services with sustainable infrastructure maintenance practices that promote their reliability and sustainability for their residents.

Fiscal Impact

To fund these projects, the budget includes an increase of 3.55% in tax levy increases and an addition of 1% rapid transit levy; for Markham residents this equates to approximately an increase of around $133 annually for an average household ensuring long-term investments in infrastructure and services.