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PUBLIC SAFETY
More cameras coming in new year PAGE 5
Your prison cell awaits should you decide to drink and drive
the road ahead
PAGE 2 GROWTH
York Region expected to chose development blueprint
As we prepare to bid a fond farewell to 2015, our writers and editors have compiled a series of reports on issues and topics and the people and organizations that will undoubtedly be a major part of the conversation in the new year. York Region is a burgeoning and welcoming network of communities. We look at growth and diversity. We examine the challenges faced by our regional and municipal leaders. How will Canada’s new federal government and MPPs factor into the region’s goals? We follow and forecast issues involving health, infrastructure, seniors, recreation, transportation, gridlock and more on The Road Ahead.
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Visit yorkregion.com to vote now or watch out for our in-paper ballots January 7th & 14th
The Markham Economist & Sun | Thursday, December 31, 2015 |
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A day before New Year’s Eve festivities, York Police hosted a media tour at Markham district headquarters and launched a promo video for ‘L’hotel York Regional Police,’ warning that those who drink and drive may end up in a jail cell. Const. Andy Pattenden (above) speaks to media, while our own police reporter, Jeremy Grimaldi (below, left), speaks with Staff Sgt. David Mitchell about the booking procedure.
go to yorkregion.com for full story and more coverage
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3 | The Markham Economist & Sun | Thursday, December 31, 2015
NEWSMAKERS 2015
Top shots Our photographers captured glimpses of life in Markham in 2015 Photography by Steve Somerville and Nick Iwanyshyn 6Community leaders joined members from
L’Association des francophones de la région de York at the Markham Civic Centre last month for a peace vigil in support of the people of France, after deadly terrorist attacks in Paris.
5Markham sprinter Andre De Grasse acknowledges the crowd as number one
after taking gold in the men’s 200m final at the Pan Am Games in July.
3Markham-
Stouffville Liberal MP, and federal health minister, Dr. Jane Philpott delivers her victory speech after the October election.
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THE CITY PAGE
MAR KHAM CIVIC CE NTR E 101 TOWN CE NTR E BOULEVAR D MAR KHAM , ONTARIO L3R 9W3 905 - 477-5530 • MAR KHAM .C A
City of Markham News & Announcements
Connect with us today!
COUNCIL
Markham Council, Standing Committee and several Advisory and Sub-Committee meetings take place at the Civic Centre and are open to the public. No meetings are scheduled this week Need more information? Contact the Clerk’s Office at 905.475.4744 for a complete listing of all meetings that residents are welcome to attend, meeting agendas and live audio streaming for Council and Standing Committees. Visit markham.ca
VOTE W IN
TREE-CYCLE!
This important project will connect neighbourhoods, protect our natural features, species and wildlife habitats, encourage physical activity, and much more.
Markham recycles real Christmas trees into mulch for our parks.
La st Ca ll
The Markham Economist & Sun | Thursday, December 31, 2015 |
4
for a chance to
We need YOUR help to choose the name for our NEW MULTI-USE PATHWAY
Markham residents are invited to vote for their favourite name by Friday, January 8, 2016. Visit markham.ca/WinIt for contest details.
‘Tis the Season to January 5-15, 2016
Please have your tree: • At the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your collection day • Free of all decorations, lights, wires and stand • Unwrapped – NO PLASTIC BAG • Loose - not frozen to the ground or buried in snow Check your 2016 Recycling Collection Schedule or visit markham.ca for your tree pick-up dates.
Markham’s Race Relations Committee Presents
MANY FACES OF MARKHAM
Volunteers Needed!
Community participation is a key part of building Markham’s future. Markham Boards/ Committees provide advice to Council on their mandate. Get involved and play an active role in your community!
Aboriginal Celebrations:
Voices from the Past, Present & Future
Sunday, March 20, 2016
CALLING ALL COMMUNITY PERFORMERS Sign up by Jan. 19 to audition for the concert ART CONTEST Submit your creative works of art by Feb. 5 Winners will be announced at the event
Learn more at markham.ca/ManyFaces
Volunteer positions are currently available on the following Committees: • Advisory Committee on Accessibility • Achievement & Civic Recognition Committee • Animal Care Committee • Environmental Advisory Committee • Heritage Markham Committee • RBC Markham-Milliken Children’s Festival Committee • Seniors’ Hall of Fame Committee Application deadline: January 15, 2016 For more information and applications visit markham.ca or the Clerk’s Office (101 Town Centre Boulevard, Markham).
HOLIDAY RECYCLING & WASTE COLLECTION NO COLLECTION SERVICES ON DECEMBER 25 OR JANUARY 1 Your collection day moves to the next day IF YOUR COLLECTION DAY IS:
IT CHANGES TO:
Friday, Dec. 25 (Area A & B) Friday, Jan. 1 (Area A & B)
Saturday, Dec. 26 Saturday, Jan. 2
RECYCLING DEPOT HOLIDAY HOURS & CLOSURES
Celebrate Markham Grant Program Apply Now
Applications are now being accepted for activities taking place April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017. Application deadline: January 7, 2016 Not-for-profit organizations are invited to apply for: Cultural Events l Major Festivals l Sports Events l Seniors’ Clubs Details & application forms available at markham.ca/celebratemarkham
December 24 & 31 Markham, Unionville & Thornhill locations are OPEN 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. December 25, 26 & January 1 Markham, Unionville, Thornhill & Milliken Mills locations are CLOSED TUESDAY - A
2016
Switch to your 2016 Recycling Collection Schedule on January 1 For more information, visit markham.ca
5
The Road Ahead is a series of stories on issues and topics and the people and organizations that will undoubtedly be a major part of the conversation in York Region in the new year. See more at yorkregion.com
Region to add 20 more cameras in 2016 By Jeremy Grimaldi
jgrimaldi@yrmg.com
are equal to or even outweigh that number, he said. In 2016, the region will be adding 20 more cameras and switching some existing locations. By 2017, those new cameras will be running, as long as council
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tickets issued. Although Titherington understands the cameras can be annoying for motorists, he said you can’t argue with safety statistics, especially when so many people are already dying on our roads.
NOTICE: NEW MARKHAM BY-LAWS RELATED TO DEVELOPMENT CHARGES The City of Markham Council passed by-laws 2015-167 to 2015-169, inclusive, on December 15, 2015 under Section 2 of the Development Charges Act, 1997, S.O. 1997, c.27. These by-laws came into effect on December 16, 2015. By-laws 2015-167 to 2015-169 establish development charges for specific areas in Markham, and apply to new developments within those areas. These by-laws set rates to recover the cost of constructing sanitary sewers, storm water management, and roads and other related infrastructure. The charges imposed under by-laws 2015-167 to 2015-169 are as follows: Bylaw No. 2015-167 2015-168 2015-169
Dr. H. H. Walji Doctor of Optometry
agrees with the budget. So far, the busiest sites in terms of tickets include Bathurst and Hwy. 7 in Thornhill, which up-todate-data indicates has been the site of 2,469 tickets and Yonge and Hwy. 7, which has resulted in 1,057
Area No. 9 42B.6 42B.8
Area Name PD 1-7 Markham Centre - South Hwy 7 Markham Centre - Sciberras
Charge (per net hectare) $703,457 $1,292,166 $1,463,786
Key maps are not provided in this notice as the detail and scale of such maps would be difficult to reproduce in an accurate and legible form. Key maps showing each of the applicable areas are available for review at the Office of the City Clerk or on the City’s website at www.markham.ca. Any person or organization may appeal the passing of these by-laws to the Ontario Municipal Board by filing a notice of appeal with the City Clerk of The Corporation of the City of Markham no later than Monday, January 25 2016 setting out the objection to the by-law or by-laws and the reasons supporting the objection. DATED at The Corporation of the City of Markham this 30th day of December 2015. Kimberley Kitteringham, City Clerk, City of Markham, 101 Town Centre Blvd., Markham, ON L3R 9W3 | 905-475-4744
© Johnson & Johnson Inc. 2015 To be sure this product is right for you, always read and follow the label.
When red-light cameras were rolled out at 20 of the most dangerous intersections across York Region, it was easy to call the move a cash grab. But now, a year later and armed with impressive new facts, York Region hopes you will re-evaluate your position. “This is based on science, not politics,” said Brian Titherington, the region’s director of road and traffic operations. According to his office, there has been huge reductions in right-angle crashes — aka T-bones, by far the most dangerous — across a number of intersections in the region. For example, at Green Lane and Yonge Street, between Newmarket and East Gwillimbury, collisions fell from 14 in 2013 to four in 2014. At Hwy. 7 and Weston Road in Vaughan, they dropped from 15 to nine. In all, Titherington said there has
been an almost 50 per cent drop in collisions at all 20 intersections, falling from 71 collisions to 37. “It’s a safety tool,” he added. “And we’re quite proud of the data is bearing that out.” This is not the only information the region wants you to consider. He added that, so far, the project has been largely revenue neutral. While it raised some $1.5 million from the $325 fines, the court costs
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TO THE DEALER/RETAILER: McNeil Consumer Healthcare, division of Johnson & Johnson Inc. (McNeil) will reimburse you for the coupon’s face value plus our specified handling fee provided your customer redeems it at the time of purchase of any item(s) specified. Limit one coupon per purchase and per person, and may not be combined with any other offer. Other applications may constitute fraud. In Quebec, do not redeem this coupon for your customer. McNeil, in its sole discretion, may refuse reimbursement where it suspects fraudulent redemption has occurred or where applications for reimbursement are received more than one month from the expiry date indicated on the coupon. Failure to send in, on request, evidence that sufficient stock was purchased in the previous 90 days to cover coupons will void coupons. Coupons submitted become McNeil property. Reproduction of this coupon is expressly prohibited. For redemption, mail to: McNeil Consumer Healthcare, division of Johnson & Johnson Inc., P.O. Box 3000, Saint John, N.B. E2L 4L3. NOT VALID FOR REDEMPTION IN ANY STORE OR PHARMACY IN QUEBEC. TO THE CUSTOMER/CONSUMER: Provincial Law may require the retailer to charge the applicable tax on the full value of the purchase(s) before the redemption in coupon value. GST, HST, QST and PST are included in face value, where applicable. Coupon is void if reproduced or altered from original. Any other use constitutes fraud. Limit one coupon per purchase and per person, and may not be combined with any other offer. No facsimiles. Offer valid only at participating retailers in Canada excluding Quebec. Available while quantities last. COUPON EXPIRY DATE: December 31, 2015 © Johnson & Johnson Inc. 2015
| The Markham Economist & Sun | Thursday, December 31, 2015
THE ROAD AHEAD
O
The Markham Economist & Sun | Thursday, December 31, 2015 |
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OPINION
Director, Business Administration Robert Lazurko
FEBRUARY
Director, Advertising Maureen Christie
Publisher Ian Proudfoot General manager Shaun Sauve EDITORIAL 905-294-2200 DISTRIBUTION 1-855-853-5613
ADVERTISING 905-943-6100 CLASSIFIED 1-800-743-3353
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ECONOMIST & SUN 50 McIntosh Dr., Markham, Ont. L3R 9T3 www.yorkregion.com
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October
Director, Circulation and Operations Carol Lamb
Regional Director of Creative Services Katherine Porcheron kporcheron@ insidetoronto.com
Editor Bernie O’Neill boneill@yrmg.com
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ECONOMIST & SUN York Region Media Group community newspapers The Markham Economist & Sun, published every Thursday, is a division of the Metroland Media Group Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Torstar Corp.
LETTERS POLICY All submissions must be less than 400 words and include a daytime telephone number, name and address. The Economist & Sun reserves the right to publish or not publish and to edit for clarity and space. E-mail boneill@yrmg.com Ontario Press Council Canadian Circulations Audit Board Member
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NEW YEAR. NEW OUTFIT. WE’RE OPEN NEW YEAR’S DAY. 11AM - 6PM
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The Markham Economist & Sun | Thursday, December 31, 2015 |
8
WELLNESS
Patients can breathe easier with new program By Amanda Persico
Apersico@yrmg.com
Arie Mast expects to benefit from the Breathe Better program — a partnership between Markham Stouffville Hospital and the City of Markham for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
STAFF PHOTO/MIKE BARRETT
York Catholic District School Board
Kindergarten Registration
Registration for the 2016-2017 school year begins
January 4, 2016
Register at your local Catholic school. The following original documents are required:
• Roman Catholic Baptismal Certificate (child or parent) • Proof of age • Proof of legal status in Canada • Proof of residency • Proof of Separate School Support (i.e. MPAC Assessment Notice), or you can complete a school support form that is included in the registration package. JK: Children must be 4 years old by Dec. 31, 2016 (born in 2012) SK: Children must be 5 years old by Dec. 31, 2016 (born in 2011)
If your child is already attending a YCDSB school for JK you do not need to register for SK
Parents/Guardians are encouraged to call the school before visiting.
Find your local Catholic school at: locator.ycdsb.ca For information, contact the Admissions Department: www.ycdsb.ca/admissions
@ycdsb
905-713-2711 or 416-221-5050
Markham Stouffville Hospital and the City of Markham have partnered to make breathing a little easier for some patients. Breathe Better is a new program offering free exercise classes at the Cornell Community Centre and Library for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. “This is an example of how health care has evolved,” Markham Stouffville Hospital president and CEO Jo-Anne Marr said. “This is an example of how patients and the community come together, an example of how the hospital reaches into the community to help improve health.” COPD is a chronic lung disease characterized by poor airflow, shortness of breath, wheezing and chronic coughing. COPD affects about three million Canadians, but often goes undiagnosed. The Breathe Better program is offered through the Centre for Respiratory Health and the COPD clinic within Markham Stouffville Hospital. The 12-week supervised program focuses on special breathing techniques and patient specific goals. The program helps breaks the cycle those with COPD can fall into, said Dr. Monique Forse, the person behind the hospital’s respiratory health clinic and fitness program lead.
Have your say on Heritage Village Minto Communities wants to hear from you on the redevelopment of Heritage Village, a senior social housing building part of the Unionville Home Society group. Earlier this year, the region decided to close the 38-year-old building and construct a new multi-storey rental complex, to be built by Minto Communities. Minto, together with the Unionville Home Society as well as the Region of York, is hosting a public open house Jan. 6 at 6 p.m. at the Hilton Toronto/Markham Suites Hotel and Conference Centre, 8500 Warden Ave. The open house will also include a formal presentation on redevelopment plans for Heri-
COPD patients often feel breathless and avoid activities. Their muscles become weak, they get even more breathless and the cycle continues, Dr. Forse said. “Patients have limited confidence in their ability because they are always breathless,” she said. “Exercise is an integral part of patient therapy. And it is as effective as medication.” The exercises, goals and staff encouragement are different from a general gym membership. Many Breathe Better patients come into the program on oxygen tanks, so knowing how to monitor oxygen levels is key. “Staff know when to stop pushing,” Dr. Forse said. “If a patient goes to a gym and gets short of breath, that could be scary for the person and the people around him.” Accomplishments are measured in steps, not pounds. Patients are given exercises to practise at home. Members of the first graduating class used to take the elevator to the second floor gym facility. Now many of them take the stairs, Dr. Forse said. The first batch of patients recently graduated from the new program, the second session just started and a new session is scheduled Feb. 2. For more information or to register for the program, contact the Central Community Care Access Centre, 416-222-2241 ext. 6444. tage Village in Unionville. Recently, a community liaison committee was formed for the project and is comprised of several local residents as well as members from the Unionville Ratepayers Association, Heritage Village Tenant Association, Wyndham Gardens Residents Association and the Markham senior advisory committee. Prior to submitting a formal application to the city and the region, Minto is hosting a design charette (collaborative session) Jan. 13 to 15. Heritage Village is expected to close December 2016, with the new building opening in 2020. For more information and a schedule of upcoming events, visit minto.com/heritagevillage – Amanda Persico
9
The Road Ahead is a series of stories on issues and topics and the people and organizations that will undoubtedly be a major part of the conversation in York Region in the new year. See more at yorkregion.com
Region works toward growth blueprint in 2016 BY LISA QUEEN
lqueen@yrmg.com
With another 700,000 residents making York Region home over the next quarter century, regional council is expected next spring to choose between two possible growth scenarios. Under the first model, the region is looking at the minimum amount of intensification allowed by the province, which would permit more development to be built on now-undeveloped land. The second scenario would see more development take place in already established communities, while still allowing construction on undeveloped land. That would balance good planning policies with market housing demands, the region’s chief planner, Val Shuttleworth, said. However, environmentalists are upset council may consider expanding the region’s urban boundary beyond growth already accounted for and say the two remaining options on the table will lead to sprawl. “Allowing an expansion of urban boundaries as part of the region’s growth management plan contradicts the region’s own planning report that clearly indicates that there is more than enough land already allocated for future growth to 2041,” environmental watchdog Environmental Defence said. Not expanding the urban boundary would lead to smarter, more compact growth better supporting investments in public transit, the group said, urging the region to consult with residents before settling on an option. “Council’s decision to drop the most effi-
cient growth scenario and, instead, continue 1950s style development patterns, which pave over farmland, shows why we need continued provincial leadership in land use planning,” it added. But funnelling all those people into already established communities would create high densities that residents who have chosen to make York home wouldn’t want, developers and some councillors argue. Many residents want to live in York because it offers traditional family housing, said David Stewart, vice-president of TACC Developments. The region’s move toward choosing a preferred growth blueprint next spring comes amid new recommendations on the province’s greenbelt and growth plans from a panel headed by former Toronto mayor David Crombie. The recommendations are applauded by the Ontario Greenbelt Alliance, made up of more than 117 organizations, because they increase the size of the greenbelt and curb urban sprawl. “The panel’s call for greater urban densities that limit sprawl and enable better transit is a clear, smart solution,” said Environmental Defence executive director Tim Gray, a member of the alliance’s steering committee. “It sets the stage for the province to provide transit funding incentives that are contingent on growing more compactly and for Ontario to clarify to communities that land cannot be removed from the greenbelt to ensure sprawl is slowed and stopped.”
SJOERD WITTEVEEN/ FILE PHOTO
The region is expected to decide next spring whether it will chart a course of more intensification, or if it will allow more growth on undeveloped lands.
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| The Markham Economist & Sun | Thursday, December 31, 2015
THE ROAD AHEAD
The Markham Economist & Sun | Thursday, December 31, 2015 |
10
Elected chair debate returns Feb. 18
The chair, arguably the region’s most powerful political position, is now selected at the beginning of each term by a majority of 20 regional councillors. But it should be voters making the decision, argues Markham Councillor Joe Li, who brought in a motion at the Nov. 19 council meeting. “We are telling the world we should be more democratic. You see BY LISA QUEEN around the world, people are fightlqueen@yrmg.com ing now for a democratic process,” he said. After putting off making a deciA number of residents urged sion in November about electing York’s chairperson, regional council council to move to an elected chair. Voters should decide the position, will take another stab at tackling the which oversees a budget of more high-profile issue early in 2016.
than $2 billion and represents the region on the provincial, national and international stages, 16-year-old Aurora resident Benjamin Williamson said. “Canada is a democracy where the people’s voice matters,” he said. Bob Mok, president of the Downtown Markham Ratepayers Association, said the current system means the chair does not have a mandate from voters. “It (the position) is indebted to the small circle of voters within the York Region council who put it there,” he said. “It is imperative that change must come and without further delay.”
The issue will now come back to council Feb. 18, along with a staff report on the chair selection process in other regions. Chairs in Durham, Halton and Waterloo are elected by voters. Staff will also submit a report about undertaking a comprehensive review of governance in the region, along with proposed terms of reference for a study. The review could include looking at the number of regional councillors each municipality has. At the moment, Markham has five, Vaughan has four, Richmond Hill has three, Newmarket and Georgina each have two and East Gwillimbury,
Aurora, Whitchurch-Stouffville and King each have one. It could also look at whether or not regional councillors should be directly elected. Now, they sit on both regional and local councils. In 2012, council voted to keep the current system of regional councillors selecting the chair. But councillors can either agree to an elected chair themselves or wait for Queen’s Park to impose a solution, Newmarket-Aurora MPP Chris Ballard said. He has introduced a private member’s bill, which has passed second reading, to make the job an elected position.
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11
The Road Ahead is a series of stories on issues and topics and the people and organizations that will undoubtedly be a major part of the conversation in York Region in the new year. See more at yorkregion.com
High-profile murder cases coming to region in 2016 By Jeremy Grimaldi
jgrimaldi@yrmg.com
There are a number of high profile murder cases coming in York Region in 2016. Here are a few: Rustom Irani and Heather Speed: Irani, a then-31-year-old, and Speed, a then34-year-old, were charged with first-degree murder after Aleeya Raza was found dead in a Markham driveway on Nov. 28. Little is known about the case, but some have suggested it was a love triangle gone wrong. Jason Hay: The then-27-year-old was arrested in a high-profile and high-risk takedown on Hwy. 400 in the summer of 2015 after he was charged with the first-degree murder of two people who had been in Vaughan’s Moka Cafe. He allegedly entered and opened fire, hitting four people in all. His mother, father and sister have all gone on the record
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claiming he was not responsible for the shootings, despite being found guilty of manslaughter in another case only a few years prior.
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Timothy Lee and David Odesho: Lee was charged in relation to a doublemurder in Richmond Hill, an 18-year-old and 16-year-old in 2014, suspected to be drug related. David Odesho is charged with another Vaughan cafe murder of Sarhad Sadiq, from Nobleton. Clyde Marshall and Sabrina Chouart: The two were charged with murder after going on the run with their dog after allegedly killing Vaughan roofer Sina Parsi in their apartment. Parsi disappeared after attending a soccer game. After finding his truck in a nearby parking lot, police’s attention eventually drifted to the neighbouring apartment buildings. Although much of the case is shrouded in mystery, police said Chouart and Parsi came to know each other through work.
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| The Markham Economist & Sun | Thursday, December 31, 2015
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The Markham Economist & Sun | Thursday, December 31, 2015 |
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Region, YRP employees top United Way goal
York regional council appoints ombudsman Got a beef with York Region? Council has appointed ADR Chambers Inc. as its ombudsman, which acts as an office of last resort for the public to bring forward unresolved complaints when all other processes have been exhausted. Beginning Jan. 1, the ombudsman, which acts at arms’ length from council, will independently receive, review and investigate complaints, provide periodic updates as a result of investigations and pro-
duce an annual report of its activities. “York Region is committed to providing transparent, responsive and efficient public service. Our track record speaks for itself,” chair Wayne Emmerson said in a statement. Beginning in 2016, the Ontario ombudsman’s jurisdiction will include municipalities. At the same time, councils have the authority to appoint
their own ombudsman. “We believe a locally appointed ombudsman is better positioned to address complaints and recommend a course of action based on the local context of the communities we serve,” Emmerson said. ADR Chambers Inc. has more than 20 years of experience pro-
viding mediation, arbitration and investigation services for the public and private sectors. It is certified by the federal government as one of two approved external complaint bodies for the financial services sector in Canada.
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ONLINE: To see the original announcement, visit http:// bit.ly/1QESqHy
Employees with York Region and York Regional Police raised $473,508 for the United Way of Toronto and York Region this year, topping their $450,000 goal by $23,508. The region has been a proud supporter of the United Way for more than 20 years, chair Wayne Emmerson said. Over the past 22 years, regional and police employees have raised more than $3 million for the United Way to support strong, healthy and caring communities. The Region and York police continue to be one of the largest employee campaigns.
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MARKHAM Many Canadians pack up and head south with the monitor, printer, electronic chargers. birds when the weather changes. If you are planning • For increased security, use timers on light fixon being away for an extended period of time this tures inside and outside your home. Using timwinter, here are some helpful tips to consider. ers is less costly than leaving your lights on all • Electronic devices left plugged in, even when day. Fluorescent lighting requires special dimturned off, still draw power. That’s called phanmers or timers, so make sure you use the cortom power, and it’s costing you money. Unplug rect ones. the following electronics or use a power bar with • Turn down the temperature in your home to 16 an integrated time or auto shut off while you are degrees Celsius. — www.newscanada.com away: television, home theatre system, computer,
**Broker *Sales Representative
Happy New Year.
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May 2016 bring you happiness and prosperity.
Happy New year! Sharing with you the Glory, the Wonder, the Miracle of this Holy Season. yrKr0013585094
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Happy New Year I would like to thank all my clients for making it again another successful year. May you have Health,yrKr0013592853 Peace & Happiness in 2016! Rodeen Antrobus Broker
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Sutton Group Heritage Realty Inc., Brokerage Independently Owned & Operated
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| The Markham Economist & Sun | Thursday, December 31, 2015
Unplug while you’re away to save energy
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The Markham Economist & Sun | Thursday, December 31, 2015 |
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Markham athletes reached top of their sport in 2015 BY MICHAEL HAYAKAWA
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Markham resident Michelle Li, 23, shuttled her way to the gold medal in the women’s individual badminton competition when she defeated her Team Canada teammate Rachel Honderich 2-0 in the final at the recently constructed Markham Pan Am Centre, where the table tennis and water polo competitions for the Pan Am Games were also conducted.
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When the 2015 calendar year began, there weren’t too many people who knew who Andre De Grasse was. But by the time the 2015 Pan American Games wrapped up, Canada and even other parts of the world became familiar with the 21-year-old Markham sprinter. During his first year at University of Southern California in the 2014-15 academic year, De Grasse captured NCAA titles in the men’s 100- and 200 metres. A few months later, he repeated the feat for Canada at the Pan Am Games and ran off with gold medals in the men’s 100m and 200m. De Grasse concluded his memorable 2015 campaign at the World Championships in Beijing and captured a bronze medal in the 100m. De Grasse then opted to turn pro, signing a $11.25 million (US) contract with Puma. With bonuses, he could earn as much as $30 million U.S.
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The world of women’s soccer saw the emergence of Kennedy Faulknor, a 16-year-old Unionville-Milliken Soccer Club member and Bill Crothers Secondary School student, make her debut as a centre back with the Canadian women’s national team in late November during a pre-Olympic qualifying tournament in Natal, Brazil. In addition to earning her first international cap, Faulknor was named by Canada Soccer as the top Under-17 Female Player of the Year in Canada. While originally drafted by the Edmonton Eskimos in the first round in the 2012 CFL Canadian player draft, Markham’s Shamawd Chambers was selected as the top Canadian player in the 2015 Grey Cup game, after Edmonton edged the Ottawa Redblacks 26-20. The 26-year-old Chambers hauled in two passes for 49 yards, including one for 32 yards in the finale. Selena Costabile, a 17-year-old Thornhill resident and Bill Crothers Secondary School student, qualified for two major U.S. amateur golf competitions that included the U.S. Junior Girls’ Amateur in Tulsa, Ok. and the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championships in Portland, Ore. In punching her ticket to play in the U.S. Junior Girls’ Amateur Championships, Costabile turned heads at a sectional qualifier after recording a five-under par 66 at the Owatonna Country Club in Owatonna, Minn. That effort established a course record and a career best score. In qualifying for the U.S. Women’s Amateur, Costabile was just one of two Canadian girls under the age of 18 to have ever qualified for the event. Markham resident and Markville Secondary School Grade 12 student Taliyah Campbell ended her secondary school year on a memorable note by capturing the OFSAA gold medal in the senior girls’ triple jump with a personal best effort of 11.82 metres. In the senior girls’ 400m, Markham’s Dallyssa Huggins ran off with the gold medal after being clocked in a personal best time of 1:00.43. For more, go to yorkregion.com
17
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| The Markham Economist & Sun | Thursday, December 31, 2015
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The Markham Economist & Sun | Thursday, December 31, 2015 |
18
THE ROAD AHEAD The Road Ahead is a series of stories on issues, topics and the people and organizations that will undoubtedly be a major part of the conversation in York Region in the new year. See more at yorkregion.com
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Transit aid for seniors in York in 2016? By Lisa Queen
lqueen@yrmg.com
Seniors may get a free ride starting in 2016. York Region councillors will look at the possibility of letting seniors ride YRT/Viva public transit at no cost or for a reduced fare. The issue is expected to come to council in the spring. Other municipalities offer fare breaks to seniors and York should look at doing the same, according to Vaughan Councillor Michael Di Biase, who is proposing the plan. The region’s senior population is growing, with the number of residents over the age of 65 expected to balloon by almost 150 per cent between 2011 and 2031, he said. Meanwhile, the region established a seniors’ advisory task force in 2015 to explore opportunities to improve supports and services for older residents, Di Biase said. One way the region can
support the health and wellbeing of seniors so they can lead healthy, active lives and stay involved in their communities is to provide them with more affordable transit options, he said, adding many seniors are on fixed incomes. “The main thing is, during the day, a lot of the buses in the City of Vaughan are empty and they travel back and forth. Why not give seniors an opportunity to go out of their homes and do some shopping or just go to the club?” Di Biase said. “I think it’s a great opportunity. Why not take advantage of it? A number of seniors have made that request because they really can’t afford it and they would like to get out and they can do so during the day.” Di Biase said there are a number of options the region can look at, including free transit for all seniors or reduced fares.
For example, seniors between the ages of 65 and 74 could pay $1 per ride, while seniors over 75 could ride for free. It will depend on the cost and the region’s financial resources, Di Biase said. Last March, regional council approved fare increases that boosted single ticket prices July 1 and will bring another hike next July. The fare for seniors and children went up 10 cents to $2.10 last summer and will climb to $2.20 next summer. The adult fare went up 10 cents to $3.40 last July and will increase to $3.50 next July. Cash fares for everyone remained at $4. Property taxpayers pay 61 per cent of the fare costs, with riders paying 39 per cent, according to Richmond Hill Councillor Vito Spatafora, who is chairperson of the region’s transportation committee.
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19 | The Markham Economist & Sun | Thursday, December 31, 2015
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A celebration of lives well lived and people well loved Read more Life Stories on yorkregion.com
Fiddle champion Arbuckle was devoted husband, father R BY SIMONE JOSEPH
sjoseph@yrmg.com
obert Arbuckle was rarely idle. When daughters Roberta or Adrienne visited their father, he always seemed to be doing something. He would be practising music, or trying out a new recipe. Robert was always trying to improve — in music, cooking and baking. He never stopped learning, according to Roberta. Robert bought a mandolin about two years ago and was teaching himself to play. He loved baking and was forever on the Internet, looking for new recipes. He was continually challenging himself to come up with ways to keep busy, Roberta said. Cooking was definitely one of his passions. A case in point: He could be out cutting grass or in the middle of gardening. When the Canadian cooking show Urban Peasant came on, he would drop whatever he was doing, stop, watch the show, write down the recipe of the day and try it out. Robert grew up outside of King City. At age 11, he started violin lessons and would later go on to become a renowned fiddler. He learned his first songs from his parents, also fiddle players. By age 14, he was already playing at square dances around his hometown of Laskay, Ontario. Robert, or “Bob” as he was also known, played with various groups
Lstories ife
over the years, including Art Celsie and the Singing Plainsmen, who had a weekly radio show on CJRH Richmond Hill and later a TV show on CKVR Barrie during the early 1960s. Robert met his wife Ginny Sherratt while playing with a group in Aurora and they later had their own group from 1965 to1970. Ginny was a singer/guitar player from the U.S. She played with singer/accordionist/arranger Joan Fairfax. Ginny’s parents were both wellknown Toronto musicians during the 1930s and ‘40s. In her last year of high school, she joined a local band called The Country Squires, where she met Robert. The couple would go on to play music for dances at Musselman’s Lake. The family lived in Oak Ridges for about 20 years. Robert coached for the Oak Ridges Minor Ball Association and also served as president of the association. The Arbuckle family also lived in Cedar Valley, near Newmarket. Roberta and Adrienne have happy memories of spending time together as a family tapping syrup from trees and making maple syrup. Their parents flooded the back yard so anyone could skate on the homemade rink. The family also enjoyed cross-country skiing on the property. Later, Robert and Adrienne ended up performing on the first Friday of every month at a seniors centre in Newmarket, with Robert
Robert Arbuckle (inset and at right) and beloved wife Ginny were accomplished musicians, making music together throughout York and across Ontario.
playing the fiddle and Adrienne playing the piano. Robert and Ginny started fiddler and step dancing competitions at Black Creek Pioneer Village and competed at the Royal Winter Fair. The couple ended up competing in step dance and fiddle competitions throughout the province, eventually graduating to judging the competitions. When Ginny went back to school at age 40 to become a legal secretary, Robert took over duties around the house. “He was a nice guy and a true gentleman,” Roberta said.
Celebrate a life well lived!
“Adored by children, universally respected and an inspiration to her peers, Mrs. McCluskey was a tireless volunteer, quick to deflect the praise heaped on her.”
Not surprisingly, when Ginny battled cancer for 2-1/2 years, Robert supported her and put his own life on hold to help her. “It was amazing the time and effort he put in to look after her,” Roberta said. “It was a tireless effort. It was what he wanted to do. He was dedicated and devoted.” Ginny died in August of 2010. Robert missed her terribly since they had been partners both in love and in song, performing as a duo across York Region and Toronto. Robert died suddenly of a heart attack Nov. 22, 2015 and funeral services were held at Richmond Hill’s Your community newspaper is celebrating the achievements and contributions of everyday, ordinary people, who have affected the lives of others in extraordinary ways. Leaving a lasting impression on the community, our award-winning journalists will write a fitting tribute in memory of those who have a special story to share. Through your community newspaper and LifeNews.ca, we celebrate those no longer with us and remember the memories we share.
Marshall Funeral Home. The weekend he died, he had attended a bluegrass awards event in Huntsville. “He had a great weekend,” Roberta said. “He was doing something he enjoyed.” Karen Reed knew Robert through the fiddle contest circuit, posting an online condolence message: “He leaves behind many memories of kindness, gentleness, wisdom, great tunes and great playing. His life touched hundreds of people in a positive and encouraging way. His contribution to the fiddle world has been highly significant”.
FOR MORE INFORMATION or to contact one of our professional writers please call
Newmarket/Aurora EG Tracy Kibble ..................905-853-8888 Georgina & Bradford Ted McFadden .............905-853-8888 Markham, Bernie O’Neill ...............905-294-2200 Stouffville Jim Mason ....................905-640-2612 Vaughan & King PaulChampion Futhey...................905-264-8703 Kim Richmond Hill/Thornhill Marney Beck ................905-294-2200
| The Markham Economist & Sun | Thursday, December 31, 2015
ife stories L
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The Markham Economist & Sun | Thursday, December 31, 2015 |
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Lifenews.ca
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James Thomas Beierl
WAGG, Eldon
February 22, 1943 ~ December 20, 2015
It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that Eldon’s family announce his sudden passing on Sunday, December 20, 2015 at Toronto General Hospital in his 72nd year. He will be deeply missed by his daughters Jaime Wagg (Michael) and Stacie Hepburn (Scott). Loving grandfather to Sadie and caring partner to Kelly Dempsey. In his retirement, he continued working for First Student to fulfill his love of activity and being busy. His love of reading, cooking and wine often ended up with his loved ones having full bellies, great preserves in their fridge and a bottle of wine or two in the cupboard. He will be missed by many; both family and friends alike. There will be a celebration of life held for Eldon this coming Tuesday, January th, 2016 from 4-7 p.m. at the Lion of Stouffville, 5917 Main Street Stouffville, ON.
(WW II RCAF Veteran) Passed away with family by his side at Victoria Village Manor, Barrie on Monday, December 21, 2015 at the age of 91. Beloved husband of the late Eileen. Loving father of Tom Beierl (Danielle) and Judith Dyck (Gary). Cherished grandfather of Shondra Peters (Christopher) and Justin Dyck (Carrie). Dear great grandfather of Nathaniel, Olivia, Ella, Coen and predeceased by Annabelle and Quinton. A Memorial Gathering will be at ADAMS FUNERAL HOME, 445 St. Vincent Street, Barrie on Saturday, January 9, 2016 from 1-4 p.m. Memorial donations to Hospice Simcoe, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre or the RVH Hearts and Minds would be appreciated by the family. Messages of condolence may be forwarded through adamsfuneralhome.ca
CUTRARA, Joseph Anthony Passed away peacefully at home in his sleep on December 27th, 2015 surrounded by his loving family. Beloved son of George and Nina. Cherished brother of Margaret, Rose and Nina. Adoring uncle to Anthony, Alysha-Rose, Kaitlyn and brother-inlaw Norm. Friends will be received at DixonGarland Funeral Home, 166 Main St. North (Markham Rd.) Markham on Tuesday, December 29th from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Funeral service will be held on Wednesday at 11 a.m. in the chapel followed by interment at Holy Cross Cemetery. Reception to follow.
Passed away December 18, 2015.
Beloved daughter of the late May and Bob Brennan. Beloved sister of the late Ross Brennan. Best and loving mother to Andrea Gray.
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May the sacred heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved and preserved throughout the world. Now and forever, Sacred heart of Jesus, pray for us. St. Jude, helper of the hopeless pray for us. St. Jude, worker of miracles, pray for us. Say this prayer nine times a day by the eighth day your prayer will be answered. It has never been known to fail. Publication must be made.
Thank You, P.N.
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23 | The Markham Economist & Sun | Thursday, December 31, 2015
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The Markham Economist & Sun | Thursday, December 31, 2015 |
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