Working together for a better Markham!

Experienced Leadership - Proven Record - Active Community Member

Proven 13 Years of Experience as a Markham Councillor

I began my political career as the Ward 3 Unionville Councillor in 2009. As a local and Regional Councillor, I assisted residents with a wide range of municipal issues and worked to connect them with the right person and the appropriate level of government.

Many of the day-to-day issues residents face are Regional issues. Residents deserve timely responses and effective follow-up on their concerns.

I am proud of my record of service and will bring that same experience, commitment and steady approach to representing Markham residents at Regional Council.

Picutre of math sheet and hand of student working on it

Former Thornlea and Markville Mathematics Teacher

For thirty-two years, I had the privilege of teaching and mentoring generations of Markham students.

My former students went on to become doctors, lawyers, teachers, business people, musicians, actors and professionals in countless fields. I still see many of them throughout the City and am proud to hear about their successes.

To this day, I receive messages from former students thanking me for the role I played in their education. Helping young people build the skills and confidence to succeed was very rewarding.

Markham Resident for 57 Years

My family moved to Unionville almost 57 years ago. Shortly after arriving, we learned that Main Street Unionville was to be widened, potentially removing heritage buildings and changing the historic character of the street.

A group of dedicated residents formed the Unionville Ratepayers Association and worked to preserve Main Street and its heritage.

Today, Main Street Unionville remains an important part of our community, a place to shop, dine, walk and enjoy the character that residents worked so hard to preserve.

I have lived, worked, played, married and raised a family in Markham. I am proud to call Markham home and remain committed to making our community an even better place to live, work and raise a family.

Green Check Mark

Some Highlights From My Years on Council

During my years on Markham Council, I had the opportunity to work with residents, businesses, community organizations, City staff and Council on a wide range of projects and initiatives.

  • Community facilities: Pan Am Centre, Aaniin Community Centre, Angus Glen Tennis Centre, York University Markham campus, Stiver Mill, Cornell Community Centre and Library, numerous parks, Varley Art Gallery expansion, Markham Museum expansion, Markham Soccer Dome and Mount Joy Soccer Dome.
  • Community partnerships: Worked closely with the Unionville BIA, hockey and skating communities, tennis and soccer clubs, ratepayer associations, festivals, charitable organizations and seniors’ groups.
  • Unionville Main Street: Worked with residents, businesses, consultants, City staff and Council to develop and complete the Unionville Main Street Vision Plan.
  • Seniors: Worked with a local seniors’ home to help eliminate a $3-million debt.
  • Community concerns: Worked with residents to stop the train horn.
  • Infrastructure: Advocated for LED street lighting, path and trail enhancements, and library upgrades.
  • Cycling and pedestrian safety: Worked with the Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee to improve infrastructure and school-crossing safety.
  • Accountability: Worked with Council to introduce an Integrity Commissioner and Auditor General, strengthening accountability and transparency at the City.
TAX in Scrabble Tiles

Protecting Your Tax Dollars

I have long advocated for keeping City and Regional tax increases at or below the rate of inflation and will continue to do so.

Residents deserve a strong, responsible voice at both the City and Regional Council tables, one that carefully considers spending and the impact of tax increases on Markham residents.

Investing in Community Spaces, Parks, Trails and Libraries

Strong communities need welcoming places where people of all ages can gather, learn, play and stay active.

I am pleased to have helped add many new parks and recreational spaces across Markham. Having served on the Library Board, I also understand how important libraries are as places to learn, connect and access community resources.

As Markham grows, we need to plan ahead for the facilities our communities will require.

I will continue to support:

    • Accessible recreation facilities
    • Splash pads, parks and walking trails
    • Continued investment in our libraries
    • Community hubs where they are needed
Don Hamilton getting on VIVA bus

Improving Transit and Connecting Our Communities

We need a better public transit system if we’re going to ask people to choose transit instead of driving.

    • Improve north-south transit connections.
    • Keep transit planning ahead of high-rise and higher-density growth.
    • Continue the move toward a more sustainable, electrified bus fleet.
    • Ensure that major transit investments consider both regional mobility and neighbourhood impacts.

I welcome the Yonge North Subway Extension, but I did not support routing the subway line under Thornhill residents’ homes. Major transit investments should improve regional mobility while taking neighbourhood impacts seriously.

Image of proposed UHS Seniors Building

Expanding Housing Options for Seniors and Families

As our residents age, Markham needs appropriate and accessible housing options for seniors. I was instrumental in working with York Region Seniors Housing to bring a new facility, Unionville Commons, to Markham, and I will continue to look for opportunities to expand seniors’ housing.

Some households, particularly those with low or modest incomes, continue to face significant challenges finding housing that is affordable and appropriate for their needs.

To increase affordable housing, the Region and other levels of government must:

    • Ensure government fees, taxes and charges are fair and predictable.
    • Invest in infrastructure needed to support new housing.
    • Streamline approvals and reduce unnecessary red tape.

Markham should continue working closely with the Province and the Region to expand affordable and rental housing options.

Street Sign with Effective Communication

Keeping Markham Residents Informed and Connected

You have every right to expect a timely, complete response when you contact your elected representative.

As your Regional Councillor, I will help Markham residents with both local and Regional matters. When an issue falls outside my jurisdiction, I will work to connect you with the appropriate person or level of government.

Stay informed by subscribing to my eNewsletter – click here.

Chalkboard with TEAM - Together Everyone Achieves More

Working Together at City and Regional Council

Different perspectives are a natural part of Council, but effective government requires finding ways to work together.

I believe in consensus building, finding common ground and developing practical, reasonable solutions.

As your Regional Councillor, I will bring 13 years of municipal experience to the Council table and work collaboratively with colleagues at both the City and Regional levels.

Supporting Local Business and Growing Markham's Economy

Healthy Main Streets and thriving local businesses are important to the vitality of our neighbourhoods.

During my tenure on Markham Council, I worked to plan and implement the Main Street Unionville Revitalization Plan. The plan has helped bring increased activity and complementary development to the area.

As a Regional Councillor, I will continue to work with local BIAs to support vibrant and successful Main Streets. I will also continue to work with local businesses to bring “feet to the street” and advocate for responsible taxation and a business-friendly environment at both the City and Regional levels.

Having a strong business base in Markham is important to a healthy and resilient local economy.

I am pleased to have worked with many businesses as they considered Markham as a place to invest, grow and create jobs. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and we are fortunate to have a diverse business community ranging from small local businesses to major employers.

I am also pleased to have supported the development of York University’s Markham campus. York has become a valuable educational and economic asset for our community.

As your Regional Councillor, I will continue working with businesses, our Economic Development team and other levels of government to support investment, jobs and a strong local economy.

Preserving Markham's Heritage

I served on the Heritage Markham Committee for nine years. Heritage Markham is made up of dedicated residents who work to preserve the buildings and streetscapes that help tell the history of our community.

Our heritage communities are a visible reminder of what can be achieved when residents and the City work together.

I believe every Regional Councillor should be required to serve a term on the Heritage Markham Committee to gain a firsthand understanding of the importance of heritage preservation.

Tree Planting - Improving our environment

Protecting Green Space and Building a Greener Markham

As Markham grows and our communities become more urbanized, it is important to preserve and enhance our green spaces.

I will continue to:

    • Expand Markham’s tree canopy through programs such as Trees for Tomorrow.
    • Advocate for additional green space in new developments and across the City.
    • Support waste diversion through blue and green bin programs.
    • Support household textile recycling and recycling at City Depots.

Protecting green space, growing our tree canopy and diverting waste are practical ways we can all contribute to a greener Markham.

Working with Local Ratepayer and Resident Groups

I served as a director of the Unionville Ratepayers Association (URA) and have been actively involved with the URA, the Unionville BIA and other community organizations.

I will continue to work with ratepayer and resident groups across Markham, listening to their concerns and sharing my experience to help address local issues.

Strong communities are built when residents and their elected representatives work together.

Planning for Markham's Future

Representing Every Markham Resident

Markham is one of Canada’s most diverse cities, with residents from many cultural backgrounds and languages. Our diversity is one of Markham’s strengths, and I will continue to represent residents from every part of our community.

Keeping Markham Safe

York Regional Police falls under the jurisdiction of York Region Council. Today’s policing environment is different from the past, and we need to provide YRP and other first responders with the resources they need to protect Markham residents.

I will be a strong advocate for public safety and for ensuring our first responders have the resources required to serve a growing community.

Managing Growth and Taxes Responsibly

Markham has an outstanding record of maintaining relatively modest tax increases. However, maintaining that record may become more difficult in the current economic and global environment.

Council must do its best to maintain reasonable tax increases while continuing to provide the services and infrastructure residents rely on. Responsible financial management will be increasingly important as Markham continues to grow.