Markham Stouffville Review, March 2024

STOUFFVILLE
Vol.13 Issue 3 March 2024
WWW.STOUFFVILLEREVIEW.COM
WWW.MARKHAMREVIEW.COM
WHAT’S INSIDE
City of Markham among
Canada’s Best Employers
The City of Markham has once again been
recognized by Forbes as one of Canada’s Best
Employers 2024
Region calls for funds in provincial
budget consultation
As part of Ontario’s 2024 budget consultation, York
Region is calling on the provincial government
to cover the estimated $700 million it’s losing in
development charges over the next decade.
SEE PAGE 5
Region appoints new commissioner
of public works
SEE PAGE 4
York Region’s new Commissioner of Public Works
is an award-winning engineer credited with helping
position the region as a leader in many areas
SEE PAGE 8
Virtual clinic offers easy access to health care
With many struggling to get timely access to care
and wait lists for family doctors growing, people
should know that virtual care is an option for them.
Theatre delivers a packed lineup in March
SEE PAGE 9
Markham figure skater captures gold
Markham figure skater Vienna Vidinovski
landed a gold medal at the 2024 Skate
Canada Challenge.
With a packed lineup of shows in March, the Markham Theatre is not only featuring diversity, it’s showcasing traditions that
span thousands of years. SEE PAGE 11
COMMUNITY
SEE PAGE 10
March is Epilepsy
Awareness Month
March is Epilepsy Awareness Month and it is
a perfect time to stress the isolation issue that
comes with having epilepsy.
Mayor tables $590.5-million
budget with 2.99% tax hike
The average taxpayer will fork out another
$40 on the City of Markham portion of their
property tax bill after Mayor Frank Scarpitti
tabled a $590.5-million budget.
‘Phenomenal’ teacher earns
prestigious history award
Stouffville teacher Leone Andrea Izzo of
Oscar Peterson Public School is the proud
recipient of the country’s most prestigious
history honour.
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 7
The Peking
Acrobats
Saturday, March 30 // 2pm & 7pm
Sunday, March 31 // 11am & 3pm
flatomarkhamtheatre.ca // 905.305.7469
SEE PAGE 8
230110 FMT_Markham Review - 23.24 Season - Peking Acrobats February 13 - NEW SIZE 10x1.75.indd 1 2024-02-13 2:03 PM

2 MARKHAM STOUFFVILLE REVIEW COMMUNITY MARCH 2024
March is Epilepsy Awareness Month
BY JEFF JONES
March is Epilepsy Awareness Month
and it is a perfect time to stress the isolation
issue that comes with having epilepsy.
“What a lot of people don’t understand
is that the physical symptoms of epilepsy
are often not the most difficult thing about
having epilepsy,” explains Tina Ng media
administrator for Epilepsy York Region,
“it’s the isolation and stigma that come with
them.”
Epilepsy is a long-term disease that
causes repeated seizures due to abnormal
electrical signals produced by damaged
brain cells. When there is a sudden burst of
uncontrolled electrical activity within the
brain, the result is a seizure. Seizures can
range from nearly imperceptible changes in
awareness to full-body muscle spasms. The
latter can be quite intense for all involved.
Much of the stigma and isolation surrounding
epilepsy likely stems from fear of
these large, public, and sometimes difficult
seizures.
“Imagine having to deal with it alone,”
says Ng, “or while feeling alone. We want to
end the isolation and stigma.”
This is why March has been named
Epilepsy Awareness Month in Canada. Organizations
like Epilepsy York Region want
individuals to take the opportunity to be
aware of, learn about, and maybe even connect
with someone who has been touched by
epilepsy.
The month features several initiatives
that are aimed at epilepsy education, epilepsy
awareness, building support through
community and advocating on behalf of
those with epilepsy. Epilepsy York Region is
offering presentations to schools, libraries,
and other institutions about epilepsy. These
are available by reaching out to EYR via
their website, https://epilepsyyork.org/.
“We also get proclamations from all the
municipalities that can give them,” says Ng.
“This really helps raise the profile of awareness
during the month. Additionally, some
landmarks get lit up in purple for the month.
Look for Vaughan City Hall, Fred Lundy
Bridge in Newmarket, and the Georgina
Civic Centre to be lit up in purple.”
The centrepiece of Epilepsy Awareness
Month is Purple Day on March 26th. Started
in 2009 by Canadian Cassidy Megan, who
was inspired by her own struggles with
epilepsy, the goal is to get people talking
about epilepsy in an effort to dispel myths
and inform those with seizures that they are
not alone.
“There are those that say the colour
purple was chosen because it has a calming
effect for some,” explains Ng, “but there is
no official reason”
The basic idea is that people around the
world are invited to wear purple and host
events in support of epilepsy awareness on
March 26th. Last year, people in more than
85 countries on all continents participated
in Purple Day. However, Canada is the only
country in the world who officially recognizes
Purple Day through the Purple Day
Act implemented on June 28, 2012.
“Epilepsy can happen to anyone at any
age,” says Ng. “It’s not contagious and it’s
not necessarily caused genetically either.
About 1 in every 100 people experience
epilepsy.”
Given how common the condition is, it
is certainly problematic how little information
is shared about it. The result is a perception
that the disease is more debilitating
than it is in truth.
“Lots of people with epilepsy go on to
do extraordinary things,” says Ng. “This is
why the I am 1 in 100 campaign has been so
important.”
EYR along with the Canadian Epilepsy
Alliance (CEA) and epilepsy agencies
across Canada launched this campaign as
a way for those diagnosed with epilepsy to
show what it means to live with epilepsy
and that they are defined by more than the
disease. The testimonials are then shared
with the hashtag #Iam1in100.
“More than anything else, I would just
say that people should be a friend when they
come across someone who’s been touched
by epilepsy,” says Ng. “It’s the understanding,
and the acceptance, and compassion
that makes all the difference in the world. If
you need any more info about how, please
reach out to us.”
Events for Epilepsy Awareness Month
run throughout March.
Visit epilepsyyork.org for more information.

MARCH 2024
Regional funding
for Project Jumpstart
COMMUNITY 3 MARKHAM STOUFFVILLE REVIEW
York Region is showing international
and women-led tech entrepreneurs the
money by committing $1,080,600 over
three years to Project Jumpstart.
The funding promises to help increase
local employment and economic growth,
promote equity and diversity, and expand
business and entrepreneurship guidance and
resources for York’s northern six municipalities.
Project Jumpstart extends the reach of
the York University/Schulich and Treefrog
partnership to attract new innovation/
tech-centric businesses. Its sector focus
aligns with York’s key economic clusters,
including information and communications
technology, life sciences and health technology,
automotive technology, and agriculture
and agri-food.
Jumpstart will give York its own
International Entrepreneurs Accelerator
that builds on the success of Accelerate
Newmarket. It will welcome 50 participants
a year for three years and promises
to create 210 jobs. Participants will prepare
for national expansion through workshops,
mentorship with key Canadian stakeholders,
as well as skills to make a seamless transition
to York Region.
Additionally, Jumpstart will give the
Region a women-focused incubator program
with a primary focus on the northern
six municipalities and builds on the
success of YSpace ELLA. It will welcome
20 participants each year for three years to
create 90 new jobs. The program will host
two annual breakfasts that promise to attract
investors and others to create a networking
experience for stakeholders, which include
York Small Business Enterprise Centre,
York Angels, ventureLAB and Seneca HE-
LIX.
For more information on economic development
and available resources to grow
a business, visit YorkLink.ca.
Catholic board posts
highest graduation rates
The York Catholic District School
Board (YCDSB) led the province in graduation
rates in 2022, with 97.3 per cent of its
students earning their Ontario Secondary
School Diploma (OSSD) within five years
of starting Grade 9.
At the York Region District School
Board (YRDSB), 94.2 per cent of students
earned their OSSD in that timeframe, landing
them at No. 5 out of 72 school boards.
According to data released in late 2023 by
the Ministry of Education, 89.1 per cent
of students provincewide graduated from
high school within five years in that same
timeframe.
The cohort of YCDSB students who
started Grade 9 in 2018-19 also posted the
province’s highest four-year graduation
rate, with 96 per cent of students earning
their OSSD in that timeframe, while 90.9
per cent YRDSB students did the same.
Provincewide, 83.9 per cent of students who
started Grade 9 that year graduated within
four years.
For students to earn an OSSD, they
must earn at least 30 credits, including 18
compulsory credits and 12 optional credits,
meet the provincial secondary school literacy
requirement, earn at least two online
learning credits and complete 40 hours of
community involvement activities.

4 MARKHAM STOUFFVILLE REVIEW COMMUNITY MARCH 2024
City of Markham among
Canada’s Best Employers
The City of Markham has once again
been recognized by Forbes as one of Canada’s
Best Employers 2024, landing at No.45
on the list of 300 and making its mark as
the top city in Ontario and among the top 10
for government services.
The Regional Municipality of York and
Oak Valley Health were also recognized
among Canada’s Best Employers for 2024,
along with several global companies that
are headquartered or have a large presence
in Markham, including AMD, Enbridge,
General Motors, Honda Canada, Huawei
Canada, IBM Canada, TD Bank Group and
Tesla.
“It is an honour to be recognized
for the fourth consecutive year as one of
Canada’s Best Employers,” says Markham
Mayor Frank Scarpitti. “At the City of
Markham, we work extremely hard to
ensure a welcoming, diverse and inclusive
environment that creates a positive culture
for success. My sincerest thanks to CAO
Andy Taylor and our senior management
team for their inspired leadership as well
as our many staff who continually display
innovation and dedication every day.”
The annual ranking, created by Forbes
in partnership with market research firm
Statista, is based primarily on a survey of
more than 40,000 people working for Canadian
companies and institutions that employ
at least 500 individuals. Survey respondents
were asked to rate their employer based on
a range of criteria, including salary, gender
pay-equity, work flexibility, opportunities
for promotion and on-the-job training.
Participants were also asked if they’d
recommend their employer to others
and were given the chance to rate other
employers in their respective industries.
All responses were tallied to provide each
company with a score and the 300 organizations
with the highest scores made the final
list.
Markham CAO Andy Taylor credits the
People Plan and the “passionate, hard work
and dedication” of staff for the recognition.
The People Plan supports the city’s strategic
goal of delivering exceptional services by
exceptional people and focuses on onboarding,
providing continuous opportunities for
development and learning, numerous wellness
initiatives, open communications, and
a commitment to diversity and inclusion –
as outlined in the updated Diversity Action
Plan, which was released in July 2022, the
city reports.
Please contact me for any concerns or ideas

MARCH 2024
COMMUNITY 5 MARKHAM STOUFFVILLE REVIEW
Region calls for funds in provincial budget consultation
As part of Ontario’s 2024 budget consultation,
York Region is calling on the provincial
government to cover the estimated
$700 million it’s losing in development
charges over the next decade.
Development charges are used to pay
for the additional infrastructure such as
water, roads and sewers needed to service
new growth.
But Bill 23 More Homes Built Faster
Act, 2022 reduced the amount of development
charges the Region can collect
by phasing in Council-approved rates,
eliminating or reducing eligible services,
and providing potential new discounts and
exemptions to developers.
If it’s to meet provincial housing
targets of 150,000 new homes by 2031, the
Region says it needs to invest an additional
$2.6 billion for infrastructure. That’s in addition
to the nearly $7.6 billion in growthrelated
infrastructure already included in
the 2024 10-year Capital Plan.
As an upper-tier municipality, it’s
ineligible for funding from the Building
Faster Fund, which is helping municipalities
with housing targets address challenges.
Without new provincial funding, building
infrastructure needed to service new homes
could result in a one-time tax levy increase
of 3.7 per cent in 2024 and a one-time water
and wastewater rate increase of 7.9 per cent
in 2025, the Region warns.
“York Region, like many other munici-
Time to consolidate
York municipalities: Scarpitti
Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti is
continuing his “bold” call for ‘One York,
One City, One Step.’
“It is time to consolidate all nine
municipalities in York Region,” he told the
provincial committee overseeing the study
on regional governance at a meeting in
Vaughan on January 17.
In September, Municipal Affairs
Housing Minister Paul Calandra wrote
to the Standing Committee on Heritage,
Infrastructure and Cultural Policy asking
members to review two-tier municipalities
in the province. The request followed former
housing minister Steve Clark’s decision
to step down amid the Greenbelt land-swap
controversy. In November 2022, Clark had
announced plans to appoint facilitators to
review six regional governments: County of
Simcoe, Durham, Halton, Niagara, Waterloo
and York.
Scarpitti conceded that his suggestion
to consolidate York’s municipalities may
sound “bold,” but he believes doing so
would increase efficiency and save money.
Excluding the education portion of a property
tax bill, 70 per cent of taxes collected
already go to York Region, he reasoned.
“We would only be consolidating the
remaining 30 per cent. A consolidation
would realize significant savings in both
operating and capital budgets…One tax
bill. One planning department. One water
department. One fire department,” he said,
noting York Region is already responsible
for police and paramedic services.
In addition to consolidating economic
development, roads, recreation, corporate
communication and other departments, the
move would reduce the number of elected
officials, which currently stands at 77. York
Region has a population of 1.2 million,
while the City of Toronto’s population of
three million is served by 26 elected officials,
Scarpitti reminded.
The Region shares the provincial
government’s commitment to building
more houses. “Now, more than ever, we
need to be agile,” he said. “We need more
homes, we need more roads and transit, we
need more infrastructure – and we need to
be building them faster. It’s not just about
planning and getting approvals; it’s the integrated
process of getting those homes built
and those communities created. We need to
make the whole process more efficient.”
palities, is contending with an increasing
population without the funds to pay for required
infrastructure,” says Steve Pellegrini,
Chair of Finance and Administration. “Our
goal remains to deliver fiscally sustainable
services. To date, there has been no specific
funding commitment made to York Region
to address development charge shortfalls.”
In its submission to the budget consultation,
York is also calling on the provincial
government to contribute $216 million
– the equivalent of a one-third share – of
funding for 1,852 new community housing
units and provide stable long-term funding
for housing affordability programs. It also
wants the province to maintain provincial
gas tax funding at its current level and
provide additional funding for priority bus
rapid transit projects. Finally, the Region is
calling for funding to address homelessness,
manage the influx of asylum seekers, and
meet growing demand and costs in other
human and health services programs.
York Regional Council also endorses
the Association of Ontario Municipalities of
Ontario resolution for a Social and Economic
Prosperity Review by the province.
Many programs, particularly in community
and health services, are partially funded
however, municipalities continue to spend
more than they receive in other areas falling
under provincial responsibility, such as
social housing, long-term care, land ambulance,
social services and childcare.
LJI funding
from the
Government
of Canada
Publisher
Nicole Fletcher
General Manager
Duncan Fletcher
Creative Design
Sam Pun
Editorial Contributors
Jeff Jones
Connor Simonds
George Redak
Andrew Fuyarchuk
Stephen Sweet
Nick Cagna
Rebecca Simkin
178 Main Street, Suite 306, Unionville, ON
nicolefletcher@rogers.com
(416) 884-4343

6 MARKHAM STOUFFVILLE REVIEW COMMUNITY MARCH 2024
A Grade 9 Markham District High School gifted science class accepted the mission to blast off
on a journey of learning and was rewarded with an out-of-the-world experience.
Markham class wins
national space contest
Visit. Snap. Win!
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A Grade 9 Markham District High
Winners of the competition remotely
School gifted science class accepted the controlled a Canadensys lunar rover in a
mission to blast off on a journey of learning moon-like environment, allowing them to
and was rewarded with an out-of-the-world interact with technology that will be part of
experience.
the upcoming Artemis space missions. They
The school was one of just four to worked in teams to navigate, send commands
to the rover, monitor its conditions
win the Lunar Rover Research Challenge,
a national space competition offered by and analyze the environment. Canadensys
Let’s Talk Science, Canadensys Aerospace received a contract in November 2022
Corporation and Avalon Space with support from the Canadian Space Agency to build
from the Canadian Space Agency.
Canada’s first lunar rover to be sent to the
More than 16,000 Grades 6 to 9 students
took part in the competition, which Learn more about other opportunities
moon no earlier than 2026.
challenged students to plan a rover mission available to York Region District School
seeking out ice deposits hidden in the shadows
of the moon in a fun problem-based Technology, Engineering and Mathemat-
Board high school students in Science,
experience presented as a collaborative ics or explore other opportunities at www.
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MARCH 2024
COMMUNITY 7 MARKHAM STOUFFVILLE REVIEW
Mayor tables $590.5-million budget with 2.99% tax hike
The average taxpayer will fork out another
$40 on the City of Markham portion
of their property tax bill after Mayor Frank
Scarpitti tabled a $590.5-million budget.
He presented A Strong Markham:
Budget 2024 to City of Markham Treasurer
Joseph Silva during a special council meeting.
While the budget represents a 2.99 per
cent hike over last year’s budget, Markham
continues to have the lowest average tax
rate increase in the Greater Toronto Area
for 19 consecutive years, the City reports.
“We continue to operate as an efficient
government and we are proud of our fiscal
management, while never compromising the
high standard of service we enjoy,” Scarpitti
says.
Budget 2024 includes $118.3 million
in capital funding to deliver 271 projects.
About $43.8 million of that total relates to
new infrastructure to service Markham’s
growing communities. A total of $56 million
will go towards road repairs, rehabilitation
and traffic management improvements
while $14.7 million will fund the construction
and maintenance of parks and trails.
In preparation for changing climate
conditions, the City has set aside $10.9 mil-
Carpentry class music
to students’ ears
Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti presents A Strong Markham: Budget 2024 during a Special
Council Meeting.
lion for flood control, stormwater management
construction, ponds and culverts. It
will invest $1.8 million in green initiatives
and environmental strategies as part of its
commitment to achieve net zero emissions
by 2050. It has also earmarked $5.8 million
for leading-edge technology to modernize
systems and technology infrastructure.
About 60 per cent of the capital budget
will keep the existing community infrastructure
in a good state of repair, including
projects to repair and refurbish existing
roads, recreation, library and cultural facilities
and amenities, and improve stormwater
infrastructure. That includes $10.4 million
for repair and rehabilitation for recreation
and cultural facilities and related amenities,
$1.3 million for facility upgrades and
artificial turf replacement for Mount Joy
Sports Dome and $1.2 million for refurbishing
basketball, tennis and pickleball courts.
Budget 2024 also reflects an increased
investment of 0.7 per cent or $1.2 million
as a proactive measure to repair and replace
assets over the next 25 years. “Markham
continues to flourish as a forward-thinking
community, and we have created a strong
and responsible budget rooted in sound
investment and a record of fiscal prudence.
We continue to invest in new infrastructure,
while maintaining our assets in a state of
good repair,” Scarpitti says.
“Budget 2024 supports important
initiatives such as meeting the provincial
target of building 44,000 homes over the
next 10 years, while providing relief for
a community grappling with higher costs
of living,” he adds. Markham is supporting
low-income seniors to stay healthy and
age in place through the new Low-Income
Seniors Property Tax Assistance Program,
the City reports.
nicolefletcher@rogers.com
178 Main Street, Suite 306, Unionville, ON
(416) 884-4343
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A group of students at Unionville H.S. are making their own electric guitars in a carpentry class.
A carpentry class at Unionville High
School is hitting all the right notes by
encouraging students to consider pursuing
a skilled trades career while still in high
school as they make their own electric guitars.
“My dream is to be in architecture.
Building a house, learning to know the
basics is really important,” says Hayley, a
Grade 12 student at the school.
In addition to learning how to plan
and use machines safely and effectively,
students are learning about the importance
of trying new things and learning from mistakes.
“I’m learning a lot of different skills,
like how to use the machines and a lot of
perseverance through this experience,” says
Emily, a Grade 11 student at the school.
Students learned more about carpentry
as a career from Andrew Edwards, a Red
Seal carpenter who got his start in a high
school shop class. He shared his experiences
with the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship
Program (OYAP) and the profession. “I’m
hoping the students can walk out of here
and kind of make a decision on whether or
not an apprenticeship is right for them,”
says Edwards, owner/operator of Greenway
Construction Inc.
His company is involved with OYAP, a
school-to-work program that allows Grades
11 and 12 students to explore and gain apprenticeship
training in one of more than
150 skilled trades. Students can become
registered apprentices while completing
their secondary school diplomas through the
cooperative education program.
“This is really important because as
soon as we graduate high school, one of the
questions that we’re asked is what do we
want to do for the rest of our lives and the
only way we’re going to figure out what we
want to do for the rest of our lives is to try
different things,” says Andrew Dennis, a
technology teacher at Unionville H.S.
“In school here, I’m here, I’m helping
you, I’m showing you what to do. If we can
try some stuff in here and see if we like it,
hey, maybe that’s a career one day.”
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8 MARKHAM STOUFFVILLE REVIEW COMMUNITY
MARCH 2024
Region appoints new commissioner of public works
York Region’s new commissioner of
public works is an award-winning engineer
credited with helping position the region
as a leader in many areas, including a plan
described as being at the “forefront of waste
prevention” in the country.
In addition to her work on the SM4RT
Living Master Plan, Laura McDowell
has worked on the Durham York Energy
Centre, the first energy-from-waste facility
approved in the province in more than 20
years, and the Transit and Corporate Fleet
Electrification, which is contributing to the
goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions
by 2051.
McDowell has held various leadership
positions since joining York Region in
1998, the most recent of which was general
manager of Operations and Services, Public
Works.
“Ms. McDowell has more than 30
years of experience in leading and managing
large, complex, capital and operating
contracts,” says York Region CEO Wayne
Emmerson. “The winning combination of
her knowledge and experience is what we
need to deliver today and prepare for the
future.”
She earned a degree in engineering
from the University of Guelph and completed
York University’s Master’s in Municipal
Leadership Certificate Program.
McDowell was awarded the Public
Works Leader of the Year by the Ontario
Public Works Association in 2020.
She replaces Erin Mahoney, who was
appointed York Region CAO last fall.
“Laura is committed to ambitious results
and I am confident she will lead the Public
Works team in continuing to deliver on the
important programs and services our residents
deserve and expect,” Mahoney says .
“There are many priorities ahead of us and
I look forward to Laura’s leadership and
innovativeness in achieving them.”
The commissioner of public works reports
directly to the CAO and is responsible
for providing strategic direction and overall
leadership of the Public Works department,
which includes Operations and Services
and Capital Infrastructure Services. The
portfolio provides oversight for water and
wastewater facilities, waste management,
natural heritage and forestry services, York
Region Transit, road user safety, transportation
systems and traffic operations.
York Region commissioner of public works
Laura McDowell.
‘Phenomenal’ teacher earns
prestigious history award
New funding for pediatric services
Stouffville teacher Leone Andrea Izzo
of Oscar Peterson Public School is the proud
recipient of the country’s most prestigious
history honour.
He received the Governor General’s
History Award for Teaching Excellence,
which is presented to educators who demonstrate
excellence in teaching Canadian history
by Canada’s National History Society.
Izzo is recognized for his work leading
students through the No. 2 Construction
Battalion Project, which allowed students
to explore the untold stories of Canada’s
first segregated unit and create a digital
exhibition. On Remembrance Day, students
transformed their classroom into a virtual
museum for the school community to visit.
“The history and the stories of Canada’s
past is as diverse and fascinating as
its people; the history of all Canadians is
valuable and worth telling,” Izzo says. “As a
discipline, the study of history offers many
vital skills to students in the 21st century.
Thanks to my colleagues who developed
this resource, students can continue to learn
the important history of the No. 2 Construc-
tion Battalion.”
Also known as the Black Battalion, the
No. 2 Construction Battalion was created
during the First World War. The non-combatant
unit was the first and only all-Black
battalion-sized formation in Canadian
military history. Members faced racism
throughout the war but showed resilience,
determination and strength in the face of adversity,
the Department of National Defence
reports. The unit was officially disbanded
following the end of the war in 1920 without
ceremony or recognition for their service or
sacrifices on behalf of Canada.
“We are so proud of Mr. Izzo and his
work to highlight this important history.
The classroom museum his class created
in collaboration with the York Region
District School Board (YRDSB) Museum
and Archives helped raise awareness and
understanding among students throughout
our school,” says Oscar Peterson P.S. Vice
Principal Vanessa Colabawalla. “It’s wonderful
to see his work recognized in such a
prestigious way.”
York Region will receive more than
$6.3 million in provincial funding for
pediatric services that promise to have a
“tremendous impact” on children and their
families.
Children’s Treatment Network of
Simcoe-York will receive $3.7 million,
Oak Valley Health will receive $2.3 million
and Southlake Regional Health Centre will
receive $350,000.
“The pediatric funding provided to
services in York Region will have a tremendous
impact on children and their families,
ensuring they receive faster access to care
when they need it,” says Deputy Premier
and Minister of Health Sylvia Jones.
The funding will increase access to
children’s rehabilitation services, including
speech-language pathology, physiotherapy
and occupational therapy through the Children’s
Treatment Network of Simcoe-York
and increase access to early intervention
services through the Preschool Speech and
Language program at Oak Valley Health.
It will also be used to assess, diagnose
and treat more children and youth over the
age of six months who are experiencing
urgent, non-life threatening conditions at
the Children’s Rapid Access Clinic located
at Oak Valley Health’s Community Health
Clinic in Stouffville. The additional funding
will also help more expectant mothers
connect to Oak Valley Health’s Markham
Stouffville Hospital’s Alongside Midwifery
Unit.
Funding has also been earmarked to
expand the Complex Care Clinic at Oak
Valley Health and upskill staff. It promises
to increase the number of people who can
be seen, triaged and cared for on-site in the
emergency department (ED) at Oak Valley
Health’s Markham Stouffville site and at the
Southlake Regional Health Centre by supporting
ED diversion clinics.
“We welcome this further investment
in the health and well-being of our youngest
patients,” says Jo-anne Marr, CEO of
Oak Valley Health. “This funding will allow
Oak Valley Health to deliver both new and
enhanced pediatric services. The funding
also ensures we can support families closer
to home, and ensure they receive the right
care, in the right place, at the right time.”
The government says the “consistent
and stable annual funding increase” will ensure
York Region hospitals have the people,
resources and technology to improve access
to pediatric care and prevent backlogs.
“The allocated funds will swiftly drive
the implementation of vital pediatric care
initiatives at Oak Valley Health.” Markham-
Stouffville MPP Paul Calandra says. “It
is truly gratifying to witness Oak Valley
Health playing a key role in strengthening
health care infrastructure, reducing wait
times, and prioritizing the well-being of our
community’s children and youth.”

MARCH 2024
BY JEFF JONES
March’s lineup at the Markham Theatre
is probably its most diverse of the season.
“Our lineup in March might be the
perfect selection of what we do when it
comes to building diversity into an excellent
lineup of incredible performances,” says
Flato Markham Theatre’s manager General
Manager Eric Lariviere. “It’s who we are at
the theatre and in Markham.”
With a packed lineup of shows in
March, the Markham Theatre is not only
featuring diversity, it’s showcasing traditions
that span thousands of years. While
some regional theatres pander to a timid audience,
Lariviere is clearly emboldened by
what he believes to be a more sophisticated
and thoughtful base in Markham.
“We got it all, it’s a busy month,” says
Lariviere.
First up this month is Malevo, bringing
its distinctive brand of live music and
virtuosic dancing to Markham on March 9 at
8 p.m. Dubbed the ‘South American Sensation’
the troupe, which achieved international
prominence in 2018 as a semi-finalist
on America’s Got Talent, might be best
described as where Irish Riverdance meets
the Argentine Malambo. The two-hour show
blends energetic dancing and compelling
live music.
“Anyone would love this show,“ says
Lariviere. “It’s a blend of tradition and the
modern.”
The Celtic Tenors have had hit releases
in Canada, the United States, Australia,
COMMUNITY 9 MARKHAM STOUFFVILLE REVIEW
Theatre delivers a packed lineup in March
The Peking Acrobats perform at the Markham Theatre on March 30 and 31.
Germany, the United Kingdom and Ireland.
With almost as many miles travelled as the
million albums they’ve sold, they return to
Markham on March 16 (the day before St
Patrick’s Day) for shows at 3 p.m. and 8
p.m.. The group continues to innovate by using
their classical roots to inform contemporary
repertoire from artists like Ed Sheeran
and Van Morrison.
“It’s certainly the right month to bring
them back,” says Lariviere. “Aside from
the holiday though, they are one of the best
shows out there.”
Legendary Canadian singer-songwriter,
Gordon Lightfoot, has his voice live on in
the care of his friends and bandmates with
The Lightfoot Band Presents The Songs of
Gordon Lightfoot. This uniquely personal
tribute show performs in Markham on
March 28 at 8 p.m. The band played alongside
Lightfoot for decades and will be joined
by their newest member, lead singer and
rhythm guitarist Andy Mauck for a showcase
of songs from Lightfoot’s entire career
“It’s not even a tribute band really,”
explains Lariviere, “These are Lightfoot’s
guys.”
Zakir Hussain is a five-time Grammy
Award winner with an audience that reaches
far beyond his native India. The Chicago
Tribune said that if there is such a thing as
a tabla superstar, Hussain is it. He comes to
Markham with flautist Debopriya Chatterjee
Ranadive and sarangi player Sabir Khan on
March 29 at 8 p.m. The show is a unique
chance to hear this combination of instruments.
The Sarangi and Bansuri (flute) have
roots in ancient India and its mythology, so
they promise to add a rootsy edge to Hussain’s
performance.
“If you want to know what great traditional
Indian music sounds like, this is it,”
says Lariviere.”You’ll be mesmerised.”
The Peking Acrobats have been called
“incredible,” “breathtaking,” “stunning,”
and “unbelievable.” The group will perform
manoeuvres atop a pagoda of chairs,
trick cycling, precision tumbling, juggling,
somersaulting and gymnastics in Markham
on March 30 and 31 for four shows. For
30 years they’ve been pushing the limits of
human ability, defying gravity with amazing
displays of contortion, flexibility, and control
while creating an event with the festive
pageantry of a Chinese Carnival.
“They come with live music onstage
as well,” explains Lariviere. “This is one of
those acts that manages to stay true to tradition
while electrifying modern audiences.”
As always, independent productions are
taking the stage at the theatre in March as
well. The Markham Concert Band’s Sound
of Music Sing Along performance takes
place on March 17 at 2 p.m.. The audience
is encouraged to sing along with the popular
numbers from the Rodgers and Hammerstein
classic.
On March 26 at 7 p.m, Markham at
the Movies is back with another acclaimed
international film. This month features the
British coming-of-age story, Scrapper.
“This month is everything to us
actually,” says Lariviere. “Along with the
diversity, all the shows bring tradition from
the past to life for our audience.”
Visit markhamtheatre.ca for more information.

10 MARKHAM STOUFFVILLE REVIEW COMMUNITY MARCH 2024
Virtual clinic offers
easy access to health care
Marjan Aghazahedi, nurse practitioner at Oak
Valley Health, teaching a mother how to administer
a Ventolin puffer for her toddler using
an AeroChamber.
BY RONALD MA
With many struggling to get timely access
to care and wait lists for family doctors
growing, people should know that virtual
care is an option for them.
Supported in partnership with the
Eastern York Region North Durham Ontario
Health Team and Oak Valley Health (which
includes Markham Stouffville Hospital and
Uxbridge Hospital), the Virtual Urgent Care
Clinic (VUCC) provides timely access to
health care services.
People can receive care from the
comfort of their homes and avoid travel
time, which is particularly beneficial for
those who have accessibility and mobility
concerns.
“I have seen a patient who lives in
Huntsville and her primary care provider is
a 2.5-hour drive away,” Marjan Aghazahedi,
nurse practitioner at Oak Valley Health says.
“She has been receiving care from us and
finds the appointments very engaging and
convenient. She likes the use of technology
to access health care too.”
Situations like this are becoming more
common.
“I have patients who have booked a
same-day appointment over the weekend because
their doctor wasn’t available,” Marjan
says. “They avoided a trip to the Emergency
Department, received a plan of care, and had
their prescription faxed to a pharmacy.”
The virtual clinic is open seven days a
week from 1 to 9 p.m. and is available to all
individuals six months and older who have
an urgent, non-life-threatening condition that
can be addressed virtually.
The nurse practitioner-led clinic offers
patients medical advice, diagnosis, test
results, treatment, education, and referrals if
required.
Since opening, the VUCC has seen an
influx in number of patients over the last few
months.
“We see patients of all ages and from
all over Ontario,” Marjan says. “There is no
waiting in the crowded waiting rooms and
reduces unnecessary emergency department
visits. The VUCC provides accessible and
efficient health care.”
The virtual care clinic is also available
for those who do not have access to OHIP.
To make a same-day or next-day appointment
for the Virtual Urgent Care Clinic,
visit oakvalleyhealth.ca/virtual.
Markham welcomes young
Indigenous hockey players
The City of Markham is set to host the
Little Native Hockey League (LNHL) 2024
Hockey Tournament, Cultural Festival, and
Gala Celebration. LNHL celebrates it 50th
anniversary this year.
Taking place throughout March Break,
the annual hockey tournament will bring
more than 3,500 young Indigenous athletes,
families and spectators together from across
Ontario to Markham to celebrate the game
of hockey and celebration of the Indigenous
culture.
The LNHL Tournament will be spread
across the city’s 10 different ice rinks
throughout the March Break week.
“The City of Markham is committed
to reconciliation and has a rich sporting
history, particularly in the game of hockey,”
Mayor Frank Scarpitti said. “We are pleased
to be able to welcome young Indigenous
athletes and their families from across
Ontario. I look forward to celebrating this
historic and memorable event in March
2024.”
The Opening Day Festival takes place
on March 10 from noon to 7:30 p.m. at the
Markham Civic Centre. Activities include
games, rides, live entertainment, food, vendor
market and hockey shots.
Visit lnhl.ca for more information.

MARCH 2024
Markham figure skater captures gold
11 MARKHAM STOUFFVILLE REVIEW
Celebrating women and girls
Markham figure skater Vienna
Vidinovski landed a gold medal at the 2024
Skate Canada Challenge.
Nearly 200 skaters from across Canada
laced up their skates for the competition,
which was held February 1 to 4 in Oakville.
“This feels really good, almost unreal,”
Vidinovski, a student at St. Patrick Catholic
Elementary School, says of taking top spot
in the pre-novice women category. “I was
thinking I’d come top five to 10. I really
wasn’t expecting gold. I’m really proud of
landing my triple toe in my free program.”
Vidinovski practises before and after
school and occasionally even needs to
leave school early for her athletic commitments.
“It takes a village and wouldn’t have
been possible with all the support from the
school and teachers,” Vienna’s mom says.
The York Catholic District School
Board extends its congratulations to Vidinovski
March 8 is International Women’s Day.
It’s a global day to recognize and celebrate
women’s and girls’ social, economic, cultural,
and political achievements. It’s also
a time to raise awareness of the progress
made towards achieving gender equality
and the work remaining to be done.
The beginnings of International
Women’s Day can be traced back to the
early twentieth century. It emerged from
the activities of labour movements in North
America and Europe and reflected a growing
call for women’s equal participation in
society.
International Women’s Day first took
place on March 19, 1911, in Austria, Denmark,
Germany, and Switzerland. That day,
over a million women and men attended
public events to show their support. Other
countries began to observe and celebrate
this day in the years that followed. The
United Nations recognized 1975 as International
Women’s Year and began celebrating
March 8 as International Women’s Day.
Today, International Women’s Day is a
day of unity, celebration, reflection, advocacy,
and action and is celebrated in many
countries worldwide.
Locally, the Markham Board of Trade
is hosting its spring Women’s Networking
event on March 19 to celebrate International
Women’s Day.
The event provides women with an opportunity
to be inspired by entrepreneurial
female leaders.
The event’s speakers include Karen
Sealy and Grace Tartaglia of Cityline; Val
Meyer, VP of Astral Radio; Dianne Buckner
of CBC’s Dragon’s Den, CTV News’ chief
financial commentator Pattie Lovett-Reid;
Cityline’s nutrition and weight loss expert
Joey Shulman; motivational speaker and
comedian Judy Croon: and various other
business leaders.
There will also be an opportunity to
shop at the many local boutique vendors.
The event takes place March 19 at the
Hilton Toronto/Markham Suites and Conference
Centre.
Visit markhamboard.com for more
information.
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12 MARKHAM STOUFFVILLE REVIEW MARCH 2024
Let's Celebrate Our
CROSSING GUARDS!
TO OUR EVERYDAY HEROES WHO ENSURE OUR
CHILDREN CROSS SAFELY, WE SAY THANK YOU!
KIDS, IT’S TIME TO SHOW
OUR CROSSING GUARDS
JUST HOW MUCH WE
APPRECIATE THEM!
Download our FREE
colouring sheet and add your
personal touch to brighten
their day. Let’s paint the town
with gratitude!
DOWNLOAD NOW AT TINYSEEDLINGS.COM LET’S COLOUR OUR WORLD WITH KINDNESS!