The primary role of the Clerk's Department is driven by provincial legislation, most notably The Municipal Act, The Municipal Elections Act and The Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. The Department provides administrative support to Council and its Committees and ensures that all of the actions taken by Council are recorded and communicated.

Over the years however, Markham's Clerk's Department has evolved into a multifaceted department, which performs a variety of administrative, and statutory functions for the Corporation. Reporting to the Commissioner of Corporate Services, the department is divided into four operational areas, consisting of the following divisions:

• Administration Division
• Secretariat Services Division
• By-Law Enforcement & Licensing Division
• Records Management Division