2018 Provincial Budget

2018 Provincial Budget

2018 Provincial Budget

Statement from Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti

For Immediate Release

March 28, 2018

“I applaud the Provincial Government for the significant investment in health care, child care, care for seniors and mental health,” says Mayor Frank Scarpitti. “As Co-Chair of the Capital Campaign for the renovation and expansion of the Markham Stouffville Hospital, I am pleased to see the government’s support of an additional $10.1 million for operating costs.”

“Investing in the jobs of the future is also the right move, “says Mayor Scarpitti. “The City of Markham is the second largest innovation cluster in Ontario, we believe in supporting entrepreneurs, change makers and thought leaders; while attracting and retaining a skilled and diverse workforce.”

The provincial budget fails to deliver on the construction of York Region’s number one transit priority. The Province says it will work with municipalities to nominate potential transit projects such as the Yonge Subway Extension and Downtown Relief Line, which have both already been identified by Metrolinx as priority projects.

“As Chair of the York Region Rapid Transit Corporation, I am disappointed there was no mention of additional funding to start the construction the Yonge Subway Extension,” says Mayor Scarpitti. “We cannot let another term of provincial government go by without a solid financial commitment. This is about easing congestion everywhere and taking crammed buses off the busy Yonge Street Corridor. York Region is a growing economic force with more than 150,000 people commuting daily to work in the Region.”

On a positive note, Ontario plans to help transit riders with fare integration. PRESTO card users at stations in Markham will also see fare reductions when taking GO Transit back and forth to Union Station; all trips under 10 kilometers will cost card users just three dollars per trip.

“I am encouraged to hear the Province will work with York Region Transit on fare integration, potentially saving cross-boundary transit commuters up to $1.50 trip, that’s hundreds of dollars a year;” says Mayor Scarpitti. “But we need to make that a reality for those commuters as soon as possible.”

Ontario will also be providing municipalities with $40 Million over the first two years of Cannabis Legalization; but there is concern that amount will not be sufficient to cover increased municipal costs for enforcement.

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Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti's Office: Lama Nicolas, Senior Communications Advisor at lnicolas@markham.ca or 416.671.2890.

For all other media inquiries / interview requests for the City of Markham:
Erynn Sally, Media Relations Coordinator at esally@markham.ca or 416.737.2684.