City of Markham and York University advance shared goals to right Markham’s future

MARKHAM, ON – June 17, 2022 – The MOU is a five-year agreement that builds on other shared priorities such as Markham Campus, setting out a wide range of initiatives and projects in strategic areas of engagement and co-operation including: experiential learning and employment opportunities, economic growth, continuing and professional development, and research and innovation.

“The City of Markham is thrilled to be taking this meaningful step in collaboration with York University,” said Mayor Frank Scarpitti. “Signing this MOU today underscores our shared vision and commitment in working together to address many important priorities for Markham residents and the future of our community.”

The City is committed to Reconciliation and fulfilling the municipal calls to action in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The City will work with York to further strengthen its Reconciliation efforts with continuous learning and professional development opportunities.

With a commitment to sustainability and climate change, the City is currently undertaking several initiatives, including its award-winning Textile Recycling Program, which has seen the collection of more than 6 million pounds of textiles, which is the equivalent of more than 2,700 tonnes diverted from landfills. Furthermore, the Yonge North Subway Extension, is an inter-regional project that, by the time it’s built, will save more than 13 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per workday by reducing the 3,300 daily bus trips that currently service this area.

The new MOU will see the City and York explore potential opportunities to work together on a wide range of sustainable initiatives and projects that will see a greener Markham.

One-in-three households in the City have housing affordability issues and nearly one-in-five residents are spending 50 per cent or more of their income on housing. The City has undertaken a multi-phase project including research reports and community engagement to complete Housing Choices: Markham’s Affordable and Rental Housing Strategy. As part of the new MOU, the City and York will explore opportunities to collaborate on experiential learning and research/innovation in the development of municipal affordable and rental housing policy and development.

“We are pleased to continue to partner with the City of Markham to create equitable and prosperous opportunities for the city’s vibrant communities,” said Rhonda Lenton, President and Vice-Chancellor of York University. “By working toward Reconciliation and taking action to address housing affordability in the community, York is reaffirming its long-term commitment to inclusivity and sustainability. This MOU formalizes our ongoing shared goals of training the next generation of world-class professionals and thought leaders, and fostering innovative community and research collaborations to drive positive change both at the local and global level.”

Together with York’s entrepreneurship hub known as YSpace Markham, the Markham Small Business Centre, the City’s Economic Development initiatives, and technology companies already based in Markham, this new campus will help foster innovation and entrepreneurship in Markham and the Regional Municipality of York. It will also attract more skilled, diverse talent to study, work and settle in Markham, further growing the City as a forward-thinking community and a leading technology and innovation hub.

QUICK FACTS

• The average price of a resale home in Markham has doubled over the last 10 years and average market rent is increasing faster than inflation.
• In January 2017, the City of Markham signed a historic agreement of cultural collaboration with Eabametoong First Nation – a first-of-its-kind agreement between an urban municipality and a remote northern First Nation community.
• In November 2021, York announced a new local health partnership with Oak Valley Health in Markham, Whitchurch-Stouffville, Uxbridge and beyond.
• In October 2021, the City of Markham and York celebrated a Markham Campus milestone with the naming of University Boulevard.
• In May 2021, York announced Markham Campus will be home to Canada’s first CIFAL UN training centre – bringing leaders from governments, not-for-profits and industry together with researchers and educators to share expertise and address society’s most urgent demands.
• In November 2017, YSpace Markham opened its physical incubator that supports growth-ready technology and food and beverage ventures.
• York University is home to centres of research excellence in antimicrobial resistance, disease modelling, data visualization, advanced robotics, global health, healthy aging, and muscle health, among others.

(Left to Right) Schulich School of Business student, Sanduli Alwis; Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti; President & Vice-Chancellor, York University, Rhonda L. Lenton and Elder Garry Sault, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation on Friday, June 17, 2022, at the MOU signing outside of Markham Civic Centre. Photo credit: Gary Beechey. 
 

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Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti's Office:
At mayorscarpitti@markham.ca.

All other media inquiries / interview requests for the City of Markham:
Kisha Powell, Media Relations & Communications Specialist at kpowell@markham.ca.

York University:
Kayla Lewis, News Manager & Deputy Spokesperson at media@yorku.ca.

About Markham: Markham, an award-winning municipality with more than 356,000 residents and the largest of nine communities in York Region, is home to over 650 headquartered companies and more than 1,500 high tech and life science companies. Markham is a leader in attracting foreign direct investment with more than 234 foreign companies located in the City. Founded in the 1790s, today Markham is Canada’s most diverse community and enjoys a rich heritage, outstanding community planning and services, and a vibrant local economy.

About York University: York University is a modern, multi-campus, urban university located in Toronto, Ontario. Backed by a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners, we bring a uniquely global perspective to help solve societal challenges, drive positive change and prepare our students for success. York's fully bilingual Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. York’s campuses in Costa Rica and India offer students exceptional transnational learning opportunities and innovative programs. Together, we can make things right for our communities, our planet, and our future.

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