Mayor Frank Scarpitti's Statement on the Cancellation of York University Markham Campus

For Immediate Release
October 23, 2018

On behalf of the City of Markham, I would like to express our deep disappointment upon hearing the Provincial government’s announcement to cancel funding for York University Markham Centre Campus.

The campus was set to open its doors in 2021 and we were ready and excited to break ground this month, the culmination of a 5-year journey involving partnerships and extensive work by York University, City of Markham, Seneca College, York Region and the Government of Ontario. Considerable public funds have also been expended to engage the private sector to advance the project.

Markham is a key player in Ontario’s innovation corridor, home to more than 1500 tech and life sciences companies, and a highly-skilled, educated and diverse workforce. We believe York University fit with the vision we have for Markham Centre, offering leading edge, entrepreneurial programs, preparing students for the jobs of the future. The campus would have been a first in York Region, the fastest growing large municipality in Ontario and third largest business hub.

We understand the difficult process the Province is undertaking to find efficiencies, however we are committed to continued dialogue and working with all of our stakeholders to secure a post-secondary institution for Markham and York Region, to further strengthen Ontario’s position in the knowledge-based global economy. With this decision, York Region remains the only jurisdiction in North America, with more than a million people, that does not have a university.

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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.