Mayoral Candidates for Markham, Stouffville, East Gwillimbury & Uxbridge

On October 24th there will be a municipal election in the province of Ontario. Mayoral candidates from all across the GTA have been providing insight into their campaigns. Below you will find details on each mayoral candidate for Markham, Stouffville, East Gwillimbury & Uxbridge. Highlighted in red are areas that directly affect real estate in each of the communities.

Markham

Don Hamilton

“Working Together for a Better Markham!” was the slogan for my Regional Councillor campaign in 2018. However I believe it’s time for a change in leadership at the City of Markham and that’s why I am running for the position of Mayor. Together we really can make Markham better.”

• reasonable tax increases
• a greener Markham
• respectful development
• lobbyist registry
• heritage preservation
• new economic development opportunities
• seniors and affordable housing
• better transit, pedestrian and cycling infrastructure
• community centers and parks
• vacant home tax

Frank Scarpitti

“I truly enjoy public service, and the opportunity to shape Markham and its future. I have driven our success on having the lowest average tax increases in the GTA for the past 17 years. I also have been leading the charge for major investments that will put Markham on the map. I demonstrated consistent leadership during some challenging and unsettling times, and the truth of the matter is there’s still ongoing impacts that will require solid leadership and experience.”

• Traffic congestion and efficient transportation. As chair of the York Region Rapid Transit Corp., I am extremely proud of our award-winning bus rapid transit system.
• Housing affordability and affordable housing for older adults and families. We hosted a housing summit, which resulted in recommendations that our staff have started to work on.
• Continuing to attract jobs and major investment. I led the charge to create an innovation district: the Markham Innovation Exchange to attract tech companies, clean tech, advanced manufacturing, research and development, and the broader media industry. This innovation park will attract jobs of the future.

Stouffville

Anande Date

“ I said I would need three terms to turn our municipality from good to great, after a disastrous 2014 to 2018. One term has already been lost, so I have my work cut out for me! I also made a promise to my daughter to help the residents of WS.”

What are your top three issues?

• Diversification of the tax base combined with sustainable growth
• Bringing order and efficiency to the position of mayor and to council
• Increasing safety, wealth and prosperity for all

Iain Lovatt

“For the past four years, I have worked tirelessly to rebuild the town’s reputation in the region and the province. Under my leadership, with a unified council, we have implemented the town’s strategic plan with great results, all while leading through an unprecedented global pandemic.”

What are your top three issues?

• Balancing our tax base by attracting more commercial and industrial development
• Executing our plan for Main Street reconstruction
• Developing plans to see the missing middle in our housing stock addressed. We need more affordable choices for our community

Mark Caroll

My vision for the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville is for more resilient and affordable development, healthy and inclusive communities, preservation of our natural environment, policies that will see our communities grow in a sustainable manner and an open and honest council with strong principles and proper leadership accountable to the residents.

What are your top three issues?

• Sustainable development of our town
• Main Street development from Park Drive to Highway 48
• Traffic calming concerns

Justin Altman

“I have always enjoyed participating and being a conduit to introducing residents of our town to activities that bring people together and embrace every aspect of our community that supports, shares and partners with our residents and businesses. With the greater community, we raised $140,000 to build a mobile accessible washroom, relocated the Food Bank, traveled to Africa for the Igoma partnership, and approved the raising of the Pride flag.”

• Defend the Greenbelt/Oak Ridges Moraine and residents concerns from the current councils MZO’s, urban sprawl, straining infrastructure, grid lock and tax increases.  
• A joint venture entertainment facility for all ages having multiple activities not limited to a bowling alley, movie theater, etc. with the ability to adapt programming. 
• Create a symbiotic medical-based industry in our Hoover Park commercial lands combining health and social services, with attainable living, long-term care/retirement facilities in partnership with post secondary satellite campuses for training and post education.

Uxbridge

John Haddock

“I believe in accountability, in freezing taxes for homeowners just like you, focusing on helping businesses thrive in Uxbridge. Bringing fiscal responsibility as well as added services so families in Uxbridge can stay in Uxbridge.”

• Transparency and smart spending of our taxpayer dollars, listening to and representing the taxpayer.
• Support to residents still affected and or displaced by the tornado.
• Further cleanup and a beautification program with a program for replanting trees. I am working on a program now with a local tree farm and will also be challenging other local tree farms.
• Better maintenance programs in public spaces, such as snow removal on our sidewalks and weed control in summer.
• Green space expansions in both urban and suburban areas.

Zed Pickering

“Ward 3 needs a representative who will listen to your concerns, be a strong voice on council and has a reputation for getting things done in our community. Decisions made at the municipal council have direct impact on residents’ daily lives. I want to invest my time in the community I love.”

•  Prioritizing initiatives that improve street safety and the reduction of property crime;
•  Advocating for environmental accountability and steady improvements to environmental policies;
• Keeping a focus on a downtown revitalization that benefits all residents.

East Gwillimbury

Virgina Hackson

“I want to finish what we have started and see the completion of projects that have commenced this past term. Specifically, the opening of our Health & Active Living Plaza, including our first aquatics center, library and program rooms. Working in the recreation field for more than 28 years, I know how important this facility will be to our residents.”

• Orientation and strategic planning workshops for council members — mapping our next four years
• Establish AD HOC resident user committee for our new Health & Active Living Plaza
• Review our Advisory Committees and have all committee members selected

James Young

It’s time for a change in leadership. I have the experience and knowledge required to carry out the responsibilities of mayor. I truly feel this community is being driven by the development industry. Growth should be for the betterment of our community, not lead to its detriment.

• Growth management — Plans are solid, but implementation isn’t. Growth should be on our terms, not developers’.
• Efficiency — Focus on key roles and not get distracted by external issues, keeping taxes low through cost-effective governing.
• Advocacy — We need a strong voice to hold influence on issues that affect us at the region.

*candidate information as of Oct. 7, 2022