Markham : In The News

On July 1, Markham transforms from a town into a full-fledged city.
 
In May councillors voted unanimously to change the community's status. The municipality has a population of more than 300,000, making it the fourth largest GTA community after Toronto, Mississauga and Brampton.
 
"Many of the residents expressed concern that Markham will lose its quiet rural structure, but councillors argue they want to revitalize the town's image and making it Ontario's newest city will help that," reports Andrew Moran in Digital Journal.
 
"Will Markham receive any extra benefits for the name change? According to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, there are no added subsidies or perks. There are also no requirements in terms of population or size to become a city as long as the place uses a name that doesn't already exist."
 
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Original source: Digital Journal

A nationwide poll by Forum Research suggests that residents of Mississauga, Oakville, Markham and Richmond Hill like what they get for their tax dollars.
 
The four GTA municipalities all made the top 10 in a ranking of resident satisfaction with municipal services across Canada. Respondents ranked their satisfaction on everything from fire and garbage services to libraries and public transportation. Although Quebec City came out on top, the GTA managed to dominate the list in other ways.
 
"Council and I are very pleased at seeking this kind of progress on our goal of becoming better every year," Oakville Mayor Rob Burton told InsideHalton.com. Oakville ranked fifth overall. "It's terrific really to have this validation of how hard we have been working on this and that we are actually getting some results."
 
"The town tied for second in the area of police services with 53 per cent of Oakville residents surveyed saying they were very satisfied with their police service," writes InsideHalton.com. "Oakville tied for second again in the area of ambulance and emergency medical services satisfaction with 61 per cent and tied for second place in the area of public health services satisfaction with 37 per cent."
 
"Oakville received the highest satisfaction rating of all cities surveyed for road maintenance and repair with 31 per cent, a score that left Burton particularly satisfied."
 
The top 10 in order are:
Quebec City, Que.
Burnaby, B.C.
Mississauga, Ont.
Sherbrooke, Que.
Oakville, Ont.
Burlington, Ont.
Laval, Que.
Markham, Ont.
Longueuil, Que.
Richmond Hill, Ont.
 
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Original source: InsideHalton.com

As reported by the National Post Markham firm Living Realty Inc., has announced an ambitious expansion proposal for the city's Pacific Mall. Already the largest Asian mall in North America--with 270,000-square-feet of retail space--the new plan calls for another 250,000 square-feet for retailers, an on-site hotel and five new layers of parking.

"The mall, which sits at the northeast corner of Kennedy Road and Steeles Avenue East, is a popular tourist attraction: It's "like Christmas shopping there every weekend," said Mr. Wong, who has been in charge of marketing and sales for the mall since it began selling units in 1993."

"Unlike conventional shopping centres, the Pacific Mall has cubicle-like units, starting at a standard 145 square feet. Stores are comprised of one or more units. Due to the small nature of the stores, Mr. Wong said the mall often attracts new immigrants looking to start businesses."

"The project has not yet been approved by the Town of Markham. Mr. Wong said he estimates the project will be completed in about four years."

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original source the National Post

According to the Montreal Gazette Southern Ontario's auto manufacturing industry, while it continues to face challenges, has bright future ahead. Ontario's relatively strong and competitive position in the industry can be attributed to its mix of products.

"The good news is Canada's auto industry -- primarily centred in southern Ontario -- is in "remarkably good shape relative to the product mix it has going into 2010 and beyond," said Pochiluk [president of AutomotiveCompass -- an automotive research and consulting firm]"

"Home to assembly plants for Chrysler Group LLC, Ford Motor Co., Toyota, Honda and General Motors, Ontario produces vehicles across key segments -- minivans in Windsor; mid-sized sedans in Brampton, Oshawa and Cambridge; crossover utility vehicles in Oakville, Ingersoll and Woodstock; compact cars in Alliston."

"Operating on three shifts, the Windsor assembly plant -- which builds Dodge Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country minivans -- "is going to be fine" despite strong, new entries from Honda and Toyota next year, said Pochiluk."

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original source Montreal Gazette

According to an article in the Toronto Star, Markham tech firm Fresco Microchips Inc. is on the verge of becoming a major player in the television industry. Technology developed by the company was recently purchased by "consumer electronics giants" LG Innotek and Panasonic Electronic Device.

"�the company, headquartered in Markham with design centers in Ottawa and California, is meeting the challenge of decoding and processing TV signals from analog to digital in a shifting marketplace. Manufacturers must create hybrid products for North America, as it undergoes a transition to digital, as well as for emerging markets elsewhere. Fresco's patented technology also offers TV manufacturers a single chip that is not only cheaper but has a universal application.

Greggain, who co-founded Fresco with three colleagues in 2004, believes the company is poised to soar after consumer electronics giants LG Innotek and Panasonic Electronic Devices recently chose Fresco technology for their next-generation television products. The privately held company started with 10 employees and has grown to 48."

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original source Toronto Star