RESTORE LOCAL CONTROL TO MARKHAM
The Issue
(以下为中文) Scroll down for Simplified Chinese translation.
📍 To: The Legislative Assembly of Ontario
📍 From: Concerned Residents of Markham-Unionville
Doug Ford and the Conservatives Have Sidelined Markham—Let’s Take Back Control
What Needs to Change
Markham should decide how we grow—not Queen’s Park, not developers, and not politicians who ignore community concerns.
We demand that the Ontario government:
Immediately repeal Bill 23, Bill 39, and Bill 185 to restore municipal authority over local planning decisions.
Guarantee public consultation and transparency in all major development approvals, ensuring community voices are heard.
Ensure that infrastructure, schools, and public services are in place before approving large-scale developments.
Respect municipal decision-making and give Markham the ability to shape its own long-term growth.
How the Conservative Government Took Away Markham’s Power
Doug Ford’s government has passed laws that strip Markham of its ability to shape its own future, handing power to developers while limiting the ability of municipalities and residents to challenge reckless projects. These laws force high-density development without the necessary infrastructure, schools, healthcare, or transit to support it.
The Markville Secondary Plan and CF Markville redevelopment highlight how decisions are being made without enough input from residents and local leaders—leading to increased traffic, school overcrowding, and more strain on local services.
We, the undersigned, demand that the Ontario government restore local control over development decisions and repeal the Conservative policies that have overridden Markham’s ability to plan responsibly.
The following legislative changes have weakened municipal decision-making, reduced public participation, and prioritized developer interests over community needs:
Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022
- Impact on Markham: Residents lose the ability to challenge poorly planned developments, while the city is forced to approve projects that may strain infrastructure and worsen congestion.
- Eliminates third-party appeals – Residents and community organizations can no longer challenge bad planning decisions at the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT).
Weakens municipal site plan control – Cities cannot regulate architectural design or landscaping elements, limiting their ability to shape neighborhood character.
Removes development charges for certain housing types – This forces municipalities to subsidize infrastructure costs instead of developers paying their fair share.
Reduces environmental protections – Weakens the authority of conservation authorities to review development impacts on flooding and green spaces.
Bill 39, Better Municipal Governance Act, 2022
- Impact on Markham: Residents' voices are weakened as local decision-making is centralized in the hands of a few, making it easier for development projects to be fast-tracked without full council approval.
- Gives unelected officials power over local planning decisions – Allows the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to appoint "strong mayors" with veto powers over city councils.
Lowers the threshold for passing bylaws – A minority of city council members can approve major decisions without majority support.
Bill 185, Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act, 2024
- Impact on Markham: The city cannot slow or modify developments to ensure infrastructure keeps pace, leading to overcrowding and strained services.
- Further limits municipal power – Prevents cities from imposing additional zoning or planning requirements beyond what the province dictates.
Blocks cities from stopping developments – Municipalities cannot reject proposals even when they fail to align with local needs or infrastructure readiness.
Other Conservative Legislation Undermining Local Authority
- Bill 108, More Homes, More Choice Act, 2019 – Allowed developers to appeal official plans more easily, reducing municipal control over long-term growth strategies.
- Bill 197, COVID-19 Economic Recovery Act, 2020 – Made it harder for municipalities to challenge environmental and planning decisions, favoring rapid development.
- Bill 229, Protect, Support and Recover from COVID-19 Act, 2020 – Weakened conservation authority oversight, increasing the risk of environmentally harmful developments.
Why This Matters for Markham Residents
Traffic congestion is already unbearable—more development without transit solutions will make it worse.
Schools are already overcapacity, with portables becoming permanent fixtures.
Green spaces and community resources must be protected, not sacrificed for high-rises.
Developers should contribute fairly to roads, schools, and transit—not leave taxpayers to foot the bill.
Sign the Petition – Demand Better for Markham
Doug Ford and the Conservatives have sold out Markham to developers while ignoring local concerns. If we don’t act now, more decisions will be made without input from the people who live here.
📍 Sign your name below to demand that the Ontario government restores Markham’s right to control its own growth.
道格·福特与保守党已将万锦边缘化——让我们夺回控制权！
需要哪些改变
万锦的发展应由万锦自己决定——而不是省政府、开发商，也不是那些不关心社区利益的政客。
我们要求安大略省政府：
- 立即废除第23号、第39号和第185号法案，恢复地方政府对本地规划的决策权。
- 确保所有重大开发项目必须进行公开咨询并保持透明，让社区的声音被听见。
- 在批准大型开发项目前，必须落实配套基础设施、学校和公共服务
- 尊重地方决策权，赋予万锦自主规划长期发展的能力。
保守党政府如何剥夺了万锦的权力
道格·福特政府通过多项法案，剥夺了万锦对未来的话语权，将权力交给开发商，同时妨碍市政和居民对不周开发项目提出质疑。这些法案强制推进高密度开发，却未配备必要的基础设施、学校、医疗或交通支持。
万锦Markville的二期规划和CF Markville万锦商场重建项目充分表明，决策过程中缺乏居民和本地领导者的充分参与——导致交通拥堵加剧、学校过度拥挤、本地服务压力激增。
我们，联署人，要求安大略省政府恢复地方对开发决策的控制权，并废除那些践踏万锦合理规划能力的保守党政策。
以下的新法规削弱了地方决策权，压制公众参与，并将开发商利益凌驾于社区需求之上：
第23号法案《更多住房更多建設法案》（More Homes Built Faster Act），2022年
- 对万锦的影响：居民失去质疑规划不周开发项目的能力，市政府被迫批准可能加剧基础设施压力与交通拥堵的项目。
- 取消第三方上诉权——居民和社区组织无法通过安大略土地法庭（OLT）挑战不合理规划。
- 弱化市政场地规划控制权——城市无法监管建筑设计或景观规划，限制其对社区特色的塑造能力。
- 取消部分住房类型的开发费——迫使市政补贴基础设施成本，而非由开发商承担合理份额。
- 削弱环境保护——降低环保机构对开发项目洪水和绿地影响的审查权。
第39号法案《政府更好管理法案》（Better Municipal Governance Act），2022年
- 对万锦的影响：通过将决策权集中于少数人手中，削弱居民发声渠道，使开发项目更容易绕过市议会全面审批。
- 赋予非民选官员规划决策权——允许市政事务和住房部长任命拥有市议会否决权的“强权市长”。
- 降低通过地方法规门槛——少数市议员即可批准重大决策，无需多数支持。
第185号法案《简化繁文缩建更多住房法案》（Cutting Red Tape to Build More Housing Act），2024年
- 对万锦的影响：市政府无法通过延缓或调整开发项目来确保基础设施同步，导致过度拥挤和服务压力。
- 进一步限制地方权力——禁止市政在省级规定外增设规划要求。
- 阻止城市叫停开发——即使项目不符合本地需求或基础设施条件，市政也无权拒绝。
其他削弱地方权力的保守党法规
- 第108号法案《更多房屋更多选择法案》（More Homes, More Choice Act），2019年——允许开发商更容易上诉官方规划，削弱市政对长期增长战略的控制。
- 第197号法案《疫情经济复苏法案》（COVID-19 Economic Recovery Act），2020年——限制市政挑战环境和规划决策的能力，优先快速开发。
- 第229号法案《疫情保护、支持与恢复法案》（Protect, Support and Recover from COVID-19 Act），2020年——弱化环保机构监督，增加环境破坏性开发风险。
为何这对万锦居民至关重要
- 交通拥堵已难以忍受——缺乏交通配套的进一步开发只会雪上加霜。
- 学校长期超负荷——临时教室已成固定设施。
- 绿地和社区资源必须被保护——而非为高楼大厦牺牲。
- 开发商应公平承担道路、学校和交通成本——而非让纳税人买单。
签署请愿书——为万锦争取更好未来
道格·福特与保守党已将万锦出卖给开发商，无视本地民生。如果我们现在不行动，将会有更多不吸取民众意见的决策被通过
📍 请在下方签署您的姓名，要求安大略政府恢复万锦自主规划发展的权利
37
The Issue
(以下为中文) Scroll down for Simplified Chinese translation.
📍 To: The Legislative Assembly of Ontario
📍 From: Concerned Residents of Markham-Unionville
Doug Ford and the Conservatives Have Sidelined Markham—Let’s Take Back Control
What Needs to Change
Markham should decide how we grow—not Queen’s Park, not developers, and not politicians who ignore community concerns.
We demand that the Ontario government:
Immediately repeal Bill 23, Bill 39, and Bill 185 to restore municipal authority over local planning decisions.
Guarantee public consultation and transparency in all major development approvals, ensuring community voices are heard.
Ensure that infrastructure, schools, and public services are in place before approving large-scale developments.
Respect municipal decision-making and give Markham the ability to shape its own long-term growth.
How the Conservative Government Took Away Markham’s Power
Doug Ford’s government has passed laws that strip Markham of its ability to shape its own future, handing power to developers while limiting the ability of municipalities and residents to challenge reckless projects. These laws force high-density development without the necessary infrastructure, schools, healthcare, or transit to support it.
The Markville Secondary Plan and CF Markville redevelopment highlight how decisions are being made without enough input from residents and local leaders—leading to increased traffic, school overcrowding, and more strain on local services.
We, the undersigned, demand that the Ontario government restore local control over development decisions and repeal the Conservative policies that have overridden Markham’s ability to plan responsibly.
The following legislative changes have weakened municipal decision-making, reduced public participation, and prioritized developer interests over community needs:
Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022
- Impact on Markham: Residents lose the ability to challenge poorly planned developments, while the city is forced to approve projects that may strain infrastructure and worsen congestion.
- Eliminates third-party appeals – Residents and community organizations can no longer challenge bad planning decisions at the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT).
Weakens municipal site plan control – Cities cannot regulate architectural design or landscaping elements, limiting their ability to shape neighborhood character.
Removes development charges for certain housing types – This forces municipalities to subsidize infrastructure costs instead of developers paying their fair share.
Reduces environmental protections – Weakens the authority of conservation authorities to review development impacts on flooding and green spaces.
Bill 39, Better Municipal Governance Act, 2022
- Impact on Markham: Residents' voices are weakened as local decision-making is centralized in the hands of a few, making it easier for development projects to be fast-tracked without full council approval.
- Gives unelected officials power over local planning decisions – Allows the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to appoint "strong mayors" with veto powers over city councils.
Lowers the threshold for passing bylaws – A minority of city council members can approve major decisions without majority support.
Bill 185, Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act, 2024
- Impact on Markham: The city cannot slow or modify developments to ensure infrastructure keeps pace, leading to overcrowding and strained services.
- Further limits municipal power – Prevents cities from imposing additional zoning or planning requirements beyond what the province dictates.
Blocks cities from stopping developments – Municipalities cannot reject proposals even when they fail to align with local needs or infrastructure readiness.
Other Conservative Legislation Undermining Local Authority
- Bill 108, More Homes, More Choice Act, 2019 – Allowed developers to appeal official plans more easily, reducing municipal control over long-term growth strategies.
- Bill 197, COVID-19 Economic Recovery Act, 2020 – Made it harder for municipalities to challenge environmental and planning decisions, favoring rapid development.
- Bill 229, Protect, Support and Recover from COVID-19 Act, 2020 – Weakened conservation authority oversight, increasing the risk of environmentally harmful developments.
Why This Matters for Markham Residents
Traffic congestion is already unbearable—more development without transit solutions will make it worse.
Schools are already overcapacity, with portables becoming permanent fixtures.
Green spaces and community resources must be protected, not sacrificed for high-rises.
Developers should contribute fairly to roads, schools, and transit—not leave taxpayers to foot the bill.
Sign the Petition – Demand Better for Markham
Doug Ford and the Conservatives have sold out Markham to developers while ignoring local concerns. If we don’t act now, more decisions will be made without input from the people who live here.
📍 Sign your name below to demand that the Ontario government restores Markham’s right to control its own growth.
道格·福特与保守党已将万锦边缘化——让我们夺回控制权！
需要哪些改变
万锦的发展应由万锦自己决定——而不是省政府、开发商，也不是那些不关心社区利益的政客。
我们要求安大略省政府：
- 立即废除第23号、第39号和第185号法案，恢复地方政府对本地规划的决策权。
- 确保所有重大开发项目必须进行公开咨询并保持透明，让社区的声音被听见。
- 在批准大型开发项目前，必须落实配套基础设施、学校和公共服务
- 尊重地方决策权，赋予万锦自主规划长期发展的能力。
保守党政府如何剥夺了万锦的权力
道格·福特政府通过多项法案，剥夺了万锦对未来的话语权，将权力交给开发商，同时妨碍市政和居民对不周开发项目提出质疑。这些法案强制推进高密度开发，却未配备必要的基础设施、学校、医疗或交通支持。
万锦Markville的二期规划和CF Markville万锦商场重建项目充分表明，决策过程中缺乏居民和本地领导者的充分参与——导致交通拥堵加剧、学校过度拥挤、本地服务压力激增。
我们，联署人，要求安大略省政府恢复地方对开发决策的控制权，并废除那些践踏万锦合理规划能力的保守党政策。
以下的新法规削弱了地方决策权，压制公众参与，并将开发商利益凌驾于社区需求之上：
第23号法案《更多住房更多建設法案》（More Homes Built Faster Act），2022年
- 对万锦的影响：居民失去质疑规划不周开发项目的能力，市政府被迫批准可能加剧基础设施压力与交通拥堵的项目。
- 取消第三方上诉权——居民和社区组织无法通过安大略土地法庭（OLT）挑战不合理规划。
- 弱化市政场地规划控制权——城市无法监管建筑设计或景观规划，限制其对社区特色的塑造能力。
- 取消部分住房类型的开发费——迫使市政补贴基础设施成本，而非由开发商承担合理份额。
- 削弱环境保护——降低环保机构对开发项目洪水和绿地影响的审查权。
第39号法案《政府更好管理法案》（Better Municipal Governance Act），2022年
- 对万锦的影响：通过将决策权集中于少数人手中，削弱居民发声渠道，使开发项目更容易绕过市议会全面审批。
- 赋予非民选官员规划决策权——允许市政事务和住房部长任命拥有市议会否决权的“强权市长”。
- 降低通过地方法规门槛——少数市议员即可批准重大决策，无需多数支持。
第185号法案《简化繁文缩建更多住房法案》（Cutting Red Tape to Build More Housing Act），2024年
- 对万锦的影响：市政府无法通过延缓或调整开发项目来确保基础设施同步，导致过度拥挤和服务压力。
- 进一步限制地方权力——禁止市政在省级规定外增设规划要求。
- 阻止城市叫停开发——即使项目不符合本地需求或基础设施条件，市政也无权拒绝。
其他削弱地方权力的保守党法规
- 第108号法案《更多房屋更多选择法案》（More Homes, More Choice Act），2019年——允许开发商更容易上诉官方规划，削弱市政对长期增长战略的控制。
- 第197号法案《疫情经济复苏法案》（COVID-19 Economic Recovery Act），2020年——限制市政挑战环境和规划决策的能力，优先快速开发。
- 第229号法案《疫情保护、支持与恢复法案》（Protect, Support and Recover from COVID-19 Act），2020年——弱化环保机构监督，增加环境破坏性开发风险。
为何这对万锦居民至关重要
- 交通拥堵已难以忍受——缺乏交通配套的进一步开发只会雪上加霜。
- 学校长期超负荷——临时教室已成固定设施。
- 绿地和社区资源必须被保护——而非为高楼大厦牺牲。
- 开发商应公平承担道路、学校和交通成本——而非让纳税人买单。
签署请愿书——为万锦争取更好未来
道格·福特与保守党已将万锦出卖给开发商，无视本地民生。如果我们现在不行动，将会有更多不吸取民众意见的决策被通过
📍 请在下方签署您的姓名，要求安大略政府恢复万锦自主规划发展的权利
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Petition created on February 15, 2025