Markham Adopts Budget 2026

MARKHAM, ON – October 31, 2025 – The City of Markham has adopted Markham Racing Forward: Budget 2026, which was tabled by Mayor Frank Scarpitti on October 1, 2025. The approved 3.90% property tax rate increase amounts to $54.99 for the average Markham household, reinforcing the City’s long-standing record of maintaining the lowest average property tax rate increase in the GTA over two decades.

“Budget 2026 is about keeping Markham strong, resilient, and inclusive,” said Mayor Frank Scarpitti. “Since 2002, we’ve invested $680 million across more than 1,000 capital projects to build the infrastructure our growing city needs. Budget 2026 further invests in the key projects that enhances our quality of life and ensures our infrastructure is well maintained into the future. Markham is racing forward with purpose, vision, and accountability.”

Under the theme Markham Racing Forward: Budget 2026 reflects the City’s commitment to delivering exceptional services, building resilient infrastructure, and embracing innovation. Since 2022, the City has invested $680 million across 1,036 capital projects, with nearly 70% of funds already spent, demonstrating strong project delivery and accountability. From 2009 to 2026, our Excellence through Efficiency and Effectiveness (E3) Program will have delivered $37.2M in annual operating savings, equal to a tax rate increase avoidance of 29.0%.

Markham’s Budget 2026 demonstrates the City’s continued track record of prudent fiscal management while making important investments in infrastructure and community initiatives. By maintaining our assets in a state of good repair and proactively planning for the future, we ensure Markham remains resilient to economic pressures, responsive to community needs, and ready to deliver high-quality services and infrastructure for generations to come. The City’s 2026 capital budget is $160.4 million, alongside a primary operating budget of $309.3 million.

The 2026 capital budget includes:
•    Investing in new road construction, repairs, rehabilitation and traffic improvements ($53.8M) 
•    Ensuring climate resiliency with $34.5M investment in flood control, stormwater management construction, ponds and culverts.
•    Constructing and maintaining our parks and trails ($12.1M)
•    Keeping our facilities in good condition with $15.8M for exterior and interior improvements and repairs.
•    Replacement of day-to-day City assets to serve the public ($8.5M)
•    Incorporating leading-edge technology to modernize systems and services ($3.5M for systems and technology infrastructure)

Along with being ranked amongst the top five large Canadian municipalities for fiscal transparency from the C.D. Howe Institute, the City of Markham has received several other recognitions for its budget and financial management process, including:

•    Canadian Award for Financial Reporting, Government Finance Officers Association (since 2001)
•    Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, Government Finance Officers Association (since 2000)
•    Gold Award for A Markham Milestone: 2025 Budget Book, Hermes Creative Awards

Public consultation is a vital part of the budget process, ensuring that community voices are heard and reflected in the City’s priorities. We thank the community for their valuable input provided through Your Voice Markham and other engagement platforms during the public consultation process, which helped shape the 2026 Budget.

For more information about Budget 2026, visit: markham.ca/budget
 

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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:  
media@markham.ca. 

About Markham: Markham, an award-winning municipality with over 370,000 residents and the largest of nine communities in York Region, is home to over 650 corporate head offices 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.

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