Mayor Frank Scarpitti tables Budget 2026: Markham Racing Forward

MARKHAM, ON – October 1, 2025 – Today, Mayor Frank Scarpitti presented Markham Racing Forward: Budget 2026 – a $677.9 million plan that strengthens our community while maintaining a strong commitment to fiscal responsibility and service excellence. With Budget 2026, we maintain our record of lowest average property tax rate increase in the GTA over two decades. This year’s budget addresses growth, inflation pressures, and service demands, ensuring our community continues to receive high-quality service.

The budget supports the programs and services residents and businesses depend on every day while making important investments in strengthening our community. It includes a property tax rate increase of 3.90%. This represents an increase of $54.99 on the City portion of the tax bill for the average home in Markham.

“The race is on. With the tabling of Budget 2026, Markham is moving forward with an investment of $160.4 million dedicated to 233 capital projects, including reinvestment in both aging and new infrastructure for our growing community,” said Frank Scarpitti, Mayor of Markham. “In fact, since 2022, we have invested a total of $680 million across 1,036 capital projects, ranging from road resurfacing to flood mitigation to construction of major parks and trails. To-date, close to 70% of those dollars have been spent, reflecting our dedication to staying on track and getting things done. Markham has maintained the lowest average tax rate increase in the GTA over two decades, and Markham residents agree that we continue to deliver quality services. This would only be possible through careful stewardship of taxpayer dollars and our focus on responsible spending."

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 proposed 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)

Since 2022, Markham has committed $680 million to capital infrastructure investments.

Markham’s 2026 Budget is organized around three themes: Building Markham, Resilient Markham, and Inclusive Markham. Building Markham focuses on investing in new infrastructure to support growth, while Resilient Markham safeguards City assets and advances sustainability initiatives that move the community closer to its net-zero goals. Inclusive Markham ensures programs and services remain accessible and positions the city as a destination by supporting arts, culture, and sport.

In Markham’s most recent Citizen Satisfaction Survey, 80% of residents agreed that the City delivers quality services to its residents. A significant part of our journey involves building and renewing the infrastructure that supports daily life and future growth.

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%.

As part of the City’s ongoing efforts for budget transparency, a Public Meeting has been scheduled for Budget 2026 on October 9th at 7PM at Markham Civic Centre. The public is also welcome to share their feedback via email at budget2026@markham.ca or on our Your Voice Markham Public Consultation page.

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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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