Mayor announces property tax increase during Budget 2026 presentation

By David Yin, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

Mayor Frank Scarpitti announced Markham’s property tax rate increase to be 3.90 per cent next year while introducing Markham’s Budget 2026 in a special council meeting on Oct. 1. This increase is akin to $54.99 for an average home in Markham.

According to Scarpitti, the 2026 tax increase will continue Markham’s record of having the lowest average property tax rate increase in the GTA over the past 20 years.

The city will retain around 24 per cent of property taxes, with around 52 per cent going to York Region and the other 24 per cent going to education.

The city outlined how it will spend its portion of property taxes: Fire and emergency services (29 per cent); roads, sidewalks, and bridges (22 per cent); library services (11 per cent); parks maintenance (11 per cent); waste, recycling, and environmental management (11 per cent); recreation services (11 per cent); arts and culture (two per cent); planning and development (two per cent); and bylaw enforcement and licencing (one per cent).

Scarpitti credited the city’s Excellence through Efficiency and Effectiveness (E3) Program with keeping property tax increases low in Markham.

The E3 program has eliminated $37.2 million in tax burden since 2009 by enhancing revenues and reducing expenses. This is equivalent to avoiding 29.0 per cent of tax rate increases for residents.

“We celebrate together,” the mayor said. “We face challenges together. Our victories are sweetened because we face them together.”

Markham’s total budget will be $677.9 million for 2026.

The city’s proposed 2026 capital budget is $160.4 million, alongside a primary operating budget of $309.3 million.

The $160.4 million – or around 23.7 per cent of Markham’s total budget – will help fund 233 capital projects for the city. This includes road and traffic improvements (33.5 per cent of capital spending), flood control and stormwater management (21.5 per cent), water and wastewater system fixes (13.6 per cent), facility improvements and repairs (9.9 per cent), park and trail maintenance (7.5 per cent), vehicle replacements and repairs (6.5 per cent), replacing day-to-day assets (5.3 per cent), and installing modern technology (2.2 per cent).

The remaining $208.2 million – or 30.7 per cent – will go to services funded outside of property taxes. This includes waterworks, which is funded through the city’s water fee, as well as planning and urban design, engineering, and building, which is funded through development fees and charges.

Markham’s water fee will increase by 4.98 per cent next year, or $52.99 for an average home.

“Markham is racing forward with a responsible budget,” the mayor said. “Markham is racing forward with investment in services. Markham is racing forward with building green and resilient communities. Markham is racing forward with renewed and new infrastructure.

“Markham is racing forward with Budget 2026.”

Since 2000, Markham’s annual budget has received the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, which recognizes local governments that adhere to high financial reporting standards.

The city will host a public meeting on Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. at the Markham Civic Centre. Virtual attendance is available through https://www.markham.ca/about-the-city-of-markham/city-hall/council-and-committee-meetings.

Residents can share feedback via email at [email protected] or the forum at https://yourvoicemarkham.ca/budget-2026.

Photo: Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti unveils Budget 2026 at a special council meeting on Oct. 1.