Ontario Construction News staff writer
The City of Markham is increasing its investment in infrastructure with the approval of Markham Racing Forward: Budget 2026, which features a capital budget of $160.4 million focused on roads, flood control, parks, and city facilities.
This budget was presented by Mayor Frank Scarpitti on Oct. 1, 2025, and it also includes a property tax hike of 3.90 per cent – adding an average of $54.99 to household bills – continuing the city’s trend of keeping property tax rate increases among the lowest in the Greater Toronto Area over the last twenty years.
“Budget 2026 is about keeping Markham strong, resilient, and inclusive,” Scarpitti said. “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 key projects that enhance our quality of life and ensure our infrastructure is well maintained into the future.”
The capital budget for 2026 focuses on road work and traffic enhancements with $53.8 million set aside for these efforts. Climate resilience is also emphasized with $34.5 million dedicated to flood control measures, stormwater management systems, ponds, and culverts. Parks and trails are allocated $12.1 million for construction and upkeep while city facilities are set to receive $15.8 million for improvements both inside and out. Additionally, there’s $8.5 million earmarked for replacing everyday city assets and $3.5 million to update technology systems.
Since 2022, Markham has put $680 million into 1,036 capital projects with almost 70 per cent of those funds already utilized, showcasing effective project execution and accountability. The city’s Excellence through Efficiency and Effectiveness (E3) Program has been active from 2009 to 2026 and has generated annual savings of $37.2 million-equivalent to avoiding a nearly 29 per cent tax increase.
“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 said in a statement.
The operating budget for 2026 stands at $309.3 million supporting ongoing commitments to efficient service delivery along with fiscal responsibility.
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