Newmarket Council aims to preserve environmental assets
Newmarket Council is looking to make a global environmental impact locally with their submission of a municipally owned woodlot parcel north of Environmental Park for review as part of the Municipal Protected Areas Project (MPAP). Through the MPAP, Ontario Nature, a not-for-profit organization, is supporting municipalities across Ontario to identify lands that meet the criteria for the Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database (CPCAD).
If successful, this parcel of woodlot lands will contribute toward achieving Canada’s 30x30 target which aims to protect at least 30% of land and 30% of inland waters, coastal areas and oceans by 2030. Participating in CPCAD supports local and global efforts to combat climate change, protect biodiversity, and enhance public access to natural spaces. Other municipalities, including the City of Richmond Hill, City of Hamilton, and City of Windsor, have already contributed lands to CPCAD. With no financial or operational burden on the Town, this initiative presents an opportunity for Newmarket to demonstrate environmental leadership while contributing to national conservation goals.
To learn more, watch the discussion from Committee of the Whole or read the Staff Report.
Council requests the redistribution of the Provincial Land Transfer Tax and GST to municipalities
Council is advocating for Newmarket and calling on the Provincial and Federal Governments to redistribute existing funds to municipalities as they face growing infrastructure needs, including roads, bridges, public transit, water systems, and other critical services, which are essential to community well-being and economic development. As a municipality, Newmarket is responsible for 60 per cent of infrastructure, yet only receives roughly 10 per cent of taxation from other levels of government to support it.
Current sources of municipal revenue, including property taxes and user fees, are insufficient to meet these increasing demands for infrastructure investment. The Province of Ontario currently collects the Land Transfer Tax (LTT) on property transactions in municipalities across the province, generating significant revenue that is not directly shared with municipalities.
Additionally, the Federal Government collects the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on property transactions, a portion of which could be directed to municipalities to address local infrastructure needs
Redistributing a portion of the Provincial Land Transfer Tax and GST to municipalities would provide a predictable and sustainable source of funding for local infrastructure projects without creating a new tax burden on residents or homebuyers. A redistribution of a portion of the existing Land Transfer Tax and GST would allow municipalities to better plan and invest in long-term infrastructure initiatives, supporting local economic growth and improving the quality of life for Newmarket residents.
Watch the discussion to learn more.
Join the 2025 Nature’s Emporium Run for Southlake
The Southlake Foundation is encouraging the Newmarket community to join the Nature’s Emporium Run for Southlake on Sunday, April 27. Council showed their support for this 5-kilometre run/walk event which fundraises for Southlake Regional Health Centre – Newmarket’s most important community asset – and helps support leading-edge care close to home.
In fact, the Town of Newmarket has been presented with the Nature’s Emporium Run for Southlake Community Spirit Award for the last three years. The award recognizes the municipality that brings out the largest volume of people in their community and demonstrates the importance of bringing the community together.
To learn more, watch the presentation and to sign up, visit runforsouthlake.ca.
Council encourages the community to share their input on topics and reminds residents that there are four ways to join the discussion (phone, email, in person, virtual). Learn more about how to join the discussion.