Dear Markham Cycles,
Thank you for inviting me to respond to your candidate questionnaire. My answers to all ten questions are below.
I share your goal of safer streets for everyone in Markham, especially children walking and cycling to school. I’ve tried to answer each question honestly and set out commitments I believe are realistic and achievable for Ward 3.
If elected, I would welcome hearing from your members about specific safety concerns or problem spots in Unionville. Local knowledge is often the best starting point for practical improvements.
Thank you for the work you do to engage residents on these issues.
Sincerely,
Marina Antonoglou
Candidate for Ward 3 Councillor, Unionville
Responses
1. Active Transportation Master Plan
Yes. I support the Active Transportation Master Plan as Markham’s framework for walking and cycling. As Councillor, I would ask staff for regular public updates on the plan’s Ward 3 projects, so residents can see what has been built and what is delayed. I would champion the Ward 3 projects that close safety gaps near schools, parks and transit. And I would make sure residents are consulted early, so good projects move forward with community support instead of stalling late in the process.
2. Expanding Markham’s Cycling Network
Yes. I support expanding the network with trails, multi-use paths, neighbourhood bikeways and, where appropriate, protected or separated cycling facilities. My priorities would be: first, safety, starting where people walking and cycling are most at risk; second, filling gaps between existing routes and linking them to schools, transit and community facilities; third, routes residents will actually use. The right facility depends on the street: a quiet residential road needs something different from a busy arterial.
3. Safe and Connected Cycling Routes
I would start with the connections residents use most: routes to schools, the GO station, community centres, Main Street Unionville, Markville and local plazas, and our trail system. Many fixes are modest, such as a safer crossing, a short path linking two neighbourhoods or a trail connection. Major roads like Highway 7 are under York Region’s jurisdiction, so I would work directly with Regional Council and staff to move Ward 3 crossing and connection improvements forward. I would also invite residents to tell me where the problem spots are, so we address the most important ones first.
4. Protected Cycling Infrastructure on Major Roads
Yes. I support protected cycling infrastructure on arterial and collector roads where it can be built safely and within current provincial law. Reallocating road space can work where there’s spare capacity, but given Ward 3’s traffic pressures and what congestion costs residents and businesses, I have concerns about removing needed lanes. I would prefer using boulevard space, reconstructions and widenings. Balancing everyone’s needs means looking at how each corridor is actually used and designing for people walking, cycling, taking transit and driving, including commercial and service vehicles, rather than serving one group at another’s expense.
5. Road Safety and Vision Zero
Yes. I support safer intersections, protected pedestrian crossings, daylighting at corners, traffic calming, appropriate speed management and better walking and cycling infrastructure. Having worked with Unionville residents on traffic-calming solutions, I know local knowledge matters. I would ask staff to identify Ward 3’s highest-risk locations using collision data and resident reports, and prioritize fixing those first, beginning with school zones. I support automated enforcement where provincial legislation permits it and where it addresses a demonstrated safety problem.
6. Cycling Infrastructure in New Developments and Road Projects
Yes. Safe, high-quality walking and cycling connections should be built in from the start, not added later. I would support policies that require development applications to show how residents will walk and cycle to schools, transit and nearby amenities; include walking and cycling facilities in road reconstruction and widening projects from the design stage; and secure these connections as conditions of approval, so they are built with the project rather than deferred. The specific facility should still suit the street and the surrounding community.
7. Maintenance and Year-Round Accessibility
Yes, I support clear service standards for Markham’s most important walking and cycling routes, including winter clearing, with routes to schools and transit coming first. Standards should also cover pavement repair, debris, vegetation, lighting, signage and accessibility. I would make sure residents know how to report problems and get timely follow-up. Service levels should reflect each route’s use and safety, with the cost shown openly in the budget so commitments are realistic and kept.
8. Safe Routes to School and Youth Cycling
Yes, this would be a priority for me. I support safer crossings, traffic calming around schools, secure bicycle parking and safe walking and cycling connections to school. I would bring together parents, school communities, school boards, York Region and City staff to review problem areas around each Ward 3 school and push to schedule and fund the identified fixes. When children can safely walk or cycle to school, it also means fewer drop-off cars on our streets.
9. Funding and Implementation
I support a dedicated annual line for cycling and active transportation infrastructure in Markham’s capital budget, approved through the normal budget process and planned over several years so projects aren’t stop-and-start. Active transportation should be a high priority, especially where safety is involved, and weighed alongside road and transit investments on safety, need, cost and community benefit. Keeping existing routes in good repair is equally important. Every commitment should be fiscally responsible and reported back to residents so they can see what has been built.
10. Your Commitment to Active Transportation
My three commitments:
- In my first year, request a walking and cycling safety review around every Ward 3 school with parents, school communities and City staff, and bring the priority fixes forward in the next budget.
- Advocate with York Region for safer crossings and cycling connections on Regional roads such as Highway 7, 16th Avenue, Warden Avenue, Kennedy Road and McCowan Road, and report progress back to residents.
- Ask staff to identify the key Ward 3 walking and cycling routes that should be maintained year-round, and press for those standards to be adopted.