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Frank Scarpitti

Candidate for Mayor

Elected (official result)

In their own words

This candidate hasn’t listed a campaign website or social account with the Town. That says nothing about them as a candidate — it just means less of their material is published online for us to summarise.

Where they stand

Every candidate in this race is shown against the same 16 issues, in the same order, whether or not we’ve found something for each one. Why we do it this way.

Housing

Will I be able to afford to live here?

Scarpitti used his strong mayor powers to veto as-of-right fourplexes on single-dwelling lots, citing impacts on transportation and parking.

  • Used strong mayor powers to veto a council decision to allow multi-residential development (up to four units) on single-dwelling residentially zoned land.
  • Said permitting four units could 'potentially interfere with provincial and City priorities, including but not limited to adversely impacting transportation networks, parking capacity'.
  • Federal government had asked Markham to adopt the rule to access Housing Accelerator Fund money.
Show their words & source (reported remarks)
“It is my opinion that permitting up to four units on certain City properties could potentially interfere with provincial and City priorities, including but not limited to adversely impacting transportation networks, parking capacity.”

Source: Global News reporting on Scarpitti's use of strong mayor powers to block four units as-of-right · March 1, 2026

Confidence:High

Taxes & spending

What happens to my tax bill, and where does the money go?

Scarpitti tabled a $309.3M operating and $160.4M capital 2026 budget, his first Strong Mayor Budget.

  • Budget 2026 ('Markham Racing Forward'): $160.4M capital budget alongside a $309.3M primary operating budget.
  • Capital spending: $53.8M on new road construction, repairs, rehabilitation and traffic improvements; $34.5M on flood control and stormwater; $12.1M on parks and trails; $15.8M on facility repairs.
  • First Strong Mayor Budget, introduced in the 2025-26 fiscal cycle.
Show their words & source (reported remarks)
“Markham's Budget 2026 demonstrates the City's continued track record of prudent fiscal management while making important investments in infrastructure and community initiatives.”

Source: Mayor Frank Scarpitti tables Budget 2026: Markham Racing Forward (city news release) · January 1, 2026

Confidence:High

Emergency services

When I call for help, will it come fast enough?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Transit

Can I get where I need to go without driving?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Government

Will decisions be made in the open, and will anyone answer for them?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Roads & infrastructure

Will the things I use every day actually get fixed?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Economy

Will our main streets and local jobs thrive?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Environment

Is the candidate protecting the nature we live in?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Healthcare

Will there be a doctor and a hospital when we need one?

Scarpitti backs the Markham Stouffville Hospital expansion and a residential hospice, and wants more support for seniors aging at home.

  • Honorary Patron of the Markham Stouffville Hospital Capital Campaign; supports the hospital expansion.
  • Committed to supporting the building of a residential hospice.
  • Seniors should be able to stay in their homes as long as possible; municipalities and senior governments need to do more.
Show their words & source (reported remarks)
“As Honourary Patron of the Markham Stouffville Hospital Capital Campaign, I will continue to lend my support and leadership, and commit to doing the same for a residential hospice.”

Source: Mayor Frank Scarpitti's Inaugural Address (city news release) · December 1, 2022

Confidence:High

Growth & development

How fast should we grow, and who decides what gets built where?

Scarpitti says the province's 44,000-unit housing target more than doubles Markham's pace.

  • Built 6,000 new housing units in the last term (~1,500/year); province targets 44,000 new residential units in Markham over 10 years – 'more than doubles the pace of our construction'.
  • Growth must be paired with doubled funding from senior governments for rapid transit, schools and hospitals.
  • 'Growth needs to pay for growth' and a practical financial framework to deliver complete communities.
  • Locally: expand the network of community amenities, parks, trails and active transportation.
Show their words & source (reported remarks)
“Growth needs to pay for growth and one thing is for sure, we need a practical financial framework to deliver complete communities.”

Source: Mayor Frank Scarpitti's Inaugural Address (city news release) · December 1, 2022

Confidence:High

Social & community services

Who looks after the most vulnerable residents?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Active transportation

Can I walk and bike safely around town?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Arts & culture

Does the candidate value what makes this place feel alive?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Data centres

Should energy-hungry data centres be welcomed here?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Water & waste

Is our drinking water safe and our waste handled?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Bylaw enforcement

Are the rules fair, and are they actually enforced?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

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