Blog > Markham's New Council for 2026 to 2030: Who Represents Your Ward and the Housing Files Waiting
Markham's New Council for 2026 to 2030: Who Represents Your Ward and the Housing Files Waiting
by
Markham Local Government · November 2026
Markham's New Council for 2026 to 2030: Who Represents Your Ward and the Housing Files Waiting
By Michael John Lau, REALTOR® · Kaizen Real Estate Team · Updated November 4, 2026
Quick answer: who is my Markham councillor?
Your Markham councillor depends on your ward. For the 2026 to 2030 term, the ward councillors are Keith Irish (Ward 1), Ritch Lau (Ward 2), Marina Antonoglou (Ward 3), Karen Rea (Ward 4), Andrew Keyes (Ward 5), Kenneth Li (Ward 6), Nimisha Patel (Ward 7) and Isa Lee (Ward 8). Every resident is also represented by Mayor Frank Scarpitti and four regional councillors: Don Hamilton, Jack Heath, Jim Jones and Amanda Yeung Collucci. To find your ward, type your address into the City of Markham ward map.
Your home sits on a street. That street sits in a ward. And the people who decide what gets built near you, how your neighbourhood grows and what you can add to your own lot were just chosen for the next four years.
Michael John Lau, REALTOR®, leads the Kaizen Real Estate Team in Markham. Homeowners often ask him one simple question after an election: who do I actually call? This guide answers it, ward by ward, and shows you the housing decisions already waiting on the new council's desk.
Picture this
A family in Markham hears that a large building is proposed a few streets away. They have questions. Will it change traffic? When will council decide? Can they share their view?
They search the news and find headlines about the mayor. But the person most likely to read their email, return their call and raise their concern at committee is their ward councillor. Most people simply do not know who that is.
That is the gap this guide closes.
The 2026 Markham election results at a glance
Markham voted on October 26, 2026. City Clerk Kimberley Kitteringham certified the official results on October 28, 2026. A total of 83,303 ballots were cast, for a turnout of about 32.5%. The City notes that official turnout figures follow within 30 days of the election.
Mayor: Frank Scarpitti was returned for another term with 58,260 votes.
Regional councillors (elected city wide, and they also sit on York Regional Council with the mayor):
- Don Hamilton, 36,701 votes
- Jack Heath, 32,011 votes
- Jim Jones, 31,658 votes
- Amanda Yeung Collucci, 31,004 votes
Ward councillors (elected by voters in each ward):
| Ward | Councillor | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Ward 1 | Keith Irish | 6,483 |
| Ward 2 | Ritch Lau | 6,309 |
| Ward 3 | Marina Antonoglou | 3,572 |
| Ward 4 | Karen Rea | 9,615 |
| Ward 5 | Andrew Keyes | 4,494 |
| Ward 6 | Kenneth Li | 2,784 |
| Ward 7 | Nimisha Patel | 7,044 |
| Ward 8 | Isa Lee | 6,724 |
Source: Elections Markham, Clerk's Certificate and Declaration of Results, October 28, 2026. Ward 6 was the closest council race, decided by 102 votes.
How to find your Markham ward in under a minute
- Open the City of Markham ward map.
- Type your address, or zoom in until you see your street.
- Note the ward number that covers your home.
- Match that number to the table above. That is your ward councillor.
Keep in mind that you have more than one voice at City Hall. Every Markham resident has one ward councillor, plus the mayor and all four regional councillors. That makes 13 members of council in total. The City's councillor web pages may take a little time to update as the new term begins this month.
Ward councillor or regional councillor: who should you call?
Here is the simple way to think about it.
Your ward councillor focuses on your part of the city. Think local roads, nearby development proposals, parks and neighbourhood concerns. If something is happening on or near your street, start here.
Regional councillors represent all of Markham. Along with the mayor, they also sit on York Regional Council, which handles larger services that cross city lines. If your question is about a Markham wide policy, they are a good second call.
The headline is often about the mayor. The help is often closer to home.
The housing files waiting for the new council
A new council does not start with a blank page. Several housing decisions are already in motion. Here is where three of them stand, in plain language. None of this is a prediction or a recommendation. It is simply what is on the table.
1. Upper Markham Village
Upper Markham Village is a proposed new community in Ward 6, put forward through a secondary plan application by a landowners group. At its September 15, 2026 meeting, Markham's Development Services Committee deferred the item to Council. That means no final decision had been made. The new council is expected to take it up.
2. The Housing Accelerator Fund and the four units question
Markham signed on to the federal Housing Accelerator Fund, and allowing up to four units on a residential lot was part of that discussion. In March 2026, Mayor Scarpitti used his strong mayor powers to revoke a council approved plan that would have allowed up to four units on lots previously zoned for one. How Markham meets its funding commitments, and whether the four units question returns, are files the new council inherits.
If you are thinking about adding a unit to your home, read what as of right zoning means in Markham. One important note: an existing lower level or basement is not a legal unit unless it has gone through the proper permits and inspections. Always confirm with the City before you rely on one.
3. Large applications near GO stations
Markham continues to receive large residential applications close to existing GO stations. One example is 2 University Boulevard in Markham Centre, in Ward 3. This application is before Council. It has not been approved, and proposals like this can change during review. If you live nearby, your ward councillor is the right first contact for questions.
What this means for Markham homeowners and buyers
Council decisions shape what can be built near your street, how your neighbourhood grows, and the rules you will follow if you plan to renovate or add a unit. They also set your local share of the property tax bill. For that side of the picture, see what Markham owners pay in property tax for 2026.
If you followed the campaign, you may want to look back at the housing platforms in Markham's 2026 municipal election and how and when Markham voted in 2026. They offer helpful background as the new term begins.
The best approach is simple. Know your ward. Know your councillor. Watch the agenda when something near you comes up. Small, steady attention leads to better decisions over time.
Frequently asked questions
Who is my Markham councillor?
It depends on your ward. For 2026 to 2030: Keith Irish (Ward 1), Ritch Lau (Ward 2), Marina Antonoglou (Ward 3), Karen Rea (Ward 4), Andrew Keyes (Ward 5), Kenneth Li (Ward 6), Nimisha Patel (Ward 7) and Isa Lee (Ward 8). You are also represented by Mayor Frank Scarpitti and Regional Councillors Don Hamilton, Jack Heath, Jim Jones and Amanda Yeung Collucci.
How do I find my ward in Markham?
Use the City of Markham ward map. Type your address or zoom to your street, and the map shows which ward covers your home.
What is the difference between a ward councillor and a regional councillor?
A ward councillor is elected by one ward and focuses on local issues there. The four regional councillors are elected by all of Markham and, with the mayor, also sit on York Regional Council.
When were the 2026 Markham election results certified?
Voting ended on October 26, 2026. The City Clerk certified the official results on October 28, 2026. A total of 83,303 ballots were cast, for a turnout of about 32.5%.
Has Upper Markham Village been approved?
Not as of the sources in this article. On September 15, 2026, the Development Services Committee deferred the item to Council for a decision.
Has the 2 University Boulevard application been approved?
No. The application is before Council and has not been approved.
Plan with local knowledge
Wondering what is proposed near your street?
Michael John Lau, REALTOR®, and the Kaizen Real Estate Team help Markham families understand how local changes fit into their plans, whether they are buying, selling or staying put. Backed by 80+ five star reviews.
Sources
- City of Markham: City Clerk Certifies 2026 Municipal Election Results (October 28, 2026)
- Elections Markham: Declaration of Official Results
- Development Services Committee Minutes, September 15, 2026
- City of Markham Ward Map
This article is for general information only. It does not endorse any candidate, position or application. Details on development applications can change, so please confirm current status with the City of Markham.
