Markham is a fast-growing and the most shiny city in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). It is located immediately north of Toronto, in the heart of the GTA. It is the largest of the nine municipalities in York Region as well as one of the fastest growing municipalities in the Province of Ontario, Canada’s economic engine. The city has a serene environment and is one of the most developed metropolises in North America with high standard of living, social prosperity and economic development.
Markham’s population is about 370,000, of which 45% of the population is Chinese, making it the 16th largest city and the most diverse community in Canada. As much as 78% of its population comes from visible minority groups, making Markham the most ethnically diverse community in Canada with over 65 cultures and languages. The Chinese-Canadian community is amongst the largest ethnic group and makes up over 40% of the population. The estimated Hakka population is about 15,000. Many businesses and shopping centres in Markham are Asian-oriented, which is a reflection of the city’s large Asian population.
Founded in 1790, the City of Markham (Markham Municipal Government) has received numerous awards, including the Canadian Outstanding Management Gold Award, the Outstanding Organization and Work Environment Awards, and a number of cultural conservation and environmental protection awards. The city has convenient transportation, perfect highways, trains and access to subways, complete public facilities, numerous public parks and green spaces, multiple golf courses, many community centres, theatres, art galleries, museums, public libraries and cultural heritage conservation area, etc.
Markham has an abundance of high quality, multicultural human resources, with more than 60% of the workforce is high school educated or above. There are more than 10 world-class universities and colleges that are located within an hour’s drive from the city. Markham also has the best secondary and primary schools nurturing talents. Due to these favourable advantages, Markham is known as Canada’s high-tech capital. There are more than 1,500 high-tech and life science companies and more than 400 corporate headquarters , including industry giants IBM, Lenovo, Bank of China, Huawei, Johnson & Johnson, Hyundai and Honda, etc., with a number of which are Fortune 500 businesses.
Markham has a rich history and culture, a well-planned community, high-quality infrastructure, excellent human resources, a favourable business environment, and high quality of living, and it therefore attracts immigrants from all over the world, especially Chinese immigrants. It is also an ideal city to settle in where immigrants can explore the North American market, business and career opportunities.
In order for Canadians to get to know about the Hakka culture and traits, as well as to provide opportunities for the world’s Hakka people to know more about Canada’s unique natural and social environment, the Hakka Canadian Association will be hosting the 31st World Hakka Conference on June 24-26, 2022, in partnership with the City of Markham. There will be representatives from different Hakka communities from all over the world gathering here in the city. This reunion to promote fellowship will be of great significance to the world’s Hakka community.
Please see Markham.ca for more information about the City of Markham.
Markham ’s world record-breaking longest dancing “Zhongshan” dragon to celebrate Sun Yat-Sen Avenue, aka Zhongshan Ave, street-naming (Sept 2012)
