Markham—Unionville

Markham—Unionville is centred on the northern portions of the City of Markham in York Region, encompassing the historic Unionville Heritage Conservation District with its well-preserved 19th-century Main Street, along with newer suburban subdivisions and commercial areas. The riding has one of the largest Chinese-Canadian populations of any electoral district in the country. Progressive Conservative Billy Pang won the seat in 2018, succeeding long-time Liberal MPP Michael Chan who had held the riding since 2007. In 2022, Pang sought re-election in what was expected to be a comfortable hold for the Conservatives.

Candidates

Billy Pang (Progressive Conservative) — Pang is a first-generation Canadian who immigrated from Hong Kong in 2000. Before entering politics, he spearheaded Y5Zone in Hong Kong, which grew into one of the largest wholesale Wi-Fi suppliers in the territory before being acquired by HKBN Group in 2013. He served as a York Region District School Board Trustee from 2014 to 2018 before being elected MPP.

Emily Li (Liberal) — Li is a long-time Markham resident who in 2021 established the Ontario Federation of Chinese Women, an organization focused on helping newcomers settle and adapt to life in Canada, with particular attention to Chinese women in need.

Senthil Mahalingam (NDP) — Mahalingam was the NDP’s nominated candidate in the riding.

The remaining candidates included Shanta Sundarason for the Green Party, Trina Kollis for the New Blue Party, and Naz Obredor for the Ontario Party.

Local Issues

The Markham—Unionville area faced ongoing tensions between heritage preservation and the pressures of rapid suburban intensification during the 2018–2022 term. Unionville’s heritage main street and the broader Markham Village heritage district continued to draw advocacy for careful development that respected their historic character, while large-scale condominium projects advanced in areas like Downtown Markham and along transit corridors. The provincial government’s push for transit-oriented development near the planned Yonge North Subway Extension generated community debate about density and neighbourhood character.

The COVID-19 pandemic created economic hardship for the riding’s many small businesses, particularly the restaurants and specialty shops that form a vital part of the local commercial landscape. The riding’s large immigrant population faced particular challenges during lockdowns, and access to culturally appropriate social services was a concern raised by community organizations.

Housing affordability was a growing issue across York Region, and Markham—Unionville was no exception. Rising home prices throughout the term made entry into the housing market increasingly difficult for younger residents and new Canadians. Education funding and school capacity were also recurring topics, given the riding’s family-oriented demographics.