Murray Markin

Murray Markin
North York City Councillor, Ward Four
In office 1976–1978
Preceded by	Esther Shiner
Succeeded by	Howard Moscoe
Personal details
Born	1949 (age 67–68)
Occupation	Consultant

Murray Markin (born c. 1949) is a former politician in Ontario, Canada. He served on the North York city council from 1976 to 1978, and campaigned for the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in 1977. His late brother, Joseph Markin, served on North York's Board of Control from 1974 to 1976.

Markin was twenty-seven years old when he was elected to the North York council in 1976. He listed himself as a political researcher, and campaigned in support of neighbourhood preservation and completion of the Spadina Expressway. Markin found himself at the centre of controversy during this campaign when seventy-three work orders were mandated for a tenant house that he had recently purchased from a family-owned business. After his election, he served on the North York planning board and legislation committee.

While serving as an alderman, he also campaigned for the riding of Wilson Heights in the 1977 provincial election as a Liberal candidate. He was hospitalized near the end of the campaign, after a large dog chased him down a street where he was canvassing and caused him to trip over a sewer grate. He lost to Progressive Conservative candidate David Rotenberg by 4,235 votes.

Markin was often critical of what he considered inappropriate council spending. He wrote a letter to Toronto Transit Commission chairman Gordon Hurlburt in early 1978, arguing that the cost of a subway art and architecture preview was unwarranted. He also suggested that a pay increase for aldermen be deferred to hire a new secretary for the aldermen's offices.

In August 1978, Markin and North York Mayor Mel Lastman presented a $1,000 audio-visual presentation to the mayor and council of Wrocław, Poland on the "culture, history and topography of North York". The meeting was intended as a visit of friendship between the cities.

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