Markham's first baby of the new year arrived less than two hours after midnight. Oak Valley Health says a healthy baby boy was born at Markham Stouffville Hospital at 1:42 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, the hospital's first delivery of the year.
The newborn weighed six pounds, 11 ounces and measured 54 centimetres. His parents were identified only as Fatima and Fahad. Oak Valley Health credited the hospital's labour and delivery team with giving the baby a safe start.
Welcoming the first baby of the year is always an exciting moment for our team. We are grateful to play a role in such a special occasion and wish the family a wonderful year ahead.
— Cheryl Osborne, senior director, childbirth and children's services, Alongside Midwifery Unit, Oak Valley Health
A busy maternity unit
Markham Stouffville Hospital welcomes more than 3,000 babies a year, according to Oak Valley Health, which operates the hospital.
The Markham arrival was also included in CP24's roundup of first babies born at Toronto-area hospitals on New Year's Day. Among the earliest was a baby girl born right at midnight at North York General Hospital in Toronto, CP24 reported.
