All Posts By

Stephen Dasko

Free confidential paper shredding returns this spring

By Announcement, Resources

Free confidential paper shredding returns this spring

Peel is offering residents free confidential paper shredding at three Community Recycling Centres (CRCs) on the following dates:

  • May 4: Fewster CRC
  • May 11: Heart Lake CRC
  • May 25: Bolton CRC

Paper shredding on these dates will be available during regular business hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Residents can bring unbound paper documents such as taxes, bills, income statements and personal information.

To keep traffic flow moving quickly and efficiently, visitors will not be able to stay and watch their documents be shredded.

Along with your papers, we encourage residents to bring non-perishable food items to donate to a local food bank.

Regular fees apply to all other items brought to the CRC for disposal.

National Work Zone Awareness Week

By Announcement

National Work Zone Awareness Week is April 15 to 19, 2024

Slow down to help keep everyone safe in work zones

Today marks the start of National Work Zone Awareness week, a campaign highlighting the importance of slowing down when driving through work zones.

As road maintenance and construction season starts across Peel, all road users are asked to slow down and exercise extra caution when travelling through work zones to protect on-site workers and keep everyone safe.  National Work Zone Awareness Week aims to help drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians understand that work zone safety is a shared responsibility.

Reducing vehicle speed can help avoid collisions and can reduce the impact by giving people more time to react and stop.

What is a work zone? 

Work zones are any areas where construction is taking place on the road.  It includes both stationary and moving work zones such as line painting vehicles. This work can impact speed limits, number of lanes, sidewalks, bike lanes, turning ability and visibility within the zone.

When navigating through work zones, keep these tips in mind:

  • Be aware. Pay attention to signage posted throughout work zones. These signs warn drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists that they’re approaching construction and will direct everyone safely through the work zone.
  • Stay focused. Keep your eyes on the road and avoid all distractions such as cellphones and eating while driving.
  • Keep your distance. Lane closures, reduced speeds, and traffic pattern shifts are common in work zones. Be alert and expect the unexpected.
  • Slow down as you approach workers. Give them room to work and be prepared to stop.
  • Plan ahead. Use our new construction map to see where current and upcoming construction is happening on Peel routes.

Peel Region is committed to Vision Zero and is working to prevent injuries and fatalities due to collisions on our roadways. The Vision Zero approach focuses on everyone’s responsibility to be aware of their surroundings and follow the rules of the road.

For more information on work zone safety in Peel, visit peelregion.ca/construction/work-zone-safety

Temporary Road Closure: Hyacinthe Boulevard from Cawthra Road and Breckenridge Road EXTENSION

By Announcement, Ward 1

UPDATE TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE EXTENSION

HYACINTHE BOULEVARD FROM CAWTHRA ROAD TO BRECKENRIDGE ROAD

The Region of Peel has been approved for an extension of the temporary road closure along Hyacinthe Boulevard between the limits mentioned above until June 13th, 2024.

When:   Till June 13th, 2024.

Where:  Hyacinthe Boulevard from Cawthra Road to Breckenridge Road

Advance warning signs and detour signs are in place. Emergency services access will not be permitted.

 

Did you know…Mississauga prunes process to deliver better forestry services

By Resources

The City is working to improve timelines, address the backlog of Forestry work orders and enhance the overall quality of forestry service delivery.

The City of Mississauga is taking significant steps to refine its forestry services by streamlining processes, eliminating the backlog of work orders and elevating the quality-of-service delivery in its forestry division. Last week, the City’s Forestry team presented a Corporate Report at the General Committee meeting, detailing the division’s strategy for enhancing service delivery. It focused on clearing the backlog of tree pruning, removals, and stumping work orders, developing a new tree maintenance contract and adopting a proactive tree maintenance approach.

“Mississauga has seen a substantial increase in both the demand for forestry services and the volume of trees under its care. Mississauga’s urban forest is growing, with nearly 300,000 street trees and more than a million trees across City parks, trails and natural areas. This steady growth has heightened the workload and demand for forestry services throughout the city,” said Nadia Paladino, Director of Parks, Forestry and Environment. “In the past decade, requests for service soared by 60 per cent, while the completion rate of work orders jumped by 144 per cent.”

Enhancing service timelines and addressing backlog

To manage this growth effectively, the City has embarked on initiatives aimed at enhancing service timelines and addressing the accumulated backlog. Efforts include the eradication of the current backlog, the initiation of a new tree maintenance contract, and the implementation of a proactive approach to tree maintenance.

Efforts to clear the backlog

To tackle the existing backlog, the City has deployed additional stumping crews, successfully clearing 3,573 stumping work orders between July 2023 and January 2024. This clearance sets the stage for the City to proceed with delayed tree planting activities this spring.

Improving customer experience in Forestry

The City is also improving the forestry customer experience. Residents are able to track and monitor the status and completion of service requests and work orders online in real-time through a new interactive tree map. This is accompanied by a number of improvements to internal processes and technologies that will reduce delays, accelerate turnaround times and enable the City to optimize the deployment of operational resources.

Boosting the City’s forestry capacity

A new contract for tree maintenance services has been developed and is anticipated to be awarded later in the spring. It will increase service capacity to address the backlog of tree removals and pruning and meet the growing demand for services.

Proactive tree maintenance

Mississauga is adopting a seven-year proactive maintenance cycle for its trees, aiming to bolster the health and resilience of the urban forest. This strategy is designed to extend the life and benefits of the trees, minimize maintenance costs and reduce the volume of maintenance requests in the long run. This proactive cycle will commence in the fall as part of the new maintenance contract.

Paladino highlighted that the City is focusing on strategic initiatives, including its new Forestry and Natural Heritage Master Plan, Forestry asset growth model and Forestry asset management plan to help ensure cost-effective and service-efficient decisions will cater to both present and future demands.

Climate change and Future Directions

A healthy and resilient urban forest is critical to fighting climate change and to sustaining a healthy and vibrant community for future generations. As a City, Mississauga is committed to doing its part towards securing a better future by transforming into a low carbon, sustainable and resilient city. An important part of the Climate Change Action Plan is the protection and preservation of trees.

On April 3, 2024, City Council passed its Parks, Forestry and Environment Future Directions plans that will help guide decision-making and set priorities for staff and Council as the City continues to build strong, resilient, healthy and active communities and environments.

MiWay extends Fare Discount Program for children and seniors until end of 2024

By Announcement, Resources, Uncategorized

The General Committee recently announced plans to extend MiWay’s fare discount pilot program until the end of 2024, as part of its commitment to improving transit accessibility and affordability in Mississauga.

In a move to further support the community and enhance transit accessibility and affordability in Mississauga, it was announced at General Committee, that MiWay will be extending the fare discount pilot program to the end of 2024. Initially set to conclude in April 2024, the pilot program will continue offering free fares for children aged 6 to 12 and all-day $1 fares for seniors 65 and over, until Tuesday, December 31, 2024.

Key highlights and program extension

During the initial pilot phase, MiWay observed a remarkable 109 per cent increase in ridership compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019, with substantial growth among adult and student fare categories. However, children and senior ridership levels had not fully rebounded to pre-pandemic figures, prompting the need for the program extension to encourage more consistent usage among these demographics.

“With this initiative, our goal is to encourage more families and seniors to adopt MiWay as their main mode of transportation, giving them a firsthand look at how transit can be affordable, safe, reliable and convenient,” said Eve Wiggins, Director of Transit. “For individuals who haven’t tried public transit, we’re encouraging them to participate in this pilot programs if they are eligible. As a reminder, children and seniors need to have their PRESTO cards set to the appropriate fare category for their age group. And for seniors, there’s also the option to pay with a $1 cash fare.”

City Council, upon recommendation from the Commissioner of Transportation and Works, agreed to extend the program until the end of the year. This decision aligns with the City’s strategic goals of developing a transit-oriented city, ensuring affordability and accessibility for all.

Financial impact

The anticipated financial impact of the extended program includes a projected revenue decrease of $950,000, with $200,000 attributed to child fares and $750,000 to senior fares. Despite this, the increase in adult and youth ridership is expected to offset the decrease, maintaining a balanced budget while promoting greater transit use among all age groups.

MiWay is committed to analyzing the extended program’s impact closely, aiming to make informed decisions on future program deliveries as part of the City’s overall budget program.

Wiggins added, “The extension is a testament to MiWay’s dedication to making transit more affordable and accessible, particularly for children and seniors, that prioritizes public transportation for all.”

The final approval for the fare discount pilot program is scheduled to go to Council on Wednesday, April 17.

For more information or for the latest MiWay updates, visit the MiWay website.

Environmental Assessment Study NOTICE OF COMPLETION Beach Street Sewage Pumping Station Diversion

By Resources, Ward 1

The Region of Peel has completed a Schedule B Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MCEA) study to review existing sanitary sewer infrastructure and evaluate options to divert flow
from the Beach Street Sewage Pumping Station (SPS) to the new Beechwood SPS. A Project File Report documenting the MCEA process and results has been filed and is available on the project
website for review.

The Notice of Completion, is included below.

The Study is being planned under Schedule B of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment. Subject to comments received as a result of this Notice, and the receipt of necessary approvals, the
Region of Peel intends to proceed with the design and construction of this project. Project materials including the Project File Report and other project information are available at
www.peelregion.ca/public-works/environmental-assessments/mississauga/beach-streetsewage-station.asp

Please submit any comments or concerns by Thursday, May 9, 2024. To provide comments or request additional information about this project, please contact:
Troy Leyburne, BSc. (Env.)
Project Manager, Wastewater
Engineering Services, Public Works
905-791-7800 ext. 7919
Troy.Leyburne@peelregion.ca

Jason Ahlberg, P.Eng., PMP
Consultant Project Manager
WSP Canada Inc.
289-982-4391
Jason.Ahlberg@wsp.com

For concerns that involve the prevention, mitigation or remediation of adverse impacts on constitutionally protected Aboriginal and treaty rights, a Section 16 Order request may be made to
the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. Section 16 Order requests on other grounds will not be considered.
Requests should specify what kind of order is being requested (request for additional conditions or a
request for an individual environmental assessment), how an order may prevent, mitigate or remedy
those potential adverse impacts, and any information in support of the statements in the request.

Requests should also include the requester contact information, the project name and the proponent’s name. This will ensure that the Ministry is able to efficiently begin reviewing the request.
Requests must be sent by Thursday, May 9, 2024. Requests should be sent in writing or by email to both:

Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks
777 Bay Street, 5th Floor
Toronto ON M7A 2J3
minister.mecp@ontario.ca

Director, Environmental Assessment Branch
Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks
135 St. Clair Ave. W, 1st Floor
Toronto ON, M4V 1P5
EABDirector@ontario.ca

With the exception of personal information, all comments will become part of the public record of the study. The study is being conducted according to the requirements of the MCEA which is a
planning process under Ontario’s Environmental Assessment Act.

 

Public Meeting – Planning and Development Committee – To amend the City’s Zoning By-law to introduce a new Apartment Zone category – Monday April 29, 2024

By Planning & Development

City Wide
City of Mississauga
City’s Proposal: To amend the City’s Zoning By-law to introduce a new Apartment Zone category, the Urban Apartment Zone, for apartment buildings located in an urban context.
Two new Urban Apartment Zones will be introduced, tailored to apartment buildings either in mixed-use developments or residential developments. No existing properties will be rezoned
or pre-zoned.
File: CD.06-APT (All Wards)

In Person and Virtual Public Meeting
Meeting Date and Time:
Monday, April 29, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
Meeting Place:
Mississauga Civic Centre, Council Chamber, 300 City Centre Drive
City’s Proposal:
City of Mississauga (Wards 1 to 11)
File: CD.06-APT (All Wards)

Amendments to the City’s Zoning By-law are being made to introduce a new Apartment Zone category targeted for apartment buildings located in an urban context. The ‘Urban Apartment Zone’ will be made available for use by staff and applicants during the rezoning application review process, where deemed appropriate.

Meeting Details:
This meeting will be held in person and online. Advance registration is required to make a verbal submission at the meeting virtually. Advance registration is preferred to make a verbal submission at the meeting in person. The proceedings will be streamed live online for the public to view at the following link: http://www.mississauga.ca/portal/cityhall/council-and-committee-videos. If you wish to phone in to listen to the meeting only, please call 905-615-3200, ext. 5423 for instructions.

Options for participating in the meeting are outlined below.

Purpose of Meeting:
 For Planning and Development Committee to receive a report that provides information on the project, addresses issues raised and provide a recommendation on the proposal
 For people to ask questions and share their views about the proposal
 For Planning and Development Committee to make a decision about this project

The report will be available on-line one week prior to the meeting at: http://www.mississauga.ca/portal/cityhall/planninganddevelopment
For detailed information contact:
City Planner Ameena Khan at 905-615-3200 ext. 4473 or
Ameena.Khan@mississauga.ca

If you would like to share your views and/or be added to the official record, please contact the Planning and Building Department by Friday at 4:00 p.m. prior to the meeting date:
 by mail to 300 City Centre Drive, City Planning Strategies, Mississauga ON L5B 3C1
 by email to application.info@mississauga.ca

Please include your name, your address, and file number you are providing comments on.

Written Comments:
In order to be received by Committee at the public meeting, written comments must be received no later than Friday at 4:00 p.m. prior to the meeting date. Submissions are accepted by email at
deputations.presentations@mississauga.ca or by mailing the Planning and Development Committee, 300 City Centre Drive, 2nd Floor, Mississauga, ON L5B 3C1. Please include your name, your address, and file number you are providing comments on. Written comments received before, during or after a public meeting but before a by-law is passed receive the same consideration as verbal comments made during a public meeting.

If you wish to be notified of the decision on the proposed zoning by-law amendment, you must make a written request.

How to participate in a public meeting if you wish to make verbal submissions:

Participate Virtually
Advance registration is required to participate and/or make comment virtually at the public meeting. Please email deputations.presentations@mississauga.ca no later than Friday at 4:00 p.m. prior to the meeting date. Any materials you wish to show the Committee during your presentation must be provided as an attachment to the email. Links to cloud services will not be accepted. You will be provided with directions on how to participate from Clerks’ staff.

Residents without access to the internet can participate and/or make comment in the meeting via telephone. To register, please call Angie Melo at 905-615-3200 ext. 5423 no later than Friday at
4:00 p.m. prior to the meeting date. You must provide your name, phone number, and file number if you wish to speak to the Committee. You will be provided with directions on how to participate from Clerks’ staff.

Participate In Person
To make a verbal submission in person, advance registration is preferred. Please email deputations.presentations@mississauga.ca no later than Friday at 4:00 p.m. prior to the meeting date.

If you are a landlord, please post a copy of this notice where your tenants can see it. We want to make sure they have a chance to take part.

Background Studies:
Planning documents and background material submitted in support this amendment can be obtained by contacting the city planner noted above for more information.

Personal Information:
Individuals should be aware that any personal information in their verbal or written communication will become part of the public record, unless the individual expressly requests the City to remove the personal information. Questions about the collection of this information may be directed to application.info@mississauga.ca or in writing to the Planning and Building Department at 300 City Centre Drive, Mississauga ON L5B 3C1.

Information about Appeals:
If a person or public body does not make oral submissions at a public meeting or make written submissions to the City before the proposed zoning by-law amendment is adopted, the person or public body may not be added as a party to the hearing of an appeal before the Ontario Land Tribunal unless, in the opinion of the Tribunal, there are reasonable grounds to add the person or public body as a part.

If a person or public body would otherwise have an ability to appeal the decision of City of Mississauga Council to the Ontario Land Tribunal but the person or public body does not make
oral submissions at a public meeting or make written submissions to the City before the proposed zoning by-law (or zoning by-law amendment) is adopted, the person or public body is not entitled to appeal the decision.

Date of Notice: April 4, 2024

Bus Stop Impact – Dundas Street East (Stop #1191)

By Resources, Ward 1

Please be advised that stop #1191 on EB Dundas Street East at Jarrow Avenue will be out of service effective 8:00am Monday April 15 until further notice for construction tunnelling works.

Patrons will be directed to the previous stop #0863 at Neilco Court which is approximately 177 metres west.

Stop #1191 is serviced by Route 1/1C East with continued accessible bus service at Stop #0863.

City of Mississauga welcomes its fifth Poet Laureate

By Announcement, Food for thought

Andrea Josic has been selected to serve as a literary ambassador for the city to help elevate the status of poetry, literary arts and writers.

In celebration of the City of Mississauga’s 50th anniversary, the City is pleased to announce that Andrea Josic will be its fifth Poet Laureate. Andrea will hold this position from 2024 to 2026. She will serve as a literary ambassador for the city, as well as help elevate the status of poetry, literary arts and writers through community poetry events and projects.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Andrea Josic as our new Poet Laureate,” said Kristina Zietsma, Director, Culture and Recreation. “Chosen from an exceptional pool of candidates, Andrea is a talented writer and poet who will inspire aspiring artists and elevate literary arts in Mississauga.”

Andrea Josic is a second-generation Bosnian-Canadian poet, performer and arts educator from Mississauga. She has been competing in international poetry slams for nearly a decade and is a national award-winning poet and journalist with publications at Whippersnapper Gallery, Meridian Arts Centre, Toronto Transit Commission x Poems in Passage, This Magazine and more. She was the champion of the 2020 Toronto Poetry Slam, 2019 Feminine Empowerment Movement Slam and the runner-up in the 2021 Canadian Individual Poetry Slam. Andrea has supported her hometown Mississauga in profound ways, including facilitating a writing exhibit with The Woodlands School at the Small Arms Inspection Building and attending the first Sauga Poetry event as the inaugural feature poet. She hopes to cultivate healing, belonging and joy through her work.

Every two years, the City embarks on a search for its new Poet Laureate. This honourary position recognizes a poet who writes excellent poetry or spoken word and has written on themes that are relevant to the residents of Mississauga.

Andrea will take over the role starting on April 10th from the City’s fourth Poet Laureate, Ayomide Bayowa.

The public can expect to see the new Poet Laureate at the City’s fifth annual Poetry Slam on April 24. She will also make an appearance as part of the Canada Day celebrations at Celebration Square on July 1.

As a way to kick off her new role and celebrate National Poetry Month, Andrea read from one of her poems titled, (Almost) Daughter Inherits the Matriarch at today’s General Committee meeting. See verse below.

(Almost) Daughter Inherits the Matriarch

i.
I will always be my mother’s swelling
she says my shell is recipe booking
knees that knock
wrinkle in left cheek
lower back carves
but I am not the “her” she expects me to be
I am but the swallow of a woman
my given name is tongued sandpaper
that undresses the rind out of a drying throat
and rots the girlhood I denounced at 18

ii.
when my mother and I run along the grass
our limbs are harmonious applause, she says
“can you see us in grandmother?
her kiln breaded me and
sunned your yeast for 34 years”
grandma remembers me at 13
a beanstalk child, stretching just like her
old photographs could prove time travel
but I hush regret this inherited matriarch
a lineage that ends, ungendered
away from the bellies that have homed me

iii.
afternoons are the furthest I am from my femme
sun lending my shadow to the pavement
a passing silhouette reflects my boyish frame
not quite of a woman
not much in-between
apologetic that bloodline changes with my other
and on the hottest day
when mist rises to even the slate
my mother’s shadow asks
can I even call you mine?


Andrea Josic, Mississauga’s fifth Poet Laureate: 2024 to 2026


Members of Council stand with fifth Poet Laureate (Andrea Josic), fourth and outgoing Poet Laureate (Ayomide Bayowa) and current Youth Poet (Lisa Shen).


From left to right: Lisa Shen (Mississauga’s current Youth Poet), Andrea Josic (Mississauga’s fifth Poet Laureate) and Ayomide Bayowa (Mississauga’s fourth and outgoing Poet Laureate).

April 8 to 12 is 9-1-1 Awareness Week in Peel

By Announcement, Events, Resources

43 per cent of 9-1-1 calls are not emergencies

During 9-1-1 Awareness Week, we recognize our first responders — emergency communicators, Fire, Police and Paramedics — for saving lives and helping residents in immediate need. We are also reminding Peel residents to call 9-1-1 only for emergencies.

In 2023, just over 900,000 calls or nearly half of all calls to 9-1-1 were for non-emergencies. They were misuse, hang-ups, short duration (accidents) or test calls to the 9-1-1 system. These calls take up valuable time and resources and can potentially prevent first responders from attending to real emergencies.

Call 9-1-1 only when someone needs immediate help from Paramedics, Police and Fire. To prevent accidental calls, lock your cell phones and do not program 9-1-1 into your phones. In addition, teach children how to use 9-1-1 correctly and how to recognize an emergency.

Call these numbers for non-emergencies

  • Call 311  for local municipal government (city or town) concerns, or to get information on municipal programs and services.
  • Call 811 to get answers to general health questions and concerns.
  • Call 211  for community-based health, social, and government services.
  • Call Police non-emergency telephone numbers:
    • Peel region – 905-453-3311
    • Town of Caledon – 905-584-2241
    • Caledon Village – 519-927-3041
  • Call Peel Regional Paramedic Services non-emergency number:
  • Call Fire non-emergency numbers:
  • Mississauga – 905-456-5700
  • Brampton – 905-456-5788
  • Caledon – 905-584-2272

Go here to learn more about 9-1-1.