For those who are not aware, the Paint the Town Red volunteer committee has decided not to have their usual Canada Day celebrations this year.
I am disappointed as I’m sure we all are, that it’s not possible to take place this year due a variety of reasons primarily because of the current economic climate and uncertainty to move forward.
The Paint The Town Red volunteer committee have worked endlessly over the years and are working on new ideas and plans for next year, which will be even more exciting.
I know how much this event means to our community, and I want to acknowledge the incredible efforts made by the dedicated volunteers who organize it every year. I understand how difficult this decision was for them. With special thanks to Johnny Bozzo and Diane Goldsmith.
I worked closely with the group to explore all possible options to keep the event going and truly appreciate their commitment to making it happen. While it is unfortunate that we won’t be celebrating Canada Day under the direction of Paint the Town Red, I am working with other community groups to find ways of celebrating Canada Day in Ward 1.
My ongoing support and commitment will always remain with the PTTR committee, and I look forward to many more years of celebrating Canada Day in our community!
Peel Region is asking the community to complete a short survey to provide input for its 2026-2030 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan (MYAP). This feedback will help shape an accessible and inclusive future.
The survey is asking people with disabilities, their caregivers, friends and families, as well as community agencies, business owners and the public to help identify barriers people with disabilities experience when accessing Peel Region services. The survey is available in many formats including on-line and in a printed form which can be downloaded and emailed to Peel Region. Additionally, those wishing to speak with Peel Region can complete the survey by calling 905-791-7800 and speaking with one of Peel’s Customer Service Representatives. The survey closes on April 15, 2025. It’s available at peelregion.ca/accessibility-survey.
Information from the survey will help:
Ensure Peel Region’s new MYAP reflects the needs of people with disabilities in Peel.
Identify, remove, and prevent barriers to accessing our programs, services, and spaces.
Peel Region is committed to ensuring that everyone has fair and equitable access to its programs, services, and public spaces. Learn more about Peel Region’s commitment to accessibility.
The Peel Region Public Works department regularly maintains and repairs the water system to make sure you have a consistent supply of quality drinking water. Sometimes we must turn off your water supply while we do this work.
Your water will be turned off on Wednesday, March 12, from 9:00am to 5:00pm If we need to reschedule this work due to weather or other circumstances, we will let you know the new date and time.
Property owner/manager responsibilities during a water interruption
As a property owner/manager, it is your responsibility to:
Ensure maintenance, mechanical or plumbing staff are on site during the water interruption, as it may affect internal systems that rely on water such as boilers, fire suppression, and alarms.
Notify the fire alarm company if the interruption could affect an alarm system.
Have a fire watch completed during the water interruption, as the building’s sprinkler protection system will not function when the water supply is shut off.
After the water interruption
When we turn the water back on, air in the pipes may make the water cloudy and your plumbing may vibrate or make noise. We recommend removing the air by slowly turning on your taps from the lowest to the highest faucet in the building (that is, starting in the basement/first floor, and finishing on the top floor). You will likely need to run the water for 10 to 30 seconds. Run the water until it is clear, and any vibration or noise has stopped.
Important note
After the water is turned back on, we recommend checking the water meter (usually located in the basement). If it is leaking, call Water Meter Installations Dispatch at:
905-791-7800 extension 3226 (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – Monday to Friday)
905-791-7800 extension 4409 (after hours or statutory holidays)
BRAMPTON, ON (March 7, 2025) – Peel Public Health suspects cases of avian influenza in wild birds in Peel following the discovery of a large number of dead birds in the region recently. The Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative is currently testing the birds to determine the cause of death.
Avian influenza primarily infects wild birds but can be transmitted to poultry and other mammals. Rarely, avian influenza may also spread to people. The risk of bird-to-human transmission is low. There have been no human cases of avian influenza in Peel or Ontario.
If you find sick or dead wild birds, avoid handling them if possible, and contact your local municipal animal control department or the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative.
To limit the spread of avian influenza and protect the health and safety of residents and pets, Peel Public Health has the following advice:
If handling dead birds or animals is necessary, wear gloves, place the dead bird or animal in a doubled plastic bag and tie it closed. Then, wash your hands thoroughly. They can be placed, double-bagged, in the garbage for disposal.
Consider removing backyard bird feeders and bird baths. If they cannot be fully removed, place as far away from family pets as possible and clean with 10 per cent bleach at least once every two weeks.
Keep family pets away from birds and fecal matter.
Keep cats indoors and dogs on leash to limit the potential for an encounter with an infected bird.
Do not feed family pets raw meat from game birds or poultry.
Do not feed or otherwise interact with wild birds.
Pet birds, if not normally kept indoors, should be restricted to the indoors.
Residents who raise backyard chickens, own pet birds or maintain other flocks, should monitor them for signs of avian influenza and follow preventive actions recommended by the Province and Government of Canada.
Do not attempt to retrieve or help birds from seemingly frozen bodies of water as ice and water conditions are unsafe.
If you become ill with influenza (flu) symptoms (including fever, cough, difficulty breathing, muscle aches, headache and/or red watery eyes) within 10 days of handling wild birds or other wildlife, see your healthcare provider. Inform your healthcare provider that you have been in contact with wildlife.
The risk of avian influenza spreading to humans is extremely rare. There are no indicators of increasing risk to the general public at this time. Additional details will be provided as they become available. More information on avian influenza can be found on the Ministry of Health’s website.
City launches series of comprehensive initiatives to support local businesses during this time of global economic uncertainty and in response to American tariffs on Canadian goods.
March 5, 2025
During today’s General Committee meeting, City staff provided an update to Council regarding Mississauga’s response to the U.S. tariffs, including more information on the economic impact on Mississauga’s local economy and changes to the City’s procurement processes. Mississauga’s response comes after the U.S. imposed tariffs on Canada. In retaliation, the Government of Canada has imposed 25 per cent counter-tariffs on $155 billion worth of U.S. goods and implemented immediate tariffs on goods worth $30 billion, with the remainder to be implemented within 21 days.
As Canada continues to navigate these unprecedented economic challenges, the City is taking a strategic and measured approach to its response. The City has already begun implementing various initiatives aimed at supporting local businesses and the economy and protecting local jobs.
Given the strong interdependence within the supply chain between Canada, its provinces and the United States, the newly imposed tariffs will drive up costs for both business inputs and consumer goods. Other potential impacts include disruptions to supply chains, reduced business investment and reconsideration of investments in Mississauga.
The City’s response to U.S. tariffs
The City is taking action to support local businesses and residents. Efforts include direct outreach, advocacy and working to ensure local Mississauga businesses are connected to the supports and available resources from all levels of government.
City initiatives already underway
Partners in Trade Response Plan
This long-term plan aims to support Mississauga’s businesses, protect jobs, and stabilize our local economy. The plan includes:
Procurement By-law amendments – The City is amending its Procurement By-law to prioritize Canadian and non-U.S. suppliers, especially for medium and high-value projects, and streamline the process to support more local, diverse, and smaller businesses.
Choose Canada campaign – The City launched the Choose Canada initiative in February, encouraging residents and businesses to support the local economy by purchasing Canadian-made products and services.
Business support and outreach – The City will engage with local businesses to understand their needs and provide access to resources for navigating tariff disruptions. This includes market diversification support for businesses looking to enter into new markets beyond the U.S.
Advocacy – The City will continue to advocate to provincial and federal governments to secure support for impacted businesses and the elimination of inter-provincial trade barriers.
The City is also working with the Mississauga Board of Trade, the Toronto Region Board of Trade, Export Development Canada and other business associations and partners to assist local businesses in learning more about the impacts of tariffs, managing supply chain risks and navigating these challenging times. The City’s Economic Development Division has a long history of assisting businesses in their time of need, including most recently during the COVID-19 pandemic.
For more details on the Government of Canada’s response, including the list of U.S. products subject to counter-tariffs, click here.
Quotes
“We’re facing unprecedented economic uncertainty. The newly imposed U.S. tariffs are threatening jobs on both sides of the border and sending trading markets into a free fall. As a manufacturing and trade hub, Mississauga is affected, but we are resilient. While we cannot control the tariffs, we can respond. Mississauga stands united with our federal and provincial governments against these unjust tariffs and will continue to support local businesses and residents. I encourage everyone to participate in our Choose Canada campaign by supporting Canadian-made products where you can.” – Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish
“Our City’s manufacturing sector, which supports thousands of jobs, is particularly vulnerable to tariffs and economic uncertainty. Industry forecasts project a two to three percentage point increase in the unemployment rate nationwide, translating to an estimated loss of 600,000 jobs across the country, and significant ripple effects to communities like Mississauga. That’s why we’re taking action to advocate for our manufacturers, local industries, businesses and workers and to connect our businesses with necessary resources and support. By collaborating with local businesses and partners, we aim to strengthen our economy and protect the livelihoods of Mississauga residents.” – Christina Kakaflikas, Director, Economic Development, City of Mississauga
“Last year, Mississauga invested more than $730 million in procurements, and these tariffs will substantially drive up costs for our city. To respond effectively, our amended Procurement By-law will enable us to prioritize Canadian suppliers and those from non-U.S. sources wherever possible, particularly for medium and high-value projects. This proactive approach will streamline the procurement process and help us empower more local, diverse, and small businesses to compete and thrive.”
– Raj Sheth, Commissioner, Corporate Services, City of Mississauga
Mississauga is one of five communities in Canada to receive a grade of PFPC1 by Verisk Canada’s Fire Underwriters Survey (FUS), an achievement that has economic benefits for the City’s property and business owners.
March 4, 2025
The City of Mississauga is pleased to announce that Mississauga Fire and Emergency Services (MFES) received the highest grade in Ontario by the Verisk Canada’s Fire Underwriters Survey (FUS). In addition to being recognized for making Mississauga safer, MFES’ score has a positive economic impact for property and business owners.
About the Fire Underwriters Survey assessment
Verisk Canada’s Fire Underwriters Survey™ (FUS) is a national organization that provides data on public fire protection for fire insurance statistical work and underwriting purposes of subscribing insurance companies. The FUS provides a standardized measure of the adequacy of fire protection in every community in Canada. The survey is used by over 90 per cent of property and casualty insurers.
The FUS helps the insurance industry establish appropriate fire insurance rates for residential and commercial properties by providing Fire Insurance Grades. These grades are specifically developed for the Canadian insurance community. Mississauga has achieved a Class 1 rating; 1 represents the “ideal” or highest level of public fire protection while Class 10 reflects the absence of any effective public fire protection.
MFES had previously received a class 2 grade. However, advancements in the mechanical division, training centre, fire prevention, and communication centre resulted in the classification improvements. The City of Mississauga is the only Ontario community with a Public Fire Protection Classification (PFPC) Class 1. This classification achievement is only shared by four other communities throughout Canada.
Economic benefits for Mississauga property and business owners
Businesses are more likely to invest in a municipality with high fire protection standards and property owners may benefit from probable savings in insurance premiums. A high rating from FUS also helps investors feel more confident when it comes to the safety of their warehouses, retail locations and offices in Mississauga.
Find out all the ways MFES keeps us safe by visiting mississauga.ca/fire for more information. Residents are also encouraged to prioritize fire prevention with working smoke alarms, escape plans and keeping children and pets away from heat sources.
Keeping the city safe starts at home and everyone has a role.
“Congratulations to Mississauga Fire and Emergency Services for earning the highest grade in Ontario by the Fire Underwriters Survey. With this achievement, Mississauga has established a benchmark and standard when it comes to public safety. During this economically challenging time, investors and property owners will be pleased to know that insurers consider Mississauga safe, which could lead to potential savings.”
– Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish
“Mississauga Fire and Emergency Services is dedicated keeping the city and its residents safe every single day. Achieving the highest score in Ontario, a rating of PFPC1, is not only an honour but a testament to the work that goes on behind the scenes and on the front lines. This achievement is dedicated to all staff, management and community leaders who have helped support our fire service as we continue to prioritize response times, expand public education, advance training for mandatory firefighter certification and ensure fire code compliance.”
– Fire Chief and Director of Emergency Management Deryn Rizzi
The Peel Region Public Works department regularly maintains and repairs the water system to make sure you have a consistent supply of quality drinking water. Sometimes we must turn off your water supply while we do this work.
Your water will be turned off on Wednesday, March 5th, 9:00am to 5:00pm. If we need to reschedule this work due to weather or other circumstances, we will let you know the new date and time.
Property owner/manager responsibilities during a water interruption
As a property owner/manager, it is your responsibility to:
Ensure maintenance, mechanical or plumbing staff are on site during the water interruption, as it may affect internal systems that rely on water such as boilers, fire suppression, and alarms.
Notify the fire alarm company if the interruption could affect an alarm system.
Have a fire watch completed during the water interruption, as the building’s sprinkler protection system will not function when the water supply is shut off.
After the water interruption
When we turn the water back on, air in the pipes may make the water cloudy and your plumbing may vibrate or make noise. We recommend removing the air by slowly turning on your taps from the lowest to the highest faucet in the building (that is, starting in the basement/first floor, and finishing on the top floor). You will likely need to run the water for 10 to 30 seconds. Run the water until it is clear, and any vibration or noise has stopped.
Important note
After the water is turned back on, we recommend checking the water meter (usually located in the basement). If it is leaking, call Water Meter Installations Dispatch at:
905-791-7800 extension 3226 (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – Monday to Friday)
905-791-7800 extension 4409 (after hours or statutory holidays)
