July 10, 2020
The City of Mississauga is moving forward with an Active Transportation COVID-19 Recovery Framework following approval of a report that was brought to Council this week. Starting this summer, the City will introduce more short-term and long-term active transportation options for cyclists and pedestrians that allow for safe physical distancing. Residents can look forward to Quiet Streets that limit vehicle traffic, temporary road closures that provide more space for cyclists and pedestrians and 17.9 km of new separated and on-road bike lanes that will be installed by the end of the year.
“Our efforts continue to build cities for people and ensure our residents can continue to travel safely and comfortably around our city while respecting physical distancing,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “It’s especially important now that we are in Stage 2 and are further reopening our economy that we provide residents with more ways to move. During this pandemic, communities like ours have seen cycling increase by as much as 60 per cent. This framework responds to those needs and will work to provide our residents with more options to travel around our City comfortably while providing relief for our busy sidewalks, multi-use trails and enhancing access to local amenities.”
Throughout the spring, the City installed temporary active transportation lanes in Wards 4, 7 and 9 to give local pedestrians and cyclists more space to practise physical distancing. The framework allows for the introduction of more short-term options in the form of temporary road closures and Quiet Streets. Temporary road closures will help reduce crowding in Mississauga hotspots, particularly on weekends. Quiet Streets, which temporarily limit vehicle traffic to local traffic only, will provide more space for cyclists, walkers and runners to safely and comfortably use the road.
“Active transportation will shape how residents move around Mississauga during recovery and beyond,” said Geoff Wright, Commissioner, Transportation and Works. “We’ll be expanding Mississauga’s cycling network long-term. By adding 17.9 km of new on-road bicycle lanes and separated bicycle lanes by the end of the year, we permanently increase the City’s on-road bicycle lane network by 30 per cent.”
Based on data from Peel Public Health and the City’s transportation planning teams, locations for the projects outlined in the framework have been selected using criteria that includes: population density, vehicle ownership per household, commute distances and potential risk of COVID-19 exposure. Locations were also chosen to help fill gaps in Mississauga’s existing cycling network.
In addition to consulting Peel Public Health, several key City strategic initiatives support the rapid expansion of the cycling network in Mississauga, including the Cycling Master Plan, the Climate Change Action Plan, the Transportation Master Plan and Vision Zero. The Mississauga Cycling Advisory Committee was also consulted in the development of the framework.
“Staff from across the organization have listened to residents and we recognize the immediate need for more options to travel safely by bike or foot, in both the long-term and the short-term,” said Helen Noehammer, Director, Infrastructure Planning and Engineering Services. “We’re reprioritizing our work plans and using relatively simple materials, available budget and existing contracts in order to accelerate this work.”
No new funding is required for the projects identified in the framework. Estimated to cost $1.3 million, budget for the projects will come from existing funding sources, with $830,000 coming from the Federal Gas Tax Reserve Fund and $470,000 coming from the Development Charges Reserve Fund.
Noehammer added, “The installation of additional cycling infrastructure will lead to operational impacts. We’re continuing to finalize what dedicated year-round maintenance of this infrastructure will look like, especially in the spring and winter.”
To stay up-to-date on COVID-19 impacts on City services, visit mississauga.ca/recovery and follow the City on Twitter @citymississauga.
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Media Contact:
Megan Schabla
Communications Co-ordinator
City of Mississauga
905-615-3200, ext. 8537
megan.schabla@mississauga.ca
TTY: 905-896-5151
July 9, 2020
Yesterday, City Council approved the Corporate and the Financial Pillar Recovery Plans, two of the four pillars outlined in the City’s overall COVID-19 Recovery Framework. On May 13, Council received the COVID-19 Recovery Framework, which provides a plan for what recovery operations will look like at the City of Mississauga. The framework outlines work in four key areas: Community, Economic, Financial and Corporate. The Recovery Framework supports our community and provides financial stability as the City moves from crisis to recovery. Each Pillar Recovery Plan will come to Council for review and approval before the end of July.
“Mississauga’s COVID-19 recovery plan is thoughtful, thorough, inclusive, and identifies the short and long-term actions we need to take to help our City rebound from this crisis while preventing a second wave. Residents and businesses have all felt the impacts of the pandemic over the last five months, and it’s time for us to move forward,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “Recovery won’t happen overnight, and I ask that residents and businesses be patient as we work to adjust to our new normal. Our strengths as a world-class city when it comes to recovery and financial planning, innovation in technology and our willingness to adapt will be vital in our efforts to successfully recover from this crisis. Mississauga is strong, ready and prepared to overcome any challenges before us.”
The City worked closely with Peel Public Health to develop the framework to support reopening and recovery. The City will adhere to all public health directions provided by higher levels of government in an effort to protect the health and safety of the public and employees. City staff are already engaged in recovery planning to ensure the City is prepared to restore services and respond to community needs.
“The COVID-19 pandemic changed the way we work, interact and engage with residents and businesses. Through the Pillar Recovery Plans, our goal is to return the city and community to normal or near normal operations,” said Paul Mitcham, City Manager and Chief Administrative Officer. “Recovery actions are likely to last months or even years but we continue to adapt, improve and innovate, so we can support our local residents and businesses on our path to recovery.”
The City’s recovery plan address four pillars:
1) Corporate Recovery Pillar (approved on July 8)
This pillar, led by Gary Kent, Commissioner of Corporate Services and Chief Financial Officer, considers the impacts of COVID-19 on the reopening of City facilities. Highlights include:
- Restoring full operations while keeping employees and customers safe and following public health directives as City workplaces reopen
- Business units and facilities will be opened based on priorities of service
- Incorporate positive changes and efficiencies such as moving the service counters to the ground floors to improve customer service
- Managing in-person services by appointment through a new app
- Expand online services
- Screening of staff and members of the public when entering facilities
- More frequent cleaning of areas such as doorknobs and service counters
2) Financial Recovery Pillar (approved on July 8)
This pillar, led by Gary Kent, Commissioner of Corporate Services and Chief Financial Officer, considers the financial impact of COVID-19 on the City. Highlights include:
- Seven financial principals have been established to eliminate the 2020 deficit and reduce the echo effect of 2022 and beyond
- Cost cutting options will be analyzed over the summer and discussed with Budget Committee in October 2020
- Staff will continue to work with Council to refine the budget and look for ways to trim the proposed increases
- The City will continue to look for cost-saving measures
- The City will continue to advocate to higher levels of government for financial assistance
3) Economic Recovery Pillar (coming to Council on July 22)
This pillar, led by Andrew Whittemore, Commissioner, Planning and Building, considers the economic impacts of COVID-19 on the business community. Highlights include:
- The City will play a key role in helping the economy and supporting businesses and community to grow and prosper through a Build Back Better campaign
o The campaign will include the themes: buy local, a focus on the airport and preparing for a second wave
- The City will encourage participation and collaboration with industry and business stakeholders to take into account the needs of the entire business community through the newly formed Economic Resiliency Task Force
- To assist with Mississauga’s economic recovery, the City will continue to advocate for financial relief and incentives from other levels of government
- The reduction in transit ridership has resulted in significant revenue losses. The City will continue to request financial assistance from the provincial and federal governments to help fund operations and maintain appropriate service levels. This initiative, under the Economic Pillar, will be led by Geoff Wright, Commissioner, Transportation & Works
4) Community Recovery Pillar (coming to Council on July 22)
This pillar, led by Shari Lichterman, Commissioner, Community Services, focuses on the services, tactics and programs that are public-facing, and impact Mississauga’s residents directly. Highlights include:
- Plans for restoring and reopening City services, including Recreation, Parks, Libraries, Arts & Culture, Events, Sports and other facilities and programs
- Continued engagement and consultation with the community to understand the impacts of this crisis, both short and longer term, to respond with programs and services to support resident and community group recovery
- Leveraging partnerships with other levels of government and community organizations to advance recovery and re-engage our residents in our vibrant municipal life
To stay informed on COVID-19 impacts on City services, please visit: Mississauga.ca/recovery.
COVID-19 Response Continues: Call for Funding, Temporary Patios, Active Transportation Recovery Framework, Deferral of Municipal Accommodation Tax and New Mandatory Face Covering By-law
COVID-19 | July 8, 2020
Today, Mississauga City Council reviewed and approved initiatives in relation to COVID-19 including: a call for funding from provincial and federal governments, time limited amendments to City by-laws to facilitate temporary patios, an Active Transportation COVID-19 Recovery Framework, a three-month deferral of the Municipal Accommodation Tax and a new by-law requiring face coverings in indoor public spaces accessible to the public.
“We’ve listened to residents and businesses and we’re taking action to make it easier to enter into Stage 2 safely,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “Temporary patios will give our local restaurants the room to do more and give people more options for enjoyment in our City. Deferral of the Municipal Accommodation Tax will give our hoteliers the options they need. Expanding cycling and pedestrian lanes gives people more options to move around our City. And, as reopening is underway, we have approved a by-law for face coverings in indoor public spaces to help protect the health and safety of our City and get through this pandemic more quickly.”
Call for Federal and Provincial Funding
Council approved a motion calling on the federal and provincial governments to provide:
- emergency financial assistance to municipalities equal to the amount requested by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM)
- timely approval of Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) projects and immediately flow the money to municipalities
- stimulus funding programs to spur economic recovery and address the growing fiscal burden faced by municipalities
In addition, Council is requesting the Government of Ontario and Minister of Finance review the Greater Toronto Airport Authority (GTAA) Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) formula, specifically the elimination of the current five percent cap.
For complete details, view the full motion.
Temporary Patios
Council approved a temporary use by-law that permits temporary outdoor restaurant patios on both public and private property. As part of the approval, Council also waived the fees and some of the requirements under the Business Licensing By-law and Noise Control By-laws.
Temporary Patios on Public Lands
Temporary patios proposed on the City’s municipal road right-of-way or a municipal parking lot require a Temporary Patio Permit.
Restaurants: apply online
A dedicated staff team is in place to review applications as they are received.
Restaurants with questions regarding the application process, can contact the City at temporarypatio@mississauga.ca or can call 905-615-3200 ext. 5593 or ext. 8581. For public safety, temporary patios will not be considered on municipal road right-of-ways with posted speed limits over 50 km/h.
Temporary Patios on Private Lands
For temporary patios on private lands, no permit is required. However, patios must adhere to design requirements. Restaurants should seek the permission of the owner or property manager prior to installation.
Temporary restaurant patios are permitted with Mississauga’s move into Stage 2 of Ontario’s Framework for Reopening Our Province provided proper health and safety measures are in place. All local businesses must adhere to guidelines from the Province of Ontario and the Region of Peel. New resources available to support businesses reopen and recover at mississauga.ca/business-covid-19.
Active Transportation COVID-19 Recovery Framework
Council approved a report for an Active Transportation COVID-19 Recovery Framework. Starting this summer, the City will introduce more short-term and long-term active transportation options for cyclists and pedestrians that allow for safe physical distancing.
For details view the report: The City of Mississauga’s Active Transportation COVID-19 Recovery Framework
Deferral of Municipal Accommodation Tax
To provide further assistance to hoteliers, Council approved deferral of the Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) for the additional months of June to November 2020. Tax due on June 30 and July 31 was deferred to October 31; August 31 and September 30 to November 30; and October 31 and November 30 to December 31, 2020. Penalty and interest charges are to be set to zero per cent from July 2 to December 31. An initial deferral of the MAT was done on April 8.
Mandatory Face Coverings By-law For Indoor Public Spaces Accessible to the Public
Mississauga City Council approved a new by-law requiring face coverings to be worn in all indoor public spaces that are accessible to the public. The by-law is in effect as of July 10, to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Details
To stay informed on COVID-19 impacts on City services, please visit: mississauga.ca/recovery or call 311.
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Preliminary Design and Transit Project Assessment Process Study for the Dundas BRT
City building | July 9, 2020
Yesterday, Council approved for staff to enter into a cost-sharing agreement with Metrolinx for the Preliminary Design and Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP) for the Dundas Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor.
In 2019, the City of Mississauga submitted an application for funding to the Public Transit stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) focused on developing bus priority infrastructure on a 2-kilometre (km) segment of the Lakeshore Road corridor and on a 7-km segment of the Dundas Street corridor.
The City’s Rapid Transit Office has been working with Metrolinx project planning staff and has released a joint procurement for the Dundas BRT Corridor Preliminary Design and TPAP on June 19, 2020.
The Dundas BRT corridor was identified as a priority transit project for the City, as well as a priority in Metrolinx’s ‘2041 Regional Transportation Plan’. Metrolinx recently completed an initial business case for the Dundas corridor from Kipling Station in the City of Toronto, through the City of Mississauga, Halton Region and the Village of Waterdown in the City of Hamilton.
“The overall work is based on the full Metrolinx corridor,” said Jerry Che, City of Mississauga Manager, Rapid Transit. “Both Metrolinx and City teams have worked cooperatively on a cost sharing agreement and procurement package to advance the Dundas BRT Corridor development, resulting in mutual cost savings for both the City and Metrolinx. The next phase of work for the Dundas Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor will be undertaken in cooperation with Metrolinx to complete the Preliminary Design and Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP) for the corridor and will include a public engagement plan that adheres to any municipal COVID-19 requirements. Public engagement for this phase of work is expected in late 2020 or early 2021.”
“The City will cost share the components and manage the study elements for the Mississauga segment to ensure they satisfy the City’s ICIP application requirements and timelines,” said Che. “Based upon negotiations with Metrolinx, the City will be responsible for 21.25 per cent of the overall study costs, which represents approximately half of the costs associated with the Mississauga segment. The procurement process is expected to be completed by the end of the summer.”
For more information read the report:
Please be advised that Haig Boulevard at railway between Lakeshore Road East and Carnegie Drive will be closed.
When: Starting Monday, July 13th, 2020 until Monday, August 31st, 2020.
Where: Haig Boulevard at rail way crossing between Lakeshore Road East and Carnegie Drive.
Why: A temporary road closure is required for the purpose of replacing all overhead conductors crossing the railway to be installed under the rail, and existing overhead conductors to be removed.
Advance road closure signs will be installed to advise motorists of this closure.
July 7, 2020
The Government of Canada’s Canadian Food and Inspection Agency (CFIA) announced that the invasive species, the Asian longhorned beetle, has been eliminated in Mississauga. After five years of CFIA surveys with no detection of this tree pest, the Asian longhorned beetle quarantine area has been removed in Mississauga.
“Today marks a major victory in a long fought battle,” said Mayor Crombie. “This invasive beetle devastated our tree canopy in Mississauga, but we took action to stop its spread. I’m pleased that this insect is no longer a threat to our trees or our budget. It’s a good reminder that we must remain vigilant against invasive species by protecting existing trees and planting new ones.”
The Asian longhorned beetle was brought to Canada unintentionally in infested wood crates, pallets and packing material. First identified in 2013, the beetle was found in Malton, near the Toronto Pearson International Airport. Infected trees were removed, chipped up and processed to eliminate the ability of the beetle to destroy other healthy trees.
“For almost a decade, the Asian longhorned beetle has attacked and killed healthy hardwood trees in Mississauga, including maple, willow, birch and poplar,” said Jodi Robillos, Director, Parks, Forestry and Environment. “Posing a substantial risk to our parks, green spaces and wildlife habitats, thousands of infected and susceptible trees were removed to control the spread of the Asian longhorned beetle.”
To prevent the spread, residents and businesses were restricted from moving any tree material out of the regulated area of Mississauga. Movement of infected wood material could have accidentally spread the beetle to unaffected areas.
“Invasive species have put a lot of strain on our tree canopy including the Asian longhorned beetle, which have destroyed many healthy trees,” said Brent Reid, Acting Manager, Forestry. “Since the Asian longhorned beetle is not native to Canada, it has no natural predators. Early detection was important so that action could be taken swiftly to eliminate the pest. Another key factor in mitigating the impacts of the Asian longhorned beetle and other invasive species is keeping our urban forest diverse and healthy.”
The beetle’s larvae fed on the trunk and branches of trees, and eventually filled the trees with holes causing the trees to die. Adult beetles fed on the leaves, bark and branch tips.
Reid added, “Mississauga’s tree canopy is diverse, however it is still vulnerable to pests like the Asian longhorned beetle. The City’s Forestry Section is dedicated to monitoring and managing invasive species in Mississauga. We’re committed to continue growing and protecting our urban tree canopy.”
Mississauga is home to over two million trees that provide an enormous range of benefits to human health, the environment and the economy.
For more information about other invasive species like gypsy moths or the Emerald Ash Borer in Mississauga, visit mississauga.ca/portal/residents/parks-invasive-species. To learn more the City’s tree planting program, visit onemilliontrees.ca.
BACKGROUND:
In 2013, the CFIA found evidence of the Asian longhorned beetle near Toronto Pearson International Airport. As a result, CFIA established a regulated area in parts of Mississauga. The CFIA is responsible for the control and eradication of invasive insects such as the Asian longhorned beetle.
PHOTO:
CAPTION: Asian longhorn beetle in the wood of a maple tree
[Download hi-res photo]
The Government of Canada’s Canadian Food and Inspection Agency (CFIA) announced that the invasive species, the Asian longhorned beetle, has been eliminated in Mississauga. After five years of CFIA surveys with no detection of this tree pest, the Asian longhorned beetle quarantine area has been removed in Mississauga.
“Today marks a major victory in a long fought battle,” said Mayor Crombie. “This invasive beetle devastated our tree canopy in Mississauga, but we took action to stop its spread. I’m pleased that this insect is no longer a threat to our trees or our budget. It’s a good reminder that we must remain vigilant against invasive species by protecting existing trees and planting new ones.” Read More
Based on Environment and Climate Change Canada’s data, the Region of Peel’s Medical Officer of Health has issued a Heat Warning* for Brampton, Caledon and Mississauga on Thursday July 2, 2020. The warning will be in effect until further notice.
COVID-19 in Peel
With community spread, treat every interaction like you could be exposed.
Symptoms of heat-related illness include rapid breathing, dizziness or fainting, vomiting, rapid heartbeat, extreme thirst, decreased urination and unusually dark yellow urine.
During heat events, remember to check-in with family, friends and neighbours, especially seniors who live on their own. It’s best to call or video-conference – if that is not possible, practice physical distancing. Many of the locations that provided relief from heat such as shopping malls and community centres are not available due to COVID-19. If you experience any of the symptoms above, cool off as soon as possible by taking a cool bath or shower, move to a shaded area and practice physical distancing and increase your fluid intake and rest. If the symptoms persist, contact your doctor or call 911.
For more information on how to protect your health during the heat, visit the Heat web site or review the various Guidelines which outline steps to help prevent heat-related illnesses.
Learn how to protect yourself and others, and stay up-to-date on COVID-19 in Peel. Some Regional services and facilities are affected or closed until further notice. Check full listing.