Recent extreme weather events and their impact on cities have made the discussion around reducing carbon emissions more important than ever. Finding climate change solutions is the focus of the 2023 Livable Cities Forum, a gathering of climate leaders taking place later this month at the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga. The annual, three-day event, happening September 25-27, welcomes more than 250 global delegates from different levels of government, community partners and local agencies, industry leaders, post-secondary institutions, health agencies and climate change experts.
The forum provides an opportunity to exchange ideas, share knowledge and insights and look for tangible solutions to lower carbon emissions while building resilient and inclusive communities.
“Our climate is changing rapidly and its effects will forever alter how we live. We must work together to curb the negative impacts and create a healthy and sustainable future for all,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “Mississauga is grateful to host this year’s Livable Cities Forum and welcome the many distinguished climate change and environment professionals and delegates from around the world, representing hundreds of industries and sectors. We are proud to be one of the many Canadian municipalities participating in the Forum, and look forward to sharing our experiences while listening to the expertise of others in understanding and developing climate change solutions.”
This year’s theme focuses on “Intention to Implementation,” transitioning to resilient, equitable, livable, and sustainable communities. The Forum is in partnership with ICLEI Canada and the Canadian Urban Institute.
1) Accelerating local transition towards a net-zero future
2) Adapting communities to climate change and building resilience
3) Prioritizing equity, inclusion and meaningful engagement
A key focus of the Living Cities Forum is gaining insights, knowledge and a deeper understanding of climate solutions, actions and resilience initiatives at the local level. In addition to speakers, the Forum also features workshops, plenaries and networking sessions. Organized study tours around Mississauga will showcase how cities can increase the pace and scale of implementation of energy transitions and how to approach climate action to increase engagement, motivation and implementation.
“The overarching themes of the forum align with the climate change work happening around our city,” said Dianne Zimmerman, Manager, Environment at the City of Mississauga. “Mississauga is working towards ambitious climate goals with deep emissions reductions targets, as well as preparing the community for the effects of a changing climate. As a large urban city, we’re committed to becoming one of Canada’s first net-zero cities. We’re embracing diversity, equity and inclusion as core principles of climate action to build more resilient and livable communities and we’re actively working with different levels of government, local corporations, non-profit organizations, community partners and residents to collaborate on action”
The U.N. has already warned about the world entering an era of global boiling, as scientists confirmed that July was Earth’s hottest month on record – including, the three hottest days on record and the highest-ever ocean temperatures for this time of year.
The Forum comes as the City of Mississauga is updating its Climate Change Action Plan to set more ambitious targets aligned with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) recommendations to limit global warming to 1.5 per cent Celsius. The City’s Climate Change Action Plan is a 10-year road map for tackling the impacts of the changing climate. It sets out actions to reduce GHG emissions and help the City increase its resiliency to withstand and respond to current and future climate events.
For further information on the Livable Cities Forum, visit LivableCitiesForum.com.
The Livable Cities Forum is ICLEI Canada’s annual event to bring local leaders, urban professionals and on-the-ground practitioners from across Canada and around the globe together.
ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability is a global network of more than 2,500 local and regional governments committed to sustainable urban development. Active in more than 125 countries, they influence sustainability policy and drive local action for low emission, nature-based, equitable, resilient and circular development. The Members and team of experts work together through peer exchange, partnerships and capacity building to create systemic change for urban sustainability.
I am pleased to announce that the Proposal to support Bill C-233 “Keira’s Law” was passed today unanimously in Council. The City of Mississauga Council lends support to Member of Parliament Anju Dhillon’s Private Members Bill C-233, that has now been passed to raise the level of education on domestic violence and coercive control for federally appointed Judges.
RESOLUTION 0194-2023
adopted by the Council of
The Corporation of the City of Mississauga
at its meeting on September 13, 2023
0194-2023 Moved by: S. Dasko Seconded by: M. Reid
Whereas violence against women is a Canadian public health crisis that demands urgent action;
and Whereas one in four women experience domestic violence in their lifetime, and one woman or girl is killed every other day, on average, somewhere in our country;
and Whereas the most dangerous time for a victim of abuse is when she separates from her partner, according to research from the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, when there is a history of coercive control, violence and a recent separation, a woman’s risk of domestic homicide goes up 900 times;
and Whereas, the current Canadian court system is not equipped to protect women, according to the National Judicial Institute, there is no mandatory education for Judges on domestic violence; judges need education on what constitutes domestic violence or coercive control and formal education program would ensure another line of defense for victims, as well as preventing violence and abuse before it happens;
and Whereas, according to Article 19 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, children must be protected from “all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse, while in the care of parent(s), legal guardian(s) or any other person who has care of the child,” our current family justice system often fails our children in this regard;
and Whereas, in worst case scenarios, children are killed by a violent parent, as reported by the Canadian Domestic Homicide Prevention Initiative, recent separation and domestic violence are the two biggest risk factors for domestic violence related child homicides;
and Whereas, custody disputes are an additional risk factor; each year in Canada, about 30 children are killed by a parent; mothers are responsible about 40 per cent of the time, often due to postpartum depression or mental illness and in the 60 per cent of cases where fathers are the murderers, anger, jealousy or post-separation retaliatory revenge are the usual motivations;
and Whereas, Keira’s Law is named after four-year-old Keira Kagan, who was killed while in the custody of her father, in 2020;
Now therefore be it resolved:
1. That the City of Mississauga Council lends support to Member of Parliament Anju Dhillon’s Private Member’s Bill C-233, Page 3 of Motion Memorandum that has now been passed to raise the level of education on domestic violence and coercive control, for federally appointed Judges; and
2. That this motion be forwarded to the Prime Minister, the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, and Mississauga Members of Parliament (MP’s), the Premier of Ontario, the Ontario Attorney General, and Mississauga Members of Provincial Parliament.
I am pleased to announce that the proposed Motion to Declare Gender-Based Violence & Intimate Partner Violence an Epidemic in the City of Mississauga was passed today unanimously in Council.
The City of Mississauga will request that the Region of Peel’s upcoming awareness campaign regarding gender based and intimate partner violence include this declaration and take a stand and advocate with 41 other municipalities to push the Province of Ontario to officially recognize it as such.
We will also send a communication to the Minister of Justice, the Attorney General Canada, the Prime Minister of Canada signed by Mayor Crombie and members of Council to advocate that Femicide be added as a term to the Criminal Code of Canada and ask that the provincial and federal governments provide appropriate supports necessary to address the epidemic.
RESOLUTION 0193-2023
adopted by the Council of
The Corporation of the City of Mississauga
at its meeting on September 13, 2023
0193-2023 Moved by: S. Dasko Seconded by: B. Butt
WHEREAS gender-based violence is defined as violence or abuse perpetrated against a woman, girl or gender-diverse individual because of their gender, gender expression, gender identity or perceived gender; and
WHEREAS according to the Canadian Femicide Observatory for Justice and Accountability, in the last 5 years at least one woman or girl was killed every 48 hours in Canada
WHEREAS Renfrew County delivered 86 recommendations in a unanimous verdict on the deaths of three local women, who were killed by their former partner on a single morning in 2015; and
WHEREAS these 86 recommendations speak to oversight and accountability, system approaches, collaboration and communication, funding, education and training, measures addressing perpetrators of intimate partner violence (IPV), intervention, and safety; and
WHEREAS the number one recommendation put forward is to have the provincial government formally declare intimate partner violence as an epidemic; and
WHEREAS femicide continues to take place in Peel Region, with the most recent one taking place on July 31st when Argentina Fuentes was killed in Mississauga; and
WHEREAS a femicide took place between July 17 and 18 in Mississauga, when Pitch “Polly” Phunpa was killed in her Port Credit apartment; and
WHEREAS Peel Region has already had 6 femicides connected to the Region in 2023, with 4 of those femicides taking place in July alone; and
WHEREAS there have been 38 femicides in Ontario in the last 36 weeks; and
WHEREAS Canada does not currently include the term femicide in their criminal legislation; and
WHEREAS 75% of women reported abuse and conflict with a partner, spouse or parent as their top reason for their housing loss in Peel Region in 2021; and
WHEREAS Canada continues to experience a crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls; and
WHEREAS Indigenous women are killed at seven times the rate of Non-Indigenous women; and
Page 2 of 3
WHEREAS technology-facilitated gender-based violence is a growing problem, with 33% of young women between 15 and 24 experiencing unwanted behaviour online; and
WHEREAS all statistics are only scratching the surface and do not include unreported cases; and
WHEREAS the demand for support services increases as awareness increases; and
WHEREAS according to the Peel Regional 2021-2022 Snapshot published by the Peel Committee Against Women Abuse, Embrave: Agency to End Violence have seen a 27 percent increase in survivors accessing shelter programs between 2021 to 2022 in Peel Region; and
WHEREAS many of the inquiry’s recommendations are either applicable to or could be adapted to the municipal or regional level of government; and
WHEREAS The Region of Peel has formally acknowledged family violence and intimate-partner violence a key area of focus in the Peel Community Safety and Well-Being Plan; and
WHEREAS on Feb 13, 2020, the Region of Peel Council unanimously supported a motion to work with the City of Brampton, City of Mississauga, Town of Caledon, Peel Regional Police and community organizations to develop and strategize a public education and awareness campaign to tackle the issue of domestic violence across the Region; and
WHEREAS the “It’s Not Ok” and “Break the Silence” public awareness campaigns launched as of November 2020, annually for the past 3 years during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence; and
WHEREAS 41 municipalities across Ontario, including the City of Brampton and the Region of Peel have declared intimate partner violence and gender-based violence an epidemic; and
WHEREAS the Government of Canada and Arif Virani, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada have recognized gender-based violence as an epidemic.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CITY OF MISSISSAUGA:
1. Declare gender-based violence and intimate-partner violence an epidemic in Mississauga; and
2. Request that the Region of Peel’s upcoming awareness campaign regarding gender-based and intimate partner violence include this declaration; and
3. Take a stand and advocate with the 41 municipalities and regions that have declared gender-based violence and/or intimate partner violence an epidemic to push the Province of Ontario to officially recognize it as such; and
4. Send a communication to Mississauga MPs and MPPs, signed by Mayor Bonnie Crombie on behalf of Council, requesting that they join their municipal counterparts in solidarity, asking for an epidemic of gender-based violence and intimate-partner violence to be declared at the Provincial and Federal levels; and
5. Send a communication to the Honourable Arif Virani, Minister of Justice and Attorney General Canada, and the Prime Minister of Canada, signed by Mayor Bonnie Crombie on behalf of Council, advocating that Femicide be added as a term to the Criminal Code of Canada; and
6. Send a communication to Premier Ford and Prime Minister Trudeau, signed by Mayor Bonnie Crombie on behalf of Council, advocating to the provincial and federal governments to provide the appropriate supports necessary to address the epidemic; and
7. Send a copy of this Resolution to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO).
ALL NOMINATIONS ARE DUE BY OCTOBER 5TH, 2023 AT MIDNIGHT.
This year’s Ward 1 Community Excellence Awards will be held on October 26th, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. at the Mississauga Seniors Centre, 1389 Cawthra Road
Business Awards
Small business owners are an integral part of our community. In addition to contributing to the local community’s unique identity and being involved locally, small business owners are job creators, providing local employment opportunities allowing local residents to work closer to home. Having multiple small businesses all striving to be unique and innovative, can result in a healthy marketplace and well-served consumers. One-of-a-kind and locally made products can attract customers to our area, bolstering tourism and contributing to our local community. These establishments benefit our local economy and help support the place we call home.
New Business Award
The recipient of this award has been in business for a minimum of 1 year and a maximum of 5 years. This award recognizes outstanding achievement as a new business in some or all of the following: Research & Development, Company Growth, Products & Services, Market Development, Sales & Marketing, Community Service.
Entrepreneur of the Year Award
This award recognizes the endeavors of an exceptional individual or company who creates the products and services that keep our local economies moving forward.
Best Real Estate Agent
This award recognizes a real estate professional who goes above and beyond for their clients and makes important contributions to the community.
Excellence in Customer Service Award
This award recognizes a business for their outstanding dedication, loyalty and achievement to exceptional service standards in our community that consistently exceed customer or guest expectations.
Automotive Services Excellence Award
This award honours an Automotive Services establishment with outstanding service, provided to Ward 1 residents with consistent high standards and integrity.
Best Patio Dining Experience Award
The best patio dining experience award is presented to a restaurant that has created a patio that provides the most enjoyable overall guest experience, setting high standards for food quality, while providing guests with excellent customer service that enhances the dining experience.
This local favourite provides an opportunity to relax and enjoy a delicious meal and a great atmosphere.
Best Pizza Shop Award
Recognizing a local pizza shop – takeout or delivery that provides the best tasting pizza and customer experience.
Best Coffee Shop Award
This award recognizes a coffee shop in Ward 1 that has a loyal following that provides great quality coffee, tea and snacks. It also creates a clean memorable atmosphere that keeps customers coming back for more.
Restaurant of the Year Award
This award is presented to a restaurant that provides the most enjoyable overall guest experience, setting high standards for food quality, offers a well-priced meal, while providing guests with excellent customer service that enhances the dining experience. This local favourite may also provide an opportunity to relax and enjoy a delicious meal in a great atmosphere.
Arts and Community Awards
The Ward 1 Arts Awards recognize leaders who attain a level of merit in their artistic discipline and celebrate outstanding works of creativity across all arts disciplines. These awards recognize the individual contributions to arts and culture in our community. Cultivating the arts plays an important role in our city by improving well-being, unifying communities, improving academic performance, strengthening the economy, driving tourism, while sparking creativity & innovation in our community.
Artist of The Year Award – Music Performance
The Ward 1 Artist of the Year – Music Performance award recognizes the musician or musical group that has consistently delivered exceptional live performances, captivating audiences with their talent, stage presence, and artistic expression throughout the year.
Artist of The Year Award – Dance Performance
The Ward 1 Artist of the Year – Dance Performance award recognizes the outstanding achievements of a dancer or dance troupe who have demonstrated exceptional artistry, creativity, and skill in their dance performances throughout the year.
Artist of The Year Award – Visual Artist
The Ward 1 Artist of the Year – Visual Artist award recognizes outstanding accomplishments and contributions within the field of visual arts over the past year. This category celebrates artists whose exceptional creativity, skill, and innovation have made an impact on the art scene locally and inspired audiences through their visual creations.
Environmental Stewardship Award
Whether helping to protect our climate, reduce waste, support local food or enhance our natural spaces, this individual is recognized as an environmental leader who has made significant contributions to improving our environment.
Volunteer of the Year Award
Our city is built by those who give their time and expertise selflessly and expect nothing in return. This award recognizes an individual who demonstrates excellence in volunteering to make Ward 1 a better place to live, work, and play.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Ward 1 would like to honour with great respect and admiration, an Individual for their lifetime of support, promotion and vision for our community.
Nominator Name:
Nominator Email:
Award for Nomination:
Nominee Name:
Nominee Email:
ALL NOMINATIONS ARE DUE BY OCTOBER 5TH, 2023 AT MIDNIGHT.
Lakeshore Road will be closed from Hurontario to Stavebank on Saturday September 9th from 12 noon-6pm for the 25th Annual Southside Shuffle.
Please plan accordingly.
During this event, the following stops will not be serviced by route:
Route 2 North
Last serviced stop – #0345 Elizabeth Street at Park Street
#0311 – Elizabeth/High
#0326 – Lakeshore/Elizabeth
#0336 – Hurontario/Park
Returns to regular routing at #0324 Hurontario Street at Inglewood Drive
Route 2 South
Last serviced stop – #0335 Hurontario Street at Inglewood Drive
#0337 – Hurontario/Park
#0339 – Hurontario/Lakeshore
#0341 – Ann/Park
Returns to regular routing at #0348 Port Credit GO Station
Route 8 North
Last serviced stop – #0345 Elizabeth Street at Park Street
#0311 – Elizabeth/High
#0326 – Lakeshore/Elizabeth
#0336 – Hurontario/Park
Returns to regular routing at #0324 Hurontario Street at Eaglewood Boulevard
Route 8 South
Last serviced stop – #0335 Hurontario Street at Inglewood Drive
#0337 – Hurontario/Park
#0339 – Hurontario/Lakeshore
#0341 – Ann/Park
Returns to regular routing at #0342 Port Credit GO Station
Route 23 East
Last serviced stop – #0222 Lakeshore Road, east of Benson Ave
#0223 – Lakeshore/Mississauga
#0224 – Lakeshore/Front
#0325 – Lakeshore/Stavebank
#0326 – Lakeshore/Elizabeth
#0341 – Ann/Park
#0311 – Elizabeth/High
#0323 – Lakeshore/Hurontario
Returns to regular routing at #0353 Lakeshore Road at Elmwood Avenue
Route 23 West
Last serviced stop – #0881 Lakeshore Road at Rosewood Avenue
#0363 – Lakeshore/Ann
#0341 – Ann/Park
#0311 – Elizabeth/High
#0302 – Elizabeth/Lakeshore
#0377 – Lakeshore/Stavebank
#0378 – Lakeshore/Port Credit Library
#0267 – Lakeshore/John
#0268 – Lakeshore/Mississauga
Returns to regular routing at #0637 Lakeshore Road at Wesley Avenue
The day honours the lost children and Survivors of residential schools, their families and communities.
The holiday came into effect in 2021 to respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s call to action number 80 by creating a holiday which seeks to honour First Nations, Inuit and Métis Survivors, and their families and communities.
Throughout September, Mississauga joins the rest of Canada to commemorate the history and continuing impacts of this tragedy in our journey for reconciliation. It is a time of education, reflection and remembrance.
Click Here for More Events and Information
The City has plans to build a new marina and waterfront park at 1 Port Street East in Port Credit. Before we can do this, we need to complete an Environmental Assessment (EA) – a public consultation and a review of the impact of the proposal on the environment.
This project includes adding fill to the lake to create new land along the existing break wall. This will provide an opportunity to continue the site’s historic marina function, support marina and business activity, create new a waterfront park and improve habitat. The site is one of the few deep-water harbours on the north shore of Lake Ontario and an important part of Mississauga’s tourism and waterfront parks strategies.
From September 14 to October 31, 2023, take part in the virtual Public Information Centre #3. View the project documents, including the online presentation and draft EA document, and share your feedback through an online survey.
The City will be holding a pop-up event with staff available to answer questions and discuss the project. Pop-up event details will be made available on the project website.
Learn more and take the survey
Received August 31, 2023 from the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, Update on opening date received November 23, 2023.
“The Ogden Pedestrian Bridge was initially scheduled for completion by the end of August 2023/start of the fall school year. Due to numerous underground and aboveground utility conflicts, the opening of the pedestrian bridge is delayed, with an opening date in late summer 2024 now projected.
At this time, the contractor has progressed with the subsurface concrete and pier column works, and expects to have the entire substructure complete within three weeks. The steel truss sections are currently in fabrication and are projected to be installed in early October 2023. The concrete deck on the truss and associated concrete approach ramps will follow thereafter.
The school boards were advised on June 21st, 2023 with respect to a delay in the re-opening of the Ogden Bridge to late November 2023 (from late August 2023) and were advised earlier this week of the new projected opening date. A bussing service, provided by the school boards for the affected students, similar to what was implemented from March 20th to June 30th this year, was to be reimplemented starting in September and will now extended from the previously noted November completion date to the newly revised late summer 2024 completion date and this bussing service will be updated/revised as construction of the Ogden Pedestrian Bridge progresses.”
Contact information for this Ontario Ministry of Transportation project:
905 247 8730
