Covid-19

Mississauga has been in the Grey-Lockdown Level of the Government of Ontario’s Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework since Monday, November 23. Since that time, the City has issued 126 charges and 90 notices of contravention (NOCs).

Specifically, this last weekend saw 37 tickets and seven NOCs. Four tickets were issued to non-essential businesses and the remaining 33 tickets were issued to individuals at private gatherings at four separate locations.

“Now that we are three weeks into the lockdown, businesses and residents should be well aware of the restrictions in place to protect the health and safety of our community,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “Our enforcement staff are working to enforce these measures, to help keep people safe and reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our community. I know as the holidays approach, it is tempting to gather with family and friends, but I want to remind you that these actions will be met with a fine or even worse, the spread of COVID-19 to your family and friends.” Read More

December 9, 2020

At today’s meeting, City Council approved:

• Support for a representation by population model for Region of Peel Council
• Tow Truck Licensing By-law Amendment
• Uptown Node Official Plan Amendment
• Extending the City’s Mandatory Face Covering By-law
• Preparation of a temporary use by-law to permit outdoor businesses
• Extending the exemption period for portable signs to July 1, 2021

Region of Peel Council Composition
On November 26, 2020 the Region of Peel Council passed a resolution to change its composition. Mississauga Council supports the proposed changes that will see Brampton’s representation increasing to nine members, Caledon’s representation decreasing to three members and Mississauga remaining the same with 12 members. The proposed new structure reflects a representation by population model and retains the total of 24 members for Peel Regional Council. It is recommended that the related by-law will come into effect for the day the regional council for 2022-2026 is inaugurated.  Ward 5 Councillor Carolyn Parrish raised the motion to support the change at Mississauga City Council and had seconded the motion at the Region of Peel meeting.

Tow Truck Licensing By-law Amendment
Council approved a motion, raised by Ward 6 Councillor Ron Starr, to amend the Tow Truck Licensing By-law to authorize the City to suspend a conviction and associated demerit points and to issue a conditional licence, if the applicant or licensee provides the City with a copy of a notice of appeal with proof that it has been filed with the Ontario Court of Justice.

Uptown Node Official Plan Amendment
Council approved an Official Plan Amendment (OPA) for the Uptown Major Node Character Area. Located around Eglinton Avenue and Hurontario Street, the Uptown Node has several buildings under construction with new mixed-use developments on the horizon.

The OPA provides a framework to guide future development to ensure the area becomes a vibrant, mixed-use and connected community.  It includes a range of policies on items such as housing, road connections, park locations, retaining non-residential space, urban block sizes and development master plans.

The OPA was drafted in consultation with area stakeholders, residents and the general public. Visit the Uptown Node project page for more information.

COVID-19 Response

Mandatory Face Covering By-law
The City’s Mandatory Face Covering By-law was extended to June 30, 2021. It was originally approved by Council on July 8, 2020 and was set to expire on January 21, 2021. The by-law requires all persons (subject to some exceptions) to wear a face covering inside buildings where the public is ordinarily invited or permitted access. This includes retail stores, indoor sports and recreational facilities, apartments and condominiums to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Government of Ontario regulations for face coverings also apply in the City of Mississauga.

Sign By-law Exemption
The amended the Sign By-law was extended to July 1, 2021. It was originally amended by Council on March 23 and on June 24, Council chose to extend the exemption period to the end of 2020. The exemption provides additional advertising opportunities for businesses and community groups allowing:

• Three additional portable signs per street front to be added without a permit
• The maximum display period to be 30 days (extended from 21 days)
• The number of permits per group to be 15 per year (increased from 10)

Ward 9 Councillor Pat Saito raised the motion.

Outdoor Businesses – Preparation for Recovery
Council approved a temporary use by-law to permit outdoor retail sales/displays and outdoor recreational and entertainment establishments until December 31, 2021. This temporary use by-law will enable certain businesses and charitable ventures to operate outdoors in a safe and responsible manner in compliance with provincial restrictions once the by-law appeal period expires.  These steps contribute to the City’s overall plan for recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

For additional information about the City’s response to COVID-19:

• Visit mississauga.ca/covid
• Follow @CityMississauga on Twitter and Facebook
• Watch Mayor Bonnie Crombie’s weekly COVID-19 press conference
• Contact 311 (905-615-4311)

Guidance and resources to help Mississauga businesses can be found online at ca/business-covid-19.

For health information, please visit peelregion.ca/coronavirus.

Find out what’s open and the status of City Services.

December 9, 2020

Although the message from the Government of Ontario is focused on staying home to stay safe over the holidays, that certainly doesn’t mean boredom needs to set in.

The City of Mississauga is offering many virtual options this winter that are not only engaging and entertaining but will also get families and individuals up and moving.

“We all know that the holidays are going to look very different this year and that some of our annual holiday traditions have to be adjusted,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “But I encourage residents to make new traditions this year, perhaps by exploring a new hobby or catching up on personal interests that help keep you motivated and active. Regardless of what it is, please celebrate safely.”

While Mississauga is in the Grey-Lockdown phase of the Government of Ontario’s Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework, it’s important to become familiar with both the activities that will keep the City in this zone and the behaviours that will help Mississauga emerge from the grey.

“The message is simple, only celebrate in-person with the people you live with and celebrate virtually with everyone else,” said Mayor Crombie. “Avoid parties and large dinners with guests and think of new ways to make the holidays special while remaining safe.”

Naughty list

As part of the Lockdown measures, the following are not permitted in Peel Region, which includes Mississauga:

• Indoor social gatherings, except for a gathering of members of a single household or a gathering that includes members of a household and one other person from outside that household who lives alone.
• Outdoor gatherings are permitted with 10 people or less with physical distancing.

Nice list

Mississauga is making it easy to keep residents on the nice list this year by offering plenty of fun activities that can be done from the comfort and safety of home sweet home.

At-home learning, entertainment and fitness options that will fit in any stocking

Current interests and new hobbies

• The Mississauga Symphony Orchestra will be livestreaming its holiday concert on Sunday, December 20
• A virtual tour of the WAR Flowers exhibition is available. WAR Flowers is an exhibit focused on 10 flowers picked by Canadian soldier Lieutenant-Colonel George Stephen Cantlie during the First World War. The virtual tour includes Cantlie’s letters, specially commissioned optical crystal sculptures and original flower-based scents, interwoven with the personal stories of 10 Canadians directly involved in the war.
• In support of the WAR Flowers exhibition, an online speaker series will also be available. participants in the series include:

o   Viveka Melki and Alexander Reford on Creating WAR Flowers

o   Lawrence Hill in conversation with Natasha Henry in an Online Author’s Talk

o   Darin Wybenga on the Veterans of the Mississaugas of the Credit

o   Pardeep Singh Nagra on Brothers in Arms – The Sikhs in WWI

o   Matthew Wilkinson on Our Boys – Mississauga Remembers the First World War

Staying apart, together

• Starting on December 10, the Museums of Mississauga will be spreading holiday cheer virtually, with bake-along videos and downloadable recipes of classic Christmas desserts including gingerbread and Christmas pudding.
• Story time with family has always been a favourite, safe holiday activity. To keep this warm tradition alive, starting the week of December 14, Mississauga Library will feature five live story times and will be posting short holiday-themed videos on the City’s YouTube channel. The story times and videos will feature songs, stories and rhymes with broad and inclusive festive themes. The story times will be live on the Mississauga Library Facebook channel and will remain on the site for one week following the live airing.

Entertain me

• Need music and movies to make the holiday season merrier? Mississauga Library can grant that streaming wish with Hoopla. Hoopla has all members of the family covered so no one can complain they’re bored this winter. From holiday movie favourites, Christmas romance classics and kid-friendly comedies to memorable holiday tunes, classic, seasonal jazz and family celebration books, this holiday is going to be an unforgettable one.
• Mississauga Celebration Square invites residents to ring in 2021 in style at home with a special New Year’s Eve playlist available December 31 on Spotify and Apple Music. The “♥MCS NYE Playlist” will feature this year’s top tracks, including music from Mississauga artists. Listeners are encouraged to tag @mcsevents in all social posts when sharing the playlist from December 31 to January 3 for a chance to win a $100 Tim Horton’s gift card.

Active and relaxed

• Mississauga’s Recreation Division has developed their Stay Home Stay Active program designed to get every member of the family up and moving or calm and relaxed depending on your holiday state of mind. Check the site for workouts, meditation and movement, nutrition and lifestyle tips and virtual activities for older adults.
• If extra encouragement is needed, the City’s recreation team offers live Virtual Fitness Classes with certified fitness instructors. Try one class or join for all the sessions, there’s something for everyone ranging from beginners to advanced fitness levels.
• Don’t close the Stay Home Stay Active webpage without first checking out the Family Fun Corner to see all of the creative and easy recreational activities that can be done at home.

Worship safely

• Attend holiday services virtually or by livestream only.

Gifts and donations

• Shop local and support small businesses. Ask about curbside pick-up, delivery, and online shopping options.
• If you’re sharing gifts with people outside your home, exchange online gifts to avoid physical contact. Check #MississaugaMade for options.
• Not only is buying local great and necessary for the city’s small businesses, with the help of a new contest, it’s also an amazing option for the buyer. From now until December 30, shoppers who buy or order from local businesses either online or in-person can enter for a chance to win one of 20 $100 VISA pre-paid gift cards. Shoppers enter online and indicate which local business they supported.

For information about the City’s response to COVID-19:

• Visit mississauga.ca/covid
• Follow @CityMississauga on Twitter and Facebook
• Watch Mayor Bonnie Crombie’s weekly COVID-19 press conference
• Contact 311 (905-615-4311) if outside of Mississauga

December 2, 2020

As part of the Government of Ontario’s Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework Mississauga residents are reminded that it is crucial they stay home and limit close contact to their households, only leaving their homes except for essential reasons.

In terms of necessity, exercise and focusing on mental health remains a priority, even while lockdown measures are in place.

“As both COVID-19 fatigue and positive cases continue to rise, it is essential that all Mississauga residents do everything they can to stay safe while still looking after their physical and mental health,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “With more than 500 parks in Mississauga, there is plenty of space for families from the same households and individuals to get outside and get some fresh air and exercise.”

As close contact increases the highest risk of COVID-19 transmission, it is crucial that residents observe outdoor etiquette to help keep everyone safe. This includes keeping their distance from others and passing safely while using the same trails and pathways. Also, even when outdoors, wear a face covering if physical distancing cannot be maintained.

Local outdoor amenities available this winter

Mississauga Celebration Square (MCS)

MCS has transformed into the Great Bright North with vibrant and festive lighting. An example of one new lighting installation is Chimes. Every movement of the central wind chime triggers an unique light and sound reaction in this 7,000 sq. ft. artwork. Chimes is a creation of Collectif Blackbox and a coproduction of the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership and Spectra (Illuminart). It was created for the Fête des Lumières of Lyon in 2017 and is being displayed for the first time in the GTA at MCS.

Guests planning to walk through the Square must keep within their household groups and maintain a safe physical distance of two metres at all times.

Community Outdoor and Natural Rinks

Skating can take place at one of 26 outdoor ice rinks, including those highlighted below. The outdoor community rinks are free to the public and open daily from sunrise to 11 p.m., weather permitting.

1. Mississauga Celebration Square – Opening in December. There are currently no restrictions or pre-reservation requirements in place. Public washrooms on Celebration Square will be open to the public. The Celebration Square ice rink will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
2. Burnhamthorpe Community Centre Outdoor Rink – Opening by Monday December 7, weather permitting. The rink will be open to the public Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Drop-in skating activities are being planned and pre-reservation will be applicable for each activity at activemississauga.ca. Change rooms will be not be available at this location. Public washroom access will be available.
3. Woodhurst Outdoor Rink – Opening mid-December, weather permitting. The rink will be open to the public Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Drop-in skating activities are being planned and pre-reservation will be applicable for each activity at activemississauga.ca. Change rooms will be not be available at this location.

View the full list of natural ice rinks here

Trails

The majority of the City’s trails receive regular winter maintenance and can be safely used and explored by outdoor enthusiasts. However, trails that do not receive winter maintenance are still used in the snowy months by residents who enjoy activities including snowshoeing and deep-snow hiking. This year, the City will be adding additional woodchips to the woodlot trails to help with traction. The trails will also be marked for winter use.

Available Park Amenities

The below park amenities will be open this year for use by the community. Visit the City’s interactive map to search for a park by location or filter parks for specific features, including those listed below:

• Leash-free zones
• Toboggan hills
• Boxed soccer (pitches will be left unlocked for community use)
• Outdoor sport courts
• Playgrounds
• Picnic shelters
• Outdoor fitness equipment
• Secondary sports fields
• Artificial fields (will be left unlocked for community use)

Public Washrooms

Park washrooms designed for year-round use will remain open this season with enhanced cleaning practices. Also, many of the parks and trails connect into local community centres and/or arenas that are normally open for washroom access. Local food establishments normally available within community centres and arenas will remain closed at this time.

Year round washrooms can be found at the below locations.

1. Lakeside Park
2. Jack Darling Memorial Park (adjacent to the leash-free area)
3. Marina Park (inside the lighthouse)
4. R.K. McMillan Park
5. Erindale Park
6. Father Angelos Saad Community Park (formerly known as Fallingbrook Park)
7. Garnetwood Park
8. Mount Charles Park
9.       Community Common Park
10. Mississauga Celebration Square
11. The Riverwood Conservancy (inside the Visual Arts Mississauga building)

In addition to the year-round washrooms mentioned above, portable washrooms will also be placed later this month in high-demand locations and key trail areas. These washrooms will be in place until indoor amenities open for public access. The washrooms will be winterized and accessible and will be located in areas that receive winter maintenance. Portable washroom locations can be found in the list below.

• Nine Creeks Trail (Lorne Park Library parking lot and Westfield Dr. trail entrance)
• Courtney Park Community Centre
• Frank McKechnie Community Centre
• Huron Park Community Centre
• Iceland Mississauga
• Malton Community Centre
• Meadowvale Community Centre
• Meadowvale Conservation Park
• Mississauga Valley Community Centre
• Paul Coffey (parking lot at castle playground)
• Port Credit Memorial Arena
• River Grove Community Centre
• South Common Community Centre
• Union Park (this washroom will be in place for the full winter season)

For information on health and safety recommendations during the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit peelregion.ca/coronavirus.

For information about the City’s response to COVID-19:

• Visit mississauga.ca/covid
• Follow @CityMississauga on Twitter and Facebook
• Watch Mayor Bonnie Crombie’s weekly COVID-19 press conference
• Contact 311 (905-615-4311)