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Ward 1 Hosted Inaugural Awards of Excellence

By Events, Issues, Uncategorized

October 11, 2019

Yesterday, Councillor Stephen Dasko hosted the Inaugural Ward 1 Awards of Excellence at the Mississauga Seniors’ Centre in Mississauga.

There were 15 broad categories who received outstanding support of nominees from across the Ward 1 community.  Categories such as Entrepreneur of the Year, Environmental Stewardship, Diversity and Inclusion, Volunteer of the Year and Citizen of the Year were recognized.

Residents, business leaders, community organizations were all welcomed upon their arrival to enjoy a casual reception.  As Councillor Dasko thanked everyone for attending he said “I am so delighted to see the response, the enthusiasm of so many residents who submitted nominations.  The number of entries for each category was plentiful,” said Councillor Dasko.

There was an overwhelming attendance on hand to recognize excellence across the Ward.  All those that participated truly helped contribute to making Our Community as Our Home at this prominent event.

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE – Ward 1, October 10, 2019 

  1. Entrepreneur of the Year: Sophie Allard
  2. Established Artist of the Year: Sue Archibald
  3. New Business of the Year: Stonehooker Brewery
  4. Best Pizza Shop of the Year: Amadio’s
  5. Best Casual Dining of the Year: Port Credit Social House
  6. Restaurant Neighbour: Maggie’s Diner
  7. Restaurant of the Year: The Brogue Inn
  8. Ward 1 Leadership – Adult: Beatrice Moreira-Laidlow
  9. Ward 1 Leadership – Senior: Janis Alton
  10. Environmental Stewardship – Adult: Cindy Wilding
  11. Diversity and Inclusion: Jo-Anne Beggs
  12. Volunteer of the Year – Adult: Annette Seip
  13. Volunteer of the Year – Senior: Sandy Smale
  14. Business of the Year: Sawmill Sid Inc.
  15. Citizen of the Year: Luanne Bandiera

 

 

 

2019 Citizen Satisfaction Survey

By Uncategorized
The City of Mississauga received high scores from residents for their overall quality of life according to the 2019 Citizen Satisfaction Survey. The results are based on responses of over 1,100 randomly selected Mississauga residents that were 18 years of age or older. The survey results showed 89 per cent of citizens rated their quality of life in the city as excellent or good, while 81 per cent of citizens are satisfied with the programs and services provided by the City. The survey gives residents a platform to share, voice and measure their satisfaction with municipal services, city operations, customer service and service delivery. This year’s survey maintains a consistent and positive trend of strong results indicating that residents recognize that the City is responsive in meeting their daily needs.
“As Mayor of a diverse and flourishing city, I’m pleased to know that our citizen satisfaction rates remain very strong and that our residents are proud to say they are from Mississauga,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “This demonstrates that we’re making the right decisions, along with investing in services and amenities that not only meet the needs of our residents but ensure they enjoy a quality of life second to none.”
Council and City staff use the findings of the survey to better understand the perceptions and attitudes of residents on a range of topics related to the City. This information helps to inform business planning activities.
“These results help inform the City’s direction and work to complement the overall goal of improving and sustaining the quality of life for residents. Based on this year’s survey results, affordable housing, transportation, the economy, environment and safety are all priorities that are top of mind for our residents,” said Janice Baker, City Manager and Chief Administrative Officer. “The results also help the City make strategic investments, adapt to changing environments and plan for the future.”
Key findings include:
  • 92 per cent of citizens are satisfied with the job the City is doing to protect the environment
  • 90 per cent of citizens feel Mississauga is an open and welcoming community
  • 89 per cent of citizens rate their quality of life in Mississauga as excellent or good
  • 88 per cent of citizens say they are proud to say they are from Mississauga
  • 82 per cent of citizens indicated they felt Mississauga’s diversity is one of its strengths
  • 72 per cent of citizens are satisfied with the City’s municipal government
The 2019 Citizen Satisfaction Survey was performed by Forum Research Inc. on behalf of the City. It was conducted between June 3 and 22 with 1,124 residents being surveyed.
For full survey details, including service-area results, visit mississauga.ca/citizen-satisfaction-survey.

Weekly Yard Waste Collection Begins in Brampton and Mississauga – September 23, 2019

By Events, Issues, Resources, Uncategorized

BRAMPTON, ON. (September 23, 2019) – Weekly yard waste collection begins Monday, September 30, 2019 and runs until Friday, December 13, 2019 for residents in the cities of Brampton and Mississauga. Residents of the Town of Caledon will continue to receive bi-weekly yard waste collection on their scheduled days, while citizens living in rural areas of Caledon will have their yard waste picked up on designated Fridays.

Yard waste must be at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on collection days and is accepted in yard waste bags, and old garbage containers or blue/grey bins in good condition that are clearly labelled “yard waste”.

Residents are encouraged to visit peelregion.ca/waste and use When Does It Go to check their waste collection schedule and sign up for the new Waste Notification Program, which sends collection reminders by text message, email or phone call.

Residents in the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Asian Long Horned Beetle quarantined area of Malton cannot move any yard waste, nursery stock, trees, logs, lumber, wood, wood chips and bark chips out of the restricted area. Yard waste in this area will be collected from the curbside on regular scheduled collection days but cannot be accepted for drop-off at any of the Region’s Community Recycling Centres.

The Region of Peel works with residents and partners to create a healthy, safe and connected Community for Life for approximately 1.5 million people and over 175,000 businesses in the cities of Brampton and Mississauga and the Town of Caledon. Peel’s services touch the lives of residents every day. Recognized as a leader in management and service delivery, the Region of Peel is the only government organization at any level to receive Excellence Canada’s Platinum Award for Excellence, Innovation and Wellness®. For more information about the Region of Peel, explore peelregion.ca and follow us on Twitter at @regionofpeel.

David Martino
Communication Coordinator, Public Works
Region of Peel
905-791-7800 x 4855

 

Strong Financial Performance Highlights the City’s ‘AAA – Stable’ Credit Rating for the 16th Straight Year

By Issues, Resources, Uncategorized

September 17, 2019

Citing the City of Mississauga’s “solid budgetary performance,” Standard and Poor’s Rating Services (S&P) has reaffirmed the City’s ‘AAA – Stable’ credit rating for the 16th straight year. The City’s outlook remains stable.

In this year’s report, S&P stated, “The City of Mississauga benefits from a solid budgetary performance with high operating balances, very low debt levels and extremely high liquidity.” The report goes on to state that “Mississauga’s competitive tax rates, proximity to major markets and extensive transportation infrastructure network have aided its economy and helped attract and retain investment.”

“I’m pleased that for the 16th year, Mississauga is being recognized as a municipal leader in fiscal management,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “Council has made it a top priority to realize savings, attract new investment and hold the line on taxes. This positive financial outlook is proof that Mississauga is a great place to live, work and invest.”

S&P added that companies in the life sciences, advanced manufacturing, financial services and information and communication technology sectors have helped to boost Mississauga’s economy, and that the City has “very good budgeting practices” that include multi-year business plans updated annually, operating budgets and a three-year outlook.

“This metric is a strong, third-party endorsement for Council and staff who focus on maintaining the City’s strong financial position,” said Gary Kent, Commissioner of Corporate Services and Chief Financial Officer. “We continually work to deliver quality services and infrastructure in a fiscally responsible manner. S&P has recognized our strong business planning and budgeting practices and our commitment to transparency in reporting as they confirmed our ‘AAA –Stable’ status for the 16th consecutive year.”

S&P stated, “We believe that continued growth and diversification will further strengthen the City’s economy and help it weather tough economic cycles.” The report also stated that an exceptional liquidity position added to the City’s strengths.

Mississauga’s Long-Range Financial Plan is a snapshot of the City’s current and anticipated financial position over the next 10 years. The plan supports the vision of the City’s Strategic Plan: Our Future Mississauga. The City’s Annual Report Highlights reflect its commitment to transparency in financial reporting.

For more information, visit standardandpoors.com.

To learn more about the City of Mississauga’s finances, visit mississauga.ca/financereports.

Proposed 2020 Budget

By Issues, Resources, Uncategorized

Mississauga residents are invited to participate in a telephone budget session on the proposed 2020 Budget with Mayor Bonnie Crombie and the City’s senior staff. Residents can choose from sessions taking place on October 2 (city-wide) and October 16 (Wards 1 and 2) and 17 (Wards 3 and 4). Staff from the Region of Peel will also participate in the city-wide session.

A random selection of residents will receive a telephone call in advance, with an invitation to participate in one of the upcoming sessions, and a second telephone call on the night of just before the session begins.

“Telephone budget sessions provide residents with the opportunity to ask a question and hear about the City’s proposed 2020 budget,” said Gary Kent, Commissioner of Corporate Services and Chief Financial Officer. “Our priority is balancing increasing costs with continuing to provide residents and businesses with the levels of service they need.”

Residents can also register to participate in the telephone budget sessions. In addition, the city-wide session will be available to watch on Facebook Live and online. Anyone who receives a call and does not wish to participate can simply hang up.

Information about the City’s budget is available at mississauga.ca/budget. Other ways to participate in the budget process include:

You are Invited – Tuesday, September 17, 2019 @ 10:00 Small Arms Facility

By Events, Issues, Resources, Uncategorized

Everyone! 

You are invited to join Councillor Stephen Dasko

at the official ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating

the new parking lot facility at the Small Arms Inspection Building

1352 Lakeshore Road East, Mississauga, Ontario

on

Tuesday, September 17, 2019 at 10:00 a.m.

 

The parking lot itself was completed by Aquicon Construction using environmentally friendly

“crusher run” (recycled asphalt) allowing water to drain while providing a suitable driving surface.

Lines and bumpers were added for additional safety and aesthetic quality.

Many thanks go to Facility and Property Management staff for getting this done in record time.

 RSVP: Councillor Stephen Dasko, Ward 1

905 896-5100 or Stephen.Dasko@mississauga.ca

 

 

 

 

All Seniors and everyone Invited – Information Session – Saturday, October 5, 2019

By Events, Issues, Resources, Uncategorized

“I am so excited to invite you to the Senior Safety Information Session on Saturday, October 5, 2019  from 9:30 am. to 11:00 a.m. at the Cawthra Seniors’ Centre.  In fact, everyone is invited to come and listen and learn the safety tips for around the home, presented by the Fire Department, By-law issues to keep your property and you safe and senior issues in general”, says Councillor Stephen Dasko.

 

COUNCILLOR DASKO INVITES YOU TO ATTEND AN INFORMATION FORUM ON

 

  • Senior Issues , General Community Matters
  • Fire Prevention – safety tips
  • By-law Enforcement
  • Community Development Coordinator Older Adult Issues
  • And more

 

Saturday, October 5, 2019

9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Cawthra Community Centre

1389 Cawthra Rd, Mississauga

 

Light refreshments will be served

Compliments of Councillor Stephen Dasko

 

 

Councillor Stephen Dasko

Ward 1, City of Mississauga

905-896-5100

www.stephendasko.ca

https://www.facebook.com/stephen.dasko

Twitter: @DaskoWard1

 

“Our Community is our Home”

Commemorating the 40th Anniversary of The Mississauga Miracle

By Events, Issues, Resources, Uncategorized

September 16, 2019

Do you remember the 1979 train derailment? November 10, 2019 marks the 40th anniversary of the largest peacetime evacuation in Northern America at that time and has been dubbed by many as The Mississauga Miracle.

The City of Mississauga is commemorating the 40th anniversary with Mississauga Miracle: The Story of the 1979 Derailment – two exhibitions created in partnership with Heritage Mississauga and the Museums of Mississauga that will be on display at the Bradley Museum and The Grange this fall.

Mississauga Miracle Exhibition

The exhibition will feature local art, records and artifacts related to the train derailment. Artifacts from the Museums’ collections include:

  • The pressure relief valve from the derailed tanker
  • The final investigation report
  • Images of the derailment from a variety of sources
  • Items from the Heritage Mississauga and Peel Art Gallery, Museum and Archives (PAMA)
  • Commemorative items given to former Mayor Hazel McCallion or collected by residents

The exhibition will also feature a video compiled from 50 oral histories of the experiences of those involved. The interviews range from front-line firefighters to politicians and residents that were evacuated from their Mississauga homes. 

Exhibition Details: 

Location:

Bradley Museum

1620 Orr Rd.

[MAP]

 

Date:

September 21 to November 17, 2019

Open: Thursday to Sunday

 

Time:

Noon to 4 p.m.

 

Location:

The Grange

1921 Dundas Street West

[MAP]

 

Date:

October 29 to November 15, 2019

Open: Tuesday to Friday

 

Time:
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 

Mississauga Miracle: 40th Anniversary Event

 

Join the City and Heritage Mississauga for an anniversary open house at The Grange and experience the Mississauga Miracle exhibition. Refreshments will be available.

 

Date:

November 10, 2019

 

Time:

2 to 4 p.m.

 

Location:

The Grange

1921 Dundas Street West

[MAP]

Background:
On November 10, 1979, a Canadian Pacific (CP) train lost one of its wheels, resulting in the derailment of 24 cars carrying six dangerous ingredients – propane, caustic soda, styrene, toluene, fiberglass insulation and chlorine. The flammable liquids and vapours caused a massive explosion with flames more than 1,500 metres high that could be seen over 100 kilometres away.

Evacuations began two hours after the explosion and continued until more than 240,000 Mississauga residents were evacuated. Many residents were unable to return home for one week. Although the fallout from the derailment was substantial – displaced people, closed highways, massive traffic jams and abandoned animals – there were no lives lost or serious injuries. What could have been a disaster of enormous proportions became The Mississauga Miracle.

To learn more about the latest Museums of Mississauga programming events, visit culture.mississauga.ca/museums or follow @SaugaMuseums on Twitter.

City Council Approves New Policy: Use of Indigenous Images in City Sport Facilities

By Issues, Resources, Uncategorized

September 11, 2019

City Council endorsed the Use of Indigenous Images/Themes in City Sports Facilities Policy. The policy promotes a positive and inclusive experience at City sports facilities, while supporting a climate of understanding and mutual respect.

“Mississauga prides itself on being one of the most culturally diverse and welcoming cities in the world,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “It’s important that our facilities reflect our commitment to inclusivity and are places where everyone feels welcomed, safe and respected. We are proud of our City’s rich history and the Indigenous communities past and present who have helped shape Mississauga into the world-class city we are today. This policy is an important step on the path to reconciliation and demonstrates our continued commitment and respect for First Nations people and all visitors to our sporting facilities.”

The new policy supports enhancements to the City’s diversity and inclusion staff training. It also addresses actions related to municipal government within the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action.

“We are committed to continuously improving the diversity and inclusion training that we make available to all City of Mississauga employees to ensure they understand the perspectives, goals and interests of Indigenous people,” said Janice Baker, City Manager and Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). “This policy will help us by defining the roles and responsibilities of the City and our staff as we continue to build this important relationship.”

The policy was developed to meet the requirements of a settlement made by the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC). The City committed to a number of objectives laid out by the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario in December 2018.

The new policy lays out objectives and processes for the City:

  • Will not permit the display of Indigenous images in the City’s indoor and outdoor sports facilities that are related to non-Indigenous sports organizations; this includes displays during events
  • To engage with Indigenous groups and non-Indigenous community sport organizations to build awareness of this policy
  • To continue to educate non-Indigenous sport organizations and clubs who are still using Indigenous images
  • To enhance its diversity and inclusion staff training with material addressing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action

“With the support of Council and staff I am committed to working with Indigenous organizations and sport groups within my Ward to proactively build awareness” said Councillor Stephen Dasko.

The policy was developed in consultation and collaboration with several Indigenous organizations. City staff will continue to engage with these stakeholders as the policy is implemented and through future policy reviews and updates.

 

Mississauga Fire and Emergency Services Tackle Mental Health with the Pawfect Furry Addition

By Issues, Resources, Uncategorized

September 11, 2019  

Mississauga Fire and Emergency Services (MFES) has added a furry member to their Wellness-Fitness Initiative (WFI) team, Ajax – a facility dog who will support Mississauga firefighters’ mental health and help them process trauma. MFES is the first fire service in Ontario to have an accredited facility dog for their personnel.

“We’re beyond excited to welcome Ajax to the City of Mississauga family. Our furry friend will provide comfort to our fire team and promote open and honest conversations around mental health,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “As a leader in first responder mental health services, we’re hoping to set an example for other municipalities to follow. In the short time that Ajax has been on the job, we’ve already seen his uncanny ability to break barriers and encourage our firefighters to speak more freely about how they are feeling.”

Ajax is a new resource who will help MFES staff by normalizing difficult conversations, reducing anxiety, alleviating fears as well as encouraging firefighters to speak openly about their experiences and stressors. Ajax is inclusive to all staff, not just the first responders of MFES. He will also assist the Peer Support Team when they visit MFES staff.

“Ajax will not only help our staff with stress relief but also provide them with the mental health support they need in a high-stress environment,” said Tim Beckett, Mississauga Fire Chief. “We want our firefighters and staff to understand there’s no shame in asking for help. Having Ajax will provide the team the emotional comfort they need to get through difficult experiences.”

The City of Mississauga also offers a Road to Mental Readiness (R2MR) training program. The program helps firefighters address stigmas and identify the signs and symptoms of occupational stress injuries. The R2MR training program uses a mental health model that identifies signs and symptoms associated with four stages of functioning: healthy, reacting, injured and ill.

Ajax was generously donated to MFES by National Service Dog where Ajax was bred and trained for two years. Ajax will provide Canine Assisted Interventions to those who need support and has already started making a positive impact with MFES staff.

BACKGROUND:

Ajax graduated from a National Service Dogs (NSD) for the purpose of reducing stress and providing mental health support by enhancing the ability of people to speak openly while providing emotional comfort in a high stress environment.

Facility dogs are specially trained to provide goal directed interventions which promote improvement in physical, social, emotional or cognitive abilities. A facility dog is directed by a professional with specialized expertise. These dogs may work in a variety of settings, groups or individual in nature. When not at work, the dog lives with their primary handler as part of their family.