COVID-19 | April 6, 2020

The City of Mississauga’s Economic Development Office is providing free webinars for small and medium sized businesses in Mississauga responding to COVID-19 to help support them during this difficult time.

“We continue to meet virtually with members of Mississauga’s Economic Development Advisory Board (EDAB) and work closely with businesses to gauge the impacts COVID-19 is having on our business community and identify support that is needed,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “Our Economic Development Office is fully virtual and continues to serve business clients on a daily basis. Many of our local business are concerned with how they will manage during this unprecedented time of uncertainty and these webinars aim to help them navigate through these new challenges.”

“The Economic Development Office, including the Mississauga Business Enterprise Centre (MBEC) is here for our businesses as we continue to be operational and accessible by phone, email and online,” said Bonnie Brown, Director of Economic Development. “It’s no longer business as usual, so we continue to look at new ways that we can support local businesses and provide helpful resources during these challenging times.”

The Economic Development Office is offering the following free webinars:

• Hackers Beware – Protecting what Matters in your Business – April 8
• Social Media Tactics your Small Business can use during COVID-19 – April 15
• Becoming Digitally Disruptive – April 21
• Marketing During a Time of Crisis – April 23
• Customer Loyalty During and After a Time of Crisis – April 28
• Selling Online: Everything you need to know in One Awesome Presentation – May 7
• Selling Online: eCommerce during the Age of the ePocalypse – May 13
• Rethinking Growth During and After a Time of Crisis – May 20
• T2 Tax Seminar – June 9

In addition, the following paid webinars are also available.

• How to use LinkedIn to Grow your Business – May 5
• 10 Steps to Starting Your Own Business – May 7

Click here to register.

COVID-19 Business Relief Portal
In addition, the City has launched a new dedicated online resource for Mississauga’s business community in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The web portal is a one-stop site for businesses to get the latest information on government updates, relief packages and services offered by all levels of government.

To learn about the latest updates on actions taken by the City of Mississauga visit mississauga.ca/coronavirus or follow @CityMississauga on Twitter.

For health information, please visit peelregion.ca/coronavirus

April 3, 2020

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and in consultation with the Region of Peel’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, the City of Mississauga has made the decision to extend the closure of all its facilities, public counters and programs until further notice.

As a result, the City of Mississauga has made the difficult decision to temporarily lay off approximately 2,000 part-time employees in non-essential services who work at these facilities effective April 17, 2020.

When facilities were first closed, a targeted reopening date of April 5 was established, in alignment with the initial provincial directive for schools to reopen. To minimize the financial impact on our employees, the decision was first made to compensate part-time staff for their previously scheduled shifts for the duration of the closure.

Given Ontario’s State of Emergency has been extended and facilities will remain closed indefinitely, it is no longer financially viable for the City to maintain regular staffing levels. The majority of lay-offs impact part-time employees in Community Services, where community centres, libraries and cultural facilities remain closed until further notice.

“This is a very difficult decision and certainly not one that was taken lightly. The City is facing significant financial pressures as a result of this pandemic and we are taking action to respond to the facility closures and their impact on our operations. I understand the stress this decision will have on our employees. We will continue to be in communication with those impacted and have extended our employee and family assistance program to all staff during this difficult time. As we move toward recovery, we look forward to getting back to business as usual as soon as possible. I think we are all eager to and see life go back to normal. The only way we get there and fight this virus is to follow the advice of our medical professionals and stay at home as much as possible,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie.

“When we began to adjust our City services and programming to mitigate the risks of COVID-19, we hoped the shutdown would be short lived. With the recent extension of the Provincial Emergency, it seems likely that our facilities will be closed for some time,” said Janice Baker, Chief Administrative Officer and City Manager. “The lay-offs are a direct result of City program cancellations and facility closures, not having work available for part-time employees during the shut-down of non-essential services, and the severe financial pressures we are seeing on our 2020 financial results. I am very much aware of the stress and anxiety that this news may cause our employees. This decision, in no way reflects the value and respect we have for our employees and the work they perform. As soon as we are able, we will be recalling our part-time staff back to work.”

Many employees are expected to receive benefits through Employment Insurance or the Canada Emergency Response Benefit.  The City of Mississauga is currently awaiting approval from Service Canada to provide a 75 per cent top up to employees who qualify to receive benefits through federal benefit programs.

The City will continue to deliver essential services including Fire, Transit, Works Operations and Maintenance, 311 and Dispatch, Parks and Forestry, Animal Services, Regulatory Services, Building Permits/Inspections, Site Plan Applications, Official Plan Amendments and Rezoning Planning Applications, Security Services as well as Administrative/Technical functions.

To learn about the latest updates on actions taken by the City of Mississauga visit mississauga.ca/coronavirus or follow @CityMississauga on Twitter.

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Parks and Parking Lots Closed for Your Safety – Do Your Part to Keep all Safe

COVID-19 | April 3, 2020

City of Mississauga Security Officers will be actively patrolling parks in our City to enforce emergency orders to limit gatherings and promote physical distancing. This will include issuing fines of at least $750 where applicable, and barricading the entrances to our park parking lots where possible. Vehicles in parked in lots will be ticketed and towed.

The City of Mississauga reminds residents that park playgrounds, outdoor fitness equipment, courts, leash-free zones, picnic shelters, skateboard parks and parking lots are closed. These outdoor facilities and structures have been closed to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“We are in the midst of a health emergency and we need everyone to do their part. While it is exciting that spring has arrived and we all want to enjoy the beautiful weekend weather, we cannot enjoy parks and outdoor spaces like we have in the past,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “I have received countless e-mails, tweets and messages about people not respecting physical distancing and reports of vandalism in our parks. We have enforcement in place to protect people – we aren’t doing this because we want to, we are doing this because we have to. We are asking people to listen and please follow the rules. Fighting this will be a marathon, not a sprint. I ask residents to please stay patient and stay home where possible.”

City parks and trails are accessible for public use; however, people out getting fresh air in small groups of household members are being reminded and advised of the need and importance to practice physical distancing. That means remaining approximately 2 metres (6 feet) apart.

Signs have been installed in these areas and facilities, playgrounds and parking lots are being locked or barricaded where possible. In addition, basketball backboards have been removed.

The City is asking and relying on residents to help protect themselves by following what the Region of Peel Public Health, the Province and Federal Government is asking us all to do.

Closed Until further Notice

• Playgrounds
• Soccer pitches
• Basketball courts
• Off-Leash parks
• Parking lots at City parks and at some community centres adjacent to parks.
• Green spaces and park trails remain open for walking as long as physical distancing is maintained.

City Enforcement Measures

• City By-law Enforcement and Security Officers are enforcing provincial orders related to non-essential business closures and gatherings of more than 5 people (unless members of a single household), in partnership with Peel Regional Police
• Residents can call 3-1-1 to report non-compliance
• Set fines for non-compliance range from $750 to $1000

Failure to comply with an order made under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act may result in a set fine (ticket) of $750 or $1,000 for obstructing any person in exercising a power or performing a duty under the order.  If the charge is laid by issuing a summons, a failure to comply with an emergency order could result in a fine up to $100,000 and up to one year imprisonment for an individual, $500,000 for a director or officer of a corporation or $10,000,000 for a corporation upon conviction.

• Residents in Mississauga wishing to report a non-compliant food establishment such as a bar or restaurant, should call Peel Public Health at 905-799-7700.

Mayor Bonnie Crombie Video Statement

Barriers are in place for your safety – do your part and respect them

Please stay safe by keeping off park swings

City of Mississauga COVID-19 Response: Enhanced Measures to Protect our Community

COVID-19 | April 1, 2020

At its April 1, 2020 Council meeting,  Mississauga City Council took further actions in response to COVID-19 to further improve safety and help mitigate impacts on residents and businesses.

“Council and staff continue to monitor this pandemic as it unfolds and take action to provide relief for both residents and businesses,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “Today, we announced additional relief measures which includes 3 month rent deferral for tenants in our City facilities. We are also stepping up enforcement of physical distancing in our parks and public spaces, by issuing fines of $750 or more. We encourage people to stay home as much as possible and stay apart. We will only get through this if we all work together.”

Rent Deferral for City Facility Tenants

·          The City of Mississauga is landlord to 42 tenants in its buildings

·          Today Council approved  offering deferral of rent payments for tenants in City owned buildings for three months (April – June) until (July-Sept)

·          This will allow short term cash flow until it becomes clear what relief the Federal and Provincial governments are offering

·          Council asked landlords to work with their tenants (residential and non- residential) to provide relief where feasible and necessary to allow for short term cash flow relief

Parking Lots for City Parks Closed Until further Notice

·          Parking lots will be closed to vehicles at City parks and at some community centres adjacent to parks.

·          Green spaces and park trails remain open for walking as long as physical distancing is maintained.

City Enforcement Measures

·          City By-law Enforcement and Security Officers, are enforcing provincial orders related to non-essential business closures and gatherings of more than 5 people (unless members of a single household), in partnership with Peel Regional Police

·          Residents can call 3-1-1 to report non-compliance

·          Set fines for non-compliance range from $750 to $1000

Failure to comply with an order made under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act may result in a set fine (ticket) of $750 or $1,000 for obstructing any person in exercising a power or performing a duty under the order.  If the charge is laid by issuing a summons, a failure to comply with an emergency order could result in a fine up to $100,000 and up to one year imprisonment for an individual, $500,000 for a director or officer of a corporation or $10,000,000 for a corporation upon conviction.

·          Residents in Mississauga wishing to report a non-compliant food establishment such as a bar or restaurant, should call Peel Public Health at 905-799-7700.

City Facility Closures and Program Cancellations

All City facilities and public counters remain closed until further notice including but not limited to:

·          City Hall

·          Community centres

·          Libraries

·          Recreation facilities

·          Playgrounds

·          Soccer pitches

·          Basketball courts

·          Off-Leash parks

COVID-19 Information

To learn about the latest updates on actions taken by the City of Mississauga visit mississauga.ca/coronavirus or follow @CityMississauga on Twitter.

For health information, please visit peelregion.ca/coronavirus

April 1, 2020

The City of Mississauga will host a second Tele Town Hall session on Wednesday, April 8 to address concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and to update the public and local businesses about what the City is doing to protect their health and safety.

Residents will be able to ask COVID-19 related questions to a group of panelists from the City, Peel Region Public Health, Trillium Health Partners and Peel Regional Police and Paramedic Services. City Councillors and senior staff will also be available to answer questions.

Panelists will include:

• Mayor Bonnie Crombie, City of Mississauga
• Janice Baker, City Manager and Chief Administrative Officer, City of Mississauga
• Tim Beckett, Fire Chief and Director of Emergency Management, City of Mississauga
• Nancy Polsinelli, Interim Chief Administrative Officer, Region of Peel
• Dr. Lawrence Loh, Medical Officer of Health, Peel Region Public Health
• Chief Nish Duraiappah, Peel Regional Police
• Peter Dundas, Chief and Director, Peel Regional Paramedic Services
• Representative from Trillium Health Partners

Residents who wish to participate in the session can do so in the following three ways:

1. Register in advance: residents who wish to participate in the session are encouraged to register their telephone number in advance at the following link: ca/townhall
2. Participate online: to participate live online, simply click the following link: ca/livestreamevent
3. Join by telephone: a random selection of residents will receive a telephone call to participate on April 8. If you don’t wish to participate, simply hang up. If you don’t receive an automated call and would like to participate, please dial 1-877-229-8493 and enter ID number: 115911.

What:

Second Tele Town Hall to address COVID-19 concerns and update the community

When:

Wednesday, April 8, 2020

7 to 8:30 p.m.

To learn about the latest updates on actions taken by the City of Mississauga, visit mississauga.ca/coronavirus or follow @CityMississauga on Twitter.

For health information, please visit peelregion.ca/coronavirus

–

COVID-19 | April 1, 2020

At its April 1, 2020 Council meeting,  Mississauga City Council took further actions in response to COVID-19 to further improve safety and help mitigate impacts on residents and businesses.

“Council and staff continue to monitor this pandemic as it unfolds and take action to provide relief for both residents and businesses,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “Today, we announced additional relief measures which includes 3 month rent deferral for tenants in our City facilities. We are also stepping up enforcement of physical distancing in our parks and public spaces, by issuing fines of $750 or more. We encourage people to stay home as much as possible and stay apart. We will only get through this if we all work together.”

Rent Deferral for City Facility Tenants

·          The City of Mississauga is landlord to 42 tenants in its buildings

·          Today Council approved  offering deferral of rent payments for tenants in City owned buildings for three months (April – June) until (July-Sept)

·          This will allow short term cash flow until it becomes clear what relief the Federal and Provincial governments are offering

·          Council asked landlords to work with their tenants (residential and non- residential) to provide relief where feasible and necessary to allow for short term cash flow relief

Parking Lots for City Parks Closed Until further Notice

·          Parking lots will be closed to vehicles at City parks and at some community centres adjacent to parks.

·          Green spaces and park trails remain open for walking as long as physical distancing is maintained.

City Enforcement Measures

·          City By-law Enforcement and Security Officers, are enforcing provincial orders related to non-essential business closures and gatherings of more than 5 people (unless members of a single household), in partnership with Peel Regional Police

·          Residents can call 3-1-1 to report non-compliance

·          Set fines for non-compliance range from $750 to $1000

Failure to comply with an order made under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act may result in a set fine (ticket) of $750 or $1,000 for obstructing any person in exercising a power or performing a duty under the order.  If the charge is laid by issuing a summons, a failure to comply with an emergency order could result in a fine up to $100,000 and up to one year imprisonment for an individual, $500,000 for a director or officer of a corporation or $10,000,000 for a corporation upon conviction.

·          Residents in Mississauga wishing to report a non-compliant food establishment such as a bar or restaurant, should call Peel Public Health at 905-799-7700.

City Facility Closures and Program Cancellations

All City facilities and public counters remain closed until further notice including but not limited to:

·          City Hall

·          Community centres

·          Libraries

·          Recreation facilities

·          Playgrounds

·          Soccer pitches

·          Basketball courts

·          Off-Leash parks

COVID-19 Information

To learn about the latest updates on actions taken by the City of Mississauga visit mississauga.ca/coronavirus or follow @CityMississauga on Twitter.

For health information, please visit peelregion.ca/coronavirus

The Region is continuing to promote clear and useful information so that during this crisis, residents can find the supports they need. As you know, these always important services now have a very direct impact on Peel’s collective efforts to protect our community.

Services Available to Residents in Need

The Region’s website now has a dedicated social supports page, covering seniors, caregivers, income support, food, child care, housing and community response.  In addition, the Region is also promoting the federal and provincial resources available in the  Financial Help and Ontario Works section of “services and facilities temporarily affected in Peel.”

Community Response Table and Emergency Funding 

The Community Response Table is now publicly promoting its information and services. You can read more in the news release and the Community Response Table website. This is a valuable source of comprehensive information on Peel-wide services that will assist us in our work and help in responding to requests for information from the public.

The COVID-19 Emergency Funding Application is now live on the Region’s website at: http://peelregion.ca/community-investments/. 

Housing and Homelessness Update

The Region issued a press release on how Peel is mobilizing to prevent and manage the spread of COVID-19 among homeless residents. The Region’s website also has a page dedicated to COVID-19 housing and homelessness.

March 31, 220

The Region is continuing to promote clear and useful information so that during this crisis, residents can find the supports they need. As you know, these always important services now have a very direct impact on Peel’s collective efforts to protect our community.

Services Available to Residents in Need

The Region’s website now has a dedicated social supports page, covering seniors, caregivers, income support, food, child care, housing and community response.  In addition, the Region is also promoting the federal and provincial resources available in the  Financial Help and Ontario Works section of “services and facilities temporarily affected in Peel.”

Community Response Table and Emergency Funding 

The Community Response Table is now publicly promoting its information and services. You can read more in the news release and the Community Response Table website. This is a valuable source of comprehensive information on Peel-wide services that will assist us in our work and help in responding to requests for information from the public.

The COVID-19 Emergency Funding Application is now live on the Region’s website at: http://peelregion.ca/community-investments/. 

Housing and Homelessness Update

The Region issued a press release on how Peel is mobilizing to prevent and manage the spread of COVID-19 among homeless residents. The Region’s website also has a page dedicated to COVID-19 housing and homelessness.