pat.saito@mississauga.ca                        905-896-5900                      ward9.ca  
In This Issue
Other Upcoming Events

The Salvation Army Cornerstone Church located 3020 Vanderbilt Rd is once again holding it's Santa Shuffle 5K Fun Run on Saturday December 2, 2017.

This merry event helps The Salvation Army to assist families and individuals in need during the Christmas season and throughout the year.  Click here for more information.
  
In recognition of the Living Arts Centre's 20th Anniversary and Canada's 150th, the Living Arts Centre's 2017-18 season caps off celebrations on December 9th with the jazz event of the year: a tribute night to the musical genius of Oscar Peterson and his esteemed confrere, Oliver Jones. 
 
For a full list of shows and to purchase tickets at the LAC, click here or call the Box Office at 905-306-6000.  
  
PRP Cyber Academy

The crime prevention experts at Peel Regional Police have designed a number of certificate programs that will teach citizens to keep themselves, their families and their property safe and are offered FREE of charge.

Click here for dates and times in November and December 2017.
The 2017-2018 season offers 7 performances including an interactive theatrical experience of Beauty and the Beast, the ballet Anastasia and a hilarious, one-woman show Suddenly Mommy. In addition to these performances, Music Theatre Mississauga will be presenting its 25th season of the Encore Series, a series of five musicals. The musicals include: South Pacific; Irving Berlin's White Christmas; Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat; Mel Brooks' The Producers; and Chess The Musical.  To buy tickets, click here.
Low Cost Fitness Programs Offered at Meadowvale West Church Centre             

Low Cost fitness programs are being offered by St. Francis of Assissi Anglican Church located at the Meadowvale West Church Centre at 6945 Meadowvale Town Centre Circle.  Click
here for more information.
Quick Links and Updates
 
Did you know that it's the property owner's responsibility to cut and maintain tall grass? As per the Nuisance Weed and Tall Grass by-law, grass is not to exceed 30 centimetres in height.  Click above for more information.  
 
Encroachment is any use of City-owned land by individuals for their own purposes. Property owners cannot intrude on the ground space of an adjacent City-owned property like parklands, greenbelts, road allowances and easements as per By-law 0057-04 .   Click above for more information.  

Safe City Mississauga's Neighbourhood Watch is a no-cost program to educate residents and mobilize communities for the purpose of crime prevention. 

Neighbourhoods are safest when people know who their neighbours are and this program is an excellent way to get your neighbours working together, staying in contact and having fun. Click above  for more information.
Community organizations can request recognition either through a flag raising or lighting of the Civic Centre clock tower.  Click above for more info.
Click above to download the app.  Using a smartphone, residents can now report on five new issues under the "Report a Problem" button using the free mobile app Ping!:
  • Three hour parking violations on a City street
  • Abandoned shopping carts on private property
  • Damaged trees on City property
  • Dead/unhealthy trees on City property
  • Request pruning of a City owned tree
  Miway Logo
 
MiWay has rolled out more service and improved connections on several routes across the city as part of the MiWay 5 Service Plan (2016-2020).
 
MiWay is providing more frequent service on the Mississauga Transitway on MiExpress 107 - Malton Express and 109 - Meadowvale Express, and extend MiExpress route 110 - University Express to the Erin Mills Transitway Station. 
 
Click here to use MiWay's Trip Planner   to plan your route and get real time trip updates or call 905-615-INFO (4636).
 
The  online construction map showcases the City's project information, as well as the Region of Peel and Ministry of Transportation construction work.   Click above  to see the construction map.

Please consider adopting a pet from the city's Animal Services. 

Click above to see animals that are waiting for their forever home.
The City of Mississauga now offers property owners the convenience of viewing their interim and final property tax bills online through e-bill. Click above for more info.

Click above to download and print your schedule. You can also update your electronic calendar.  
    EFFC
Please remember to help those in need.
  The Dam
Please support the Dam Youth Drop-In by making a donation. 

Tuesday, October 17th - Watch for volunteers with The Dam Youth Drop In around the Meadowvale area who will be writing / drawing inspirational messages for our children and youth on sidewalks. We hope to inspire and encourage our community. 
Meadowvale Residents' Association - MRA

For information or to  get involved in the residents' association, please click here to send an email. 

You can also visit their website and like their Facebook page.

With members of the MRA
   Be A Donor
Help save the life of someone waiting for an organ. One donor could save 8 lives! 
Dear Neighbour: 

November was a busy month with many organizations holding special events that I was pleased to attend.  It was an honour to attend the 2018 Legend's Row inductee ceremony at Erin Mills Town Centre and see many special people recognized.  I was thrilled to see my friend and former colleague Hazel McCallion enter our hall of fame.

There are many anniversary events this winter as well.  I celebrated the 40th of Multicultural Council of Peel and the 20th Anniversary of the Fo Guang Shan Temple and will be joining White Oak Presbyterian Church as they celebrate their 40th next week.  It is a recognition that our community and city are coming of age.
 
We have been fortunate to have had no heavy snow so far this winter but I am sure we will get hit.  Check out the information in this newsletter on our snow clearing programs and how to stay informed on service levels.   
 
We also had an unfortunate and sad occurrence in the community with the fatal stabbing at Meadowvale Town Centre.  Thankfully Peel Police arrested a suspect.  As incidents like this are frightening in our community, I am holding a special meeting on December 11 at 7 p.m. at the Meadowvale Community Centre so that Peel Police can speak to the community.  Further details for this meeting are in my newsletter below.
 
In the event that you are unable to view this e-newsletter please note that there is always a link on the front page of my website.

As always, my staff and I are here to help you with any City or Regional issues.  Just send me an email to  pat.saito@mississauga.ca or call  905-896-5900 and check the Ward 9 website at  ward9.ca for ongoing updates.



Join me at the Mississauga Santa Claus Parade 
 
Sunday December 3rd, 2017 
12:30 pm - 2:30 pm 
Glen Erin Drive - Motorway Blvd - Woodchester Rd - Dunwin Drive

I am looking forward to walking in the Mississauga Santa Clause parade on Sunday.  This will be a fun-filled, family event.  The parade also supports important local charities, such as the Mississauga Food Bank, United Way of Peel Region, Habitat for Humanity.
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Streetsville Meadowvale Figuring Skating Club Free Skate 

I am honoured to be joining the Streetsville Meadowvale Figure Skating Club as they host a Canada 150 Free Skate event on December 10.
 
There will be lots of fun, figure skating demos, free refreshments and giveaways.  It all happens on Sunday Dec 10, 2017 from 2 pm - 4 pm at Meadowvale Four Rinks, 2160 Torquay Mews.  
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Public Meeting to Discuss Crime and Safety in Meadowvale

In response to the recent fatality at the Meadowvale Town centre I am holding a public meeting on Monday December 11, 2017.   

The meeting will be held   from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Meadowvale Community Centre, 6655 Glen Erin Drive in the Auditorium and I have invited Peel Regional Police to attend to discuss crime and safety in our community .  

Police staff will provide crime statistics and address concerns and questions about safety in the community.  Please share this information with your neighbours and friends as the meeting was arranged with not enough time for a mailing.  
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2018 Budget Approved   
              

Council has approved both the City of Mississauga and Region of Peel budgets for 2018 resulting in a total tax increase of 2.74%.  This is an increase in the City's portion of the taxes of 1.58% and the Region increase of 1.16%, which is mainly impacted by the addition of 37 new police officers and other police service improvements.   
 

The City budget includes maintaining current service levels as well as $2.8 million worth of new services that include continuing the MiWay service growth and adding 46,000 service hours; increasing support to culture groups and local artists; redeveloping the recently-acquired Small Arms Inspection Building; hosting the Ontario 55+ Summer Games; providing public education about the City's Active Transportation options to encourage the use of cycling and walking infrastructure; and improving the Library's collection to support the City's population growth.

 

The budget does not include revenue we expect to see from the implementation of the new hotel destination tax which I have been lobbying for as Chair of Mississauga Tourism.  It is estimated that this could generate up to $10 million annually of which at least half will be used to support and promote tourism and the rest for local programs and services that contribute to tourism.  I expect we will see the full impact of this new revenue in the 2019 budget year.

Proposed Amendments to the Zoning By-law to Regulate Short-Term Accommodations  
              
We will be deliberating on the proposed amendments to the Zoning By-law to regulate short term accommodations such as Airbnb next week at Planning and Development Committee.  Click here to read the report.
 
The public is invited to attend the Planning and Development Meeting on Monday December 4, 2017 at 7:00 pm in the Council Chambers at the Civic Centre, 300 City Centre Dr.   
 
We held a Public Meeting on May 25, 2017 to consult with the community and now staff will be presenting their findings and recommendations.   
 
If you cannot attend the meeting and would like to share your views and/or you wish to be notified of further meetings or be added to the mailing list, please contact the Planning and Building Department by 12:00 noon on the day of the meeting.  Please email  application.info@mississauga.ca or call City Planner Caleigh McInnes at 905-615-3200 ext. 5598. 
Update on Paving of Britannia Rd from Winston Churchill Blvd to Erin Mills Pkwy
           
Thank you for your patience as the work progresses on Britannia Road.  This has been a long project and contractors had some difficulty along the way delaying the completion.  We are coming to the conclusion of the work and to date the watermain replacement, the environmental storm sewer system, curbs, sidewalks and catch basins are completed.
 
The final top asphalt work will be completed in the Spring of 2018. In the meantime the road is being prepared for motorists to drive safely within the construction area in the winter. All lanes on Britannia Road will be reopened by mid-December, weather permitting. The multi-use path, sidewalk, and sod placement will also be completed by this time.
The project is expected to be fully completed by the Spring of 2018. 
Regional staff apologize  for the inconvenience this may cause. 
More Assistance for Low Income Seniors and People with Disabilities  
              

I am pleased that my colleagues at City Council and Regional Council supported my motion to help our low income seniors and people with disabilities. The city gives a $400 tax rebate to those who qualify. The region cost shares their portion. We have not increased the amount and I suggested we build in an annual automatic increase equal to any tax increases. My motion was passed at City Council on November 22nd and at Regional Council on November 23rd.  The increase is not a large amount but every bit helps and it just made sense to me to do this.
Coyotes and Other Wildlife   
          
  
I am running this article from last month once more.  Coyotes have been in our city for many years but recently they are becoming bolder and have been sighted in local parks.  I have held several sessions for residents who are concerned about the safety of their family and pets and education and information has been provided by experts.
 
Most requests are for the city Animal Services to remove them.  This is not as easy as it may seem as we are restricted by legislation from the province.   
 
Wildlife relocation is regulated in Ontario under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act.  If an animal is captured it must be released unharmed in close proximity to the capture site (within 1 km) or, if sick or injured, delivered to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator within 24 hours unless otherwise directed by the Ministry.  
 
This restricts what our Animal Services staff can do under this law.  Removing an animal 1 km from the site still leaves it within the neighbourhood and as live trapping is almost impossible, the use of leg traps and snares could cause harm to other animals or people.   Click here  for information from the Ministry of Natural Resources about relocation of wildlife.    As well, click here to visit the MNR website.
 
I urge everyone to report if you see a coyote by calling 311 immediately so that our staff can come out to determine if the animal is sick, in which case they can take measures.  They will also observe the area and the animal once they have reports.   Click here to  learn how you can protect yourself, your family and your property while avoiding animal conflicts.
Changes made to Animal Care and Control By-law Improve Animal Welfare
   
          
We continue to bring forward improvements to our Animal Care and Control By-law .  The most recently approved changes formally recognize not-for-profit animal rescue organizations and provide clarity regarding trap, neuter, return (TNR) programs that manage feral cat populations.
 
This is a step forward in our care of animals and our partnerships with rescue and human society organizations.

In addition, changes also include prohibiting providing false information when surrendering an animal to the Mississauga Animal Services shelter.  Click here to l earn more about the Animal Care Control By-law.   
Reimagining the Mall
           
Please help us reimagine our malls! 
City staff are looking at specific malls to determine how they could and should be redesigned for the future.  Two of Ward 9's malls are included - Meadowvale Town Centre and Erin Mills Town Centre.  
Click here and share your feedback by completing a survey.   
Nine Firefighters Receive Governor General's Medal of Bravery
           
We know we have an excellent team at Mississauga Fire and Emergency Services (MFES) and I am so proud to see nine of our firefighters honoured with the Governor General's Medal of Bravery. The nine firefighters were recognized for their bravery during the April 2014 Thamesgate Drive industrial warehouse fire in Mississauga.

Every day our firefighters risk their lives to safeguard Mississauga neighbourhoods. While the building exploded, Mississauga firefighters ran into the fire and risked their lives to save their fellow firefighters and protect our community. 
 
The warehouse contained unknown combustible chemical substances that caused an explosion, which injured four on-duty firefighters. These nine firefighters made up the rescue team that worked to free and treat their injured colleagues immediately after the explosion occurred.
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Enjoying the Beautiful Trails in Ward 9
 
We live in such a beautiful community and I encourage you to take the time to enjoy all there is especially the gorgeous trails through our woods. 

I enjoyed my walk a few weeks ago with my young dog Rogue at Windrush Woods.  It has been a while since I had a walk through these woods and it was a beautiful time of year to revisit.  It reminded me that I need to take more time to explore our wonderful trails again.
Donate a Christmas Gift to Youth in Our Community            

This Christmas, The Dam Youth Drop In invites you to consider donating a Christmas Gift for a youth in our community. Let's let our young people know that their community believes in them and is thinking about them during this Christmas season.  I will be purchasing Christmas gifts for two youth this year.  To find out more information, call The Dam at (905) 826-6558  or email  office@thedam.org .
Ward 9 Contest - Meadowvale
Theatre 
          
  
Christy Rich is last month's lucky winner of 2 tickets for any performance during the 2017-2018 Season !
 
This month, WIN a Complimentary Ticket Certificate valid for 2 tickets to any show in the Meadowvale Theatre Presents 2017-2018 Season . To WIN please email   your answer to the following question :
 
In what year did the original Meadowvale Community Centre open? 
 
I will draw a winner from all correct answers received by 10:00 am December 10, 2017. 
Share your Story        
 
  
Your story can shape our city.   The Museums of Mississauga and the City's Culture Division will be going across Mississauga in an effort to collect, listen and share stories with residents.   Leave your mark on the city! Share the stories that define what life in Mississauga means to you. Click here to learn how to share your story.
Volunteers Needed at VON 
          
  
Victorian Order of Nurses (VON) Canada is a national health care organization and registered charity offering a wide range of home care community support services. 
 
VON is in strong need for volunteers for their Volunteer Visiting program - a program for social support and companionship and for our Meals on Wheels programs - where volunteers provide help at the depot or with meal delivery. All VON Volunteers are provided with a detailed training and orientation for each position. If you are interested in volunteering, please call 905-821-3254 directly. 
Anniversary/Birthday Congratulations

If you know someone who is celebrating a milestone birthday or anniversary please contact me at 905-896-5900 or at pat.saito@mississauga.ca and I would be pleased to send a letter of congratulations and a small gift to commemorate the special event.
 
On November 4,  I joined family and friends to c elebrate the 70th birthday of Ward 9 resident, volunteer and longtime friend Susan Bools.  

Also celebrating this month was Ivy Pelling who turned 90 on November 27th.
 


PAT IN THE COMMUNITY
Public Meeting for apartment application 6550 Glen Erin Drive
 
  
I hosted a public meeting on November 21 to provide residents with an opportunity to view the application recently received to construct a 12 storey, 208 unit apartment building at 6550 Glen Erin Drive.    The applicant presented the plan and city staff were also there to answer any questions on the process.  

This is in the early stages of the process and there will be further opportunities for the community to comment.  Click here for more information.    In the meantime if you have any questions or comments, please contact me by phone at 905-896-5900 or email to pat.saito@mississauga.ca .
Buddha's Light Vegetarian Gala
 
I was honoured to attend the Buddha's Light Vegetarian Gala which was held on Nov. 14 to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Fo Guang Shan Temple on Millcreek Dr.  This special event is held only every three years and this year's theme is  "Handing Down the Light with Harmony"  to encourage the new generation and allowing youths to bring out their abilities, so that the  future will hold boundless energy and hope.   
 
I was reminiscing about attending the groundbreaking and official opening of the temple twenty years ago and sharing stories of the many years I have been working with the members.
Meadowvale GO Station to be renovated.
 
I was pleased to join  Steven Del Duca, Minister of Transportation and Bob Delaney, MPP for Mississauga-Streetsville on November 15th at Meadowvale GO Station to announce plans to renovate Meadowvale GO Station.  Plans include a new station, reconfiguration of the parking lot and bus loops and drop offs, accessible connections to platforms and trains and improved pedestrian connections and bike storage.

I took the opportunity to remind the Minister that we need all day, two way service on the line and I am continuing to work towards finally achieving this one day. Click here to watch a video of the announcement.
 
West of China Photo Exhibit  
 
  
It was a pleasure to cut the ribbon on November 13th opening the two day Tourism and Culture exhibit West of China at the Living Arts Centre. The photo exhibit shows the people, land and culture of Western China.
Mauritian Diwali Night
 
I joined the Mauritian community on November 11 to celebrate The Festival of Lights which reminds us of the importance of knowledge and self-improvement and how we must seek the good and right path.  Most importantly,  the victory of good over evil is celebrated.

Remembrance Day
 
It was an honour to participate in the Streetsville Remembrance Day parade and to lay a wreath on behalf of all Ward 9 residents.  Click here to read the stories of some of our Mississauga residents who answered the call to serve.  


Peel Multicultural Council 40th Anniversary Gala Dinner 
 
I was delighted to attend the Peel Multicultural  Council 40th Anniversary dinner on November 10th. 
 
Since 1977, the Peel Multicultural Council has provided a  valuable service to Mississauga's citizens.  Their programs for seniors, youth and new immigrants of all ages have had  a positive impact on so many people.  Click here to learn more about PMC. 
 
Tourism Conference
 
As Chair of Mississauga Tourism Board, I attended a two day Ontario Tourism Summit held in Niagara Falls on November 5 to 6, 2017.  It was a most interesting summit and I picked up a lot of valuable information and made important connections as the city moves ahead on tourism.  

I had the pleasure of meeting the Costa Rica Ambassador to Canada Roberto Dormond-Cantu.  I also got to experience below the Falls...an incredible thing to see.  This experience gave me a greater appreciation of what we have here in Ontario.
Legends Row - Walk of Fame
 
I am so pleased to see my friend Hazel McCallion inducted into Legends Row. She is a true legend in Mississauga and it was an honour to serve with her during her time as Mayor of our great city.  

The ceremony was held in Ward 9 on November 4th at the Erin Mills Town Centre and Hazel was inducted along with 6 other great Mississaugans who have contributed so much to our city.   Click here to learn more about Legends Row - Walk of Fame.
St. Aloysius Gonzaga Career Day
 
I had a wonderful time on November 3rd at St. Aloysius Gonzaga High School at their Career Day.  I met hundreds of young people and talked to them about my job and their future careers. This is the part of my job that I really enjoy as I love meeting our younger citizens and finding out what is important to them and what they want to do. Hopefully they learned more about local government and enjoyed their morning.   
Councillor Pat Saito | 905-896-5900 | pat.saito@mississauga.ca | http://www.ward9.ca
Mississauga Civic Centre
300 City Centre Drive
3rd Floor
Mississauga, L5B 3C1