Ward 11 E-Newsletter - April 2016 
Councillor's Message

Welcome to the April 2016 issue of my Ward 11 E-Newsletter!  I hope you find this newsletter informative.   As always, I am pleased to assist you and your family with any municipal issue that you may have.  Please don't hesitate to contact my office directly at any time at 905-896-5011 or  george.carlson@mississauga.ca .    
In This Issue...
5th Annual Village Litter Blitz!

Are you looking for a great way to do your part for the environment and keep your community clean and green?  If so, then bring your friends and family down to the 5th Annual Village Litter Blitz!  Join myself, MP Gagan Sikand, MPP Bob Delaney, and Streetsville service groups (B.I.A., Cadets, Rotary, Lions Club, Scouts, and others) to help tackle litter in downtown Streetsville!  The 2016 Blitz details are as follows:
 
5th Annual Village Litter Blitz
Saturday, May 7, 2016
2pm-4pm
Centre Plaza
(field beside Tim Horton's)
128 Queen St. S, Streetsville
 
Don't miss the delicious BBQ and refreshments served fresh by the Streetsville Lions Club after the cleanup, and students will receive volunteer hours for their efforts as well.  For more information about the 2016 Blitz, please visit www.georgecarlson.ca or call 905-896-5011.  See you at the 5th annual Village Litter Blitz!   Top  
HWY 401 Widening- McLaughlin Road to East of the Credit River

Please be advised that I recently received a Notice of Construction Start from the Ministry of Transportation Ontario (MTO) indicating that they have completed the Detail Design and Environmental Assessment for the widening of Highway 401, from east of McLaughlin Road to east of the Credit River.  As you may know, this section of the Highway 401 includes the Second Line West vehicular bridge over Highway 401.  Please click on the link below to view the MTO's notice:
 
 
The MTO's notice indicates that construction for this phase of the Highway 401 widening is anticipated to begin in April 2016, and completion is scheduled for the end of September 2019.  As such, removal of the Second Line West vehicular bridge, to accommodate the highway widening, is anticipated to occur in the fall of 2016.  To advise motorists of the anticipated removal of the Second Line West vehicular bridge, signage will be placed at the entrances of the bridge this summer.
 
As you may know, the Second Line West vehicular bridge will be replaced with a new pedestrian/cyclist bridge at the same location.  The new Second Line West pedestrian/cyclist bridge will cross over Highway 401 with multi-use trail connections from Donway Drive and Sombrero Way.   Construction of the new Second Line West pedestrian/cyclist bridge is anticipated to begin in the fall of 2016 and completion is scheduled for the summer of 2018.
 
For more information about the MTO widening of Highway 401, from east of McLaughlin Road to east of the Credit River, please visit the MTO's project website at www.my401.ca .  You may also contact the following Staff from the MTO and AECOM for more information:
 
Chris Bhawanie, C.E.T.
Senior Contract Administrator, AECOM
Tel: (647) 274-6773
Email Address: 2015-2018@aecom.com
Harish Rupal, P.Eng.
Contract Services Administrator, MTO
Tel: (416) 587-9095
Email Address: harish.rupal@ontario.ca
 
For more information about the Second Line West pedestrian/cyclist bridge, please visit
Earth Days 2016

April is earth month, and if you and your family are looking for ways to participate in environmental activities, there are many great Earth Days events happening across the City, and I hope you will consider participating in one or more of them:
 
SNAP Workshop: Greening Your Grounds - Learn How to Disconnect your Downspout and More!
Tuesday, April 19, 7 p.m.
Burnhamthorpe Library
Hosted by TRCA (Toronto and Region Conservation Authority), this workshop will provide tips and tricks on what you can do to manage stormwater on your property and how you can green your grounds.  To register, visit www.trca.on.ca/get-involved/stewardship/trcastewardshipevents.dot .
 
Litter Awareness Blitz
Thursday, April 21
Chat with City Transit Enforcement Officers and the MiWay Outreach Team about litter awareness at the following Transit Terminals: Meadowvale Town Centre (8:30-9:30 a.m.), South Common Centre (10-11 a.m.) and Westwood Mall (10-11 a.m.)
 
20-Minute Makeover
Friday, April 22
Join thousands of participants across Ontario who will volunteer for 20 minutes to pick up litter around their workplace, school or community. Organize a group of your co-workers, family and friends, find a space in need of a clean-up, and register your clean-up for a fun Friday afternoon event!
 
The registration deadline is Friday, April 15, 2016.  To register your group, please visit www.mississauga.ca/earthdays .  For those who have registered, starting April 8, 2016, garbage bags, recycling bags, gloves and safety tip sheets will be available at your local community centre, while supplies last.
 
One Million Trees Planting
Saturday, April 23, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Heatherleigh Park
Bring your friends and family to Heatherleigh Park for a day of family fun! Take part in the One Million Trees planting with CVC (Credit Valley Conservation) and Evergreen. Enjoy activities from Ecosource, a guided neighbourhood tree tour with LEAF (Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests), and check out the other exhibitor booths.
 
To register, please visit www.mississauga.ca/earthdays .  For more information about One Million Trees, visit www.onemilliontrees.ca
 
Kick Off Your Garden Season
Saturday, April 23, 2:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Iceland Teaching Garden
Kick off gardening season and prepare for spring with a hands-on workshop by Ecosource. Learn about creating an ideal garden, soil preparation, seeding and more!  To learn more about this event, please visit www.ecosource.ca/events/kick-off-your-garden-season-at-the-iceland-teaching-garden/
 
For more information about Earth Days 2016 events, please visit the City's Earth Days website at www.mississauga.ca/earthdays .   Top  
Ecosource 3rd Annual Spring Open House

If you are looking to learn more about the environment in a fun and hands-on way, join Ecosource for their 3rd Annual Spring Open House on Tuesday, April 26, 2016 from 4:30-7:30pm at the Meadowvale South Recreation Centre (Ecosource Sustainability Education Centre), 6600 Falconer Dr., 2nd Floor, in Mississauga.  Connect with friends and family and participate in fun, hands-on activities for all ages: create a model city and learn about urban hydrology, enjoy a solar-powered smoothie or build a self-watering planter with seedlings to take home!  Ecosource will also be hosting their first-ever Upcycling Market, where you can give your old items new life and find amazing items as well.  Ecosource will accept the following items in good to excellent condition for the Upcycling Market:
  • Clothing and accessories
  • Household items
  • Sports equipment
  • Baby items
  • Working electronics
  • Small box of books
If you would like to attend this Open House, please RSVP by April 19th by calling 905-274-6222 or email info@ecosource.ca .   Top  
City Awarded $2.1 Million in Federal Funding Through the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program
 
I am very pleased to report that Mississauga was awarded $2.1 Million in federal funding through the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program (CIP 150).  The CIP 150 celebrates Canada's 150th anniversary, and the objective of the program is to strengthen public infrastructure and provide economic benefits in communities across Canada.  This funding will provide Mississauga with the opportunity to invest in its maturing infrastructure, complete projects of historical significance, and strengthen accessible public infrastructure.
 
Mississauga will invest this funding in 25 infrastructure projects across the City, which will cost approximately $4.62 million.  The City will contribute $2.4 million and $2.1 million will come from CIP 150 funding.  I am also very pleased to report that two Ward 11 projects have been selected for CIP 150 funding as follows:
  • Vista Heights trail rehabilitation             $26,400
  • Manor Hill trail rehabilitation                   $161,458
CIP 150 projects must be constructed under very tight timelines in order to meet the funding criteria; projects must begin after April 1, 2016 and be completed by June 30, 2017.  For more info, visit  www.feddevontario.gc.ca/ .   Top  
Cycling in Mississauga
 
Spring is finally here, and what better way to start the spring season than to explore the City on your bicycle!  Cycling is a fun, healthy, economical, and environmentally friendly way to get around the City on your own or with your friends and family.  The City's cycling network includes more than 400 kilometres of on-road bike lanes, boulevard multi-use trails, off-road trails, and roadways, which have posted bike route signs.  In addition to the existing cycling infrastructure, the City plans to develop more than 900 kilometres of on and off-road cycling routes in the next 20 years, through the Cycling Master Plan.
 
There are many great on-road bike lanes, boulevard multi-use trails, off-road trails, and bicycle friendly roads in and around our community, including the following, and I encourage you and your family and friends to check them out this season:
  • Britannia Road (boulevard Multi-use Trail)- This multi-use trail runs parallel to Britannia Road from Queen Street/Mississauga Road to Hurontario Street with links to Culham Trail, Streetsville and Heartland Centre Shopping. (5.4 km)
  • David J. Culham Trail (off-road Multi-use Trail)- The Culham Trail is in two sections: Dundas Street to Mississauga Road (Streetsville) and Church Street to Velebit Court with links to University of Toronto Mississauga, Erindale Park, Streetsville Memorial Park and Riverwood Community Centre. (11.2 km)
  • Erin Centre Boulevard (Bicycle Lanes)- Designated bicycle lanes from Ninth Line to Erin Mills Parkway. This route provides links to Churchill Meadows, Erin Mills Town Centre and Streetsville. (4.1 km)
  • Mississauga Road (Bicycle Lanes)- Designated Bicycle Lanes on two sections of Mississauga Road: South Sheridan Way to The Collegeway (5.3 km), and Eglinton Avenue to Erin Centre Boulevard. (0.75 km)
Cycling is a great way to get active and get around the City, but you must always ensure to be safe when you are on your bicycle.  Here are some great safety tips from the Mississauga Cyclists Handbook to help you ensure that you and your family are safe when you are cycling:
  • Your bike should fit- Make sure you can stand over the crossbar of your bike. When sitting you should comfortably reach the handlebars and your leg should be slightly bent while touching the pedal at its lowest point.
  • Maintain your bike- Check regularly that your brakes allow you to quickly and easily stop and your crank arm does not move back and forth. A well-inflated tire will reduce the chance of a flat tire.
  • Be seen, stay safe- Ontario law requires that bicycles be equipped with a front white light and rear red light or reflector. Lights, reflectors and bright clothing help drivers see cyclists at night.
  • Wear a helmet- A properly worn helmet will protect your head in a fall. In Ontario, cyclists 17 years of age and younger are legally required to wear one.
  • Ring your bell- Ontario law requires that bicycles be equipped with a bell or horn. Cyclists should ring the bell whenever it is needed to notify pedestrians or others that you are approaching.
  • Watch for pedestrians- Stop while pedestrians are on crosswalks and always be respectful. When passengers are getting on and off school buses, cyclists must stop a reasonable distance from the doors and allow them to safely cross the road.
  • Stay safe in traffic- Always keep control of your bike and be aware of traffic and pedestrians. Stay alert and ride predictably in the safest part of the road to avoid collisions. Treat other road users with respect.
  • Pay attention- Pay attention in traffic because drivers don't always look for bicycles. Check for hazards such as potholes or car doors opening into your lane.
  • Obey traffic laws- You must stop at red lights and stop signs and always ride in the same direction as traffic. Under Ontario law, the slowest moving vehicles occupy the road closest to the curb.
  • Ride in a straight line- Drivers will understand your intentions if you ride confidently and predictably in a straight line and away from parked cars. Do not swerve in and out of traffic. Look back before changing lanes.
  • Intersections- When travelling straight through an intersection, try to make eye contact with drivers. Your bike can legally occupy the entire lane if that is the safest way to proceed.
  • Signal your turn- Signal your intention to turn before you reach an intersection by using hand signals or clearly pointing. Reduce your speed on turns - especially on wet roads.
  • Avoid large vehicles- Be very cautious when riding near trucks, buses and other large vehicles. Don't pass them in an intersection unless absolutely certain they are proceeding straight.
I hope you and your family find these cycling safety tips useful.  For more information about cycling in Mississauga, please visit www.mississauga.ca/cycling .   Top  
Mississauga Moves Ahead on Affordable Housing Program
 
I am pleased to inform you that City Council recently approved a work plan to develop an affordable housing program for Mississauga.  The new Affordable Housing Program aims to increase access to affordable housing across the City and create a supportive environment for the development of affordable housing.  Some highlights of the new Affordable Housing Program include:
  • Measures to increase the supply of affordable rental and ownership housing and
  • Ways to protect the existing affordable housing options, particularly in areas identified for redevelopment, such as the Hurontario Street corridor
  • Explore new partnerships, innovative strategies and implementation measures, along with opportunities to leverage existing legislation at all levels of government
The City's Affordable Housing Program is expected to be established by the end of 2016.  For more information about this program, please visit www.mississauga.ca/housingchoices.   Top  
Councillor George Carlson| | george.carlson@mississauga.ca | 300 City Centre Drive
Mississauga, ON   L5B 3C1