Dear Ward 3 Residents,

I am delighted to share good news regarding the opening of the Burnhamthorpe Community Centre, the renaming of Off-Road Trail 11 as Chechalk Trail as well as other exciting news in Ward 3.

As always, I have also included updates and relevant information pertaining to City wide events, initiatives, and projects.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact my office.

City of Mississauga, Ward 3 E-Update

November 10, 2023

Councillor Chris Fonseca| City of Mississauga| 905-896-5300| chris.fonseca@mississauga.ca| chrisfonseca.ca

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Ward 3 Updates

Garnetwood Small Dog Leash Free Park:

Open November 1st, 2023

I wanted to share an update with the community regarding the Garnetwood Small Dog Leash Free Park which is now open to the public as of November 1st, 2023.

The construction is now complete and the park is fully functional so that you and your pets can visit.

Stay tuned for an invite to a Spring Event coming soon!

Traffic Calming- Golden Orchard:

Construction Underway

I wanted to share with everyone that the construction of the split speed cushions along Golden Orchard (Bloor Street-Dixie Road) has commenced.

Thank you to the community for requesting this important safety initiative!

For more information on road safety and traffic calming, please visit: www.mississauga.ca/projects-and-strategies.

Burnhamthorpe Community Centre:

Re-Opening/Upcoming Programs

I'm very excited to share that the Burnhamthorpe Community Centre is near completion with amenities opening in a staggered approach as they are ready for residents to enjoy.

Beginning November 5th, drop-in programming and rentals will be available in the arena, gymnasium and multi-purpose spaces.The fitness centre will open January 2^nd followed by the launch of registered programs beginning January 6^th (excluding swim programs). Drop-in swim programming is scheduled to begin mid-January with registered swim programs beginning March 12^th.

Registration will open for programs on November 20^th online at www.activemississauga.ca and we look forward to inviting the community to come out to the grand opening celebration early 2024. Stay up to date on the re-opening by visiting www.mississauga.ca/burnhamthorperedevelop.

Ward 3- Scotiabank Branch Consolidation Update

I wanted to share with the community that the Scotiabank Branch on Dundas and Wharton Way Branch will be consolidated into the Sherway Gardens Branch on Tuesday, July 23, 2024.

Naming of Off-Road Trail 11 in Ward 3 to Chechalk Trail

I’m so pleased to support the naming of Off-Road Trail 11 in Ward 3 as Chechalk Trail. As a Chief of the Mississaugas, the forbearers to the present-day Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, Chief Chechalk played a key role in our city’s history and is the only signatory of Treaty 14 that has not yet been recognized with an official naming in our city.

With this naming, we have honoured all of the Chiefs who signed the Treaties which allowed for the settlement and creation of our present-day City of Mississauga. I’m honoured that this trail will forever recognize this important figure in the history of these lands, and serve as a reminder to all of us of to honour the treaties and work towards Reconciliation.

Remembrance Day & Veterans Week

Earlier this month, I joined Members of City of Mississauga Council by wearing a poppy in honour of Remembrance Day and Veterans Week.

During this time, we remember the sacrifices that our Veterans made so we can enjoy the freedoms we have today.

If you able, please join me and other elected officials, members of The Royal Canadian Legion Col. Tom Kennedy Branch 582, Revernd Daniel Brereton, St. John's Anglican Church and community members for a Remembrance Day Ceremony on Saturday, November 11th at 10:30AM at the St. John's Anglican Church Cenotaph.

Lest We Forget.

Mississauga Involvement Opportunities

Ward 3 & 4 - Budget Ward Session

The Ward 3 & 4 - Budget Ward Session is scheduled for Thursday, November 30 at 7:00PM.

This one-hour session will be held virtually on WebEx and is open to the community.

To participate, residents will need to register for the meeting using the following link: www.mississauga.webex.com/weblink/register.

Learn about how the City’s Budget works and how we keep it balanced

The Budget Allocator is solely an informational tool used for educational purposes only.

It provides you with a mock budget that you can try balancing to gain a better understanding of what you get for your property tax dollars and how spending decisions affect the City services that are important to you.

The results collected via the allocator will not be used to decide the budget. Try it out, here: mississaugabudget.ca.abalancingact.com.

To learn more about the City’s budget process and how your property tax dollars support City services, visit Mississauga.ca/budget.

Have Your Say:

Upcoming Opportunities to Shape Mississauga’s Future

We want to hear from you! Have your say and help shape the future of Mississauga.

Current Opportunities:

☑️Future Directions- Plans for Recreation, Culture, Library, Fire & Emergency Services and Parks, Forestry & Environment are being updated to reflect the City’s rapidly changing trends, infrastructure and service delivery needs. https://app.keysurvey.com/f/41684728/7079/

☑️MiWay Customer Satisfaction

☑️Increasing Housing Choices

☑️Mississauga Diabetes Strategy & more!

Please visit: bit.ly/3MuAQrg

Mississauga Updates

2023 Vacuum Leaf Pickup

In the fall, the City of Mississauga provides a vacuum leaf pickup service on streets that are more than 35 years old and have many large mature trees.

To find out more about the leaf pickup program, visit: www.mississauga.ca/fallleafpickup.

Parks Seasonal Washrooms 2023

As the cold weather is upon us, please be advised that parks operations teams have now begun the winterization process for Garnetwood Park washroom facilities.

This full season parks washroom will remain open throughout the Winter and on a route cleaning schedule.

I would like also share that the port-o-let is in place at Applewood Hills Trail will remain open throughout the winter months.

Adopt A Pet:

Animal Services Shelter

If you’re 18 years or older, you can adopt a pet from our Animal Services Shelter. Adopting a pet gives it the security of a permanent home and the care it deserves.

The Animal Services Shelter is open to the public. No appointment is needed for adoption. However, there may be short wait times to view the animals. During this time, please respect social distancing.

All family or household members will need to be reachable by phone at the time of adoption.

For more information, visit: www.mississauga.ca/adoptapet.

Do Not Feed Wildlife!

Maker Mississauga:

Burnhamthorpe Library!

Maker Mississauga gives you the chance to use library equipment such as 3D printers, building kits, robotics, sewing machines, film making tools and computers to help develop your STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math) skills. You can also participate in Maker Mississauga programs for all ages, including STEAM Clubs, coding, robotics, crochet and knitting circles and much more.

Using one of the Library’s handicraft programs at Burnhamthorpe Library,you can learn how to sew by hand or with a sewing machine to avoid purchasing new products.

Learn more: www.mississauga.ca/makermississauga.

Mississauga moves to permit four-plexes city-wide

Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie issued a Mayoral Directive to move forward with the necessary steps to allow residents to build four residential units on low-rise residential lots.

In response to the Mayoral Directive, staff will:

Prepare the required Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendments to permit “as-of-right” development for up to four residential units on low-rise residential lots in neighbourhoods city-wide, with such provisions as staff deem appropriate.
Schedule and notify the public of a statutory public meeting to be held at a Planning and Development Committee meeting before the end of 2023.
Undertake the necessary steps to bring forward the proposed Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendments through the municipal planning process.

City to introduce shared system of e-bikes and e-scooters next year

During General Committee, Council supported the staff recommendation that the City launch a shared micro-mobility program next year.

Micro-mobility is a form of travel using a lightweight device powered by your own body or electricity. The City’s shared micro-mobility program will offer up to 300 electric pedal-assist bicycles (e-bikes) and 900 electric kick-style scooters (e-scooters). For a fee, users will be able to rent e-bikes and e-scooters to get around the city and park with flexibility at a station or at a bike rack closest to their destination.

Over the next few months, staff will go through the procurement process for an e-bike and e-scooter service provider, and roll out the program in 2024. Staff will bring a report to Council in 2025 with an update on the program’s progress.

Learn more about the shared micro-mobility program.

Learn more about safety, rules and etiquette for bikes, e-bikes and e-scooters.

Regional Updates

This CPR Month, Peel Regional Paramedic Services encourages you to act to save a life

Every 10 days, someone in Peel region uses a registered AED (Automated External Defibrillator) to help a cardiac arrest victim. Around 70% of the time, the victim survives.

This high survival rate is exactly what Peel Regional Paramedic Services envisioned when it started its Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) Program 9 years ago. Since 2014, it has been placing hundreds of life-saving devices in public places, in partnership with Brampton, Caledon, Mississauga and the Greater Toronto Airport Authority, and encouraging people to use them.

An AED can restart a heart of a person in cardiac arrest. It’s safe and easy to use, even with little or no training.

Peel Regional Paramedic Services has also added hundreds of publicly- and privately-owned AEDs to Peel Region’s AED registry. Once registered, the AED becomes part of the Medical Priority Dispatch System and visible to Ambulance Communications Officers (ACO). When someone calls 911 in a cardiac emergency, the ACO can locate the closest AED, and tell the caller how to access and use it before paramedics arrive.

When someone provides CPR and uses an AED in the crucial seconds after someone experiences sudden cardiac arrest, the chance of survival dramatically increases.

This CPR Month, Peel Regional Paramedic Services encourages all residents to learn CPR and how to use an AED so Peel region can remain one of the safest places to live. It also requests all businesses and other AED-owners, such as private schools and places of worship, to register their AED on Peel Region’s website.

Peel Infrastructure: Supporting Growth

Peel Region Council received an update on efforts to support the province’s ambitious housing targets - with enabling infrastructure. Bill 23 significantly accelerates the demands for water, wastewater, and roads infrastructure, at rates almost five times that of historical growth. Staff are making advancements on their commitment to support Bill 23 to ensure Peel is ready to provide enabling infrastructure to build more homes faster.

Peel Region is:

Accelerating work through the next capital budget to increase the number of projects that are built in the short and long-term,
Using innovative techniques such as grouping projects together and using external program management resources to oversee large-scale capital projects and using a Progressive Design Build approach to integrate project design and construction into a phased approach to enable an early start and an accelerated capital plan.
Updating both the Water and Wastewater Master Servicing Plan and Transportation Master Plan to align with the new 2051 Regional Official Plan and Bill 23 housing targets.
Making early recommendations for large-scale infrastructure projects within the current Water and Wastewater Master Servicing Plan.
Working with local municipalities to make sure we plan together, where and when growth happens, in a way that supports the existing community and system capacity.

The update also highlighted the significant challenges to supporting such an acceleration of capital work, including impacts to the 2024 recommended budget, (to be brought to council in November) the overall $20.4 billion dollar cost to fund the infrastructure to achieve the provincial housing target, and the potential impacts to the existing community.

This is in addition to other factors that include material and supply change challenges due to increased demand, the potential loss of development revenue, as well as construction contractor scarcity and the increased cost of construction.

Peel Region Council is thus requesting an audience with both provincial and federal ministries to share the impacts of the infrastructure plan and to ensure awareness and understanding of budget and community impacts in Peel.

For more details, the Council Report, presentation and video recording are available.

More help needed to support asylum claimants in Peel

Please see my Motion that I brought forward to Regional Council on October 26, 2023 regarding asylum seekers.

Peel is proud to welcome people seeking safety in Canada. Recently, Peel Region has seen a sharp increase in the number of asylum claimants needing emergency shelter, far surpassing historical norms. While Peel has mobilized to provide temporary, emergency shelter to asylum claimants, this has caused further financial and operational strain on Peel’s emergency shelter system, which is currently operating at a 260% occupancy capacity.

Regional Council has directed Peel staff to strengthen its advocacy at all administrative and political levels to achieve the necessary funding support to maintain Peel’s continued response to this crisis situation, while collaborating with community agencies and other stakeholders to co-design a long-term, sustainable model that will provide emergency shelter to asylum claimants.

Residential Rat Control Subsidy Pilot Program

The Residential Rat Control Subsidy Pilot Program that I implemented helps residents with the costs to improve rat issues on the exterior of their residential properties. Interior issues are not eligible for subsidy.

The program reimburses eligible residents for 50% of the cost in hiring of Region of Peel approved pest control vendor up to a maximum of $200 per calendar year per residential Peel address.

Apply for the subsidy if you meet all of these requirements:

Your exterior property is free from contributing factors such as junk piles, overgrown vegetation, pet waste, bird feeders, compost piles.
You have used a Region of Peel approved pest control vendor for rat control services for the exterior of your residential property.
You have a rat control service invoice from a Region of Peel approved pest control vendor dated between March 22, 2021 and December 31, 2023.
Your property is in the Region of Peel (Brampton, Caledon, or Mississauga).
Your property is a free-hold single-family residential, detached, semi-detached, duplex, or triplex residential home.
You're the registered owner or occupant of the residential property identified in the application.
You'll allow a Regional representative to visit the exterior of your property to verify information on the application.

Deadline: December 31st, 2023

For more information, please visit: www.peelregion.ca/ratsubsidyprogram.

Peel Region’s Proposed 2024 Budget:

Now Available

Peel Region’s proposed 2024 Budget is now available at peelregion.ca/budget.

Regional Council discussions of the Operating and Capital Budgets begin on Thursday, November 16 at 9:30AM.

The development of Peel’s 2024 Budget was guided by the Strategic Plan and the community priorities recommended for consideration prior to the budget.

The proposed 2024 Budget includes investments of $5.9 billion, making strategic and important investments in community housing, infrastructure, community safety, paramedics, seniors services, as well as climate change and Peel’s ongoing commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and many other necessary programs with a high social impact that Peel supports and delivers.

Waste Management:

Collection Schedule

Waste calendars are online. Check your collection calendar for your regular collection schedule, exemption periods, and special collection dates throughout the year.

If you do not have garbage or recycling carts, visit Bag-Based Collection.

For most households, garbage and recycling collection happens every other week:

Garbage is picked up one week.
Recycling is picked up the next week.
Organics is picked up every week.

Yard waste has its own schedule. Check your collection calendar for your yard waste collection. Reminder to put your waste out by 7AM on your collection day.

To view the waste collection schedule, visit: https://www.peelregion.ca/waste/calendar.

Peel Police Updates

Crime Prevention Week & Auto Theft Update

November 5 - 11

As we approach the start of Crime Prevention Week on November 5, Peel Regional Police (PRP) has been actively engaging with the community on organized auto thefts and promoting preventative measures. The safety of our community is our top priority. Follow the above steps to secure your home.

Auto theft and its prevention continue to be a top priority for PRP. Our Commercial Auto Crime Unit has doubled from six to twelve members, becoming one of the largest auto crime units in the province. It has further enhanced investigative measures and enforcement abilities, collaborating with police partners province-wide to crack down on auto theft.

As of October 31, 2023, PRP has successfully recovered over $130M worth of stolen vehicles, with a recovery rate of over 40%. To date, there has been 5,888 of auto thefts reported in Peel Region. This number has exceeded last year's figure, which totalled 5,518 auto thefts in 2022.

In addition, PRP's Central Robbery Bureau (CRB) has seen a recent upward trend involving the carjacking and auto theft of food service delivery vehicles and personal transportation drivers, with 20 carjacking involving ride-share or delivery drivers as of August 30, 2023, since the start of the year.

Crime prevention is a crucial component in reducing instances of vehicle theft and carjacking. Throughout Crime Prevention Week, from November 5-11, PRP will share crime prevention tips to empower the community to keep themselves and their loved ones safe.

To learn more, please visit www.peelpolice.ca/crimeprevention.

Peel Regional Police Announces Project Sterling: Robbery and Carjacking Investigation

Peel Regional Police (PRP) announced Project Sterling, an investigation led by Central Robbery Bureau (CRB) that disrupted and dismantled an organized crime group responsible for multiple pharmacy armed robberies and carjackings in Peel Region.

Over several months, CRB investigated and charged members of the organized crime group, a street-gang based out of Brampton, responsible for the offences. The investigation also identified at-risk youth who were recruited to conduct these criminal acts.

Project Sterling resulted in:

Eight (8) adults and twelve (12) young offenders for a total of twenty (20) arrested
103 Criminal Code charges laid
Seizure of two (2) firearms with ammunition, six (6) imitation firearms and multiple edged weapons
Recovery of six (6) stolen vehicles valued at over $125,000
Six (6) youth referrals through Community Safety and Well-being partners

Since the start of Project Sterling in January, PRP has seen a decline in carjackings by 11% and pharmacy robberies by 62%, compared to the previous year. The investigation also resulted in an additional 20 violent robbery related investigations to be resolved.

For more information, visit: www.peelpolice.ca/Modules/News.

PRP Launches 9-1-1 Awareness Initiative

Coffee mishaps are brutal, but NOT a 911 emergency! Nor were nearly 125,000 misuse calls & 180,000 hang-ups last year.

Our 911 Centre takes a call every 45 seconds. Meanwhile, a person with a real emergency may be waiting on the line and unable to get through.

External Community Updates

Tim Hortons Holiday Cookie Campaign:

November 13 - 19

From November 13-19, the Tim Hortons Holiday Cookie Campaign will kick off in Mississauga with 50% of the total proceeds from all Mississauga Restaurants going to Breakfast With Santa Foundation, an organization that has served residents in Ward 3 for over 30 years.

I will be joining staff to decorate cookies, greet customers and spread some Holiday Cheer. Santa will also be on hand to help decorate some delicious Holiday Cookies.

Click here to learn more, including how to purchase cookies online.

Crane Creations Theatre Company:

Upcoming Events

Crane Creations Theatre Company is a professional not-for-profit theatre company that operates Maja Prentice Theatre in Ward 3 that offers live events in Mississauga. Whether you are looking for a date night out, a fun time family activity, or a new skill to learn, this is the perfect spot to be! Upcoming events include:

Play: Pani Starostova - November 10, 11, 12

Presented By New Czech Theatre

Workshop: Acting For Beginners - November 14

Presented By Crane Creations Theatre Company

For more information, please visit: https://www.cranecreations.ca/event/.

MIAG Centre for Diverse Women & Families- Free 4-Week Mental Health Courses for All Age Groups!

MIAG is pleased to invite the community to participate in our upcoming series of free 4-week mental health courses, designed to provide valuable insights and support for individuals of all age groups. Below are the different Workshop Series' Start Dates:

Early Development and Mental Health Workshop: Fridays, November 17th 2023 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Healthy Family Relationships and Positive Parenting Workshop: Tuesday, November 21st, 2023 6:00 PM - 8:00PM
Youth Addictions and Mental Health Workshop: Wednesdays, November 29th 2023 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Disorders and Mental Health Workshop: Tuesdays, November 28th 2023 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

For more information, please visit: https://www.miag.ca/.

Diabetes Healthy City Expo:

November 16, 2023

Join us for the Diabetes Healthy City Expo on Thursday, November 16 at the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga. The Expo brings together industry leaders, community partners and businesses to plan ways the City can help reduce rising cases of type 2 diabetes while also working towards decreasing the number of people at risk of getting type 2 diabetes. Free diabetes testing will be provided by Dynacare.

For more information, please visit: www.mississauga.ca/city-of-mississauga-news.

Light up the Square- Festival of Lights: November 25, 2023

Join me and all of Mississauga Council at the Light Up the Square on November 25th from 5pm to 9pm in the heart of Mississauga. It’s the official kick-off to the winter season, featuring the lighting of the Christmas Tree, live entertainment, ice skating, food trucks, and so much more!

The lighting of the 35’ Christmas tree, live entertainment, ice skating and Holiday Street Market will be held at Mississauga Celebration Square – 300 City Centre Drive, Mississauga, ON.

Pak Pioneers Community Organization of Canada Seniors Fair:

November 28, 2023

Pak Pioneers Community Organization of Canada (PPCOC) is a not-for-profit registered organization working to serve the South Asian community in the GTA, with the special focus on providing services for senior citizens.

PPCOC is organizing a Seniors Fair on Tuesday, November 28th, 2023 from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at BCC Community Center, Mississauga ON, L5J 4L1. This event is being organized with the aim to appreciate our seniors for their contributions towards the betterment of the community and to share resources available to them.

Holiday Free Skating Event: (Tomken Twin Arena)

December 16, 2023

Caring for Children This Vital Season

Below, you will find information on where to seek care in the community, when to seek emergency care, how to treat common symptoms at home, and more.

If I can be of assistance with municipal issues you are dealing with, my team and I are always here to help.