Ward 11 E-Newsletter

By-election for Mississauga Mayor



As you may know, former Mayor Bonnie Crombie resigned as Mayor effective January 12, 2024. Mississauga City Council has approved the 2024 by-election schedule to fill the Mayor’s seat. The date of the by-election for Mayor is Monday, June 10, 2024. Council officially declared the Mayor’s seat vacant on January 17, 2024 and will pass the required by-law to hold the by-election at a special Council meeting on March 6, 2024.

By-election schedule

·        March 6, 2024 – Candidate nomination period opens at 3 p.m. for candidates interested in running in the by-election for Mayor

·        April 26, 2024 – Candidate nomination period will close at 2 p.m.

·        May 24 and May 25, 2024 – Advance Poll days will be held at the Civic Centre

·        June 1, 2024 and June 2, 2024 – Advanced Polls open at locations across the city

·        June 10, 2024 – Voting Day

Acting Mayor

Until the vacancy is filled, Councillors rotate into the position every two months on an ascending basis by ward.

To learn more about the by-elections, visit mississauga.ca/council/elections.

City Coyote Information Session – February 15, 2024

The City of Mississauga will be hosting a free information session to educate residents on coyotes and how to coexist in urban environments. The session is open to all interested Mississauga residents and will be held on Thursday, February 15^th. Attendance to the session is being offered either in-person or online.

The session will feature a presentation from Mississauga Animal Services staff, who will share information about coyote behaviour, mating season, safety tips, and how to report coyote sightings or encounters. The session will also include a Q&A period where residents can ask questions related to coyotes and get answers from the City’s Animal Services team.

What

Coyote information session – hybrid meeting (attend in-person or online)

When

Date: Thursday, February 15, 2024

Time: 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Where

Burnhamthorpe Community Centre - Applewood Room

1500 Gulleden Drive

Mississauga, ON

Online session – WebEx virtual meeting (requires registration)

Questions

Residents are being encouraged to share their questions in advance of the session by emailing mypet.info@mississauga.ca.

Learn more about coyotes and other urban wildlife in Mississauga by visiting mississauga.ca/wildlife.

Peel Regional Police Mississauga Community Meeting

Peel Regional Police will be hosting an in-person Mississauga Community Meeting to provide information on important safety topics and answer resident questions. The details of this meeting are as follows:

Peel Regional Police Mississauga Community Meeting

Thursday, February 22 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Hazel McCallion Central Library - Noel Ryan Auditorium

301 Burnhamthorpe Rd W, Mississauga, ON L5B 3Y3

Space is limited so please be sure to register early; registration is on a first-come first-serve basis. Please register by February 19th at midnight.

Topics that will be discussed at the meeting include:

§ Auto Theft

§ Break and Enters

§ Gun Violence and Violent Crime

§ Crime Prevention Strategies

§ How to Connect with PRP 

Please click here to register. If you are having issues registering for this event, please email mississaugameeting@peelpolice.ca.

Save the Date! Official Plan Review



The City’s Official Plan review is almost complete – but we still need your feedback! The Official Plan is important. It’s a comprehensive document that directs our city-building efforts and guides how Mississauga will grow and develop.

To date, community feedback has played an important part in shaping the policies that make up our Official Plan. As staff get ready to finalize the plan, we’re looking forward to sharing the entire plan with you for final thoughts and comments.

Please take a moment to save the date for one of our upcoming engagement sessions:

·        February 27 – online session

·        February 29 – in-person Open House; Great Hall at Mississauga Civic Centre

Both meetings will run from 6 – 8 p.m. Online registration will begin soon.

Visit mississauga.ca/officialplan to learn more. Be sure to subscribe for project updates to be alerted as soon as the registration opens.

Renaming of Streetsville Kinsmen Centre



The historic Streetsville Kinsmen Centre, which is located at 327 Queen St S, in Streetsville, has been renamed to Streetsville Heritage Hall. The hall was renamed to reflect the heritage in Streetsville and closely align with the naming of other heritage halls (ie. Meadowvale Village Hall, Malton Victory Hall). The renaming was supported by the City’s Heritage Advisory Committee and Council, as well as the Streetsville BIA and other Streetsville community stakeholders.

Streetsville Heritage Hall is a historic and heritage-designated building. It was home to Toronto Township’s first high school, the Grammar School, which opened in Streetsville in 1851. In 1877, an addition was built on the front and contained two rooms, an office, and entrances in Tuscan style architecture. The building served as a school for a century. In 1966 it became the Town Hall and Police Station before becoming the Kinsmen and Seniors Centre in 1978. The facility underwent various renovations in 2023 and will include additional rehabilitation improvements to be completed by spring 2024, including a replacement of the road signage.

February is Black History Month



February is Black History Month – a time of education, reflection and celebration. This month, the City of Mississauga, in partnership with the Black Caucus Alliance, will continue to recognize and celebrate the contributions and accomplishments of Mississauga’s Black community through a variety of events, activities and programs.

Throughout Black History Month, the community is invited to take part in the conversation and more importantly, to learn and develop a deeper understanding of the history of people of African descent in Canada and Mississauga. Opportunities for learning and ways to engage are featured on the Black History Month webpage, some of which include:

·        Museum tours

·        Exhibits

·        Library author talks and book clubs

·        Highlighting local Black artists and musicians

·        Events and community celebrations

·        Sports and shows

Celebrating Black Excellence Event

The second annual Celebrating Black Excellence event will take place on Friday, February 23, 2024 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Mississauga City Hall. This is an opportunity to celebrate and recognize the accomplishments of Mississauga’s Black community. The event will include musical guests, keynote speakers and an awards ceremony. If you know someone deserving of a Black Excellence Award, please take a moment and submit a nomination.

2024 Noise Forum meetings



Toronto Pearson has provided the dates for their 2024 Noise Forum meetings. The 2024 Meeting Dates are as follows:

·        Thursday, April 18

·        Thursday, July 25

·        Thursday, November 7

The Noise Forum meetings are public meetings that residents may attend to learn more about airport operations, hear about noise management efforts, and provide feedback. The meetings are being held virtually at present. For more information, please visit Toronto Pearson’s website here.

Looking to be Mississauga's next Poet Laureate? Apply today!



The City of Mississauga is searching for its fifth Poet Laureate to fill a two-year term starting this April until March 2026.

The role of the Poet Laureate is to elevate the status of poetry, literary arts and writers within their community and beyond. This honourary position recognizes a poet who writes excellent poetry or spoken word and has written on themes that are relevant to Mississauga’s residents.

The application period is currently open until March 1, 2024. Interested applicants are asked to submit their applications by 4:30 p.m. on March 1. For more information, view the submission guidelines and application process online.

Blooming Boulevards



Blooming Boulevards is now accepting applications for free boulevard (and right of way) pollinator gardens for 2024. Mississauga residents are eligible to receive up to 50 low-maintenance plants for sun or shade, that are native to the Credit Watershed area. These beautiful, easy-care wildflowers withstand salt and drought, reduce runoff, and will provide pollinators with food and shelter throughout the year.

All services - consultation, site visit and planting design, ongoing advice and up to 50 native pollinator plants - are free.

Applications can be found on the Blooming Boulevards website www.bloomingboulevards.org. If you have questions, you are welcome to email Jeanne McRight at info@bloomingboulevards.org.

The application period ends on May 10^th, or after the 100-garden maximum has been reached. Apply now to make sure your garden is reserved!

Start a Neighbourhood Watch in your community



If you’re looking for ways to make your community a safer place, consider starting a Neighbourhood Watch with your neighbours.

Neighbourhood Watch is an organized group of neighbours looking out for one another and each other’s property. The program encourages residents to be aware of crime and suspicious activity that may be happening around them. The objective is that incidents are reported not only to police, but also with your neighbours. By participating in the Watch, everyone is alert and working together to maintain safety in their neighbourhood.

Neighbourhood Watch has been a safety and community staple in Mississauga for over 30 years. In 2023, Safe City activated 36 new Watches, including some in Ward 11, while connecting and empowering residents with crime prevention training all across Mississauga. There are currently 8,005 Neighbourhood Watch members and 170 active Neighbourhood Watches keeping Mississauga safe today. Consider joining this great community of committed neighbours working to keep our City and communities safe everyday. For more information on starting a Watch, click here.

Arrests Made by the Extortion Investigate Task Force



On January 24^th, 2024, members of the Extortion Investigate Task Force (EITF) executed a search warrant with the support of the OPP at a residence in the City of Brampton. There were over 50 cell phones, 11 laptops, a large sum of cash, and a firearm with several rounds of ammunition seized.

As a result of this warrant, four individuals have been arrested and charged with various offences including extortions, arson, threats and firearms. On Friday, January 26^th, 2024, an additional arrest was made in relation to a separate extortion investigation conducted by the team. 

As of today, the EITF is investigating 29 extortions dating back to the beginning of November 2023. There are currently no reported injuries as a result of these incidents.

Peel Regional Police would like to reaffirm that these acts of intimidation on our community members will not be tolerated and they will make every effort to hold those responsible accountable. With the assistance of the community, the task force has laid 24 charges.

We encourage anyone who has been a victim of extortion or may have information that can assist investigators to contact the Extortion Investigative Task Force at 1-866-966-0616, by email at taskforce@peelpolice.ca or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

Why feeding birds can do more harm than good



It’s not uncommon to see people feeding wildlife, especially birds, throughout Mississauga. However, while feeding birds, like pigeons, can seem harmless, it can have negative consequences including serious health and safety concerns for residents and birds.

Feeding birds can cause overpopulation, spread disease and increase competition for food, aggressive behaviour and unsanitary conditions. It can also cause birds to rely on humans for food and damage buildings and structures. Infrastructure, like buildings, parking lots and sidewalks made of metal and stone, can become severely damaged by the corrosive uric acid found in pigeon droppings.

Catch basins or storm drains can be blocked with feathers, nesting materials and bird droppings, resulting in structural damage, flooding and higher water quality risks.

Feeding birds with inappropriate food can also pose a significant risk to their health. Some foods lack essential nutrients for survival, leading to malnutrition or even death. It’s crucial to ensure that birds can access a balanced and varied diet that meets their nutritional needs. Providing them with foods that are high in fat, salt or sugar – like chips, fries, crackers and nuts can also cause health problems, such as obesity, liver disease, stroke and heart disease.

Offering wildlife food can often attract other pests, like rats and mice, which in turn, can attract larger predators like coyotes.

Feeding wildlife is illegal in Mississauga. This includes actions like leaving food out, not disposing of food waste properly or dumping food on the ground. These actions are considered leaving attractants, and they are enforceable offences under the City’s Animal Care and Control By-law.