November 15, 2023 Newsletter | |
Find your Ward here and your Council Members here | |
Oakville Santa Claus Parade 3 sleeps away | |
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Get ready to kick off the holiday season with the Oakville Santa Claus Parade, on Saturday November 18, 2023 at 9am. A cherished tradition bringing joy and excitement to residents of all ages. To make the most of this festive event, here's a guide to road closures, preparation tips, and how to give back to the community.
Getting to the Parade:
Take advantage of the free Santa Shuttle from Oakville GO running from 8 to 11 a.m. every 5-10 minutes, transporting attendees to Trafalgar Park Community Centre. After taking the shuttle, secure your spot along the parade route and immerse yourself in the creative floats showcasing this year’s theme: Holiday Movie and Icons.
Road Closures:
In preparation for the parade, several roads will be closed from 7 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 18, 2023. These closures include:
- Deane Avenue: Maurice Drive to Kerr Street
- Felan Avenue: Stewart Street to Rebecca Street
- Kerr Street: Lakeshore Road to Stewart Street
- Lakeshore Road: Allan Street to Brant Street
- Rebecca Street: Dorval Drive to Forsythe Street
- Robinson Street: Navy Street to Allan Street
- Stewart Street: Kerr Street to Maurice Drive
Parking restrictions will be in effect from 6 a.m., and vehicles within the road closure after this time may be ticketed or towed.
What to Wear:
The parade happens rain or shine, so be prepared for the weather. Dress warmly and bring rain gear if needed.
What to Bring:
Bring your family, friends, and holiday cheer! Donations of non-perishable food items for Oakville food banks are highly appreciated.
The Parade Gives Back:
For the 33rd year, the Oakville Kinsmen will be collecting non-perishable food donations for Oakville community food banks. Collection will take place at the beginning of the parade and just before Santa’s sleigh. This year, debit and credit card donations (by Tap) will also be accepted.
In collaboration with the Town of Oakville, the Oakville Santa Claus Parade is a rain-or-shine event, spreading holiday cheer throughout the community. Don't miss out on the festive fun!
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Town of Oakville and CUPE 136 ratify 4-year deal | |
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Town Council voted unanimously to ratify a four-year agreement with Local 136 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), representing over 285 outside workers and facility operators. The union members had previously ratified the agreement on Saturday, November 11, 2023.
The key provisions of the four-year agreement are as follows:
- A 12.75% wage increase over the four-year term.
- A one-time $750 lump sum payment in 2023.
- Introduction of a new healthcare spending account benefit starting in 2026.
- Addition of a compassionate care leave salary top-up benefit.
- Increases to meal allowance, tool allowance, shift premiums, and medical note reimbursements.
Other significant achievements include enhancements to vacation entitlement, vacation service credit for new hires and existing employees, and the addition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to the list of statutory holidays.
The agreement also brings clarity on temporary staffing in Recreation and Culture, 12-hour shifts for winter operations, the use of stand-by and hours of work, and introduces new market value adjustment language to aid in recruitment and retention.
The Town acknowledges and appreciates the dedication of CUPE 136, recognizing their integral role in making Oakville a vibrant and livable community for all.
"I commend the collaborative efforts of our dedicated bargaining team and the unwavering commitment of CUPE 136 members in reaching this collective agreement. This not only reflects our commitment to fair compensation but also prioritizes the well-being of our workforce. Oakville thrives when its employees are valued, and this agreement ensures that our town continues to offer exceptional services while fostering a positive and supportive work environment." - Mayor Rob Burton
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Public Consultation for Parks Plan and Parkland Dedication By-law | |
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Council is set to deliberate on a comprehensive Parks Plan for 2031, as mandated by section 42(4.1) of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.13. In compliance with regulations, Council invites public input on the proposed Parkland Dedication By-law.
The unveiling of Parks Plan 2031, accompanied by the proposed Parkland Dedication By-law, is scheduled for a virtual public presentation on Thursday, November 16, 2023, at 6 p.m. To participate in this virtual meeting, residents are encouraged to register by sending an email to [email protected] before noon on Thursday, November 16, 2023.
Notably, the town is transitioning from traditional playground surfaces like pea gravel and sand to resilient engineered wood fibers. Recognized as an accessible surface across North America, these specially designed and tested wood fiber surfacing materials are supplied by reputable manufacturers such as Fibar, Zeager, and Fibertop.
As part of its annual playground rehabilitation efforts, the Parks and Open Space department has identified several playground structures for replacement in late 2023 and spring 2024.
Scheduled installations for late 2023 include Lindsay Park Playground and Oxford Park Playground. The redesign of Coronation Park Playground has been deferred to spring 2024, along with the installation of Langtry Park Playground, Aldercrest Park Playground, Seabrook Park Playground, and Westbrook Park Playground.
The Parks Plan and proposed By-law underscore the town's commitment to creating vibrant and accessible recreational spaces for the community. Residents are encouraged to engage in the public discourse to ensure the collective input shapes the future of Oakville's parks and recreational amenities
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Upcoming Special Council Meeting
to Review History of
Regional Government
Mayor Burton asks Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure and Cultural Policy to invent criteria for how municipalities can evolve to single-tier
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Mayor Burton asked the Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure and Cultural Policy, “How will we know when it’s time to let mature municipalities like Oakville return to single-tier status, in an evolved way with shared service boards and utilities where they make sense?”
Mayor Burton provided information to the Committee that is studying regional governance and shared copies of the research paper authored by Dr. Zachary Spicer titled “The History of Regional Government in Ontario.” You can read the paper here.
A Special Council meeting will be held on November 22, 2023 that will include a presentation from Dr. Spicer.
In his remarks to the Committee, Mayor Burton cited the advice of Darcy McKeough who was municipal affairs minister under both Premiers John Robarts and Bill Davis: “Former Minister McKeough said municipalities should not be frozen in time. We should always be innovating and improving the way we organize to deliver services to our residents. That inspirational spirit is what drove me in business. That spirit still drives me as mayor.”
Durham Regional Chair John Henry who attended the meeting agreed with Mayor Burton that, “What works well for one community may not work well for another community.” Chair Henry later added, “All that I would ask is that you look at each region individually, and the ones that work, come up and help us. If we can make them better, I’m open to that conversation. And if there’s changes needed in other communities, that’s for those communities to make that decision.”
Read the Hansard transcript of Mayor Burton’s presentation to the Committee here.
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Mayor Burton's full remarks to the Committee | |
Embrace Festive Fun at Oakville Museum |  | |
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Create a great offer by adding words like "free" "personalized" "complimentary" or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take an action, so think about inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining"!
The Oakville Museum invites residents to dive into the holiday spirit with an array of special activities, programs, and outdoor attractions planned for November and December. Whether you're interested in crafting, touring, or soaking in the enchanting ambiance of a Victorian Christmas, there's something for everyone.
1. Basic Knitting Workshops:
- Date: November 22 and 29
- Time: 6:30 to 8 p.m.
- Unleash your creativity and craft a cozy holiday gift or a snug item for yourself at the scarf workshop. Pre-registration is essential to secure your spot.
2. Walking in a Winter Wonderland:
- Experience the splendor of a Victorian Christmas at the Erchless Estate, adorned with festive decorations starting December 1. Guided tours are available Tuesday to Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m., with general admission by donation.
3. Window Dressing:
- Marvel at the Oakville Museum's front window display featuring Hollywood icons like Joan Crawford and Ava Gardner dressed in their most elegant and festive attire. Draw inspiration for your holiday outfit from the glamorous costumes and accessories showcased from the museum's artifact collection.
4. Heritage Christmas Tour:
- Date: Sunday, December 16
- Time: 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. or 3 to 4 p.m.
- Immerse yourself in the festive spirit with a special Christmas tour of the elegant Erchless Estate, including a featured historical exhibit. Pre-registration is required to join this guided tour.
As pre-registration is necessary for certain events, interested participants are encouraged to sign up promptly to ensure they don't miss out on the festive fun. Unfortunately, the Visit with Santa and Craft and Tour programs are already at full capacity.
For more details and to register for these exciting holiday activities, visit the Oakville Museum's Programs and Events page. Make this holiday season memorable with delightful experiences for the whole family.
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Town of Oakville looking to commission an artist to create the 2024 Community Spirit Awards
The Oakville Community Spirit Awards are presented annually to individuals, organizations, businesses, and community groups that have demonstrated ongoing leadership, dedication, and involvement in Oakville through volunteer efforts or acts of kindness.
Each year, one local artist is commissioned to create a total of eight unique, one-of-a-kind artworks. These artworks are to be given to award recipients (one extra created in the event of a tie), and one artwork will be added to the town's permanent art collection. The commissioned artworks should be individual pieces reflective of each of the six award categories.
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Notice of study commencement and public information centre for the Transportation Master Plan
We want to hear from you as your involvement is key to the success of the TMP Study.
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The first public information centre (PIC) will be held on December 7 from 6 to 8 p.m. in South Atrium at Town Hall, located at 1225 Trafalgar Road. A presentation will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will also be live streamed on the town’s YouTube channel.
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An online survey is also available to gather public feedback on transportation in Oakville and will be open until February 29, 2024.
Please visit the Transportation Master Plan page for more information.
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Ontario Receives Report to Support Financial Sustainability of Postsecondary Education System
Today, Jill Dunlop, Minister of Colleges and Universities, issued the following statement in response to receipt of the blue-ribbon panel’s report.
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Premier Ford's Statement on Installation of Lieutenant Governor Edith Dumont
Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, released the following statement regarding the incoming 30th Lieutenant Governor of Ontario
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Ontario Strengthening Wage Protections for Restaurant Workers
The Ontario government is introducing legislation that, if passed, would put in place ground-breaking protections for more than 400,000 people in the restaurant and hospitality industry.
The Working for Workers Four Act, 2023, includes updates to the province’s Employment Standards Act, which would ban unpaid trial shifts and make clear that employers can never deduct an employee’s wages in the event of a dine and dash, gas and dash, or any other stolen property.
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Canada allocates funding for partners responding to humanitarian needs in Gaza, West Bank and neighbouring areas
Minister Hussen announced that Canada is allocating $20 million in funding, from the already announced $60 million, for humanitarian assistance to address urgent needs in Gaza, the West Bank and neighbouring areas.
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Dorval Crossing Civitan Farmer’s Market is the Town of Oakville’s longest running farmer’s market. Our market operates from 8:00 a.m. till 1:30 p.m every Saturday from May until the end of November. All proceeds earned by the market stall rentals are donated to local Oakville charities.
oakvillefarmersmarket.ca oakvillecivitan.ca
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Food Banks experiencing record demand
Oakville's food banks are in record-breaking demand. If you can donate anything, please do. Your help is needed.
Fareshare Food Bank Oakville:
905-847-3988
[email protected]
Kerr Street Mission
905-845-7485
kerrstreet.com
The Salvation Army Oakville
salvationarmy.ca
Food 4 Kids Halton
food4kidshalton.ca
Oak Park & Neighbourhood Centre Food Bank
opnc.ca
Nourishing Neighbours Food Bank
Date: Every Thursday from 4:00pm to 5:30pm
Location: St. Luke's Anglican Church & Community Centre (3114 Dundas St W, L6M 4J3)
- All clients need to call 905-825-3364 to register
- All clients must be a resident of Oakville
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