Ward 11 E-Newsletter - March 2019
Councillor's Message

Welcome to the March 2019 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...
Royal Canadian Air Cadets E-Waste Recycling Fundraiser

If you have electronics that you would like to recycle, the Royal Canadian Air Cadets
789 Lt. R. Hampton Gray, Vc Squadron will be holding an E-Waste Recycling Fundraiser where you may bring these items for recycling. The details of this event are as follows:
 
E-Waste Recycling Fundraiser
Saturday & Sunday - 6th & 7th April 2019
9.00am thru 5.00pm
Vic Johnson Community Centre (north end of parking lot)
335 Church Street, Streetsville
 
Please note that the Cadets will not be accepting large appliances or car batteries at this event. For more information about this event, please contact Anna Lesiw, 789 Squadron Sponsor Chair, at 416-843-3722.   Top  
Mighty Oak Park Redevelopment

I am very pleased to report that the redevelopment of Mighty Oak Park, which is located at the intersection of Douguy Blvd and Britannia Rd W, will be completed this summer. Mighty Oak Park received its name from the large oak tree that grew at this park and was recently removed due to disease.  As part of the redevelopment, Mighty Oak Park will receive the following amenities:
  • Fence removal
  • Trail and concrete pad
  • Benches, which will include re-purposed wood slats from the oak tree
  • Planting, mulch trail, and interpretive sign
I hope you and your family enjoy the new amenities at Mighty Oak Park. If you have any questions about this redevelopment project, please contact Kathi Ross, Senior Project Manager, Park Development, at 905-615-3200 ext.4942.   Top  
Yard Waste Collection Is Back

Please be advised that the Region of Peel has now resumed yard waste collection. Material from your lawn, yard, or garden is collected as yard waste. These items are a sample of acceptable yard waste:
  • tree trimmings, branches
  • grass clippings
  • brush, hedge trimmings
  • leaves
  • hay bales
  • corn stalks
  • Halloween pumpkins (candle removed)
  • household and garden plants (soil removed)
Please note that there are size, material and weight limitations for bags or containers used for yard waste. All bins/containers used for yard waste must be clearly labelled "Yard Waste."
 
The Region provides yard waste stickers free of charge. You can pick up stickers from Service Peel, a Peel Community Recycling Centre (CRC), or call 905-791-9499 to order. A bin/container used for yard waste collection must also:
  • Be rigid and reusable.
  • Have rigid handles that are attached or moulded to the exterior of the bin/container.
  • Be wider or larger at the top than the bottom.
  • Be smaller than 60 cm (24 in) wide/95 cm (38 in) high.
  • Weigh less than 20 kg (44 lbs) when full.
You can also put your yard waste out for collection in an old garbage can/container or blue/grey box. All containers -- including an old blue box/grey box -- must be in good condition and labelled "Yard Waste."
 
Bags filled with yard waste are collected along with the item(s) inside. Emptied yard waste bags are not put back on the curb. A bag used for yard waste collection must:
  • Be specifically designed for yard waste - a Kraft brown paper bag that's durable enough to support a weight of 20 kg (44 lbs) when lifted, without tearing.
  • Have enough room at the top to be securely closed when filled.
  • Be smaller than 66 cm (26 in) wide/90 cm (35 in) high.
For more information about yard waste collection, please visit www.peelregion.ca/waste/yard-waste.   Top  
Free Income Tax Clinics

Please be advised that the Region of Peel will be offering FREE income tax clinics for eligible singles and families this year. Singles with incomes up to $35,000, and families* with incomes up to $52,500, who have a simple tax situation can get free income tax preparation services including:
  • Free tax preparation services offered by the Region of Peel and the Halton-Peel Chartered Professional Accountants (CPA) Ontario Association (see following table)
  • CRA information about Ontario tax preparation clinics
  • Online guides and information from the CRA
This service is available by appointment only. Advance sign-up is required. You will be advised of the documents you need to bring when you book your appointment. Please note, the volunteer CPAs are not able to complete returns for the Province of Quebec or with complex tax situations. Complex tax situations include: self-employment income, foreign income, business or rental income and expenses, capital gains or losses, interest income exceeding $1000, file for bankruptcy, employment expenses. Please see the table below for dates, times, and locations:
 
2019 Dates & Times
Locations
Saturday March 2
Saturday March 9
Saturday April 13
Saturday April 27
9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m
Advance sign-up required in person or by calling 905-793-9200, ext. 8203.
March 2, March 9, and April 13: Tax returns for 2017 and 2018 only.
April 27: Tax returns for 2008 to 2015 only
Saturday March 16
Saturday March 30
Saturday April 6
9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Advance sign-up required in person or by calling 905-793-9200, ext. 8427.
March 16 and March 30: Tax returns for 2017 and 2018 only.
April 6: Tax returns for previous years
Saturday March 23
9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Advance sign-up required. Call 905-791-5576, ext. 0.
Tax returns for 2017 and 2018 only.
 
For more information about the CRA's Community Volunteer Income Tax Program [CVITP], including information about other locations and dates in Peel, visit the CRA website's Ontario tax preparation clinics page or the Canada Revenue Agency website.   Top  
Community Advocates Toastmasters Club

If you would like to learn more about public speaking or improve your public speaking skills, why not check out an upcoming meeting of the Community Advocates Toastmasters Club.
 
The Community Advocates Toastmasters is a new Toastmasters club where you can deliver speeches, hear engaging speeches from members and guest speakers, hear constructive feedback, and participate in debates on important issues. The club also gives you an opportunity to network with others and moderate and chair meetings.
 
The club meets on Thursday evenings at 7pm at the Region of Peel Mississauga Office, located at 7120 Hurontario Street in Mississauga. All are welcome. For more information about the Community Advocates Toastmasters Club, please visit www.facebook.com/CommunityAdvocatesTM/.   Top  
Please Don't Feed Wildlife

The City of Mississauga's Animal Services would like to kindly remind all residents to refrain from feeding wildlife. Please be advised that the feeding of wildlife is prohibited in Mississauga as per the Animal Care and Control By-law 0098-04 as amended. The feeding of wild animals and birds can become habit forming making them dependent on a food source or unwilling to forage naturally which can lead to illness, disease or injury:
  • Like humans, if an animal fills up on junk food or one type of food they may not consume an adequate diet which can lead to nutritional deficiencies or illness.
  • Ducks and geese naturally feed on vegetation and water insects. A nutritionally deficient diet of seed or bread can cause illness and disease.
  • When ducks and geese gather in large numbers they can become ill from the bacteria in unconsumed food or increased faeces in the water.
  • Ducks and geese that have become dependent on human handouts may not migrate and may suffer or starve during the winter months.
  • Bird feeders may attract large flocks of non-native species such as sparrows, starlings and feral pigeons as these birds compete for habitat with rare song bird species.
  • Improperly maintained bird feeders or poor quality bird feed can actually cause birds to die of illnesses such as salmonella, botulism or other deadly bacterial infections.
The feeding of wild animals can interfere with natural instincts and behaviours and could lead to human/wildlife conflicts:
  • Raccoons and squirrels typically live close their food sources which may have them causing damage or denning in neighbouring homes and properties.
  • Feeding squirrels, raccoons or coyotes can cause them to become a danger to humans as they will lose their natural fear and approach humans.
  • Providing food for birds and squirrels can attract rats and mice due to the spillage of seed.
  • An increase in rodent activity can attract larger predators like coyotes and foxes which can also prey on neighbourhood pets.
If you enjoy wildlife and would like to help them, the City's Animal Services encourages the planting of native flora that will enhance your property and attract wildlife naturally without altering natural behaviour. Adopt responsible bird feeding practices. Reserve bird feeders for winter months and ensure feeders are clean, tidy and seed mix attracts native songbirds. Bring feeders inside at night to discourage raccoons and discontinue feeding if you are attracting rodents or larger mammals like coyotes into the area. For more information, please visit www.mypetmississauga.ca.   Top  
Councillor George Carlson| | george.carlson@mississauga.ca | 300 City Centre Drive
Mississauga, ON   L5B 3C1