pat.saito@mississauga.ca                        905-896-5900                      ward9.ca  
In This Issue
Other Upcoming Events
Hockey Fundraiser for The Dam
              





Watch two great hockey games on Sunday March 4, 2018 at the Hershey Centre and support the Dam Youth Drop-in.  Peel Regional Police vs. Mississauga Firefighters at 11:00 am and Mississauga Steelheads vs. Erie Otters at 2:00 pm.  Tickets are only $15 each.  Use PROMO CODE:  BADGE when purchasing tickets at  www.ticketmaster.ca .
Join the Mississauga-Meadowvale Rotary Club for a night of great fun & foolishness on Saturday April 7th at 6:00 pm at the Streetsville Legion.   All proceeds going to Eden Food for Change. Click here for details.
Job and Education Fair
Tuesday April 23, 2018
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Living Arts Centre, 4141 Living Arts Dr, Mississauga, ON   L5B 4B8
Studenttimes.com not only serves students, but are also dedicated to youths, young adults, job seekers, newcomers and the general public who are looking to upgrade their education or job skills.
Public Consultation on Airport Noise Mitigation
Public consultations are being hosted by  NAV CANADA  and the  Greater Toronto Airport Authority  on the  Noise Mitigation Initiatives Engagement Plan  (Six Ideas). Public consultations-in line with the Airspace Change Communications and Consultation Protocol-will run from March 3rd to April 20th with 15 sessions being held in communities surrounding the airport.   Click  here  for details.  You can also visit the  Toronto Pearson website.   
SAVE THE DATE!

I am proud to have the Garry W. Morden Centre in Ward 9 which opened 5 years ago. Watch for details in the coming months for an Open House at the centre to celebrate Mississauga's Fire Department's 50th anniversary being held on Saturday May 12, 2018  from 10 am to 2 pm .

I am hosting my annual Seniors' Fair once again on Friday June 1, 2018 from 10 am to 12 noon at the Meadowvale Community Centre.

Also watch for details for the annual Lake Wabukayne Park Stewardship Day taking place on Saturday June 2, 2018  from 11 am to 1 pm.
  Please join me at the annual Riders Against Hunger in support of Eden Food for Change which takes place on Saturday August 19, 2017 at 8:00 am. at the Garry W. Morden Centre, 7535 Ninth Line. For event details, click here .
 
For a full list of shows and to purchase tickets at the Living Arts Centre, click here or call the Box Office at 905-306-6000.  
The 2017-2018 season offers great performances including Music Theatre Mississauga which will be presenting its 25th season of the Encore Series. To buy tickets, click here.
Low Cost Fitness Programs Offered at Meadowvale West Church Centre             

Low Cost fitness programs are being offered by St. Francis of Assissi Anglican Church located at the Meadowvale West Church Centre at 6945 Meadowvale Town Centre Circle.  Click
here for more information.
Quick Links and Updates

2018 Visitor Guide

The city's tourism visitor guide for 2018 is out!  Whether you're hosting friends and family or looking for something to do, the Visitor Guide is your go-to for local events, festivals, restaurants and attractions.  Click here to learn more.
Need Temporary Parking For Your Guests?

You can request a free temporary short-term parking permit through the City's website.  Click
here for more information.

A winter on-street parking restriction continues to be in effect in Mississauga until March 31, 2018 between 2:00 am - 6:00 am.    Vehicles left on City streets will be enforced in accordance with the Traffic By-law.   During snow removal, temporary parking permits will not be issued and current ones will be suspended.

Winter Snow Clearing Info

Get up to date information on snow clearing.  Follow @MississaugaSnow on Twitter for current conditions and progress.

Call Information Snow Line 
905-615-SNOW (7669) to hear recorded information about plowing and salting during a snow event. 

If there are concerns with road conditions 12-24 hours after a snowstorm ends please contact
3-1-1 or (905-615-4311 outside city limits). 

Click here to track the progress of our snow plows and the status of your street!
Parking Permitted on Glen Erin Dr and Battleford Rd
           
Due to construction of a new parking garage at 2869 Battleford Rd, some residents of this building will be without parking spots.  Construction started on  October 2, 2017 and is expected to end on June 1, 2018.  Parking is being permitted on Glen Erin Dr between Aquitaine and Battleford.  Parking is also being permitted on  the north side of Battleford Rd between Miller's Grove and Edenwood Dr.
Update on Paving of Britannia Rd from Winston Churchill Blvd to Erin Mills Pkwy
           
Thank you for your patience as the work was ongoing on Britannia Road.  This has been a long project and contractors had some difficulty along the way delaying the completion.    Please note that as minor prep-work for the winter shut-down continues, there will be short, intermittent lane closures.   The final top asphalt work will be completed in the Spring of 2018.  The project is expected to be fully completed by that time.   Regional staff apologize  for the inconvenience this may cause. 
List of Ward 9 Natural Ice Rinks 
 
Charles "Bud" Brennan Memorial Park 
6181 Edenwood Dr.   
Promenade Meadows Park 
7099 Danton Promenade  
Union Park 
6627 Tenth Line West 

List of  Ward 9 Toboggan Runs

Union Park 
6627 Tenth Line West  
Castlegreen Meadows 
2829 Castlegreen Dr. 
 
Did you know that it's the property owner's responsibility to cut and maintain tall grass? As per the Nuisance Weed and Tall Grass by-law, grass is not to exceed 8 inches/20 centimetres in height.  Click above for more information.  
 
Encroachment is any use of City-owned land by individuals for their own purposes. Property owners cannot intrude on the ground space of an adjacent City-owned property like parklands, greenbelts, road allowances and easements as per By-law 0057-04 .   Click above for more information.  

Safe City Mississauga's Neighbourhood Watch is a no-cost program to educate residents and mobilize communities for the purpose of crime prevention. 

Neighbourhoods are safest when people know who their neighbours are and this program is an excellent way to get your neighbours working together, staying in contact and having fun. Click above  for more information.
Community organizations can request recognition either through a flag raising or lighting of the Civic Centre clock tower.  Click above for more info.
Click above to download the app.  Using a smartphone, residents can now report on five new issues under the "Report a Problem" button using the free mobile app Ping!:
  • Three hour parking violations on a City street
  • Abandoned shopping carts on private property
  • Damaged trees on City property
  • Dead/unhealthy trees on City property
  • Request pruning of a City owned tree
  Miway Logo
 

 
 
Click here to use MiWay's Trip Planner   to plan your route and get real time trip updates or call 905-615-INFO (4636).
 
The  online construction map showcases the City's project information, as well as the Region of Peel and Ministry of Transportation construction work.   Click above  to see the construction map.

Please consider adopting a pet from the city's Animal Services. 

Click above to see animals that are waiting for their forever home.
Assistance for Low Income Seniors and People with Disabilities  
  
              
Click here for information on financial assistance programs available to Older Adults offered by the City of Mississauga, the Region of Peel, the Province of Ontario and Federal Income programs.
The City of Mississauga now offers property owners the convenience of viewing their interim and final property tax bills online through e-bill. Click above for more info.
City Offers Free Simplified Tax Receipts Online 

I am pleased that at my request, the city now offers property owners the convenience of viewing and printing a Simplified Tax Receipt online at no cost. Property owners can submit a request for a Simplified Tax Receipt through the City's Tax Self-Service Centre website for the current year and one year prior.

Click above to download and print your schedule. You can also update your electronic calendar.  
    EFFC
Please remember to help those in need.
  The Dam
Please support the Dam Youth Drop-In by making a donation. 
Meadowvale Residents' Association - MRA

For information or to  get involved in the residents' association, please click here to send an email. 

You can also visit their website and like their Facebook page.

With members of the MRA
   Be A Donor
Help save the life of someone waiting for an organ. One donor could save 8 lives! 
February 28, 2018
Dear Neighbour: TopofPage

As we head into March I know we are all hoping that Spring will come early and we can leave the cold and wet winter behind us.   
 
February has been a busy month as I celebrated Black History Month, raised funds for The Dam in the Coldest Night of the Year Walk.  We had several important decisions made at City Council with two that I am most proud of. First, we adopted the Vision Zero framework for our city.  This means we will work towards zero fatalities and injuries on our roads.  I am so excited that our new Road Safety Committee which I chair is moving ahead with plans for public awareness campaigns aimed at supporting Vision Zero.  The second motion that I put forward was to adopt the Hotel Tax for Mississauga which will bring in a significant revenue to the city that we can use to build our tourism and hospitality economy. 
 
I am looking forward to my One on One on March 7 and pleased that Mayor Crombie will be joining me.  All spots are filled but watch for the next session later this spring. 

Remember that March Break is coming up on March 12-16 so please watch for children who will be out of school and playing in our parks and on sidewalks. 
 
In the event that you are unable to view this e-newsletter please note that there is always a link on the front page of my website.

As always, my staff and I are here to help you with any City or Regional issues.  Just send me an email to  pat.saito@mississauga.ca or call  905-896-5900 and check the Ward 9 website at  ward9.ca for ongoing updates.



Nominate a Ward 9 Volunteer 
            
This is a reminder that you still have time to nominate a Ward 9 resident for a special Volunteer Award.
 
We are so fortunate to have many residents who devote their time and energy to making our community a better place.  These are the people who want to make a difference.  It may be in a sports organization, at a place of worship, in a school or in one of many other organizations serving the community.  Whatever they are doing, they are making a great contribution to our quality of life.

Please help me recognize worthy residents by nominating someone who lives in  Ward 9 (Meadowvale or Central Erin Mills) and has spent 5 years or more volunteering in any capacity in Mississauga.   The recipients of the Ward 9 Volunteer Award will be recognized at a special reception I am hosting on May 9, 2018 at the Erin Meadows Community Centre and will receive a special pin to commemorate their years of service.    If you know of someone who meets this criteria, please submit their name so that they can be recognized and receive a special Volunteer Award pin for their years of service.

Please click  here and fill out the nomination form.   Closing date is March 31, 2018.
Council Endorses Vision Zero 
            
Road safety has always been an area of focus for me and I am pleased that on February 22, 2018, Council approved Vision Zero, a program focused on the prevention of fatalities and injuries due to motor vehicle collisions. 
 
Mississauga joins the Region of Peel and many other municipalities to make our roads safer.  As the Chair of the Road Safety Committee I am attending the Vision Zero conference on March 1 - 2, 2018 and will be bringing what I learn back to the committee.  I want to thank our great Road Safety committee members for their support and commitment.  Click here to learn more.  
New Hotel Tax Approved 
            
As Chair of the Mississauga Tourism Advisory Board, I am pleased that on February 14th Council approved the Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) to start on April 1, 2018.   This 4% tax will apply to overnight stays at hotels, motels & short-term accommodations such as Airbnb and will be used to promote tourism.   
This is an exciting time for Mississauga Tourism as we will be able to fund marketing initiatives to support our large hospitality industry as well as fund the many festivals, arts, cultural and sports events that attract visitors to the city.  I look forward to working with the Tourism Board as we develop our Master Plan.   
File your Taxes for FREE - Get your Benefits Now!  
            
FREE tax preparation services are for individuals with incomes up to $30,000 or families with incomes up to $47,500.  Filing your income taxes is an easy way to get the benefits you and your family are entitled to.  

Attend a tax preparation clinic offered by the Region of Peel and the Halton Peel Chartered Professional Accountants (CPA)
Ontario Association.  Click here to make an appointment today. 
Region Review of Retail Holidays  
            
Do you support holiday shopping? Have your say!!!

Regional Council has asked staff to review the process for managing requests for stores to open on the nine statutory holidays. 

You can share your views by emailing ZZG-PlanPeel@peelregion.ca or send me an email to pat.saito@mississauga.ca.

The Province regulates retail holiday closures, but now allows some municipalities such as Peel, to create their own bylaws. We asked staff to recommend a "made-in-Peel" approach and we want to hear from residents, businesses and retail workers before staff makes a recommendation to Council later this spring.

Please take a few minutes and click here to learn more and help us decide. 
New Pedestrian and Bicycle Signal Heads installed
 
You may have noticed  some unusual horizontal signal heads on three of the corners at Britannia Rd and Winston Churchill Blvd.   
 
These are new pedestrian/cyclist signals that the region is introducing as part of the  crossride (separate pedestrian and cyclist crossing) design at this intersection and are part of the Active Transportation initiative.  Watch for them to be unveiled on or before end of spring. One more way we are improving pedestrian and cyclist safety on our roads. 
Register Today for March Break Camps 
            
Make the City of Mississauga's camps part of your child's March Break. Both full day and half day camps are available. Register early and secure your spot for the week of March 12 - 16, 2018.  Click here to register.
Parkrun

I am very excited that we will be getting a new activity at Lake Aquitaine Park.  I have been working with the organizers of Parkrun to get this program into the community and I am pleased that the first
run will be held on Saturday March 24.
 
Parkrun is a free weekly fun and sociable 5 km run.  You can walk, run, wheelchair around Lake Aquitaine with a group of residents who want company for a morning activity.  It is not a race and you go at your own speed and comfort level.  This is an International program with thousands of people participating around the world.
 
Participants can register on parkrun.ca to have your times recorded online or you can just come out and do any length of a walk or run.  I hope you will join me on March 24 for the inaugural fun run at 9:00 am at the S/E corner of the Meadowvale Community Centre at Lake Aquitaine
Community Workshops for Re-Imagining the Malls
            
As we continue to work on a visioning for our malls in Ward 9 - Erin Mills Town Centre and Meadowvale Town Centre, we are still looking for your comments and ideas.  For more information on the project, click here .  
 
I am also inviting residents to join me and staff at two upcoming community workshops.  This is an opportunity to view the work done to date and discuss the future of our malls. 

March 26, 2018
John Fraser SS - Library
2665 Erin Centre Blvd.
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

April 12, 2018
Meadowvale West Church Centre - St. Jude's room
6945 Meadowvale Town Centre Circle
7 p.m. to 9 p.m..
Earth Day Celebration 
            
Please plan to join me on Saturday April 21 from 9:00 am - 12 noon at Glen Eden Park, 7230 Copenhagen Rd to celebrate Earth Day.  We will also be celebrating #1milliontrees which is now five years strong.  Click here to learn about the One Million Trees campaign.  Watch for further details in future e-newsletters.
Ward 9 to pilot Innovative Dog Waste Containers in our Parks
            
Council has recently approved a one-year pilot program that will convert dog waste into renewable energy and fertilizer.   Fifteen in-ground dog waste containers will be installed across eight City parks including the Animal Services facility this spring.  
 
I am happy that three Ward 9 parks will be test sites for the new waste disposal system. Units will be installed at Lake Aquitaine and at Totoredaca and Quinnipenon leash free parks. The units are below ground to digest the dog waste.  
   
The containers, designed by Sutera Inc . are fully in-ground concrete container that holds dog waste for up to six weeks. Storing the waste below ground where it is cooler and out of direct sunlight reduces odour and means that the waste can be collected when the container is full. The waste will be emptied by a vacuum truck and taken to an organic waste plant where it will be safely converted into energy and fertilizer.
 
The City will evaluate the performance of the containers based on the amount of dog waste diverted from landfill; the times the dog waste is collected; uncon taminated recyclables and pet owner engagement.
MiWay Updates
             Miway Logo
MiWay has made changes to several routes.  The one that impacts Ward 9 is new stops at Credit Valley Hospital. 
Click here for more details.
 
Applications for the MiWay Affordable Transit Program are now open! Check here to see if you are eligible to apply. 
 
We have also launched a new Priority Seating Pilot Program inside our new buses to remind customers that the area at the front of the bus is reserved for persons with disabilities.  Click here  for more details.
New Human Services Websites 
            
The Region of Peel  has launched new Human Services websites. 
 

The new sites were redesigned to make it easier for Peel residents to get the services they need. 

 

Housing and Shelter - applying for a housing subsidy is easier for residents, with plain language that helps them understand what they need to know; we've also made finding emergency shelters simpler.

 

Child Care Subsidy and Supports -  the use of clear, simple titles and content makes it easier for residents to apply for a child care fee subsidy, determine eligibility or find child care programs and supports.

 

Financial assistance and Ontario Worksresidents have enhanced access tofinancial help, such as paying bills and funeral costs, and Ontario Works.

Peel Region Homeowners' Renovation Program 
            
The Region of Peel's Peel Renovates Homeowners' Renovations Assistance program is now accepting applications. The program provides up to $15,000.00 to eligible seniors, persons with disabilities and low- to moderate-income individuals and families, who require renovations or upgrades to their home to address safety and accessibility issues. The program will remain open until the budget for 2018 is exhausted.  Click here for more information and to apply.

Be the Next Youth Poet Laureate!
  
            
Love to write poetry? If you're a published poet or spoken word artist under 25 in Mississauga, apply to be the next Youth Poet Laureate. Get your submissions in by March 18, 2018.   Click here to apply.
Animal Care in Cold Weather 
   
          
Please remember that pet owners are required to provide proper shelter and care for their pets. Do not leave your pet outside when there are extreme cold alerts. 

Click here for the Standards of Care information. 

Be A Snow Angel - Help a Neighbour

There are many who can't shovel their driveway due to age or health.  Be a good neighbour and help them out.  Students may be able to earn your volunteer hours by helping neighbour.  
Ward 9 Contest - Meadowvale
Theatre 
          
  
Janice Ward i s last month's lucky winner!
 
This month, WIN   2 tickets to the performance of your choice:   Meadowvale Theatre Presents 2017-2018 Season . To WIN please email   your answer to the following question :
 
Where will the new Parkrun take place?
 
I will draw a winner from all correct answers received by March 20, 2018. 
Anniversary/Birthday Congratulations

If you know someone who is celebrating a milestone birthday or anniversary please contact me at 905-896-5900 or at pat.saito@mississauga.ca and I would be pleased to send a letter of congratulations and a small gift to commemorate the special event.
                                                                                           
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PAT IN THE COMMUNITY
Black History Celebration at Praise Cathedral
 
On February 25th I attended the special service at Praise Cathedral commemorating Black History Month.  I was pleased to have been asked to address the congregation and spoke about many of our outstanding Mississauga black community members such as former CFL football player Chuck Ealey, Olympic athlete Susan Stewart, Mississauga's own Oscar Peterson and of course Praise Cathedral's Pastor Lennox Walker and Lady Dorett Walker.
Coldest Night of the Year Walk for The Dam            
On the evening of February 24, I joined hundreds of residents and walked in the Coldest Night of the Year walk-a-thon to raise funds for the Dam Youth Drop In and prevent homelessness in our community.  
 
It was a great turnout with an enthusiastic crowd.  I was proud to join the great young people from Meadowvale Seventh Day Adventist Church at the finish line along with my team mate Esther O'Toole.   I am very pleased that my team "Pat's Plodders" raised over $4,500 this year.  Click here to donate as we are still accepting donations until March 31, 2018. 
Chinese New Year at Fo Guang Temple
 
As I have for the past 20+ years, I was honoured to attend the Lunar New Year celebration at Fo Guang Shan Temple on February 15th.  This year I had fun learning calligraphy with our MPP Bob Delaney.  
Hazel turns 97!
 
On February 11th I had the honour of attending my long time friend's 97th birthday party.  It has been a privilege to work with Hazel on Council since 1991.  She continues to be very active after her retirement and is a Co-Chair of our Ontario 55+ Summer Games being held here this August. 
Celebrating a New Year with the Feng Hua Senior Association
 
I was delighted to join the Feng Hua Senior Association to celebrate Chinese New Year on February 10.  It is always a pleasure to get together with this very active group of seniors. 
All in For Youth 
 
On February 7th I attended a networking event held by Ward 9 resident Carol Kotacka.  I am so proud to represent a ward that has people such as Carol who give back to the community.  The attendance was so inspiring and money for raised for great causes through the United Way of Peel. 
Vietnamese Lunar New Year 
 
I was delighted to welcome in the Lunar New Year with the Vietnamese community at City Hall on February 7th.

Many in attendance were Vietnamese boat people  refugees who fled Vietnam by boat and ship after the Vietnam War, This celebration was an opportunity to reflect on the many contributions that members of the Vietnamese Canadian community have made to the City of Mississauga.  
The Disability Network
 
The Disability Network and Mind Share Work Space have partnered to produce and record a live half hour weekly television show. I enjoyed joining the show as a guest on their February 6th live broadcast to speak about my work on the Accessibility Advisory Committee and what the City has done to remove barriers for all.
Councillor Pat Saito | 905-896-5900 | pat.saito@mississauga.ca | http://www.ward9.ca
Mississauga Civic Centre
300 City Centre Drive
3rd Floor
Mississauga, L5B 3C1