May 1, 2024 Newsletter

Find your Ward here and your Council Members here

Council approves IDEA and Fire Master Plan

Oakville Town Council has given the green light to the Fire Master Plan 2024-2033 and the IDEA multi-year plan.

The Fire Master Plan is a blueprint aimed at enhancing fire and emergency services while prioritizing sustainability. The 10-year plan outlines strategies for fire prevention, education, and response, aligning with Oakville's growth trajectory.

Key highlights include:

1. Enhanced Public Education: Strengthening fire prevention programs to mitigate risks.
2. Resource Expansion: Increasing resources for fire prevention, suppression, and emergency management.
3. Training Advancements: Investing in ongoing training to address evolving risks and meet legislative requirements.
4. Infrastructure Growth: Adding two new fire stations to support high-density areas.
5. Environmental Initiatives: Implementing sustainable practices to reduce carbon footprint.

The Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) Multi-Year Plan, underscores the town's dedication to fostering an inclusive environment. The plan, spanning five years, encompasses four core goals:

1. Foundational: Incorporating IDEA principles into all organizational facets.
2. Internal Focus: Cultivating a diverse and inclusive workplace.
3. Community Engagement: Engaging and serving the community with inclusivity.
4. Sustainability: Tracking progress and fostering continuous improvement.

The IDEA plan builds on years of consultation and reflects the town's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Moving forward, Oakville aims to realize its vision of a vibrant and inclusive community for all.

Mayor Burton offers funding for youth-led climate action projects

Mayor Rob Burton announced the town's participation in Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Youth Climate Action Fund.

Oakville is 1 of 100 cities across the globe to receive funding and technical support aimed at mobilizing youth aged 15 to 24 to spearhead climate solutions. The town will receive an initial grant of $50,000 to fund youth-led projects focused on addressing climate challenges.

As Oakville joins this global movement, young residents ages 15 - 24 years are encouraged to email mayor@oakville.ca to learn more about the Youth Climate Action Fund and how to submit ideas for the opportunity to receive funding.

By empowering its youth, Oakville is paving the way for transformative climate action and building a brighter, more sustainable future for generations to come.

Mayor Burton discusses local climate action successes with former NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg at COP 28 in Dubai

The Town of Oakville’s 2024 Community Satisfaction Survey results show that satisfaction remains high:

• 89 per cent of Oakville residents expressing overall satisfaction with town programs and services
• 92 per cent of Oakville residents expressing a positive customer service experience with the town
• 80 precent of Oakville residents expressing that Oakville is a better place to live than most areas in the Greater Toronto Area

Lorne Bozinoff, president of Forum Research Inc., noted throughout his presentation that the town also excelled when benchmarked against other municipalities. The community survey, conducted by Forum Research, found that residents of Oakville are more likely to say that they would recommend the Town than they would not.

Mr. Bozinoff stated that the Town of Oakville “compares very favorably with all the other benchmarks that we have here. So, in fact all the other towns have a negative score which means they're getting more negative recommendations than positive recommendations. The town is an outlier in the positive area, all good. This is a tough measure to score well on and the town is doing still is doing well.

What’s Next?

• Enhancing Online Services: Plans are underway to improve the digital accessibility of town services, addressing one of the few areas noted for enhancement.
• Focused Development: The town is poised to manage growth responsibly, ensuring that development enhances rather than detracts from Oakville’s character.
• Top Concerns: The combination of affordable housing (26%), urban sprawl/rapid development (14%) and land use planning(14%) as top issues is reflective of the opportunities and challenges anticipated by the town as it works toward achieving its population, employment, and housing targets. 

The Takeaway

Oakville continues to be a destination where livability, service quality, and government efficiency are highly valued by its residents. The town's proactive approach in addressing areas for improvement and its strategic planning for future growth promise to further enhance resident satisfaction and community well-being.

Explore the detailed results of the 2024 Community Satisfaction Survey on Oakville's official website.

Knox Art Reach - A Stroke of Generosity

Join the celebration of generosity and art at Knox Presbyterian Church!

Renowned Oakville artist and Knox member, David Peacock, has generously donated over 100 original paintings to the church. You can own one by purchasing a ticket for $500, which includes admission for you and a guest to a special evening event at Oakville Legacy Banquet Hall on June 13, 2024.

Enjoy wine, hors d’oeuvres, and the opportunity to select your painting through a silent auction or lucky draw. Proceeds will support the completion of Knox’s new community kitchen, benefiting Front Line Outreach.

Don't miss this chance to support a good cause and own a piece of beautiful art!

National youth week May 1 to 7, 2024 free activities and more

In honour of National Youth Week throughout Canada, the Town of Oakville and its community partners are offering seven days of free interactive activities and learning opportunities for youth aged 11 to 17 from May 1 to 7, 2024.

This initiative coincides with the inaugural Oakville Youth Awards ceremony and the unveiling of the Youth Centre mural, all aimed at recognizing and celebrating the achievements of Oakville's young residents.

OTCC receives LEED Gold Certification

Oakville's commitment to green excellence shines with Oaikville Trafalgar Community Centre's recent LEED Gold certification.

Featuring 1,300 solar panels and eco-friendly amenities, OTCC leads the charge in sustainability.

Mayor Rob Burton applauds the milestone, affirming Oakville's dedication to combating climate change stating "The LEED Gold certification for Oakville Trafalgar Community Centre speaks to our commitment and leadership in managing energy resources effectively to address climate change. Ensuring that our facilities are built, operated and maintained to the highest standards of environmental sustainability will support the town’s goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50 per cent by 2041."

Tickets on sale for centennial cup

From May 9th to May 19th, the Sixteen Mile Sports Complex will transform into a battleground for hockey excellence. Nine CJHL champions, alongside the host team, will vie for the title of Canada's National Junior A Champion in what promises to be an exhilarating display of skill and determination.



Tickets for the Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons, are already available for purchase. Don't miss your chance to witness the action firsthand – secure your seats today and be a part of history in the making!

Strike your pose with the Centennial Cup at the Sixteen Mile Creek Arena!

Museum Month - new exhibits and fun programs and events

Celebrate Museum Month in Oakville this May with an array of exciting exhibits and events! From May 1, residents can immerse themselves in Oakville's rich history and culture through engaging programs offered by the Oakville Museum.

Mayor Rob Burton has officially proclaimed May as Museum Month, recognizing the vital role museums play in our community. Don't miss out on these fantastic opportunities to celebrate Oakville's heritage!

Proposals made by the Province are undergoing a 30-day comment period, concluding on May 10, 2024. Our dedicated Town staff have been hard at work conducting a preliminary review of these proposals, assessing their potential impact across various themes, including removal of regional planning responsibility, changes to development charges, and more.

GO DEEPER For more detailed information and to view the full report here

Oakville has been actively pursuing initiatives to boost housing supply and streamline development approvals.

Following Council's directive, town-initiated Official Plan Amendments and Zoning By-law Amendments were presented at a public meeting on March 4, 2024. Oakville prepares for a second public meeting on May 6, 2024, to discuss amendments related to four units as-of-right and housing near Sheridan College, the community eagerly anticipates further progress in addressing its housing needs.

GO DEEPER For more detailed information and to view the full report here

The 2024 Heritage Grant Program has reached a milestone, marking its eleventh year of supporting conservation efforts for designated heritage properties across Oakville.

With a funding allocation of $120,000 and an additional $35,340 from previous years, the program received an impressive 42 project applications totaling over $287,000 in requested funding.

GO DEEPER Explore the full details of Oakville’s Heritage Grant Program and its community impact here.  

Community groups in all seven wards invited to apply for one-time 2024 Community Events Funding

The Town of Oakville is pleased to announce the launch the 2024 Community Events Funding program — an events funding program aimed at encouraging and supporting outdoor community events.

In response to a growing demand for assistance with resident-led outdoor community events, Council approved $70,000 in one-time funding through the 2024 Budget process. The 2024 Community Events Funding offers $10,000 of funding per-ward for outdoor community events held on public property within each ward, with a cap of $3,350 per event.

Town says inaccurate provincial housing start numbers cost it $8.8 million

The province says Oakville only reached 1,843 housing starts – or 76 per cent of its goal – so doesn’t qualify for cash.



But town staff are questioning the provincial count, arguing that their tracking counted 2,701 starts – or enough to earn $8.8 million in funding.

Mississauga takes a big step forward on building housing at Lakeview Village

The City of Mississauga and Lakeview Community Partners Ltd. (LCPL) are moving forward with agreements that will allow the construction of new homes to begin at the 177-acre Lakeview Village development – a significant step towards realizing Mississauga’s housing targets.

Province vacates mayor and council seats in Black River-Matheson, Ont.

The provincial government has declared the mayor and council seats in the township Black River-Matheson, Ont. vacant because they were unable to meet for more than 60 days.

"The absence of meetings impedes decision-making and negatively affects local residents," wrote the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Paul Calandra, in a letter to the six councillors and Mayor Doug Bender.

Calandra said that section 266(1) of the Municipal Act gives him the power to vacate council seats if they are unable to perform their duties.

Ontario Exploring Options to Reduce Electricity Rates for Public EV Chargers

Ontario’s Minister of Energy, Todd Smith, has asked the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) to explore options for an Electric Vehicle Charger Discount Electricity Rate as the province continues to support the adoption of electric vehicles (EV). A new rate would reduce the cost of electricity for public EV chargers in areas where demand for the service is only beginning to emerge, making charging infrastructure more economical in more communities and giving Ontario drivers the confidence they need to transition to electric vehicles.

Ontario Connecting Communities with Essential Infrastructure

The Ontario government is investing an additional $6 million in the Provincial Forest Access Roads Funding Program to help construct and maintain forestry roads used for regional travel between communities, the transport of goods and emergency preparedness and response along with providing access routes for the tourism sector and industry. The investment will increase funding for the program to over $59 million in 2024-25.

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

oakvillefoodbank@gmail.com

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

Town of Oakville

1225 Trafalgar Road,

Oakville, Ontario

mayor@oakville.ca

905-845-6601