March 1, 2023 News

Find your Ward here and your Council Members here

Approved 2023 Budget

continues to beat inflation and

neighbouring municipalities

Mayor Burton's Budget Remarks - February 27, 2023

The Budget Committee approved Oakville's 2023 Budget with a tax increase of 3.79%, the lowest increase of all surrounding municipalities and below inflation.

Key investments included in the 2023 Budget:

• Free public transit for youth (ages 13 to 19) and seniors starting in May

• $18 million transit facility expansion for electric vehicle charging infrastructure

• $6.7 million for parks, trails and parks facilities renewal and rehabilitation

“I am proud of the way in which town staff, Council and the Budget Committee responded to the thoughtful delegations and requests from the public and from each other. This budget is proof that we are an organization that continuously improves and innovates while being fiscally prudent and responsible.”  - Mayor Rob Burton

Oakville Transit unveils

first electric buses

Mayor Burton was joined by the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence and MP for Oakville; Pam Damoff, MP for Oakville North–Burlington; Stephen Crawford, MPP for Oakville; Effie Triantafilopoulos, MPP for Oakville North–Burlington; members of Town Council and staff to celebrate the unveiling of Oakville Transit’s first-ever zero-emission battery-electric buses.

The buses arrive as the town continues to implement environmentally friendly and sustainable initiatives to reduce our carbon footprint.

“Today’s unveiling of Oakville Transit’s first-ever electric buses is an important milestone in advancing Council’s efforts to create a thriving and livable Oakville for today and future generations," Mayor Rob Burton said at the unveiling.

"Reducing the town’s greenhouse gas emissions and overall environmental footprint, while modernizing and expanding our transit services, is critical to the health and well-being of our community. Thanks to funding from the town and our federal and provincial partners through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, we’re moving forward to provide innovative and environmentally friendly transit service for Oakville.”

Mayor honours February 28 as

Treaty Day in Oakville

Mayor Burton, joined by Members of Council honoured Oakville's Treaty Day at the Oakville Public Library.

The Treaty Day event was part of the Debwewin: The Oakville Truth Project. This project was initiated to further our shared understanding of Oakville's Indigenous past and support local Truth and Reconciliation.

"Thank you to the Mississauga's of The Credit First Nation, the Oakville Public Library, Debwewin Oakville and the Oakville Community Foundation for making this event possible," Mayor Burton said following the event.

You can view Mayor Burton's Treaty Day remarks below:

Ward 7 Councillors host event

in support of victims of

earthquake in Turkey, Syria

Ward 7 Councillors Scott Xie and Nav Nanda hosted a Town Hall event in solidarity with the victims of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria yesterday evening.

The event was well-attended by members of the community, elected officials and local media.

"Only when we come together and put all of our strength together can we hope to deal with what mother nature and Planet Earth can unleash on us. I pray that peace will be upon us and those in Turkey and Syria." - Mayor Burton

Town Council unanimously endorse

2024 Centennial Cup hosting bid

Centennial Cup Bid - Oakville 2024

Town Council expressed full support for the Oakville Blades bid to host the 2024 Centennial Cup at the Sixteen Mile Sports Complex in Oakville.

The event serves as the National Junior A Hockey Championship and will be hosted by Hockey Canada.

You can view former Oakville Blades player, Ward 2 Town Councillor Ray Chisholm's remarks on the event below:

Mayor proclaims February 24th as

Solidarity with Ukraine Day in Oakville

Mayor Burton and Members of Council joined Father Michael Loza and members of Oakville's Ukrainian community at St Joseph's Ukrainian Catholic Church to proclaim February 24th as Solidarity with Ukraine Day in the Town of Oakville.

"Our Town will continue its support for the millions of Ukrainians who have been displaced. We encourage residents to continue their support of local organizations that are providing the necessities of life to Ukrainian newcomers."

- Mayor Burton

Read the full proclamation below.

Council waives 2023 patio fees

The Town has approved a 2023 temporary patio program permitting patios, bistros and merchandising on public and private lands from May 1 to November 1, 2023.

As part of the program, Council has waived fees for the 2023 season.

“Council is pleased to support local businesses by waiving patio permit fees for 2023 and by approving the 2023 Commercial Patio Initiative. We are excited to bring back the popular patio program that makes our streets and shopping areas more vibrant with many outdoor dining opportunities. With an added safety focus this year, we know our community will make the most of the season and continue to support local eating and drinking establishments and enjoy our town.” - Mayor Rob Burton

Residents encouraged to

give input on Oakville

property standards

Residents and businesses in Oakville are encouraged to provide their input on Oakville property standards and lot maintenance.

The online survey is open until March 12 and invites the public to share their input on how the town can improve the current property standards and lot maintenance by-laws.

'Ukrainian spirit is unbreakable,' says emotional Oakville councillor

Her eyes tearing up and her voice breaking, Oakville Ward 6 Councillor Dr. Natalia Lishchyna spoke to the courage Ukrainians display every day in the war against Russia.

Town of Oakville invites community input on inclusion initiatives

The Town of Oakville is planning to update the rainbow crosswalk at Kerr Street and Lakeshore Road in June and would like your feedback on the design.

Community members are invited to participate in a short online survey to provide input and also share ways the town can better show allyship and support for all members of our community. The five-minute survey, which is anonymous and confidential, is open until March 15, 2023.

Province gives update on

Noise Regulation in Town of Oakville

Following Mayor Burton's letter to the province regarding resuming the powers to regulate noise in connection with the delivery of goods, Premier Ford and Minister Steve Clark responded outlining action that the province has taken.

In their response, they highlighted how municipalities are not able to regulate noise related to the delivery of goods to the following destinations:

• Retail business establishments
• Restaurants, including cafes and bars
• Hotels and Motels
• Goods distribution facilities

Ontario Protecting the Health and Safety of Paramedics

The Ontario government is working for workers by establishing a Paramedic Services Committee under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) to develop resources that address the unique health and safety risks these frontline heroes face.

Bargaining for Ontario hospital nurses enters mediation

The Ontario Nurses' Association is starting mediation today with the Ontario Hospital Association in what the nurses call a "last-ditch effort" to reach a negotiated settlement.

B.C. will make contraception free - a first in Canada

Starting April 1, B.C. will become the first jurisdiction in Canada to make prescription contraception free to all residents, according to the provincial budget unveiled Tuesday.

Thousands have arrived in Canada from Turkey, Syria since deadly earthquakes

Canada is prioritizing visas for victims of the devastating earthquakes that hit Turkey and Syria last month, as hundreds of thousands have been made homeless.

Canadian imports from China hit $100B in 2022, setting new trade record: StatCan

Trade between China and Canada hit record levels in 2022, with imports breaking the $100-billion mark for the first time, Statistics Canada data show.

Bakhmut situation 'extremely tense,' Ukraine says amid Russian fight

Russian forces on Tuesday pressed forward their weeks-long drive to encircle and capture the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut where the commander of Ukraine’s ground forces described the situation as “extremely tense.”

$2,500 Digital Transformation Grants NOW available

Applications are now being accepted for the $2,500 Digital Transformation Grants! Applications will be accepted until September 30, 2023, or until funds are fully exhausted. There are a limited number of grants available, so businesses are encouraged to apply early!

It is free to apply and the process is simple:

1. Register your business at digitalmainstreet.ca/ontariogrants/ and complete the digital assessment.
2. Pass the pre-qualification quiz, complete the 2.5 hours of online training, and develop your Digital Transformation Plan.
3. Apply for a $2,500 grant.

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

Town of Oakville

1225 Trafalgar Road,

Oakville, Ontario

mayor@oakville.ca

905-845-6601