March 8, 2023 News

Find your Ward here and your Council Members here

Council will review

Oakville’s housing pledge at a

Special Council Meeting on March 20



Province assigned Municipal Housing Target of 33,000 Housing Units

Council will consider how the town will accommodate the provincially-mandated housing target of 33,000 new units on Monday, March 20^th at the Planning and Development Council Meeting. 

The deadline set by the Province for municipal housing pledges is March 22, 2023.

Councillors, staff and the public will have a chance to read and consider the significant new material provided this morning by the Region of Halton.

Dr. Mike Moffatt from the Smart Prosperity Institute will deliver a presentation titled “The Housing Situation in Ontario.” You can view this presentation here.

The slideshow presentation on the Region’s Approach to Planning and Financing Infrastructure to Support Growth can be read here.

The slideshow presentation on the Halton Community Housing Corporation can be read here.

The Halton Region Workshop can be viewed here.

Council's Strategic Plan and

2023-2025 Business Plan

now in development

Development for Oakville's long-term vision and 2023-2026 Business Plan is now underway.

The Town of Oakville is looking for community input on the long-term vision for Oakville.

The community is also being encouraged to share what actions they think can be taken during Town Council’s four-year term in office to ensure Oakville continues to be one of the best places to live.

“Oakville continues to grow and thrive because of the passionate people who live here. I hope to see our community come together at the upcoming open house opportunities to share what’s envisioned for our future and help set priorities. By working together, I know we’ll be able to set a path for success, not only for the next four years, but for generations to come.” - Mayor Rob Burton

Jeff Knoll urges Chair to write to feds

to support Halton housing needs

in wake of war in Ukraine

Workshop Meeting of Regional Council - March 8, 2023

Oakville's Ward 5 Regional and Town Councillor, Jeff Knoll inquired with Alex Sarchuk, Halton Region's Commissioner of Social and Community Services regarding an update on the Halton Multicultural settlement program.

Citing an uptick in refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine, Councillor Knoll referenced complex additional housing needs in Halton and proposed actioning a letter to the Federal Government to "add Halton political voices to this call."

Commissioner Sarchuk responded positively, reassuring Regional Council.

"We continue to work with families using Halton Multicultural as our lead agency to provide housing subsidy and housing for a number of Ukrainian arrivals," Commissioner Sarchuk said.

"We had an approval of $1 million from regional council – that money is committed and takes us out to June of this year.

"We do have a Council report specific to the Ukrainian arrivals – when we bring that report forward, we’ll anticipate providing a recommendation that the Chair write to the appropriate authorities and we’ll quantify our cost exposure associated with this."

Council receives update on

Neighbourhood Traffic Safety Program

Town Council received an update on the town’s Neighbourhood Traffic Safety Program which summarizes the town’s achievements over the last year and the ongoing work planned in 2023 to ensure Oakville’s residential streets are safe for all road users of all ages.

Key accomplishments for 2022 include:

• Implementation of the 40 km/hour area pilot in the Lakeshore Woods neighbourhood

• Completion of traffic calming surveys on 22 streets

• Implementation of 11 Community Safety Zones (CSZ) and assessment of 14 road segments

“The town’s Neighbourhood Traffic Safety Program emphasizes Council’s commitment to a safe and livable Oakville. Whether you walk, cycle, or drive, this program helps to promote both safer driving and pedestrian behavhour. The town will continue to engage with residents and community partners to identify areas of concern and to develop and enhance strategies tailored to the unique needs of various neighbourhoods. We thank our community for also keeping road safety top of mind and playing an active role to support this important program.”

- Mayor Rob Burton

Oakville Economic Development

partners with Fundica to

help local businesses

The Town of Oakville’s Economic Development department has partnered with Fundica, an AI-powered business funding search engine, to help local companies find financial opportunities to support innovation and growth.

Fundica makes it easier and faster for businesses to navigate available public and private sector funding opportunities in Canada through the innovative tool.

“Oakville continues to be recognized as one of Canada’s best locations for business investment. The town’s partnership with Fundica will create important new opportunities for business innovation and growth, promoting a resilient local economy.” - Mayor Rob Burton

Interactive art installation

comes to Downtown Oakville

Mayor Burton, joined by Ward 3 Regional Councillor Janet Haslett-Theall, Ward 3 Town Councillor David Gittings, Ward 4 Regional, Town Councillor Allan Elgar, VisitOakville and the Downtown BIA attended the light playground in Town Square.

This interactive art installation features luminous musical seesaws that invite visitors to co-create when the lights and music intensify as the planks swing up and down.

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.

Fees for 2023 patio season waived by Oakville Town Council

Patio season is right around the corner and Oakville businesses are getting a financial break to celebrate getting outdoors.

'Increased demand': New real estate report shows house prices in Oakville and Burlington shooting back up, along with sales

House prices are surging back up in Oakville and Burlington, according to a new report.



House sales in both municipalities are also back up.

Grief and hope apparent at earthquake solidarity event

A solidarity event was held Tuesday evening at Oakville Town Hall for the horrible earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria. Over 50,000 people - around a quarter of Oakville's population - died, and nearly 2 million lost their homes in the tragic earthquakes.

Governments of Canada and Ontario invest over $61 million to bring high-speed internet access to more than 16,0000 homes in Ontario

All Canadians need reliable and affordable high-speed internet, no matter where they live. The governments of Canada and Ontario are taking action to bring high-speed internet access to unserved and underserved communities.

These Ontario cities are expected to see the biggest home price declines

While Toronto has seen a significant dip in home prices as borrowing costs have gone up over the past year, other places in Ontario are seeing an even more dramatic drop according to a new report released Monday.

Who will be Ottawa's interference rapporteur? Opposition welcome to pitch names: Trudeau

Canadian opposition parties are welcome to make suggestions for who should serve as a “special rapporteur” charged with overseeing investigations into alleged Chinese interference, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says.

Canada's single-use plastic ban faces its first legal test

Canada's single-use plastic regulations face their first legal test today as the plastics lobby and the federal government head to court.

China warns U.S. to stop containment or risk 'conflict'

The United States should change its "distorted" attitude toward China or risk "conflict and confrontation," said the country's foreign minister, who defended China's stance on the war in Ukraine and close ties with Russia on Tuesday.

South Korea pushes to resolve historical labour dispute with Japan

South Korea said on Monday that its companies would compensate people forced to work under Japan's 1910-1945 occupation, seeking to end a dispute that has undercut U.S.-led efforts to present a unified front against China and North Korea.

$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