February 7, 2025 Newsletter

Find your Ward here and your Council Members here

Mayor issues direction on

U.S.-Canada tariff measures

Watch the full Planning and Development Council meeting - February 3, 2025

The Town of Oakville is proactively responding to potential U.S.-Canada tariff measures that could impact local businesses, procurement, and municipal operations.

To address these challenges, Mayor Burton has issued a direction calling for the CAO to convene a municipal task force to assess and develop viable responses, including reviewing procurement contracts, evaluating economic impacts, and supporting affected businesses.

A report with findings and recommended actions will be presented to Council, ensuring transparency and compliance with trade agreements. Updates will be shared with residents and businesses to keep the community informed.

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"Align, Align, Align": Ontario Auto Mayors emphasize collaboration for Canada's EV future

Mayor Burton highlights the need for alignment across jurisdictions and praises the provincial government for positioning Ontario to lead in the EV era.

At the EV Innovation & Technology Conference presented by Electric Autonomy, Mayor Rob Burton and Ingersoll Mayor Brian Petrie represented the Ontario Auto Mayors, highlighting the importance of collaboration to maintain Canada’s leadership in the auto sector before an audience of auto industry representatives and stakeholders at York University.

Mayor Burton recalled advice from Ford Canada President Bev Goodman, who urged the Auto Mayors to focus on alignment across jurisdictions:

"One week before the U.S. election, Bev Goodman told us that the most important thing we have to do in Canada is align, align, align, so there’s consistency and reliability across North America," said Mayor Burton. "I’m stressing her remark because it’s important that we extend that message beyond our little circle of auto mayors and auto towns. All of you need to spread that word, because it’s going to take that for us to protect what is the heart, soul, and muscle of advanced manufacturing in Canada."

Mayor Petrie praised Mayor Burton for his leadership in creating the Ontario Auto Mayors caucus, saying:

"We’re sitting with a visionary of his time. I can’t thank Mayor Burton enough. He’s not only the Chair of the Auto Mayors, he’s the founder of it. Organizing 43 mayors is nothing short of a miracle. When you have messages from Minister Fedeli and the Premier show up, you know you’re getting noticed, and they’re taking notice. Mr. Burton deserves a round of applause for his efforts—it’s remarkable."

In response, Mayor Burton acknowledged the provincial government’s efforts to strengthen Ontario’s auto sector:

"It’s very heartening to see how our provincial government really gets it. They’ve approached this from a comprehensive perspective, making moves like electrifying Ontario and solving the problem of building a road to the Ring of Fire to unlock critical minerals. They deserve a shout-out for positioning Ontario to win in the coming years. It’s been very impressive."

Electric Autonomy has highlighted Oakville’s forward-thinking approach to sustainability, particularly the integration of EV chargers during the revitalization of Downtown Oakville.

Oakville Transit expands electric bus fleet

Oakville Transit is taking another major step toward sustainable transit with the addition of 15 new Nova LFSE+ electric buses, set to hit the roads this February.

Supported by joint funding from the federal and provincial governments through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP), the new buses will replace older diesel models and contribute to Oakville’s goal of electrifying 50 per cent of its transit fleet.

By 2026, Oakville Transit will have 74 electric buses in operation. Mayor Rob Burton emphasized that Oakville is a leader in clean energy innovation, highlighting the need for sustained government support to achieve a fully green transit system. “We will get to 50 per cent of our fleet being electrified and then we’re kind of tapped out. The grant money from our senior partners will be used up,” he said. “We are ready to go the rest of the way as soon as our partners in Ottawa and Queen’s Park are ready to complete the journey with us.”

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Mayor discusses AI and innovation

with Halton Champions of Innovation

Yesterday, Mayor Rob Burton joined Halton Champions of Innovation at Sheridan College to discuss how AI, data, and sustainability are shaping Oakville’s future.

Key highlights included:

AI & Smart Cities – Using technology for smarter decision-making

Climate Leadership – Investments in EVs, solar, and geothermal energy

Fiscal Responsibility – Leading with data-driven budgeting

Digital Accessibility – Enhancing services like smart parking and real-time transit

Oakville is also competing for a $1M grant to boost AI-driven energy efficiency in public facilities—reducing costs and cutting emissions.

From COP28 to the World Government Summit, Oakville is making a global impact while delivering results at home.

Oakville enhances online services

for a faster building permit process

The Town of Oakville has launched an improved online service to streamline the building permit process, combining application intake, review, and approval into a single, more efficient platform.

This enhancement supports Oakville’s growth by making the process faster and more accessible for developers, contractors, and homeowners.

The new system ensures smoother communication between applicants and town staff, providing real-time tracking and quicker approvals. This initiative aligns with Oakville’s Housing Strategy and Action Plan, which supports Ontario’s target of 33,000 new homes by 2031.

Building on past successes, Oakville is also working on streamlining planning and development applications later this year.

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Celebrate Black History Month

February is Black History Month! Join the community in celebrating the rich culture, heritage, and contributions of Black Canadians through a variety of events and exhibits.

Explore special exhibits at Town of Oakville facilities and the Oakville Museum at Erchless Estate, take part in museum walking tours, enjoy musical performances, and more.

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February is winter commute month: Your commute counts

Sustainable commuting isn’t just for summer. This February, embrace Winter Commute Month by walking, cycling, carpooling, taking public transit, or even teleworking to reduce traffic and emissions.

Join our Family Day event at QEPCCC on February 17 and register for free webinars on topics like carpooling, cycling in all conditions, and how daily travel impacts quality of life.

Through the Smart Commute program, Oakville offers resources to support sustainable commuting for individuals and workplaces. A free one-year trial is available for qualifying workplaces—apply by March 31, 2025!

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Family Day in Oakville on February 17

The Town of Oakville’s Family Day celebration returns on Monday, February 17, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., offering over 100 free activities for all ages and abilities at facilities across town.

From skating, swimming, and sports to arts, culture, and creative workshops, there’s something for everyone.

Highlights include glow-in-the-dark badminton, speed skating try-it sessions, Swiftie bracelet-making, fire station tours, a family dance party, and much more. Don’t miss Fireside Munsch at the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts, featuring four beloved Robert Munsch stories (ticketed event).

Pre-registration opens on February 14 for Oakville residents and February 15 for non-residents. Visit the Family Day page for full details.

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When it snows, we're ready!

Primary and secondary roads are always plowed first to make sure that emergency service vehicles are able to travel throughout the town.

Residential streets are plowed only after snow accumulates in excess of 7.5 centimetres.

When all streets require clearing, they are to be completed within 24 hours after the end of the storm.

When we have a heavy snowfall or back-to-back snowfall events, it may take longer to clear all the streets.

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Local News

Spring and summer camp registration opens Tuesday, February 25

Registration will open on Tuesdays moving forward.

We will be launching registration for spring programs and summer camps at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, February 25 instead of a Wednesday this year.

Browse spring programs and summer camps online starting Tuesday, February 18

We offer registered programs for your favourite activities like swimming, skating, camps, fitness, sports (pickleball, badminton, basketball, volleyball etc.), culture (woodworking, ceramics etc.) and so much more!

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Three ways to make your commute matter this February

As February is Winter Commute Month, the Town of Oakville is encouraging residents to try walking, taking transit, carpooling, or cycling to work, school or other destinations.

Read the full release

Town Hall lighting recognition events for February 2025

February 7 to 12 and 14: Red for Congenital Heart Disease Awareness Week

February 13: Red for the Awareness of Women's Risk of Heart Disease

February 28: Yellow for Endometriosis Network Canada

Read the full release

Community Classroom launches for 2025 with more free in-class activities for Oakville schools

The Oakville Community Foundation has launched Community Classroom for 2025 with more free in-class and on-site programs and activities for teachers in Oakville HDSB and HCDSB schools.

These programs are available at no cost to teachers, schools or students and connects them to local community organizations including Oakvillegreen Conservation Association, Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton, Arthouse and more.

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Provincial News

Ontario Election to be Held on February 27

Pursuant to the provisions of the Election Act, the Lieutenant Governor also called for the issuance of writs for the general election to be issued January 29, 2025, and named February 27, 2025, as the date of Ontario's next general election.

Read the full release

Federal News

Government of Canada launches Canadian Genomics Strategy to drive innovation and foster economic growth

The government of Canada launched the Canadian Genomics Strategy, which is backed by an investment of $175.1 million in federal funding over seven years, starting in 2024–25. The Strategy will strengthen Canada’s ability to translate genomics research into real-world applications across key sectors.

Read the full release

Minister Hussen announces $360.6 million for global efforts to eliminate malnutrition

Today, at an event at the MaRS Centre in Toronto to mark International Development Week, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, announced a contribution of $360.6 million over six years (2025-2031), for Nutrition International.

Read the full release