March 13, 2024 Newsletter

Find your Ward here and your Council Members here

Council considers plan to grow green space and parks

Watch the upcoming Planning and Development Meeting on March 18, 2024

Oakville Town Council is set to vote on endorsing the Parks Plan 2031 and passing Parkland Dedication By-law 2024-034. Driven by legislative changes, the town's parks plan and by-law adapt to new requirements.

The Parks Plan 2031 provides options for the town to consider in acquiring parkland for the benefit of the entirety of the town, supporting the campus of parks approach, and addressing community character.

This will be complemented by a land acquisition strategy which will be presented to Council in early 2025.

Read the full report

Global News says Province may increase "as of right" to four

Ontario's housing minister is finalizing the next round of homebuilding legislation.

Paul Calandra, who replaced Steve Clark as housing minister in 2023 after the Greenbelt scandal, said he expects to introduce his new bill “very soon.” The legislation is generally scheduled to appear every spring.

Speaking to reporters at Queen’s Park, Calandra said he thought he would unveil the new law after the finance minister tables the budget, which is scheduled for March 26.“I think there are some issues the budget will help facilitate, so we’ll do it after,” he said. Every year, the Ford government introduces a new Housing Supply Action Plan law to reform the building industry as it attempts to boost the supply of new housing to reach its lofty goal of 1.5 million new homes by 2031

A Progressive Conservative source told Global News mandating four-unit developments as of right has long been considered within the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing as a tool to potentially boost housing. The source said it had been weighed in previous housing supply laws but had not made the final draft.

Global News understands the government is still actively discussing the policy, which was recommended by the province’s housing affordability task force.

Read the full story

1 year of repair to add 15 years to Downtown Oakville parking garage

A temporary closure of the parking garage located at 300 Church Street in Downtown Oakville starts Monday, April 8, 2024.

This closure is necessary for essential repairs aimed at extending the lifespan of the garage by an additional 15 years and ensuring its continued functionality.

During the construction period, alternative parking options are available in Downtown Oakville. Residents and visitors are encouraged to utilize the town's real-time parking map to find nearby parking easily.

Visit the Parking Page for updates

Oakville youth award nominations

now open

The Town of Oakville, in collaboration with the Oakville Youth Action Committee (OYAC), is thrilled to introduce the Oakville Youth Awards, designed to recognize and celebrate the outstanding achievements of young individuals who are making a positive impact in our community.

The Oakville Youth Awards feature four distinct categories, each highlighting different areas of excellence:

Emerging Leader Award
Youth Artist Award
Youth Involvement Award
Youth Sports Award

Nominations for the Oakville Youth Awards are now open and will be accepted until April 2, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. To submit a nomination, please complete the online form available on the Oakville Youth Awards page.

Nominate Here

'Digital Main Street' program ends March 31, 2024

The Digital Main Street Program has emerged as a beacon of support, offering invaluable resources and assistance to local enterprises navigating the complexities of the digital landscape.

Despite the undeniable success of the Digital Main Street Program, the decision to end funding beyond March 31, 2024, has sent shockwaves through the small business community. While the program has made a significant impact, reaching over 82,000 businesses province-wide, financial constraints have forced the Province to re-evaluate its support.

In response to the funding cuts, Mayor Burton has advocated for the continuation of the Digital Main Street Program. Recognizing the program's role in fostering economic growth, job creation, and community development, Mayor Burton is urging policymakers to reconsider their decision and prioritize the needs of small businesses stating "Oakville’s Digital Service Squad has worked with over 650 businesses since 2019. In the same timeframe, more than 200 Digital Transformation Grants have been provided to Oakville businesses. Without these programs, many businesses would not have the tools to adapt their businesses to today’s digital landscape."

Read the full letter

Unlocking the Planning Act for Affordable Housing

The Town has prepared a white paper that charts a path forward for our community's housing landscape. This document supplements our Town’s Housing Strategy and Action Plan (HSAP) and offers a comprehensive strategy to address the pressing need for affordable housing in Oakville.

The white paper delves into several key tools authorized by the Planning Act, including Inclusionary Zoning (IZ), Community Planning Permit System (CPPS), Community Improvement Plan (CIP), Community Infrastructure and Housing Accelerator (CIHA), and Community Benefits Charge (CBC). Each of these tools plays a vital role in facilitating the development of affordable housing within our town.

Read the full white paper

March for meals

March for Meals is coming! This is an annual campaign that Oakville Meals on Wheels takes part in, and it celebrates the impact of local meals on wheels programs, raises awareness and promotes community engagement. YOU can make a difference in Oakville.

Participate by sponsoring a lunch for someone in need, purchase Purdys chocolates through their fundraiser until March 6^th, and share the messaging on your social platforms.

Encourage your followers to #SponsorLunch as well and make #MarchforMeals2024 a big success! Visit oakvillemealsonwheels.com for more information.

Calling all artists: leave your mark on Oakville streets

Do you have a passion for art and a connection to Oakville? Here's your chance to showcase your talent to the community!

The Town of Oakville is excited to announce the call for proposals for this year's Connextions exhibition. We're inviting local artists to submit their ideas for creating traffic signal cabinet wraps that will adorn intersections across Oakville. These vibrant artworks will also be featured prominently at the 2024 Culture Days Festival in September and October.

If you're a resident of Oakville or the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area, we want to hear from you! Submit your proposal online before 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, March 17, 2024. Priority will be given to artists with a strong connection to Oakville.

Selected artists will receive $800 for each artwork chosen. The town will cover fabrication and installation costs, so you can focus solely on your creative process.

Final designs are due by June 1, 2024, with printing and installation scheduled for the summer in preparation for the 2024 Culture Days festivities.

Submit Your Connextions Application

Public Consultations

Draft plan and guidelines of Old Oakville heritage conservation district

The first draft of the new Plan and Guidelines for the Old Oakville Heritage Conservation District is now available online! This document has been eagerly anticipated by many in our community, and we are eager to hear your thoughts and feedback.

The Old Oakville Heritage Conservation District holds significant cultural and historical value for our town, and it is essential that any plans for its preservation and development align with the wishes and needs of our residents. We invite you to take some time to review the draft document and share your thoughts with us.

You can access the draft plan here. We encourage you to peruse it thoroughly and provide your feedback either at the upcoming public meeting or via email.

Public Meeting Details:

Date: Thursday, March 21, 2024
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Knox Presbyterian Church, 250 Lakeshore Road East

At the public meeting, we will also provide an update on the residential zoning by-law review, illustrating how your feedback is being incorporated into new zoning provisions for the heritage district. These two projects are interconnected, and your input is invaluable as we work to enhance and preserve the character of Old Oakville.

Read the Draft Plan

Participate in the public engagement policy survey

The Town of Oakville is committed to ensuring that every voice in the community is heard. As part of our ongoing efforts to update the Public Notice and Engagement Policy and Public Engagement Procedure, we invite you to participate in our upcoming community engagement sessions.

When and Where:

Monday, March 18

Glen Abbey Community Centre, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Trafalgar Park Community Centre, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Wednesday, March 20

Sixteen Mile Sports Complex, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Thursday, March 21

Sheridan College, B Wing, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

These drop-in events are designed to provide you with the opportunity to engage directly with town staff, ask questions, and share your thoughts on how we can improve our public engagement practices. Whether you have specific concerns, ideas for improvement, or simply want to learn more about the policy update process, we welcome your input.

Complete the survey

Local News

Woman of Halton Action Movement draws more than 500 attendees to Oakville Conference Centre for annual ‘Dinner Party’ in honour of International Women’s Day

The Woman of Halton Action Movement (WHAM) has raised more than $600,000 for what it calls “two important charities”: Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention Services of Halton (SAVIS) and Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan.

And last Wednesday, March 6, it was at it again, hosting its annual “Dinner Party” in honour of International Women’s Day on Friday, March 8 with more than 500 attendees at the Oakville Conference Centre.

Read the full story

Free swim sessions at Oakville rec centres thanks to Tim Hortons

Tim Hortons has teamed up with the Town of Oakville to provide free public swims during March break.

Here is the schedule for the week:

Tuesday, March 12, 2-3:30 p.m., Oakville Trafalgar Community Centre
Wednesday, March 13, 9-10:30 a.m.. Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre
Thursday, March 14, 1:30-3 p.m., White Oaks Pool
Friday, March 15, 9-10:30 a.m., Glen Abbey Community Centre

Registration is required for the free swims.

To see the schedule and sign up, visit here.

Read the full story

Provincial News

Governments of Canada and Ontario invest over $11.4 million to bring high-speed internet access to more than 2,600 Indigenous households in Ontario

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

Read the full release

Ontario Expanding Access to Vital Government Services in the North

The Ontario government is making it easier and more convenient to access in-person government services, such as driver's licences and health cards, with the launch of a mobile service centre in six northern Ontario communities.

Read the full release