April 24, 2024 Newsletter

Find your Ward here and your Council Members here

Council orders a reset of Midtown draft OPA

Watch the full Planning and Development Council Meeting April 22, 2024

Council has pushed the reset button on planning for the area around the Oakville GO station, called Midtown.

At Monday's meeting on Midtown, Council said it has decided to call a Special Meeting on June 3, 2024 to receive a revised approach to the Midtown Oakville plan with lower population and heights and an examination of the capacity of the Town's other growth nodes to accept more density and population.

An updated Midtown Oakville OPA draft will be published May 23. The statutory public meeting to consider public feedback will be on June 3. A recommendation report recognizing the public feedback will then go to Council for deliberation and decision in August. 

Mayor Burton explained it can't be done more quickly than this timeline because, "there are a range of interests in Midtown and everyone has rights of notice and participation."

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 recently conducted the 2024 Community Satisfaction Survey. The survey highlights community approval and satisfaction with town services and governance.

Why You Should Care

• High Community Satisfaction: Residents report an impressive 79% satisfaction rate with the government and 89% with town services, underscoring Oakville’s commitment to maintaining a high quality of life.
• Pride in Public Spaces: Parks, green spaces, and waterfront areas receive top marks, enhancing Oakville's appeal as a picturesque and vibrant place to live.

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.

GO DEEPER

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

Get ready to celebrate Oakville youth! In honor 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.

Nominate your community champions

Nominate your community champions for the Oakville Community Spirit Awards 2024! These awards celebrate individuals, organizations, and businesses making a difference in Oakville through leadership and dedication. Recognize those promoting arts, culture, climate action, good neighborliness, inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility, inspiration, and innovation.

Nominations are open until April 26. Help honor those enhancing Oakville's vibrancy and livability. Selection criteria include dedication to Oakville, contribution to town values, addressing community challenges, and making a positive impact. A committee will review nominations and select winners.

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!

2024 Park Naming

Oakville's Parks and Open Space Department presents a proposal for new park names reflecting local heritage, geographical features, and community leaders. This initiative is aimed at enhancing local identity and providing residents with meaningful recreational spaces.

Annual report on new names for parks and open space areas. See the full list of names and report here. 

The Fire Master Plan (FMP) sets out recommended fire strategic goals and direction of the Oakville Fire Department over the next ten years. The FMP focuses strategic efforts in public education and prevention; fire safety standards and enforcement; and emergency response.  

The Fire Master Plan and Community Risk Assessment have been completed with alignment to Council strategic priorities.  

GO DEEPER For more detailed information and to view the full Plan and Community Risk Assessment. 

The 2024-2028 IDEA Plan’s objective of the plan is to be an inclusive workplace and community where everyone feels they belong. The plan builds on 20 years of work the town has been engaged in to advance IDEA.  

Community-Driven Change: The plan is crafted from extensive community engagement in two phases that included meaningful conversations with community groups and organizations and broad engagement with the Oakville community: 

Strategic Goals: The Plan’s strategic goals focus on incorporating IDEA throughout the organization to drive accountability and effectiveness. Internally, the aim is to create a diverse, inclusive, and safe work environment that values and retains its staff. Externally, the town aims to engage and serve the community, reflecting its inclusive culture across all services. Additionally, there's a commitment to sustainability through effective communication, tracking, and measurement of IDEA efforts to ensure alignment and progress. 

Next steps 

• Implementation and Monitoring: With the plan set for approval, the focus will shift to rolling out the initiatives across various sectors of the community and workplace. 
• Continuous Improvement: Annual reviews and updates will ensure the plan remains relevant and effective, adapting to new challenges and opportunities. 

GO DEEPER Explore the full details of Oakville’s IDEA Multi-Year Plan and its community impact here.  

Short-term accommodations regulations update

The Town of Oakville is seeking public input on potential revisions to its short-term accommodation regulations, with opportunities to engage available until April 26, 2024. Residents can participate by completing a brief questionnaire or attending an Open House event scheduled for April 25 at 6 p.m. in the South Atrium at Town Hall.

Currently governed by the Short-Term Accommodation By-law 2018-045, Oakville's regulations cover temporary stays of up to 28 consecutive days in exchange for payment. This encompasses bed and breakfast establishments and short-term rentals, excluding motels or hotels. However, it's crucial to note that certain short-term accommodations, like hospitals or couch surfing, fall outside this by-law's scope.

The feedback gathered from both the questionnaire and the Open House will be instrumental in shaping staff recommendations for updates to the licensing by-law later this year. As such, residents are encouraged to participate actively in this process to ensure that Oakville's short-term accommodation regulations align with the community's needs and expectations.

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.

Ontario Raising Highway Speed Limits

The Ontario government is raising the speed limit permanently from 100 km/h to 110 km/h on 10 additional sections of provincial highways in northern and southern Ontario. The change builds on the safe and successful increase to six sections of provincial highways in 2022 and aligns with posted speed limits in other jurisdictions across Canada.

Ontario Supporting Eabametoong First Nation

The Ontario government is working with Eabametoong First Nation to provide vital support, including up to $540,000 total one-time funding, after a fire devastated the John C. Yesno Education Centre, leaving the remote fly-in community without a school and community hub.

Ontario Investing in the Critical Minerals Supply Chain

The Ontario government is investing over $4 million to help junior mining companies find the mines that will fuel the electric vehicle revolution. Funding through the Ontario Junior Exploration Program (OJEP) is part of the province’s Critical Minerals Strategy to drive long-term economic growth by creating jobs and prosperity, especially in northern and Indigenous communities.

National Bank of Canada Report

On April 12, the federal government announced an ambitious plan to build 3.87 million new homes by 2031.

That would mean an average annual cadence of 550,000 housing starts per year, about double the record high of 270,000 units in 2021.

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