Spring 2004

Welcome Separated City I am pleased to send you my Spring 2004 Councillor's Report. Spring is a wonderful time to You would have recently received in your live and work in and I encourage you to take advantage of all there is to do in mail a very important newsletter from Mayor our city. McCallion. This document details the City’s Inside this newsletter, you will find valuable information regarding upcoming and ongoing One City One Voice campaign to become a Ward 3 and city-wide issues and events. For your convenience, I have included a list of the Separated City, independent of the Region most frequently requested telephone numbers for City services and departments. of Peel. The Mayor, supported unanimously by Council, is leading Mississauga's separation from In brief, this newsletter provides several the Region of Peel and I encourage you to visit the City's new and improved Web site at compelling reasons why Mississauga should www.mississauga.ca for updates. As well, you can visit my Web page at http://www.mississauga. be a Separated City: ca/portal/cityhall/ward3 for issues concerning the residents of Ward 3. · Keep Taxes in Mississauga As your City and Regional Councillor, I would be happy to assist you with your local issues. · Eliminate Overlap in Service Please contact my Executive Assistant - Linda Downie or my Administrative Assistant - · Canada’s Sixth Largest City Deserves a Voice Deanna Dubicki at 905-896-5300. They will be pleased to direct your inquiries and concerns · Mississauga Deserves Fair Representation to the appropriate staff person or department. I personally follow up on all issues and will · Close The Ward Population Gap get in touch with you if we need to discuss a matter further. You can also e-mail me at · It’s The Right Thing to Do [email protected]. I hope you have had the time to read all of I thank you for your ongoing support and will continue to strive to make Ward 3 a great the information in detail and the opportunity place to work and live. to discuss it among your family,friends and neighbours. I encourage you to be heard on this very Contact your Councillor important matter. Please fill out the pledge form included with the newsletter and return 300 City Centre Drive, Mississauga, it to the City postage paid. L5B 3C1 You can obtain more information, download Tel:905-896-5300 Fax:905-896-5463 reports and find important links on the Email:[email protected] City’s Web site: www.mississauga.ca/onecityonevoice.

This committee worked with City staff to Accessibility develop Mississauga's Accessibility Plan. The Handy Numbers Committee members and staff identified the –Making Way City's goals and prepared a plan of action. Plan Animal Services ...... 905-896-5858 Building Permits ...... 905-896-5619 Accessibility issues affect us all; especially initiatives currently being implemented include the development of a communications strategy; By-law Enforcement ...... 905-896-5655 parents with strollers or small children, people Engineering & Works (Trans. & Works Dept.) with short-term injuries, seniors and persons accessibility design guidelines; an awareness/ sensitivity training program; and a review of 24 hours ...... 905-615-3000 with disabilities. As Canada's sixth largest city, Facility Rentals ...... 905-615-4100 the City of Mississauga is working towards departmental plans and corporate policies in relation to accessibility. Forestry/Parks ...... 905-615-4100 creating a community that is accessible to all. Grass Cutting The City of Mississauga is currently working In addition, Mississauga Transit's Accessibility on Boulevards/Parks ...... 905-615-4100 with other local municipalities such as the Plan developed in May 2001, will be reviewed Human Resources Division . . .905-896-5035 Region of Peel, City of Brampton and Town of and continue to be implemented. Parking Control ...... 905-896-5678 Caledon to identify and eliminate barriers. The For more detailed information about the plan Parks Miss./Maintenance . . . .905-896-5384 City is also looking to the business community or committee, please contact Diana Simpson, Property Taxes ...... 905-896-5575 to assist with the removal of barriers. accessibility co-ordinator, at 905-615-3608. Transit The City of Mississauga's Accessibility Advisory For information related to the ODA and/or Customer Service, Information, Committee (AAC) was established in compliance Accessibility Directorate of Ontario (ADO) Lost and Found ...... 905-615-4636 with the Ontarians with Disabilities Act (ODA) please visit Transportation & Works Dept. which came into effect on December 14, 2001. www.gov.on.ca/citizenship/accessibility. 24 Hours ...... 905-615-3000 budget strikes a balance between maintaining $2.4 million to acquire new parkland and 2004 Budget City services while ensuring the financial $2.8 million to redevelop existing parks and health of the City during changing times. sports fields. Other community initiatives The City of Mississauga has experienced Throughout the years, our ongoing commitment include the opening of the Courtneypark significant growth over the past 10 years. and libraries as well as the Mississauga has grown to a population of to residents and businesses has remained the same - to provide the right services, construction of a fire station, located in 680,000, making it the sixth largest city in the Tomken and Derry Road area. Canada and the third largest in the Province in a superior way, at a reasonable cost. of Ontario. Staff will continue to review City services to Highlights from the 2004 Capital and Current Budget can be accessed on the City of My colleagues and I are proud of the City's ensure that we are delivering quality municipal programs and services to our citizens. And Mississauga Web site at: sound financial management, which has www.mississauga.ca/finance. allowed Mississauga to grow rapidly and Council will continue to advocate for change successfully. We believe that the 2004 and a new deal for Mississauga. The City's budget committee and staff considered all the possible options to City of Mississauga Where Your Tax Dollar Goes avoid a significant tax increase this year. After a rigorous and prudent Ranked One of Canada's 45% – $1,536 REGION OF PEEL financial review Council passed a Top 100 Employers 30% (est.) EDUCATION 3.8 per cent tax increase for 2004. For the fourth year running, the City of 25% – $868 CITY OF MISSISSAUGA This increase translates into an Mississauga is listed as one of the nation's additional $31.77 for residential very best places to work. According to Fire $234.93 Breakdown of properties with a 2003 assessed value Canada's Top 100 Employers (2004 edition), Infrastructure $147.55 City of Mississauga of $324,000. The City portion of the "The City of Mississauga is a family-friendly Services tax bill represents approximately 25 Facilities & Property Maintenance $96.31 workplace thanks to a 35-hour work week, A look at how the average per cent of the total property tax bill, Transit $85.08 onsite daycare and fitness centre and a taxes for City services ($868) with 45 per cent going to the Region variety of flexible work options." Library $70.94 is distributed (annual tax for of Peel and 30 per cent to the The City received an above-average Parks Maintenance $50.50 an average single dwelling, provincial education portion. excluding condominiums, Winter Maintenance $46.10 rating for family-friendly benefits and with an assessed value of The 2004 budget provides funding Traffic Management $26.61 an honourable mention under the Ten $324,000). for transportation initiatives which Best Employers for Family Friendly Street Lighting $22.93 include $13.9 million for major road Work Environments. Road & Sidewalk Maintenance $18.81 improvements and another $17 million Canada's Top 100 Employers (2004 edition) Community Centre Operation & Maintenance $18.17 for road rehabilitation. More than profiles the nation's best places to work Boulevard Maintenance/Weed Inspection/Forestry $16.89 $2.6 million will be spent on six new buses and another $1.2 million on and was prepared by examining more than Cleaning & Litter Pickup $16.58 51,000 employers across Canada. This year's Crossing Guards $8.11 transit personnel to implement the expansion plans. edition lists the internal grades employers Sewer, Bridge & Watercourse $6.26 received in seven key human resources Sports, Youth & Arts Programs $2.23 The budget allocates $6.2 million areas reviewed. to develop new parks, another In this most recent edition, author Richard Yerema wrote, "the common thread that runs through all the finalists is that each Burnhamthorpe the renovations and look forward to welcoming is a leader in its industry. From software our many community groups and residents innovators to city governments, the Community Centre back to this new and improved centre. employers chosen as this year's Top 100 Renovations and As you may be aware, the dedication plaque stand out from others in their industry in wall dating back to 1974 and the “Buy-A- Brick attracting and retaining quality employees." "Founders' Wall" Campaign” is being reconstructed and will be In 1974, the Burnhamthorpe Community unveiled in fall 2004 at the official reopening Centre opened with an indoor arena, large of the centre. and small auditoriums and two meeting This plaque wall or “Founders’ Wall”, this wall. City staff and representatives from rooms. Before fall 2004, it will reopen to the commemorates the seven prominent Ward 3 residents’ associations that took part public with renovated arena dressing rooms, neighbourhood groups who identified the need in the Buy-A-Brick campaign have verified a new lobbies, a snack bar, an additional for a facility in the area and played a major list of the names that will go on the plaque. program room and a gymnasium. The new role in raising funds to assist in the original The list is currently available for review at facility design came as a result of input from construction of this community centre. the Chic Murray arena at the Burnhamthorpe more than 25 community groups to address • Applewood Hills Homeowners Association Community Centre. the needs of our changing and diverse • Applewood Heights Homeowners Assoc. neighbourhoods. If you have any questions or concerns • Burnhamdale Residents Association regarding this “Founders’Wall”, please contact While the arena portion of the building • Dixie West Recreation Association my office at 905-896-5300 and I would be opened to the public on schedule in • Fleetwood Village Homeowners Association happy to speak with you on this matter. September 2003, the construction on the • Forest Glen Community Association community centre portion of the building is The names of all the donors who purchased a nearing completion. I am very excited about brick in the original facility will be listed on purchase and proliferate it. Some of these There are many explicit images on the Streetproofing people are predatory in that they will try to Internet and it is desensitizing to children. lure a child that they have met online. The These images can be pornographic, violent, for Cyberspace typical pattern is that someone starts an degrading and dehumanizing. The Internet Just as you talk to your children about dangers apparently innocent conversation in a chat is not regulated the way radio and television out on the road, you need similar strategies for room that over time becomes sexually are, so there are no limits to what a curious the virtual highway. If you're not that savvy explicit. The cyberpal develops a relationship child may see, intentionally or not. If you with technology, take a course or find that with the child and may offer them anything see something upsetting or receive disturbing friend/colleague to give you an online tour. including friendship and gifts, especially if messages, contact your Internet Service The Internet is a marvellous tool and many they have learned the child has been denied Provider first. children are actively online. Like many tools something or is just lonely. This may lead to Other pitfalls of being online include however, it can be harmful if precautions are a meeting. There have been several incidents addiction and gambling. You should be not taken. Peel Regional Police created the in Peel Region. concerned if a child appears to be spending Internet Safety Committee about five years ago Remind children to never give out personal too much time on the Net, their grades are to address the hidden dangers. I am pleased to information or photos over the Internet or slipping, they're not leaving the house very represent Mississauga on this committee as anything that may identify them, their school often, or not spending time with friends. this issue is very important to me. The force's or family. Most importantly, forewarn them Talk with your children about their online Youth Education and Neighbourhood Policing to NEVER go and meet someone they only activity out of genuine interest - NOT Units conduct "Cyberproofed" classes for know online. Tell your children there are accusingly. For example, ask them, "What grades three to ten in both school boards some people lurking in cyberspace who may did you see on the Internet today? What did within the Region of Peel. want to take advantage of them. It has been you learn?" Constable Brenda Pennington is the encouraging to know that more youth are Go online with your child once in a while coordinator of the program and provides turning away from chat rooms and instead to find out what their interests and opinions presentations to adults. The Internet is great are using instant messaging with friends. are. Peel Police is a great resource at for communication, education, commerce On its Web site, Peel Police recommends www. peelpolice.on.ca. The site lists and entertainment, but it's important to use keeping the Internet in a high-traffic area protective software tips and it has two common sense online. Even though Peel within the home. This will increase the family Internet contracts you can print and Regional Police has this program, parents likelihood that the child will not be alone use - one for parents and one for youth. need to be diligent at protecting their when using the Internet and therefore have For further inquiries, please contact: children from the perils of the Internet less of an opportunity to be taken advantage Constable Brenda Pennington #1479 whether or not they have a computer at of. The living room, family room or kitchen 905-453-3311, ext. 3644 home. Children can go online at friends' are great locations to monitor your child's [email protected] homes, school, the library or cybercafes. activities while they are surfing and be The most serious concern is the large amount available for questions should they see of child pornography online and those who something disturbing.

scars "chewed" into the branches or trunk, trees and forests such as all varieties of maple, Asian Longhorned Beetle please report their location to the City's poplar, willow, horse chestnut and birch. Last Emerges in the Spring Urban Forestry department. Holes will be year, the beetle was found in Canada for the visible year-round, while scars only appear first time in Toronto and Vaughan. Although there have been no reported during the spring and summer. findings in Mississauga, residents should Potential sightings should first be reported be on the alert for the Asian Longhorned According to the Canadian Food Inspection to the City of Mississauga's Urban Forestry Beetle and any signs or symptoms of insect Agency (CFIA), the ALHB does not threaten Section at 905-615-4100 or the CFIA damage to trees this spring. human health, however, it does pose a toll-free hotline at 1-800-442-2342. significant risk to broadleaf and hardwood The adult Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALHB) is a large bluish-black insect (2.5 to 3.5 centimetres in length) with white spots and very long antennae. If you happen to see a suspicious-looking insect, we are asking that you capture it in a jar if possible and place in your freezer until someone from the City's Urban Forestry department can pick it up. Because the ALHB bears a close resemblance to several native insects, please view the posted pictures on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Web site www.inspection.gc.ca to compare images. We also ask that if you notice trees or nursery stock that show signs of infestation, such as one centimetre diameter holes that appear "drilled" or small reddish brown www.mississauga.ca/litterbug. Enforcement staff will follow up the complaints. City of Mississauga Litter in Our Our youth campaign was recently introduced to youth and teens through both Mississauga Earns Prestigious Community school boards. NBA star, Jerome Williams, When it comes to the litter issue, the return also known as the Junkyard Dog, has been "AAA" Rating From of spring brings us back to harsh reality. encouraging young people to "Slam Dunk That's when we see all the garbage that's Your Junk." With the Junkyard Dog's help, a Standard & Poor's been hidden on the ground throughout the Pledge Not to Litter Challenge ran in schools Standard & Poor's Ratings Services assigned its winter - and it's a sad situation. throughout Mississauga last fall. If your child ‘AAA' credit rating on the City of Mississauga, The City's anti-litter program comprises two does not have a "Slam Dunk Your Junk" based on the City's no debt policy and high key initiatives: LitterNot is our volunteer poster in their school, please contact me liquidity levels. cleanup program, which registers groups and I will ensure that some posters are sent According to Standard & Poor's, "the rating to clean up adopted areas, a minimum of to the school for posting. on Mississauga reflects its zero debt burden, three times a year, during a two-year period. Let's take responsibility for our neighbourhoods. superior liquidity levels, and the vigorous Although there are some registered LitterNot By working together, we can make Ward 3 long-term growth in its local economy and groups in our Ward, we always need more the cleanest neighbourhood and help make taxable assessment base." community and business involvement. Mississauga the cleanest city in the province. This rating further enhances the City's profile Please help clean up our community by Please don't be a Litterbug! in the financial and municipal sectors and forming a LitterNot group. To adopt a park, highlights our debt-free status and fiscal call 905-615-4100. For streets, contact track record of responsible financial planning. 905-615-3033. LitterNot groups are recognized with a sign at their cleanup Standard & Poor's added that the City's debt- location and a Certificate of Recognition free record puts it ahead of its domestic and from Mayor McCallion. international peers with respect to debt burden. Outside the United States, Mississauga "Don't be a Litterbug" is the name of our becomes only the 11th municipality to earn public awareness campaign. The Litterbug Standard & Poor's coveted "AAA" rating. The was brought back to Mississauga a year ago stable outlook reflects the expectation that in a campaign, which reminded us to stash Mississauga will not be issuing any debt for our trash. Enforcement is a key strategy of the foreseeable future and that there will be this campaign. Last year, Council approved no significant deterioration in the City's cash an increase to the set fine for littering, from and investment holdings. $105 to $305. There are "$305 Littering Fine Enforced" street signs and garbage can Credit rating agencies provide an objective decals located throughout the city. If you third party perspective on the financial see someone in the act of littering and you management of various levels of government have all the information required by staff and organizations. Not only is the "AAA" rating to investigate the complaint (outlined on very prestigious, it can be a significant factor the Reporting Littering Violations form), in lowering the City's borrowing costs which you can file the report form found at ultimately benefits the taxpayers.

This year’s festival will run from June 1 to 5 on the Board of Directors and I look forward The 9th Mississauga and will utilize all performing spaces in the to working with the new executive director. International , Civic Centre and Central For more event and ticket information, Library. The expanded festival will run five please visit www.kidsfestival.org or call the Children's Festival full days and will be filled with interactive Living Arts Centre box office at 905-306-6000. attractions, performing arts, visual arts The 9th Mississauga International Children’s workshops/demonstrations, storytelling, Festival (MICF) promises to be another craft tents and literary series. eclectic and exciting celebration of children and the arts. There have also been changes to the administration of the festival. In a This year’s festival theme of Light, Energy partnership arrangement with the Living Arts and Sound will capture the excitement and Centre and the City of Mississauga, MICF has imagination of all in attendance. Light, moved its office into the Living Arts Centre Energy and Sound are the basic elements, and contracted Paul Eck as its executive but at this year’s festival, will be fused into director. These changes are expected to wonderful and exciting arts performances achieve immediate and long-term benefits and attractions. for the MICF. I am pleased to be a volunteer What are the parking standards in Mississauga? contact the Municipal Property Assessment Who do I call to get a City tree inspected/ Answer: Unless otherwise signed, you can Corporation, Assessment Office at 6745 planted/removed? park on a street in Mississauga for three Century Avenue, Suite #1, Mississauga, ON Answer: The Forestry Unit is responsible for hours. Who should I contact if I have L5N 8C9, telephone 1-866-296-6722. inspecting, planting and removing trees and questions or concerns about parking in For specific information such as ownership, can be reached at 905-615-4100. Mississauga? Contact Parking Control at lot size, legal descriptions and tenant My street light is burnt out, where do I call 905-896-5678 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. After information, visit the Office of the City Clerk to have it replaced? 4 p.m. or on weekends contact the 24 hour at the , 300 City Answer: Call Enersource Hydro Mississauga at dispatch at 905-615-3000. Centre Drive, or call 905-896-5450. 905-566-2718 to report that the street light Why were my guests' cars ticketed; they Property/Tax information can also be is not working. Who do I call if I notice a burnt weren't bothering anybody? viewed online at www.mississauga.ca. Answer: If cars are ticketed for exceeding out light in a Mississauga park? Please call When are my realty tax installments due? Facilities and Property Management at the designated time limit for parking on a Answer: For the interim tax billing there are residential street, it means that the City 905-615-4202. They are responsible three installments which are due in March, for the maintenance of park lights. received a complaint and sent a Parking April and May. The final billing is issued in Control Officer in response. Where parking is June and is also separated in three installments Where can I get a blue or grey recycling box permitted on residential streets, enforcement or replace a stolen one? - July, August and September. For information of the designated time limit will only occur if Answer: Replacement blue and grey recycling a complaint is received. on your specific taxes or to arrange equal billing, call the Tax Office at 905-896-5575. boxes can be picked up at the following Am I allowed to park over sidewalks to get an locations: Mavis Road Works Yard, 3185 extra car in my driveway? What is the earliest time I can place my garbage Mavis Rd.; Meadowvale Parks and Public Answer: Parking over sidewalks and on and recycling bins at the curb for pickup? Works Yard, 6300 Mill Creek Dr.; Clarkson paved boulevards adjacent to driveways Answer: Remember to place your garbage, Works Yard, 2167 Royal Windsor Dr.; Malton is not permitted. full recycling boxes and yard waste at the Works Yard, 7100 Fir Tree Dr.; Meadowvale Can I park my car overnight on Mississauga curb by 7 am on the day of collection, and Community Centre, 6655 Glen Erin Dr. streets? Where can I park my car when my not before 7 pm the evening before. Empty You will have to purchase a new one for $6. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS by RESIDENTS QUESTIONS ASKED FREQUENTLY driveway is being repaired? containers or waste not collected must be For other recycling concerns, contact the Answer: Parking in Mississauga is limited removed from the curb by 7 pm the day of Wasteline at 905-791-9499. to three hours unless otherwise posted. the collection. For ease of collection, place Therefore, on most streets you cannot park recycling and yard waste on one side of the longer than three hours at any time. You driveway and garbage on the opposite side, can, however, request consideration on the where possible. For safety reasons, do not Mississauga is the street. In order to request consideration, include household hazardous waste such as contact Parking Control at 905-896-5678 syringes, paint, motor oil, propane tanks Safest City in Canada from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. After 4 p.m. and batteries with your garbage. or on weekends, contact the 24 hour dispatch Once Again at 905-615-3000. How do I dispose of a large item such as a fridge, stove, washing machine, or furniture? In a 2003 study conducted by the Mississauga Can I widen my driveway and whom do I contact? Answer: Prior to widening your driveway, Answer: Call the Region of Peel Wasteline Crime Prevention Association, it was announced you should contact the City's Zoning Plans at 905-791-9499 to arrange for a special that Mississauga was the safest of all the large Examination Section to ensure compliance with pickup. Arrangements must be made one cities in Canada for the fourth year in a row. the requirements of the City's Zoning Bylaw. week in advance so that Waste Management Mississauga was compared to eight cities If your subdivision is not yet assumed by the can schedule the appliance pickup. Call in in Canada including Toronto, Hamilton, City, you must also obtain the Developer's advance for large scrap items such as bath- Ottawa, Montreal, Winnipeg, Edmonton and permission to widen your driveway. tubs, hot water heaters, furnaces and large appliances. For smaller items such as couches, Vancouver. The cities' 2002 criminal code We are planning a block party. Can we close televisions and mattresses collection takes offences based on violent crimes versus off the road? place on your regular collection day. For persons and crimes versus property and Answer: A Road Occupancy Permit is required safety reasons, remember to remove the other offences were used to determine for a street party and may be obtained through doors from your appliances. the comparative crime statistics. the Traffic Section. The Traffic Section must be notified four weeks prior to the road closure. When will the grass on boulevards be cut? The Honourable Monte Kwinter, minister of A signed petition with 80 per cent of the Answer: The City relies upon private property Community Safety and Correctional Services residents directly affected by the road closure owners for the maintenance of adjacent was on hand at a press conference held at indicating their support is also required. For boulevards. Major arteries and reverse the Civic Centre to announce this distinction. more information, contact the Traffic Section frontages are maintained on a scheduled "Crime prevention is everyone's responsibility," at 905-896-5794. basis. Grass cutting starts with two cuts said Kwinter. "While my ministry provides Iamhaving a garage sale. Where can I post signs? in May and June followed by one in July, police services with the tools they need to Answer: The City of Mississauga provides August, September and October. The do their jobs effectively, business and the plastic sleeves on selected utility poles rehabilitation is performed at selected areas public have an important role to play as throughout the City. These are the only throughout the summer months as needed. well. I would like to congratulate the City approved locations. For pole locations and Spring repairs will occur in April and May. of Mississauga and the Peel Regional Police more information call By-law Enforcement The aerating program is done twice yearly on being designated Canada's safest city at 905-896-5655. in May and August. Fertilizing will follow in for the fourth consecutive year." June and October. The rehabilitation program Who can I call regarding property assessment? (restoring the boulevard from accumulated For more information on the study, please Answer: For assessment information, details damages to its original state) takes place visit the Mississauga Crime Prevention Web on a building such as square footage, deeds in July, August and September. For more site at www.mcpa.on.ca or call 905-803-8118. to be stamped and school support changes, information please call 905-615-4100. Mississauga Cycling AdvisoryCommittee Mississauga The Mississauga Cycling Advisory Committee (MCAC) was created in 1994 and provides Mississauga cyclists with an avenue to voice their ideas and comments regarding cycling and the development Tourism set to of the multi-use trail system to Mississauga City Council. Volunteer representatives, who express an enthusiasm for cycling and a dedication for working with City staff to develop and expand the City's form the City's trail system, are appointed to MCAC by their Ward Councillor. First Convention & This year, MCAC will be hosting two community rides in combination with two of Mississauga's premier community events. The Bread and Honey Festival Community Ride will be held Sunday, Visitors Bureau June 6 and the Southside Shuffle Blues and Jazz Festival Community Ride will be held Sunday, September 5. Both rides begin at 11 a.m. and are approximately two hours in length. The rides Mississauga City Council has endorsed are designed to promote healthy lifestyles and active living and are an ideal outing for the concept of formalizing the City's first families, grandparents, older active adults and new cyclists. Convention & Visitors Bureau, Mississauga Tourism. Mississauga Tourism's primary role In addition to the community rides, MCAC is promoting five weekly group rides that begin the week will be to service and attract visitors to the of June 6 and take place on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Each weekday ride Mississauga area. takes place on a different trail route and offers varying degrees of cycling challenges. Much industry discussion has led to this During the next three years, MCAC will be focusing their efforts on increasing the visibility of recommendation. A Business Plan was the committee, creating a greater awareness of the trail system, introducing cycling clubs and prepared through full consultation with the safety programs in schools and working with City staff to ensure Mississauga's multi-use trail tourism industry and names four target market system continues to expand. priorities that our industry believes should be For more information on the above listed community and weekly rides or other cycling programs, or our focus: to find out about exciting volunteer opportunities for youth with MCAC, please visit our Web site at 1. Corporate Meetings www.mississauga.ca/cycling, e-mail us at [email protected] or call 905-896-5471. 2. Trade & Consumer Shows 3. Organized Group Tour 4. Sports event/tournament such a shame, because our watercourses are Mississauga Tourism has already Protecting such an integral and beautiful part of our achieved success: community. Why would anyone think it is A new SuperGuide consisting of a tourist- Mississauga's permissible to dump their garbage there? oriented map and brochure detailing what The City of Mississauga prides itself in being to see and do in our area has been produced. Environment a clean, beautiful and environmentally The "Discover Mississauga" portal on One of the City of Mississauga's vision responsible community. The By-law www.mississauga.ca has been redesigned statements is, "Mississauga will be an Enforcement unit is monitoring the dumping and updated. environmentally responsible community." situation very closely. Any person who is Using this as a guiding principle, the City has convicted of a dumping offence is liable Mississauga Tourism has secured $100,000 in several by-laws that are designed to help to a fine of up to $5,000. Tourism Recovery funding from the Ministry maintain and protect our local environment. of Tourism and Recreation on behalf of 34 We are doing what we can to control this tourism businesses in the Mississauga area. I would like to stress that there is a very ugly problem and preserve our reputation This funding will go towards new programs that clear and defined by-law on the maintenance of being a clean and green city. We ask will be launched in May to target corporate and protection of trees on public property. residents to do their part by not littering or meeting planners, trade & consumer show Namely, no person other than those duly dumping, getting the message out to family visitors and organized group tour visitors. authorized by the City shall, break, injure, and friends and reporting any dumping uproot, interfere with or destroy any tree or offences. For more information on the A Destination Audit has been completed in part of any tree on public property. This also Dumping and Debris By-law or to report any partnership with the Ontario Ministry of means that no person can trim or prune any related offences, please contact our By-law Tourism, which will provide recommendations tree on public property. Enforcement office at 905-896-5655. for the future on priorities for building our great City as a tourist destination. Public property includes parks, woodlots, Encroachment is another issue that impacts boulevards and land adjacent to creeks the safety and enjoyment of our parks and For more information, please contact and streams. watercourses. Some homeowners feel entitled Mississauga Tourism at 905-896-5998. If you have a concern about a specific tree to extend their sheds, decks and gazebos or require more information on this by-law into City owned property. This practice is not or the Private Tree By-law, please contact permissible and any person convicted of this Please keep in mind that encroachments can our Urban Forestry unit at 905-615-4100. offence is subject to a fine. also include gardens and plantings. You'll As many of you know, it's not fair to restrict or agree that one gardener's idea of horticultural Now that Spring is here, the amount of beauty may not hold true for all residents. garbage and debris on the ground is quite impede the mutual enjoyment of a City park or offensive. As if littering isn't bad enough, watercourse. Also, there are significant safety For more information on the Encroachment there are people who dump their garbage and liability issues that must be addressed By-law or to report any related offences, and junk on public property. should a resident get injured by an improperly please contact our By-law Enforcement maintained structure. office at 905-896-5655. I must say that the situation around Etobicoke Creek is getting worse. This is