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Stephen Dasko

Show highlights at the Living Arts Centre this November

By Events

Take part in a great lineup of live shows that’ll spark curiosity, stir emotions and get you dancing in your seat.

October 28, 2025

Get ready for some amazing live performances at the Living Arts Centre (LAC)! Next month brings an exciting variety of shows that promise to be amazing. Whether you’re looking for something fun to do or enjoy quality time with family and friends, saugaLIVE has curated a lineup of performances you won’t want to miss.

Living Arts Centre audience

November lineup

Emily Calandrelli, The Space Gal

TV host and author Emily Calandrelli, star of Emily’s Wonder Lab on Netflix, will share fun stories, experiments and real-world space adventures! Emily makes science and STEM accessible—perfect for future astronauts, curious minds and families who love to learn together.

Thursday, November 13, 2025 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Tickets start at $34+fees
Get tickets

Reel Thursdays: We Lend a Hand – The Forgotten Story Of Ontario Farmerettes

History buffs and film lovers unite! This TIFF Film Circuit feature dives into the untold story of Ontario’s Farmerettes during WWII—a gripping tale of courage, community and wartime resilience brought to life on the big screen. Following the screening, director Colin Fields will be onsite for an exclusive post-show talkback and audience questions and answers.

Thursday, November 13, 2025 from 7 to 8 p.m.
Tickets start at $13.50+fees
Get tickets

Shea Couleé featuring Lemon and The Virgo Queen

Fashion, fame and fabulousness! Get ready for an unforgettable night of glitz and glamour as Shea Couleé, international drag superstar and winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season 5, hits the stage in Mississauga!

Shea brings their signature blend of live vocals, fierce fashion and high-energy to deliver a performance that’s part-concert, part spectacle and all celebration. Expect bold looks, dynamic beats and the magnetic stage presence that’s made Shea one of the most electrifying performers in the world of drag.

Joining the lineup are Lemon, winner of Canada’s Drag Race: Canada vs. The World Season 2, and The Virgo Queen, winner of Canada’s Drag Race Season 5. Bonus: it’s a two-for-one ticket deal if you book early!

Friday, November 14, 2025 from 8 to 9:30 p.m.
18+ mature content warning
Tickets start at $45+fees
Get tickets
(Use unlock code TMN241 before selecting seats on Ticketmaster)

Digable Planets — Blowout Comb Anniversary Tour

Cool like dat? Absolutely. This GRAMMY-winning trio returns with their signature blend of jazz and hip hop that defined a generation. With a full live band, this show is pure groove, nostalgia and lyrical genius.

Thursday, November 20, 2025 from 8 to 10 p.m.
Tickets start at $59+fees
Get tickets

Adaptive Concert: ASD Band in Collaboration with Xenia Concerts

Feel the rhythm of inclusion! The ASD Band, featuring four incredible musicians on the autism spectrum, joins forces with Xenia Concerts for a heartwarming, family-friendly show that celebrates neurodiversity through music.

Sunday, November 30, 2025 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Tickets start at $5+fees
Get tickets

saugaLIVE is your ticket to an unforgettable experience, filled with music, magic and memorable moments all right here in Mississauga! Tickets for all shows can be purchased through our website or at the LAC ticket office.

Light Up the Square & Santa Claus Parade

By Events

Kickoff the winter season in downtown Mississauga with the Santa Claus parade, the opening of the City’s largest outdoor ice rink, and lighting of the Christmas tree!

The Santa Claus parade begins at 6 p.m., but there is plenty of holiday fun to be had before then!

The festivities begin at 4 p.m. as Celebration Square and the downtown core come alive with twinkling lights, live entertainment, and holiday cheer. Then, at 6 p.m., the Santa Claus parade will be enroute through the downtown with Santa himself ready to light the Christmas tree!

Celebration Square

  • Live entertainment from 4–6 p.m. featuring Soul Sublime’s disco holiday covers, SHOUT! The Band, and LED hoop dancer, Theland Kicknosway, hosted by Liem Vu and Jaden Lee-Lincoln from Global News
  • Photos with Santa & Friends, courtesy of Coca-Cola

PLEASE NOTE: Santa will dash off at 6 p.m. to join the parade, but Gingerbread Man and Frosty will step in to keep the photo fun going until 8 p.m.

  • Holiday activity & singalong booklets available at the Mississauga Auto Mall’s Sleigh
  • Festive photo ops, face painting, glitter face bar and food trucks
  • Ice skating on the rink with skate rentals available
  • Santa Claus lights up the Christmas tree as his float travels through the Square!

The Holiday Express Stop at Living Arts Drive and Princess Royal Drive

Climb aboard for trackless train rides, illuminated artworks, food trucks, and a great view of the parade.

Candy Cane Corner at the Square One P3 Lot

Catch busker performances, hop on interactive musical bikes, food trucks, and take in all the Santa Claus parade magic.

Be sure to explore the full parade route and check out the wintry magic throughout the downtown.

Learn More

Peel receives global recognition for its transformation work in the water and wastewater sector

By Announcement, Resources

BRAMPTON, Ont. – October 28, 2025. Peel Region has been recognized with the Utility of the Future Today Award from the Water Environment Federation. This global acknowledgment reflects Peel’s commitment to leading transformational work in the water and wastewater sector, including partnering with other organizations, and prioritizing community engagement, resource recovery, and sustainable operations.

The Utility of the Future Today brings together like-minded water utilities involved in advancing resource efficiency and recovery, developing proactive relationships with stakeholders, and establishing resilient, sustainable, and livable communities. It enables participants to learn from each other and continually grow and evolve as a sector.

Every day, Peel treats over 1.7 billion litres of clean, safe drinking water and 660 million litres of wastewater.

Some recent achievements demonstrated by Peel:

  • A 100 percent report rating by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks for its annual inspection of all seven Peel municipal drinking water systems, demonstrating continued excellent performance, and a focus on ensuring water quality and the health of the community.
  • Progressing toward ISO 45001 Compliance and Certification for an Occupational Health and Safety Management system and ISO 55001Compliance for Asset Management for Water and Wastewater.
  • Assessing a triple-bottom-line approach to managing biosolids and biogas generated within our Water Resource Recovery facilities.
  • Using Lean initiatives to review and improve customer service and operating investments.

Learn more about Peel Region’s awards for leadership, continuous improvement, innovation, and service excellence.

Quotations

“I am so proud of this achievement by our staff. Peel Region is an established leader in water and wastewater service delivery, and we are simply the best at what we do.”
Nando Iannicca, Regional Chair and CEO, Peel Region.


“This recognition reflects the incredible work our teams do every day. From our frontline operators to our technical teams, project managers and everyone supporting behind the scenes. Their commitment to innovation, sustainability, and service excellence is what made this achievement possible.”

Anthony Parente, General Manager, Water & Wastewater.

 

The BFUTR Conference is back! Mississauga to host North America’s largest Black tech event

By Events

The BFUTR 2025 Global Tech Summit presented by TD will be held in Mississauga on November 6-7 to celebrate Black and allied talent, build partnerships and support economic growth.

October 28, 2025

Visit Mississauga is proud to partner with Obsidi®, once again, to announce the return of the BFUTR 2025 Global Tech Summit, presented by TD. This summit is a key initiative for Obsidi®, the job board built for Black tech professionals allies, to empower its members and stakeholders to grow their careers and businesses in the tech sector. This year’s summit embraces the bold theme, “The New World of Work,” highlighting a time of accelerated change driven by AI, automation and global shifts in workplace dynamics. BFUTR 2025 will explore how Black professionals and allies are leading the charge, redefining leadership, scaling businesses and shaping innovation.

With more than 20,000+ registrants expected, BFUTR is the world’s largest celebration of Black and allied excellence in tech and you won’t want to miss it.

What

The BFUTR 2025 Global Tech Summit is back, with this year’s summit featuring more than 100 speakers and exciting headliners like Bozoma Saint John (former CMO of Netflix) and Dan Schulman (CEO of Verizon). Attendees can also look forward to curated workshops, executive panels, real-time networking opportunities and much more.

As part of the summit, IDEA Mississauga is partnering with the Black Entrepreneur Alliance (BEA) to present a panel on building future-proof tech careers. Founders and ecosystem developers will dive into emerging trends, must-have skills and inclusive pathways into tech. It’s a conversation you won’t want to miss!

And don’t forget to swing by the IDEA and BEA booth for activations, resources, and community connections to help empower entrepreneurs.

Where

The International Centre in Mississauga.

6900 Airport Road

When

November 6 to 7, 2025

How it works

Passes are available on the BFUTR 2025 webpage. This year, BFUTR 2025 takes place during Black Tech Week North (BTWN) which runs from November 3 to 7 in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Calgary, Vancouver, BTWN will showcase Canada’s regional tech ecosystems and the Black professionals and allies who power them. BTWN events are free to attend with a BFUTR pass.

Where community, opportunity and tourism unite

Visit Mississauga is excited to work with Obsidi® for BFUTR 2025, reinforcing its commitment to diversity and inclusion, and attracting high-quality events that benefit residents, businesses, and visitors. BFUTR 2025 supports Visit Mississauga’s vision to enhance the city’s reputation as a top destination for world-renowned conferences, while showcasing our inspiring, multicultural community and unique opportunities.

By connecting businesses with local talent in the tech sector, this summit also positions Mississauga as a centre for economic growth and local tech talent, aligning with Invest and IDEA Mississauga’s mission to support entrepreneurs and foster innovation.

Peel Public Health strengthens immunization program, focusing on equity

By Resources

BRAMPTON, ON (October 27, 2025) – After years of COVID-19 disruptions and amid rising global outbreaks, Peel Public Health has focused its immunization program on a clear goal: make immunization accessible and equitable for every resident by closing service gaps.

“Protection against diseases should not depend on where you live, the language you speak or your work schedule,” said Nando Iannicca, Chair of the Board of Health, and Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer, Peel Region. “Health is the foundation of a thriving community. When each of us has access to the vaccines we need, our entire community benefits.”

Peel Public Health has restored all school vaccination programs, expanded community clinics, and supported families in navigating complex immunization requirements. With support from Regional Council, Peel has:

  • Over 54,000 children vaccinated through routine school immunization screenings.
  • Over 730 vaccine clinics delivered across schools, community hubs, and mobile sites to expand access.
  • Over 744,000 vaccine doses distributed to 600 local healthcare providers.
  • Over 181,000 vaccine doses supplied directly to Peel Public Health clinics.
  • New evening and weekend clinics launched to support working families.
  • More newcomer families reached through partnerships with settlement agencies and community groups.
  • Call centre wait times cut by 34%, helping families get vaccine information faster.

Peel’s immunization program includes services such as multilingual communications, translation help with records, and partnerships with trusted community organizations.

 

The unit is expanding school-based immunization screening from two cohorts to nine cohorts in the 2025–2026 school year, inclusive of students from Grades 2 to 6 and 9 to 12.

“We’re approaching our immunization work with a renewed sense of urgency and inclusion,” said Dr. Monica Hau, Acting Medical Officer of Health, Peel Region. “Health starts with prevention, and vaccines are one of our most effective tools. Our team is working tirelessly to close gaps by finding practical, creative solutions that meet residents’ needs.”

 

This progress would not have been possible without the ongoing support and investment of Peel Regional Council, whose commitment to prevention and community health has helped rebuild and strengthen Peel’s immunization system.

Resources

Mississauga honours the best in urban design, helping shape the City’s future

By Events, Planning & Development

On October 23, Mississauga celebrated its 2025 Urban Design Award winners, recognizing the City’s most innovative projects that contribute to a vibrant and livable community.

October 27, 2025

On Thursday, October 23, the City announced the winners of the 2025 Urban Design Awards. The ceremony honoured the spaces that have helped shape Mississauga, from those with deep community significance to sustainable, innovative, and wellness-focused designs.

This year’s awards showcased a variety of inspiring projects, including residential buildings, parks and community spaces. The theme, Reflections and Visionsencouraged participants to honour the legacy of city-building, while also imagining the future of Mississauga’s landscape.

Take a look at the award-winning projects and photos here.

Background

Launched in 1981, the Mississauga Urban Design Awards recognize and celebrate the creativity and dedication of architects, landscape architects, artists and planners who have helped shape the city. It’s Ontario’s longest running municipal urban design awards initiative in Ontario, and continues to spotlight excellence in building vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable communities.

Event photos

       

Sixth Annual Ward 1 Community Excellence Awards – Winners 2025

By Announcement, Stephen’s Initiatives, Ward 1

The Sixth Annual Ward 1 Community Excellence Awards took place on Thursday October 23rd, and was a truly inspiring evening that filled me with immense gratitude and pride.

I am humbled each year by the opportunity to recognize the incredible individuals, businesses, and organizations whose hard work and dedication make Ward 1 such a vibrant and caring community.

Congratulations to this year’s nominees and award recipients. It is an honour to celebrate all that you do. Below is a full list of this year’s winners across each category:

Entrepreneur of the Year Award

This award recognizes the endeavors of an exceptional individual or company who:

  • creates exceptional products and services
  • keep our local economies moving forward
  • embodies the spirit of community
  • values and demonstrates innovation

Winner: Laughtree Clearance Centre – Christine Ader

Customer Service Award

This award recognizes a business for:

  • consistently exceeding customer or guest expectations
  • exceptional service standards in our community

Winner: Village Pharmacy – Fahd Bahrani

Best Restaurant Award

This award is presented to a restaurant that provides:

  • a most enjoyable overall guest experience
  • high standards for food quality
  • excellent customer service that enhances the dining experience

Winner: Posta Italbar Cucina

Artist of the Year Award

The Artist of the Year Award celebrates an individual whose artistic talent, creativity, and dedication have made a significant impact in our community through the arts.
Nominees should demonstrate not only artistic excellence, but also a commitment to sharing their work in ways that inspire, engage, or uplift others in Ward 1. Whether through performance, exhibitions, teaching, or community involvement, this award honours artists whose work enriches the cultural life of our neighbourhoods.
Let’s celebrate the creatives who bring colour, rhythm, and soul to our community. This award seeks to recognize:
– exceptional performances or composition
– pieces that captivate audiences with their talent
– artistic expression and creativity

Winner: Karen Colangelo

Good Neighbour Award

This award recognizes outstanding contributions by an individual who positively influences their local community with:

  • acts of kindness, and generosity
  • community involvement and volunteerism
  • assistance to neighbours in need

Winner: Kimberlee Hutchinson

Volunteer Award

Our city is built by those who give their time and expertise selflessly, expecting nothing in return. This award recognizes an individual who demonstrates excellence in volunteering to make Ward 1 a better place to live, work, and play by:

  • dedication and commitment to their cause
  • impacting the community
  • demonstrating leadership
  • supporting vulnerable populations
  • enriching the culture
  • community engagement

Winner: Karen Priest

Youth Excellence Award

The Ward 1 Youth Excellence Award recognizes and celebrates the outstanding achievements and contributions of young people, ages 15 to 24, who are helping to shape and strengthen our community.

Whether through creative expression, academic achievement, athletic talent, a passion for volunteerism, or inspiring leadership, this award honours youth whose efforts and accomplishments have had a positive and lasting impact in Ward 1.

It’s a celebration of the young voices, hands, hearts, and intellect making a real difference where we live.

Winner: Hayley Tutty

Lifetime Achievement

Ward 1 would like to honour with great respect and admiration, an individual for their lifetime of support, promotion and vision for our community by demonstrating some or all of the following characteristics:

  • advocacy and public service
  • mentorship and guidance
  • philanthropy and generosity
  • resilience and perseverance
  • inspiring future generations

Winner: Ric Cooper

Congratulations once again!  

City of Mississauga welcomes new Director of the Rapid Transit Office

By Announcement

Carolyn Ryall will lead Mississauga’s investments in major rapid transit projects, advancing the City’s vision to enhance connectivity, reduce congestion, and promote sustainable growth through efficient and accessible public transit.

October 23, 2025

Following a competitive recruitment process, the City of Mississauga is pleased to announce the appointment of Carolyn Ryall as the Director of the Rapid Transit Office effective November 3, 2025.

In this role, Ryall will report to the Commissioner of Transportation and Works and lead Mississauga’s investments in major rapid transit projects, including the Hazel McCallion Light Rail Transit along Hurontario Street and the Bus Rapid Transit corridors along Dundas Street and Lakeshore Road. She will be responsible for setting the strategic direction and advancing the City’s vision to enhance connectivity, reduce congestion, and promote sustainable growth through efficient and accessible public transit.

Under Ryall’s leadership, the Rapid Transit Office will oversee the delivery of these transformative capital projects in collaboration with City divisions, senior leadership, Council, provincial and federal partners as well as other transit agencies and neighbouring municipalities.

Ryall brings over 20 years of experience delivering transformative infrastructure projects across the public and private sectors. Most recently, she served as Director of the Transportation Division at the City of Hamilton where she acted as the Municipal Road Authority responsible for the operation and management of the City’s entire transportation network, while playing a key stakeholder role in advancing Hamilton’s Light Rail Transit initiative.

Prior to that, Ryall led major capital infrastructure and Bus Rapid Transit projects with York Region, Niagara Region, Metrolinx as well as the Ministry of Transportation, Ontario (MTO) – including Ontario’s first Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI), which was delivered in partnership with the MTO.

Ryall holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Waterloo as well as a Bachelor of Arts Honours in Sociology/Psychology from Queen’s University.

Quotes

“I’m pleased to welcome Carolyn to the City of Mississauga and the role of Director leading our Rapid Transit Office. She brings extensive experience managing complex, high-value initiatives including rapid transit, right-of-way capital reconstruction, BRT/LRT projects, and budget oversight. In this role, Carolyn’s experience, expertise and leadership will be invaluable in working with Mayor, Council, and a diverse range of stakeholders and partners to drive the successful delivery of the City’s strategic plans for higher-order transit.” – Sam Rogers, Commissioner, Transportation and Works

“I am looking forward to joining the City of Mississauga’s extended leadership team and working closely with the Mayor, Council and City staff to deliver, support, and implement the City’s transformative rapid transit projects, transportation infrastructure and key priorities. With more than 20 years of public service, I am deeply passionate about leadership and the professional growth of my team. I am committed to mentoring staff, fostering collaboration and building high-performing, inclusive teams that deliver meaningful results for the community.”– Carolyn Ryall, Director, Rapid Transit Office

Carolyn Ryall, Director, Rapid Transit Office

Moving Mississauga: New plan will guide City’s transit and road planning for decades to come

By Resources

The City’s new Transit and Road Infrastructure Plan provides a blueprint for implementing a long-term rapid transit and road network in Mississauga over the next 20 years. It will also help position the City to seek funding from the Provincial and Federal governments.

October 23, 2025

Yesterday, Council has endorsed the City’s first-ever Transit and Road Infrastructure Plan (TRIP).

The plan will guide the City’s actions, policies and investment in Mississauga’s transit and road network over the next 20 years. As Mississauga continues to grow, there is a need for a multi-modal transportation system that is safe, quick and efficient. The TRIP will guide Mississauga to prioritize transportation infrastructure more effectively, helping people reach their destinations as efficiently as possible, regardless of the mode of transportation they use. It will also help protect vulnerable road users like pedestrians, cyclists and transit users.

Long-term transit network recommendations

The long-term transit network will help grow future transit ridership while providing connections to rapid transit projects currently under construction within the city, as well as to regional transit systems (such as GO Transit) and regional destinations. The recommended transit infrastructure will help reduce transit delays, improve travel time and service reliability.

The recommendations fall into three categories based on how many people are expected to use it, available space and making sure access to transit is equitable. The categories are:

  1. Higher order transit: These are the busiest routes where transit solutions like Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) or Light Rail Transit (LRT) run in their own dedicated lanes.
  2. Transit-only lanes: These are busy routes where adding special lanes along the curb for buses will help transit move more efficiently.
  3. Intersection improvements: For many routes, improving intersections can help make transit more reliable and provide better connections.

Customers boarding a MiWay bus

Long-term road network recommendations

Roads are necessary for connecting to new development areas, crossing major barriers and moving goods around the city. Building new roads or improving existing roads can also help expand connectivity for transit, walking and cycling. Most road improvements in the plan are intended to accommodate transit priority projects.

Sometimes roads may need to be rebalanced to make room and improve safety for vulnerable road users, like pedestrians and cyclists. This could mean adding a new sidewalk, installing protected bike lanes or adding a left turning lane. Before any changes are made, the City will study the road and ask for feedback from the community to help shape the final designs for the road.

Bird's eye view of an intersection in Mississauga

Learn more and read the Transit and Road Infrastructure Plan: mississauga.ca/projects-and-strategies/city-projects/transit-and-road-infrastructure-plan/

Background

In the City’s first Transportation Master Plan, endorsed by Council in 2019, a vision was established that “everyone and everything will have the freedom to move safely, easily and efficiently to anywhere at anytime.” The Transportation Master plan is an overarching guide on the future of transportation in Mississauga.

In 2020, the City initiated a study called the Transit and Road Infrastructure Plan to build upon the vision of the Transportation Master Plan and address two of its action items:

  • To update the long-term transit network plan
  • To update the long-term road network plan

Quote

“Most people in Mississauga drive as their primary mode of transportation to get around the city. Over time, our transportation system has been built to support travel by car. As the demand in Mississauga grows, we are reaching a physical limit to expanding our road network. We need transit and road improvements to support a growing Mississauga. Having this new Transit and Road Infrastructure Plan in place will help guide us over the next 20 years in prioritizing transit and road infrastructure projects that move people safely, easily and efficiently, regardless if they’re walking, cycling, taking transit or driving. With Council endorsing the Transit and Road Infrastructure Plan, the City will be better positioned to seek funding from the Federal and Provincial governments for future rapid transit projects.” – Sam Rogers, Commissioner, Transportation and Works

18-1310 C2 Night Work Notice – Dixie Road and Dundas Street East – Oct 27-30 / 25

By Construction

For the watermain construction project 18-1310 C2, some upcoming work will be completed outside normal business hours. This work will take on the nights of Monday October 27 to Tuesday October 28, Tuesday October 28 to Wednesday October 29 and Wednesday October 29 to Thursday October 30, 2025, between 10:00 pm and 8:00 am at the intersection of Dixie Road and Dundas Street East.

More details are available in the attached notice for affected businesses, which will be posted online at https://peelregion.ca/construction/project-18-1310-c within the next few days.