Category

Food for thought

Mississauga Celebration Square’s large event program is accepting new applications

By Announcement, Food for thought

Apply for 2027 dates until September 29, 2025.

September 15, 2025

The City of Mississauga is pleased to announce the launch of the 2027 Celebration Square Large Event Application Program – now open until September 29, 2025. This streamlined application process empowers eligible event organizers to secure dates for 2027, presenting a great opportunity to host vibrant, community-driven events at Mississauga Celebration Square (MCS), while making a meaningful impact on the community.

This program aims to enrich Mississauga’s dynamic cultural scene and is closely aligned with the City’s commitment to delivering outstanding programming, enhancing accessibility, championing sustainability and stimulating economic growth. By having a dedicated reference group, we ensure that each application receives careful consideration, allowing for the strategic allocation of event dates that meet the City’s criteria.

At a high level, applicants must meet the following standards:

  • Must have experience with large-scale events
  • Demonstrates a track-record of fiscal responsibility
  • Events will be open to the public and free of charge
  • Events must have the ability to acquire liability insurance

A list of full criteria can be viewed on the application portal for new and returning applicants. Given the competitive nature of MCS’ availability, there is no guarantee of securing a requested date and awarded dates may vary from those originally requested.

Event organizers interested in being part of MCS’ dynamic event line-up for the 2027 season must apply no later than Monday, September 29, 2025 by 5 p.m. EST.

For more information, please visit the webpage or contact the MCS team.

Turn callers into fans – Feature your music on 311!

By Announcement, Food for thought

The City of Mississauga is inviting local musicians to apply to be featured in its Music 311 program, which highlights the city’s diverse musical talent on 311 call queue lines, Council meeting live streams and other City channels.

September 15, 2025

Each year, 12 recordings are selected to showcase the talent and diversity of Mississauga’s music community. The program not only builds new audiences for local artists, but also enriches the caller experience by pairing excellent customer service with new musical experiences.

Selected recordings will also be promoted on the City’s website, where residents can learn more about the featured artists and their music.

Step into the spotlight and let the City play your sound—apply now! The submission deadline is Sunday, September 28 at 11:59 p.m.

To learn more, visit the 311 Music webpage.

Music 311

PAINT THE TOWN RED – A Poem by Lourdes Vedia – July 2025 – Port Credit Canada Day

By Food for thought, Ward 1

I wake up to the sound of the waves hitting the rocks

I run to open the curtains and let the breeze caress my face

The sound of the geese flying over the water is music to my ears

As the boats at the port are hitting the docks

 

The sunrise paints the horizon with divine art

First, forming red roses with the clouds, yes, this will be a day of love

as the sun comes out, the sky turns yellow, full of hope

Shining over the water as the lake takes part

Yes, this will be a special day of art,

 

Paint the town red,

say the street signs with a heart,

wearing red would be smart

Soon the parade will start

 

The children enjoy the Ferris wheel and cotton candy

And others line up for face painting,

Or the ice cream handy.

Mom and dad greet the food vendors, hmmm the menu is plenty

Grandma and grandpa laugh at the red balloon hunting

While eating a funnel cake that’s tempting

 

The restaurant tables are on the side walks

Inviting people in with delicious food aromas,

As the band at the stage blasts

People dance to all kinds of music

Oh oh oh, freeze, the music stopped and so did the rides

People that were sitting in front of the stage now stand up

Everyone proudly raises a flag, as though a fighting sword

Yes, paint the town red,

Hats are red

t-shirts are red

dresses are red

but most importantly,

our flag is white and red

with a proud maple leaf that’s red

 

Let’s all break the silence singing together

“OH Canada” as true patriots with love

for our home and native land.

Dressed with red and white, the Councillor salutes,

and I’m happy to shake his hand.

 

There is happiness and love in the crowds,

In the city, in the whole country, not just the town.

Canada, it’s your birthday, our birthday

Together we’ll blow your 158 candles at sunset

and united we’ll enjoy with glowing hearts at night,

the fireworks that rise over the water up to the sky

a colorful and shinny picture of almighty

 

The lights sent up to the sky

Fall onto the lake as though 158 stars

That brighten our eyes in awe

God keep our land glorious and free

Oh Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

 

 

By Lourdes Vedia

July 2025 – Port Credit Canada Day

Important Update – Upcoming NAV CANADA Flight Checks: Second Semi-annual Test

By Food for thought

NAV Canada regularly conducts instrument landing system (ILS) check at Toronto Pearson. This is a routine operation that ensures the accuracy and safety of the country’s navigation aids and instrument approach procedures. The ILS is a precision approach system that provides navigational guidance signals and information on a cockpit display to guide pilots accurately to the point of landing in periods of poor visibility.

The second semi-annual test of 2025 will take place for two nights during the week of July 21 from approx. 12:00AM to 4:00AM and will involve all runways at Toronto Pearson. It will take approximately 20 minutes per runway.

Pre-approved flights do operate in the overnight hours in accordance with the Night Flight Restriction program in effect between 12:30 am and 6:30 am. However, given that the flight checks will involve flight patterns of repeated approaches for the runways at varying combinations of height, speed, and direction, we wanted to inform you that there might be noise impacts in your riding.

We have already posted the information on our Noise Advisory Calendar, and will also be posting a message on WebTrak.

Affected residents can feel free to reach out to the Toronto Pearson Noise Management Office directly if they have any questions or wish to submit a noise complaint:

  • Online using WebTrak or the complaint form
  • By phone 416-247-7682

Peel shares 2024 Climate Change Progress Report: advancing action amid record heat and rising emissions

By Announcement, Food for thought

BRAMPTON, ON (June 27, 2025) – Peel Regional Council has received the 2024 Climate Change Master Plan (CCMP) progress report, outlining achievements, challenges, and next steps in the fight against climate change.

The global climate crisis intensified in 2024, which was the hottest year ever recorded. Peel experienced the impacts of a changing climate firsthand, including two 100-year flood events in a single month and multiple extreme heat episodes that affected residents, staff, and services.

Peel’s climate efforts in 2024 led to a 3.5% reduction in corporate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, independent of external factors beyond Peel’s control. These factors included population growth – leading to increased wastewater treatment – and a 26% spike in natural gas use for electricity generation across Ontario – affecting all grid-connected municipalities. Once these external challenges were considered, Peel’s latest GHG inventory showed a net increase of 1.4% in overall emissions.

Despite these challenges, Peel continued to lead by example, implementing key actions under the Climate Change Master Plan.

Highlights from 2024 include:

  • Transforming Hillside Place in Mississauga to near net-zero emissions
  • Transitioning fleet vehicles to lower-carbon fuels
  • Piloting a Biosolids Diversion Program
  • Enhancing the resilience of Peel’s natural green infrastructure
  • Expanding the Electric Vehicle (EV) charging network
  • Investing in the decarbonization of affordable housing to support Peel Housing Corporation’s near net-zero goals

Peel also successfully leveraged external funding, supported innovation, and deepened its understanding of climate risks and solutions across the organization.

Looking ahead, Peel is refreshing its Climate Change Master Plan, with an updated strategy scheduled for Council approval in 2026. The renewed plan will set updated corporate emissions targets, introduce measures to build and maintain more climate-resilient infrastructure, and empower the broader community to take stronger climate action.

To learn more about Peel’s climate change efforts, visit peelregion.ca/about/climate-change.

Peel Food Map – Resource for Community Food Programs

By Announcement, Food for thought, Resources

The Peel Food Map can help you easily find food banks and food programs nearby. If you or someone you know needs help, don’t hesitate to use the map!

Sharing the newly re-launched Peel Food Map — an interactive tool that helps residents and service providers find food programs such as food banks, community food resources, and meal programs across Brampton, Caledon, and Mississauga.

The map is user-friendly and allows users to search by program type and location, making it easy to navigate. It is regularly updated in partnership with Findhelp 211, and they are committed to reflecting as many food providers as possible—including those offering culturally specific food options.

Have your say in shaping the City’s updated Climate Change Action Plan

By Announcement, Food for thought, Issues

Residents can learn about how the City is doing its part to fight climate change and share their views on Mississauga’s priorities by participating in online and in-person events this summer.

June 19, 2025

Climate change continues to influence weather patterns, contributing to unnatural disasters like the extreme heat and flooding events of last summer. 2024 was also the hottest year on record. The City is updating its 10-year Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP), originally developed in 2019. The update will explore opportunities to strengthen the City’s approach to reducing fossil fuel pollution, by setting stronger, more ambitious targets more closely aligned with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s recommendations to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.No city can stop climate change alone, but as the third highest contributor to fossil fuel pollution in the GTHA, Mississauga has a responsibility to do its part. Residents can get involved by participating in both online and in-person events this summer to tell the City what matters most to them when it comes to climate change.

Get involved to help shape the CCAP update

  • Mississauga’s Climate Lab 2 is an online platform where residents can share their climate-related priorities and comment on the issues that matter most to them. This feedback will be used to help draft the updated CCAP. Residents are encouraged to provide feedback by August 31, 2025.
  • Climate Lab pop-up events will provide an in-person opportunity for the community to share their feedback to help shape the CCAP update. These events will be hosted at Mississauga community centres and libraries throughout the summer. Event details will be posted on the Updating the Climate Change Action Plan webpage in the coming weeks.
  • The Community Dialogue Series will offer residents a more collaborative, in-depth, way to help shape the CCAP update. Both in-person and virtual workshops will be held in July and August. The July sessions will focus on scenario building and storytelling to understand the impacts of the new targets. The August sessions will focus on sharing feedback and insights gathered from the community about the planned updates. Event details will be posted on the Updating the Climate Change Action Plan webpage in the coming weeks.

Stay informed

Visit the Updating the Climate Change Action Plan webpage to sign up for email updates about upcoming events and project milestones.

Notice Of Motion – City Of Mississauga

By Food for thought, Issues

NOTICE OF MOTION — City of Mississauga

Moved by: Sue McFadden

Seconded by: Stephen Dasko

WHEREAS the City of Mississauga requires private property owners to maintain the City-owned public boulevard adjoining their property at their own expense (0266-2017);

AND WHEREAS many private property owners have chosen to beautify the public boulevard through landscaping with stone, brick or other concrete features at their own expense;

AND WHEREAS these landscape features have been identified as highway obstructions and contrary to existing City bylaws;

THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED THAT the City of Mississauga complete a review of its highway obstruction bylaw, encroachment bylaw, and any other applicable bylaws, and provide to Council a corporate report with recommendations that may permit some landscaping features as part of a private property owner’s maintenance of the public boulevard;

AND FURTHER THAT enforcement of bylaws related specifically to landscape features within the public boulevard be suspended until the completion of the review period.