Food for thought

Imagine Mississauga (2026-2031) will help guide growth, services and decision-making now and into the future.

Local government | April 17, 2026

The City of Mississauga has refreshed its Strategic Plan, setting a clear direction for how the City will plan and make decisions now and into the future.

Imagine Mississauga (2026–2031) builds on the City’s original Strategic Plan adopted in 2009, while modernizing to meet today’s needs, including affordability pressures, climate change, transportation options, economic competitiveness and community expectations for transparent and accountable government.

The refreshed Plan was shaped through extensive engagement efforts, informed by research, benchmarking and more than 19,000 points of public input, along with feedback from City staff, Council, Indigenous communities and equity‑deserving groups.

The Strategic Plan is structured around five pillars: Belong, Connect, Prosper and Green and the introduction of a new pillar, Trust. This new pillar represents the City’s commitment to fiscal responsibility, transparency and delivering value for money.

In addition to refreshing the City’s long‑term vision and values, the Plan places a strong focus on implementation. To guide service delivery and long-term decision-making across the organization, a new Corporate Accountability Framework was developed. This framework links strategic priorities to planning, budgeting and performance measurement.

The refreshed Strategic Plan – Imagine Mississauga (2026-2031), will serve as a living document, guiding City programs, investments and policies as Mississauga continues to grow.

In Ontario, pavement markings are considered a guidance or advisory system that works in conjunction with regulations identified by signs and traffic signals. They are not an enforceable traffic device on their own.

Painted edge-lines have proven to be successful in reducing operating speeds on residential roadways by visually reducing the travelled width of the roadway making it less comfortable for motorists to increase their operating speeds. It is important to note that these edge-lines are not designated bicycle lanes, do not delineate a pedestrian pathway or on-street parking, nor do they impact the existing parking regulations on the roadway.  Motorists are free to track over the lines while navigating the roadway, especially when passing an oncoming vehicle, provided it is safe to do so.

Painting of edge-lines are considered a “soft” traffic calming measure and a relatively inexpensive and effective first step in addressing local residential traffic safety concerns.

Every midnight beginning is hope-bound
Fireworks world-echo
Streets brighten
Alleys to highways
Windows fill with a million countdowns
On one end of the world
Someone clicks their ice skates
On another
Someone dives into coast line salt But we all come together
For the same reason
At the same time

Calendars are like empty rooms
In a new home
That you get to decorate
For many, last year was a long sentence
That lost its punctuation
But now it loosens its clutch for just a moment
Like a comma
We can imagine ourselves
Slightly braver, slightly kinder

Although winter just started, The days already tread on a little longer And before we know it
The ice will break at lake’s edge
Towards February’s wrap
The shed is over
We move faster Snow retreats into smaller curb piles We tilt our face toward the first 6pm sunset

At the clock’s turn
We make promises to ourselves
To someone else
To attention To what matters
To who we want to become
The sun’s return home says
“Begin again
There’s space for you
The year is yours”

Children and teens under 18 currently make up the highest number of lab-confirmed influenza cases in Peel. 

BRAMPTON, Ont. – December 17, 2025. Flu cases are rising in Peel region and are projected to continue increasing over the next several weeks.

Peel Public Health is actively monitoring this increase and is especially concerned with the growing number of cases among children. Currently, children 0 to 4 years account for 27% of all lab-confirmed influenza cases in Peel.

Additionally, Peel hospital visits and admissions due to influenza-like illness are increasing. This trend is a reminder that the flu is not just a mild illness, but can cause serious complications, even in healthy individuals.

Residents can protect themselves and their loved ones from getting sick from the flu by following public health recommendations.

Get vaccinated

We strongly recommend all individuals 6 months and older get vaccinated as soon as possible against the flu. It can take up to 2 weeks for the influenza vaccine to provide full protection.

Parents and caregivers play a key role in protecting children by getting vaccinated themselves and reducing household transmission.

Where to get a flu shot

Flu shots are still available. They are free for anyone 6 months or older who lives, works or studies in Peel region.

• Pharmacies:Most pharmacies offer walk-in or appointment options. Check with your local pharmacy for availability.
• Healthcare Providers:Vaccines are available for children under 5, their household members, and individuals without OHIP coverage.

Practice prevention

Residents can help stop the spread of respiratory infections by following these simple steps:

• Stay home when sick.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with your upper sleeve or elbow.
• If you’re sick and can’t stay home, wear a well-fitted mask in indoor public spaces and avoid contact with vulnerable individuals.

“With flu cases rising in Peel and the upcoming holiday season, it’s important for residents to take steps to protect themselves and their loved ones. The flu is not just a cold. It can cause severe illness, especially in younger children and older adults.  It’s important for all residents 6 months and older to stay up to date with their flu vaccinations to stay safe and healthy.” 

Dr. Monica Hau, Acting Medical Officer of Health, Peel Region

Know where to go for care

During this time of year, hospital emergency rooms experience a high volume of patients, resulting in longer than usual wait times.

If you or a family member are experiencing a medical emergency or serious injury, visit your nearest emergency department or call 911 immediately.

If you’re unsure whether to go to the emergency department, you can:

• Call your doctor or primary care provider.
• Book an appointment with a nurse practitioner at the Regional Virtual Urgent Care Clinic to address issues virtually.
• Call Health Connect Ontario at 811 or chat online with a nurse 24/7.
• Access an Urgent Care clinic for non-life-threatening illnesses or injuries.

Explore more options in Brampton, Caledon and Mississauga to find the proper care for you and your family.

You can also use the interactive tool from Central West OHT to easily find and view nearby healthcare facilities across Peel region, including walk-in clinics, urgent care centres, pharmacies and more.

For the most current respiratory virus trends and data in Peel, visit https://peelregion.ca/health/diseases-infections/respiratory-virus-report.