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City Applies for Funding Through New Stream of Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program

By Issues, Resources

December 9, 2020

Today, Council approved 11 short-term projects the City of Mississauga will submit for consideration under the new COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream of the Government of Canada’s Investing in Canada Infrastructure Plan (ICIP). In order to respond to the impacts of COVID-19, this new, temporary funding stream was created to provide greater flexibility to fund quick-start, short-term projects that might not otherwise be eligible under existing funding streams.

“These types of investments are important in building strong and vibrant communities that help our economy run smoothly,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “Cities are the economic engines of this country. Mississauga generates $60 billion in GDP alone, every year. We’re home to more than 450,000 jobs and 94,000 businesses. This COVID-19 Resilience Stream gives us the opportunity to put forward projects on an accelerated timeline.”

The COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream is cost-shared between the Government of Canada (80 per cent) and the Government of Ontario (20 per cent).

The City of Mississauga has been allocated a total $14.8 million. While this is an allocation based program, applications are required and all projects must receive federal approval before proceeding.

Crombie added, “Access to this type of funding also allows us to complete projects without financial impact to the City, as no municipal funding contribution is required – helping us respond to the unprecedented financial impacts we’ve experienced due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ve heard from residents about their priorities and we are in a strong position to put forward projects we are confident will be approved by the federal and provincial governments.”

To be eligible, projects must fit into a specific project category and asset type:

  • Category 1: Retrofits, Repairs and Upgrades for municipal, provincial, territorial and indigenous buildings, health infrastructure and educational infrastructure
  • Category 2: COVID-19 Response Infrastructure, including building or modifying infrastructure to support physical distancing, safety retrofits and expansions
  • Category 3: Active Transportation Infrastructure, including parks and, trails, footbridges, bike lanes and multi-use pathways
  • Category 4: Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation, including natural infrastructure, flood and fire mitigation, tree planting and related infrastructure

Projects submitted and approved must begin construction no later than September 30, 2021. The projects must be substantially completed by the end of 2021 (end of 2022 in territories and remote communities).

“As a result of our deliberate and detailed business planning and capital budgeting process, we responded quickly to this new funding stream opportunity. We brought forward a list of projects that meet the criteria for Council’s consideration and approval in advance of the January 7, 2021 submission deadline,” said Gary Kent, Commissioner of Corporate Services and Chief Financial Officer. “The next steps are for staff to complete the funding applications for the projects endorsed by Council today prior to the submission deadline.”

The projects put forward by the City, focus on municipal building infrastructure retrofits and lifecycle maintenance; active transportation infrastructure; reforestation and tree planting; and disaster mitigation infrastructure.

Background

ICIP is a ten-year federal infrastructure program designed to create long-term economic growth, build inclusive, sustainable and resilient communities and support a low-carbon economy.

Through ICIP, the federal government is providing $33 billion in federal infrastructure funding to cost-share projects under the following four streams:

  • Transit
  • Green Infrastructure
  • Community, Culture and Recreation
  • Rural and Northern Communities (the City is not eligible under this stream)

Previously, the City submitted applications totalling $980.4 million under the Public Transit and Community, Culture and Recreation streams.

Telephone Number for Shelter Supports

By Events, Issues, Resources

At the September 24th Regional Council meeting and the October 15th Strategic Housing and Homelessness Committee meeting, members of Council requested immediate action to improve access to the shelter system, as such, staff have worked with our shelter provider, the Salvation Army, to create one new, streamlined number for shelter support: 905-450-1996.

 

Those who are in need of emergency shelter can call this number to find a place to stay at any shelter in Peel, 24-hours a day, 7 days a week.

 

Through this line, trained staff will support callers in finding the best shelter for their needs, whether that’s an adult shelter, family shelter, youth shelter or a shelter dedicated to those who are fleeing violence. This includes space in both regionally-managed shelters, and in shelters run by other organizations in Peel.

 

Call volumes will be monitored closely and any needed adjustments will be made as quickly as possible, to ensure a streamlined service experience.

Waste collection updates for the holiday season

By Events, Issues, Resources

December 9, 2020

Residents are advised of changes to their waste collection schedule for the upcoming holiday season.

Holiday waste collection schedule
There will be no change to your waste collection schedule during the upcoming holiday season.

Community Recycling Centre (CRC) closures
All CRCs will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. on December 24 and December 31. All CRCs will be closed December 25-26 and January 1. The CRCs will be open from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. from December 27-30, 2020.

Check peelregion.ca/waste for CRC locations and hours.

Get your 2021 calendar
Residents are encouraged to sign up to get free weekly collection reminders by email, text message, or phone call.

About the Region of Peel

The Region of Peel works with residents and partners to create a healthy, safe and connected Community for Life for approximately 1.5 million people and over 175,000 businesses in the cities of Brampton and Mississauga and the Town of Caledon. Peel’s services touch the lives of residents every day. For more information about the Region of Peel, explore peelregion.ca and follow us on Twitter @regionofpeel and Instagram @peelregion.ca.

MIWAY NOTICE – Upcoming MiWay Service and Fare Changes Starting Dec. 21, 2020

By Events, Issues, Resources

MiWay will be implementing a series of upcoming service changes over the next month – the most notable being that 11 MiWay routes will now be anchored at the new Kipling Bus Terminal, instead of the TTC Islington Subway Station, starting on Monday, Jan. 4, 2021. This Metrolinx facility is located at Dundas Street and Subway Crescent in Toronto.

In 2021, MiWay fares will remain unchanged and customers are encouraged to use PRESTO as a contactless form of payment. As of January 1, 2021, paper tickets will no longer be accepted; MiWay will continue to accept Special Purpose tickets, which are used by charitable and not-for-profit organizations, school boards, food banks, and social services clients.

Service Changes starting Dec. 21, 2020

Holiday service changes:
Starting Monday, December 21, 2020 to Sunday, January 3, 2021, MiWay schedules will be adjusted and customer service hours will be modified. Extended evening service and free rides on New Year’s Eve will not be offered due to COVID-19 restrictions on social gatherings. MiWay will continue to provide regular Saturday and Sunday service on weekends during this time.

Some routes will operate with less frequent weekday service (based on reduced customer demand) and the following routes will not operate:

  • 104 Derry Express;
  • 107 Malton Express (service suspended as of Dec. 7 due reduced demand during the COVID-19 grey level lockdown); and
  • All 300-series school routes (some school routes suspended as of Dec. 7 due reduced demand during the COVID-19 grey level lockdown).

Some routes operate on a reduced holiday schedule (based on reduced customer demand) and the following routes will not operate on Christmas and New Year’s Day:

  • 6 Credit Woodlands;
  • 35 Eglinton;
  • 46 Tenth Line-Osprey;
  • 48 Erin Mills; and
  • 68 Terry Fox.

Customer Service will have modified hours of operation as follows:

From Monday, Dec. 21, 2020 to Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, Customer Service will be available on the phone at 905-615-4636 from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily including Christmas and New Year’s Day.

City Centre Transit Terminal – Information Booth:

Weekday Holiday hours of operation
Monday to Thursday 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Christmas and New Year’s Day Closed
Saturday and Sunday 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

City Centre Transit Terminal – Fares Booth:

Weekday Holiday hours of operation
Monday to Thursday 11:15 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Christmas and New Year’s Day Closed
Saturday and Sunday Closed

Information with more details for customers is available at www.miway.ca/holidayservice.

PRE-DESIGN FIELD INVESTIGATION – LAKESHORE CORRIDOR

By Events, Issues, Resources

December 04, 2020

PRE-DESIGN FIELD INVESTIGATION

LAKESHORE CORRIDOR FROM JACK DARLING PARK TO ELMWOOD AVENUE

What are we doing?

  • Performing field investigation services along the Lakeshore Road corridor between Elmwood Avenue and Jack Darling Park.
  • Work involves utility stakeouts, boreholes, surveying and photographing assets in the project area as well as test pits to confirm utility locations.

Why?

  • To determine soil conditions and verify the location of existing underground and above ground utilities along the Lakeshore corridor for design and construction of future Regional infrastructure

When?

  • We expect to start work on or about December 14, 2020.
  • The project should be completed by December 31, 2021.

What to Expect

  • Minor traffic disruptions.
  • Working hours are Monday to Friday from 7am to 7pm.
  • There may be occasional Saturday work from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Construction project updates can be found at peelregion.ca/construction .

Learn about Mississauga’s Transit and Road Infrastructure Plan at a Virtual On-Demand Meeting

By Events, Issues, Resources

December 4, 2020

How do you make your trip into, around or out of Mississauga? The City of Mississauga is doing a study to develop a long-term plan for its transit and road network – Transit and Road Infrastructure Plan (TRIP). The study will look at transit and road infrastructure priorities to meet the needs of Mississauga residents, businesses and visitors, now and into the future.

A virtual on-demand meeting is now live (until December 20) for the public to provide input 24/7 – on topics such as the modes of transportation they use to the issues they face on the road. Project information and materials are also available for the public to learn more about the study.

What:

Virtual on-demand meeting: mississaugatrip.ca

Who:

  • Transit and road users, including cyclists and pedestrians
  • Community groups
  • Stakeholder groups
  • Residents, business owners, workers and visitors of Mississauga

When:

The virtual on-demand meeting is now open until December 20, 2020.

Background

In 2019, Council approved Mississauga’s Transportation Master Plan – an overarching guide on the future of transportation in Mississauga. The City of Mississauga has now initiated the Transit and Road Infrastructure Plan study to help achieve the City’s transportation vision. The study will complement other infrastructure plans and guidelines including the Cycling Master Plan, the Pedestrian Master Plan and the Changing Lanes study.

Learn more about the Transit and Road Infrastructure Plan and sign up for email updates by visiting the public engagement page: yoursay.mississauga.ca/transit-and-road-infrastructure-plan

 

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MiWay Participates in Unique Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Electric Bus Pilot

By Resources

December 3, 2020

In 2021, MiWay will participate in a hydrogen fuel-cell electric bus pilot project. MiWay is partnering with the Canadian Urban Transit Research & Innovation Consortium (CUTRIC) on the pilot project – the only one of its kind in Canada. Fuel-cell buses use hydrogen fuel cells as their power source, providing a clean, consistent and environmentally friendly source of electricity. During the pilot, MiWay will understand how hydrogen-electric technology can help advance the City of Mississauga’s commitment to a zero-emission bus fleet in support of the Climate Change Action Plan.

“A major priority for Mississauga is fulfilling the actions outlined in our Climate Change Action Plan. Participating in this pilot project will advance our understanding of sustainable transportation, helping us make sound decisions for our fleet in the future,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “At the City, we’re committed to looking for innovative and low-emissions solutions to reach our goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Mississauga by 40 per cent by 2030.”

Hydrogen fuel-cell electric bus technology is unique and does not produce any harmful tailpipe emissions. Electrical energy is generated on the bus through an electro-chemical reaction with a fuel cell and hydrogen fuel. The electrical energy is stored in battery packs on the bus, which is used to power the motor and electrically-driven accessories. The only by-product of this process is water vapor, making hydrogen fuel-cell electric bus technology zero-emission.

“While many transit agencies in Canada are conducting small scale battery-electric bus trials, none of them currently involve hydrogen fuel-cell electric bus technology. This would make Mississauga the only city in Canada to undergo a pilot like this,” said Geoff Wright, Commissioner, Transportation and Works. “Hydrogen fuel-cell electric bus technology offers the same benefits as the battery-electric bus technology; however, they are lighter and quieter, have more fuel capacity and can also deliver the critical operational benefits a transit system needs to serve customers in a practical way, particularly on longer distance routes.”

The pilot project will happen in two phases. In the first phase, a feasibility study will be completed to understand four key components in applying the technology: Local hydrogen fuel supply and storage; Vehicle design and implementation logistics; Economic and financial viability; and Greenhouse gas reduction opportunities. In the second phase, MiWay will work with CUTRIC to secure the required funding for the project through provincial and federal governments. The funding will allow the partnership to buy and operate 10 hydrogen fuel-cell electric buses, applying the knowledge acquired through the first phase.

“Taking part in the pilot program will help us learn how hydrogen fuel-cell electric bus technology will operate in MiWay’s fleet, particularly with the winter weather conditions, and how it performs compared to battery electric technology. This pilot is important and necessary to examine the feasibility of introducing this low-carbon technology into our fleet,” said Geoff Marinoff, Director, Transit. “In addition to the hydrogen fuel-cell electric bus pilot, MiWay is already preparing to enter into service 11 hybrid-electric buses that are convertible to full battery power. MiWay is also conducting a Transit Electrification Study to understand battery-electric bus conversion opportunities. Based on all of these new and innovative technologies, MiWay will learn which technology is more efficient, affordable and will achieve the targets outlined in the Climate Change Action Plan.”

For more information about MiWay’s fleet, visit miway.ca.

Background
The City’s Climate Change Action Plan identifies 21 key actions over the next 10 years to be taken by the corporation, as well as actions for the community, which include advancing sustainable transportation through low-carbon opportunities and low-emissions mobility for the City’s corporate fleet. The main goals are to: support the shift towards lower-emission modes of transportation, such as transit, cycling; accelerate the adoption of zero emissions vehicles (light and heavy duty); decrease greenhouse gas emissions from the City’s corporate and transit fleet and equipment . For more information about the City’s Climate Change Action Plan, visit mississauga.ca/publication/climate-change-action-plan.

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