The Queen Bea’s Lookout

Today at Council the following items were reviewed and approved: Requests for amendments to the Ontario Building Code for building inspector entry provisions, affordable housing at 600 Eglinton Ave. E. and Port Credit Lighthouse dedication.

“It is up to us to stop the spread of COVID-19. We need to stay apart, lather up, mask up and avoid large gatherings. Keep it small – 25 outside and 10 inside, but remember these limits cannot be combined,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “It’s important to remember that COVID-19 doesn’t discriminate. If you are not taking steps to reduce your risk, no matter the setting you are in, you are putting yourself and others at risk. As we work to reduce the severity of a second wave, it is time to consider shrinking your bubbles to the most essential people; whether that is the people you live with or work with, we need everyone to keep it as small as humanly possible.” 

Amendments to the Ontario Building Code Requested – Building Inspector Entry Provisions
Council is requesting Minister Steve Clark, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, that section 16 of the Ontario Building Code Act be amended. This would allow inspectors to enter into dwellings to ensure compliance with the Act where there are grounds to believe that construction is taking place without a permit. A copy of the Council resolution will also be provided to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario. The motion was raised by Ward 2 Councillor Karen Ras.

Port Credit Lighthouse Landing Lookout Dedication
The landing lookout (podium) of the Port Credit Lighthouse is to be named The Queen Bea’s Lookout in honour of Beatrice Moreira-Laidlow for her service to the Port Credit Business Improvement Association. The motion was raised by Ward 1 Councillor Stephen Dasko.

Considerations Requested for Affordable Housing
Council is requesting the Government of Ontario, when selling the lands at 600 Eglinton Ave. E., to actively seek a developer/proponent to provide affordable housing to meet the needs of lower income residents and-long term care; and that the lands be sold at a lower than market only if affordable housing is provided. The motion was raised by Mayor Crombie.

Government of Ontario Recent Changes
In an effort to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Government of Ontario announced additional restrictions for businesses on September 25 and changes to the visitor policy for long-term care homes in hot spot areas on September 29, effective October 5.

The changes do not directly impact City of Mississauga facilities or programs.

The changes include:

Rules for Areas in Stage 3:

• closure of strip clubs
• licensed establishments such as bars and restaurants must stop serving alcohol at 11p.m. and close by midnight
• alcohol cannot be consumed in licensed establishments between midnight and 9 a.m.
• clarification that the social gathering limits (10 indoor and 25 outdoor) applies to residential buildings, houses, condos, apartments and student residences. The gathering limits are aimed primarily at private, unmonitored gatherings that are not subject to controls and regulations that businesses, schools and other organizations are subject to

Visitor policy for long-term care homes in hot spot areas:

• Access will be restricted to staff, essential visitors and essential caregivers
• Residents or their substitute decision-makers are being encouraged to identify up to two individuals to be their essential caregivers
• Essential caregivers must continue to follow all public health measures, including having a negative COVID-19 test within two weeks of a visit, passing active screening at the home, wearing a mask and additional PPE as directed and practising frequent handwashing.

For the latest updates on the City of Mississauga’s COVID-19 recovery and response visit: mississauga.ca/recovery.

The City of Mississauga is creating its first Pedestrian Master Plan to help identify gaps in its pedestrian network. The City will seek community feedback through an online survey and a virtual public information session in the fall.

“We are working to build a livable, walkable City that is safe, pedestrian-friendly and encourages active lifestyles. We have heard that road safety is a concern for pedestrians and cyclists and is also a barrier that prevents them from using their preferred mode of travelling,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “The Pedestrian Master Plan will help us move closer to Vision Zero and Transportation Master Plan goal of safety for all. It will also help us address other challenges on our roads including congestion, declining air quality and the impacts of car travel on climate change.”

The Pedestrian Master Plan will shape pedestrian connections across neighbourhoods, helping to enhance and create safe places for people to travel on foot, mobility-device and other methods of active transportation in Mississauga. The plan will also guide pedestrian infrastructure projects until 2041, supporting the City’s commitment to a Vision Zero approach. Vision Zero sets a goal of zero fatal and injury-causing collisions each year.

“In our previous Mississauga Moves study, 23 per cent of trips fewer than two kilometres were taken by people using active transportation such as walking or cycling. Many residents expressed that they didn’t feel comfortable walking or cycling in many parts of the City,” said Geoff Wright, Commissioner, Transportation & Works. “The Pedestrian Master Plan will support a more walkable city by developing pedestrian networks that are safe, connected and convenient for all ages and abilities.”

The Pedestrian Master Plan will:

·         review the City’s existing pedestrian network (sidewalks, crosswalks, walkways, multi-use trails), and identify opportunities for future infrastructure projects

·         identify key destinations for pedestrians (e.g. transit stops, schools, local amenities etc.)

·         analyze how growth will impact existing and future pedestrian infrastructure

·         set short, medium and long-term service delivery and project priorities

·         review best practices for pedestrian infrastructure and network design

The creation of the Pedestrian Master Plan comes from the City’s Transportation Master Plan, which identifies the need for a pedestrian network plan.

Complete the online survey by October 23 and learn more about the Pedestrian Master Plan.