City of Mississauga COVID-19 Response Continues

Today, Mississauga City Council reviewed and approved initiatives in relation to COVID-19 including: additional amenity reopenings, lifting restrictions on fireworks as well as preparing for stage 2 of recovery with an Economic Resiliency Task Force and changes to the Zoning By-law allowing businesses to expand their outdoor patios spaces and seating.

“I know many residents and businesses are frustrated by the province’s decision to keep Mississauga in Stage 1 for now. While Mississauga has made significant progress with an average of 13 new daily cases last week, there is still more to do in terms of a sustained decline across all cities in the Region of Peel,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “Every day our Medical Officers are reviewing the data, and if the trends continue positively, I’m confident we will reopen soon. I know that our businesses, especially our small businesses, including restaurants and bars are feeling this the most. Please get ready. Council continues to do what we can to help with recovery and voted today to allow businesses to easily expand their patios into public areas and parking lots. As part of our economic recovery plan, we are striking an Economic Resiliency Task Force to listen to and assist local businesses with recovery, including how we as a City can make life easier. We also continue to reopen city amenities safely and responsibly and have a plan in place to proceed with Stage 2 reopening as soon as we are given the green light by the province. I know it’s hard but please stay patient, we are almost there.”

Economic Resiliency Task Force                                                                                

The City of Mississauga’s Economic Resiliency Task Force will oversee and offer Council advice on sector specific economic recovery plans including industry, small business, creative industry, and land development and is a refreshed version of the Economic Development Advisory Board (previously formed to provide input into the City’s Economic Development Strategy). The Task Force will coordinate with Tourism Mississauga’s Board of Directors on review of a tourism recovery plan. It will include Mayor Bonnie Crombie as Chair, Councillor Stephen Dasko, Councillor Dipika Damerla, Councillor Pat Saito, City Manager and Chief Administrative Officer Paul Mitcham along with a wide range of business sector representatives, educational partners including the Greater Toronto Airport Authority, Mississauga Board of Trade as well as representatives from Peel Public Health, land development, business improvement areas, small business, creative industry and more.

Stage 1 Amenity Reopenings

The following amenities will be reopening on June 19, 2020 as allowed under the Province’s Stage 1 recovery currently in effect for Peel Region:

• City of Mississauga and School Board track facilities
• Bocce courts
• Beach volleyball courts

These reopenings are in addition to amenities already reopened including community gardens, marinas and Lakefront Promenade public boat launches, golf courses, leash-free zones, BMX and skateboard parks, public and community tennis courts, benches, shelters and shade structures and seasonal washrooms.

Temporary Zoning By-law
The City of Mississauga has introduced a temporary zoning by-law to allow patios in Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) and other areas where restaurants have direct street frontage and at restaurants located at malls that have their own access. The bylaw allows strip mall based restaurants to use parking areas to accommodate patios, where mall management permits. Restaurants who wish to use the city sidewalk or a public street would need city approval and obtain a modified minor encroachment permit. A patio design guideline and minor encroachment permit application will be available soon. Patios will only be permitted upon the Province providing approval for Mississauga to enter into Stage 2 recovery meeting all COVID-19 guidelines from Region of Peel Public Health. Fees with respect to temporary patios will be waived during this time.

The final step will be to hold a Planning and Development Committee meeting on Wednesday, July 8, 2020 at 9 a.m. prior to the Council meeting. The meeting will focus on the temporary zoning by-law to permit outdoor patios accessory to all types of restaurants on adjacent private and public lands and ensure the City meets its statutory notification requirements under the Planning Act regarding the zoning changes.

Fireworks Restrictions Lifted
Council approved ending prohibition of the sale and use of fireworks that came in effect on April 24, 2020. In order to sell fireworks, stores require a vendor licence which requires a fire safety inspection. In Mississauga, fireworks may be set off only on the following holidays:

• Victoria Day
• Canada Day
• Lunar New Year
• Diwali

To set off fireworks on private property on any day other than these holidays, please apply for a fireworks permit.

Celebration Square Update
The start date for the Lions Farmers Market is Wednesday, July 8, 2020 and will continue weekly 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., every Wednesday, until October 21, 2020.

The Lions Farmers Market will be barricaded off, with attendants controlling the flow of customers into the Market. Within the Market, vendors will be separated from each other by at least 12 feet/ 3.66 metres and 6 feet/2 metres. Markings on the ground will help customers maintain the proper physical distance when in line. Vendors at the Market will accept both cash and contactless payment. Visitors to the Market are strongly encouraged to wear a face mask.

The start date for Food Trucks will be Friday, July 3, 2020. The trucks will be in place seven days a week with hours between 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Food Trucks will be required to be spaced out between one another by at least 12 feet/3.66 metres. To allow for contactless ordering and payment, customers will be required to use the Ritual App.

Mississauga Celebration Square has removed tables, chairs and picnic tables but will create 48 physical distancing circles painted on the artificial lawn. The circles will be 10 feet/3.05 metres in diameter and will be spaced 12 feet/3.66 metres apart. Hand sanitizer will be available at all vendors as well as entry and exit points into the Market. Public washrooms and parking elevators will be cleaned prior to opening, and twice during operating hours.

Summer Camps Update
To support families with working parents, summer camps will be offered starting July 6 and will run for 9 weeks from 8:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. The Summer Fun Camp will run for children ages four and half to 10 years at all 11 community centres as well as Meadowvale Village Hall and Port Credit Arena. Spaces are limited and available on a first come, first served basis.

Registration starts on June 22 at 8:30 a.m. Residents can register online at activemississauga.ca.  If camps are full, residents are encouraged to select the wait list option. Customer Service support is available at 905-615-4100 (Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).

Safety is a Priority

The City is following the guidelines laid out by the Ministry of Health’s Summer Day Camp Guidelines which include physical distancing, small group sizes only, screening protocols and staff wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when physical distancing of 2 metres/6 feet cannot be maintained.

Each camp will see:

• Nine children and one facilitator for each group
• groups will not mix or co-mingle with other groups
• children must bring their lunch
• no swimming, pizza day or field trips

Tags

• COVID-19 Updates