September 21 – In her annual State of the City Address to members of the Mississauga Board of Trade, Mayor Bonnie Crombie said the previous 41 years and the strong position Mississauga finds itself in today will be the strong foundation to build a complete city.

“A complete city is one where people can find good-paying jobs or take risks and launch new business ventures,” Mayor Crombie said. “It’s a place where students and workers have access to reliable, affordable and seamless public transit that gets them where they need to be.”

The Mayor stated that the state of the City of Mississauga is strong while discussing economic development, municipal-provincial-federal relations, transit, urban planning, affordable housing, the Mayor’s 2016 Citywide Food Drive, and youth employment initiatives.

Last year, she discussed the Economic Development Investment Mission to South America adding that the Mississauga delegation met with Biolab, one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in Brazil.

“I am proud to announce that our investment mission is paying dividends and that Biolab has chosen Mississauga as home for its new research and development centre. This state-of-the-art facility will span nearly 13,000 square feet. It’s a $56 million investment that will create 40 high-paying and high-value jobs, many in research and development. It will add more than $45,000 annually to our tax base providing important funding that will go toward the quality public services we all rely on.”

On transit, Mayor Crombie discssed how “rail transportation is shaping the way we will move in the future,” citing ongoing progress and advocacy efforts to press ahead with the Hurontario LRT and the Missing Link, a plan to bring all-day, two-way, GO Train service to the Milton and Kitchener lines.

Mayor Crombie also used the occasion to also launch MississaugaMoves.ca – a new website that provides in-depth information about Mississauga’s comprehensive transit plans.

Since becoming mayor, Crombie has undertaken a proactive approach to government relations to address Council priorities. Crombie just returned from a Federal-Provincial-Territorial meeting of infrastructure ministers. “Municipalities are the ones that have to put into action these federal and provincial programs. It is critical that we are at the table when decisions about how funding will be delivered, are made. Mississauga is on the frontlines. City-building is nation-building.”

A series of quality of life issues were addressed including the Affordable Transit Program – a partnership between MiWay and the Region of Peel. Mayor Crombie added that “our push for public transit and thriving neighbourhoods is part of how we want people to interact and come together.”

Mayor Crombie used her speech to help kick-off the 2016 Mayor’s Citywide Food Drive as a part of The Mississauga Food Bank’s Annual Thanksgiving Campaign in partnership with the City’s Fire and Emergency Services team. The Mississauga Board of Trade is a corporate sponsor.

“Our goals are to raise 200,000 pounds of food and $100,000 by October 14th. Take part in the #OneBagChallenge. Fill a bag with non-perishable foods. Take a photo or video as you deliver your donation to your local grocery store, fire station or The Mississauga Food Bank. Post your photo or video on social media and challenge five people to do the same within 48 hours, using the hashtag #OneBagChallenge.”

Mayor Crombie thanked her Council colleagues saying “I am proud to work with such a committed Council of professionals who have the best interests of this city at heart. Residents should be proud of their Council.”  Nine members of Council were present for her address

The Mayor concluded that, “we are strategically and thoughtfully planning for a more promising future by engaging the community about how our City will grow and by how our neighbourhoods can bring people together. This is what makes a complete city. This is the Mississauga we are ready for.”

“MBOT is always pleased that the Mayor addresses the business community and is engaged in the issues business faces,” said Peter Nogalo, Chair, Mississauga Board of Trade.  “The sold out audience greatly appreciated her remarks and the great support we have from her and members of Council.”