At today’s Council meeting, Mississauga City Council discussed efforts in response to the impacts of COVID-19 and approved motions regarding a green and inclusive economic recovery, paid sick leave for workers and small business safe reopening. Community Services staff presented an update on the Burnhamthorpe Community Centre Renovation Project.

“We support the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ (FCM) recommendations for a green and inclusive economic recovery. The FCM recommendations for Canada’s post-COVID recovery empower local leaders to deliver results for Canadians while continuing to protect the frontline services they rely on,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “We are also continuing to advocate for paid sick leave for all Ontarians, including low-income workers most likely to not have access. We know that high numbers of COVID-19 cases are occurring among essential workers who are temporarily or precariously employed and who continue to go into work when they are sick because they fear losing a paycheque and don’t have adequate sick pay.”

Paid Sick Leave for Workers
Council approved a motion to request the provincial and federal governments for paid sick leave for workers. Workers in precarious employment are most likely to not have access to paid sick days, including low-income workers.

In Peel, as of January 13, 2021, there were 193 workplace outbreaks and 1,334 total workplace cases; as of January 13, 2021, Mississauga has seen 113 workplace outbreaks, with Mississauga residents making up 593 of the workplace cases. The Region of Peel passed a motion on December 10, 2020 calling upon the federal and provincial governments to enact adequate paid sick leave policies to slow the spread of COVID-19.

A copy of the City of Mississauga’s resolution will be sent to Mississauga-area MPs and MPPs for their awareness and active support and to all Greater Toronto and Hamilton municipalities, as well as the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM).

The motion was raised by Mayor Bonnie Crombie.

A Green and Inclusive Economic Recovery
Council approved a motion for the City of Mississauga to endorse the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ (FCM) recommendations for a green and inclusive approach to economic recovery. Canada’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic depends on municipalities as the order of government closest to the places where people live and work.  FCM’s recommendations include:

• Building an inclusive recovery to create jobs and promote equality, by scaling up the new rapid housing initiative to end chronic homelessness in Canada, growing our affordable housing supply to prevent the flow into homelessness, and investing in community, cultural and recreational infrastructure to promote social inclusion
• Building a green recovery that creates jobs and moves Canada closer to a net-zero emissions economy, by continuing to invest in efficient public transit, scaling up proven local initiatives that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and builds communities’ resilience to climate change
• Building a resilient partnership ensuring municipal operating support continues as COVID-19 impacts stretch through 2021, directly empowering rural communities through new investments in rural transportation and housing, and doubling the federal Gas Tax Fund allocation over three years through a new Municipal Economic Recovery Fund

The motion was raised by Ward 3 Councillor Chris Fonseca.

Small Business Safe Reopening
Council approved a motion requesting from the province big box regulations to be enforced and clear restrictions be provided for small businesses for consideration to support their safe reopening.

A motion was originally raised by Ward 6 Councillor Ron Starr and revised by Ward 5 Councillor Carolyn Parrish.

Burnhamthorpe Community Centre Renovation Project
Burnhamthorpe Community Centre, located on Gulleden Drive, will undergo a redevelopment to improve the quality of recreational services provided to residents. Staff has been directed to bring back a report on the feasibility of adding outdoor refrigerated rinks, given the recent surge in popularity and the removal of the outdoor rink at as part of the redevelopment.