Civic Responsibility in the Time of COVID-19
October 2020 - Restrictions on citizens, businesses, public venues and cultural activities have varied in Mississauga over the past months in light of the COVID-19 pandemic starting to peak again in our city. Residents are continually deluged with information and instructions in successive (often daily) updates and press conferences from four levels of government, compounded by media saturation. It is vital that we don't tune it all out.
Since April, residents have had ongoing civic responsibilities including strict physical distancing rules, masking, and now again, the strong recommendation to STAY HOME (unless necessary to go out for essential items or appointments) in response to the urgent need to yet again flatten the curve of new infections in Peel Region, now put back into Stage 2 by the Province as of October 10, 2020.
NOTE: Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health is officially recommending against trick-or-treating this Halloween in four areas of the province – Ottawa, Toronto, Peel (including Mississauga) and York Region, which are all considered COVID-19 "hot spots" and are back in modified Stage 2 restrictions. Ontario Government: How to celebrate Halloween during COVID-19. This decision is supported by the Peel Medical Officer of Health.
Importantly, how do we best help those suffering from increased social and financial hardship in our community while the COVID-19 restrictions remain in place? Making a financial donation to The Compass Food Bank in Port Credit is the most impactful local action we can take now. The need is growing every day and must be supported for several more months, as job losses persist and winter adds additional hardship.
Actions are also being initiated within Ward 1, and within the village of Port Credit. TOPCA reps are participating on the Ward 1 Citizen Committee under the leadership of Councillor Stephen Dasko, as well as the Mayor's Resident & Ratepayers Association Consultation.
COVID-19: Practical Information and Updates
April 2020 - Restrictions on citizens, businesses, public venues and cultural activities have increased in Mississauga over the past month in light of the COVID-19 pandemic starting to peak in our city. Residents are deluged with information and instructions in successive (often daily) updates and press conferences from four levels of government, compounded by media saturation. It is vital that we don't tune it all out.
Residents bear new civic responsibilities including strict physical distancing rules and the strong recommendation to STAY HOME (unless necessary to go out) in response to the urgent need to flatten the curve of new infections.
► See: Links in the sidebar (at right) to access the latest official information.
Urgent Appeal: The Compass Food Bank
Making a financial donation to The Compass Food Bank in Port Credit is the most impactful local action we can take now, during the social and economic disruption of COVID-19. Many in our community are suffering increased hardship at this time.
The donation webpage is a secure way to donate online. Also provided is an Amazon wishlist so that you can order needed items for delivery to an alternate delivery location for Amazon door drop so that all deliveries will be successful.
Volunteers are also urgently needed.
► See: The Compass website for lists of needed items (should you prefer to make food donations) and details regarding how to receive food.
Mississauga Closures and Cancellations
City facilities are closed to the public until further notice, on direction from public health agencies.
All events and activities are CANCELLED in Mississauga until July 3, per the Council meeting on April 8, 2020 (Agenda, Item 9.4). This includes the Mississauga Waterfront Festival (June 19-21) and Paint the Town Red Canada Day celebrations (July 1) in Port Credit.
► See: City's Closures and Cancellations webpage which includes link to Regional facilities.
CLOSED: City Parks Facilities including Parking Lots
Signage at all City of Mississauga parks indicating facility closures is installed (as shown at left). These closures are aligned with Peel Public Health’s strong direction to practice physical distancing and avoid public gatherings.
Parks (green space) and trails are still OPEN for walking, running and cycling so long as physical distancing is maintained.
The City has taken a further step and closed all parking lots at public parks. Entrances to the parking lots are barricaded where possible, with security guards placed at the top ten park "hot spots" and weekend patrols set to hand out applicable fines of at least $750.00 as mandated by the Province of Ontario.
► See: City of Mississauga News Release (March 23, 2020): City of Mississauga Closes Playgrounds, Courts and Leash-free Zones.
► See: City of Mississauga News Release (April 3, 2020): City Undertaking Weekend Blitz to Target Public Gatherings in our Parks.
Shop Local: Support our Businesses during COVID-19
Local retail keeps our village community vibrant! To help the unique Port Credit mainstreet shops + restos survive the COVID19 pandemic and physical distancing protocols, let's Shop Local where possible and in safe ways. Many local businesses are adapting their formats to stay open. TOPCA will retweet local small business news in support of their efforts.
► See: Port Credit BIA website which is developing a more user-friendly marketing tool to support businesses during this time. Here is the latest BIA Listing: What's Open in PC.
Mississauga COVID-19 Tele Town Halls
Held periodically to address resident concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and to update the public about what the City is doing to protect their health and safety. Residents are able to ask COVID-19 related questions to panelists from the City of Mississauga, Peel Region Public Health, Trillium Health Partners and Peel Region Police, as well as City Councillors and senior staff.
► See: The City's Tele Town Hall webpage for audio recordings of the past sessions, lists of the Questions & Answers for each session, and details about any future session.
Waste Service Changes in Peel Region during COVID-19
Changes affect curbside collection, apartment and condominium buildings, Community Recycling Centres (CRC), and clothing & textile collection.
OF NOTE: There are no changes to garbage, recycling, organics or yard waste* collection (*except NO grass clippings). Spring curbside battery pick up is suspended. Bulky items will NOT be picked up. Gloves, masks and other home health-care waste go in the garbage, not recycling.
*NEW* NO TAGS FOR 2 EXTRA BAGS: Needed relief from the $3 tag charge per extra garbage bag, as announced April 9 in a tweet by Ward 1 Councillor Stephen Dasko. This is responsive to concerns expressed by TOPCA reps on the Councillor's COVID-19 Citizen Committee, and should help cut down on the increased dumping seen lately around the community. Residents can now do Spring Cleaning while quarantining! This change is not yet reflected on the Peel Region Waste website. NOTE: Sale of garbage bag tags is suspended.
► See: The Region of Peel's News Release (March 30, 2020) detailing complete changes to waste collection and drop-off at Peel Community Recycling Centres (CRC) with precautions to protect the health of essential workers.
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