Council Outcomes February 3, 2021: Renewal Fees for Mobile Licences, Eliminating Burial Weekend/ Holiday Permit Charges and Digital Main Street – Digital Service Squad Program

This week, Council approved deferring renewal fees for mobile licences, eliminating burial weekend/holidays permit charges and advocating for support of the Digital Main Street – Digital Service Squad Program.

“As a Council, we are doing everything we can to assist residents and businesses as we continue to navigate this pandemic. We are advocating to other levels of government to support the Mississauga Digital Main Street – Digital Service Squad Program, as it’s critical to helping small businesses strengthen and promote their online offerings,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “We’re also deferring renewal fees this year for mobile licences, eliminating weekend and holiday burial permit charges and continuing to look for clarity from the Province on the status of dog-grooming businesses. While COVID-19 case numbers in Mississauga are decreasing, we must continue to follow the advice of our health experts to ensure we are able to see broad reopenings in the coming weeks.”

Digital Main Street – Digital Service Squad Program

Council approved advocating federal and provincial governments to provide additional funding to extend the City of Mississauga’s agreement to deliver the Digital Main Street – Digital Service Squad Program from February 12 to December 31, 2021. The program has helped small businesses survive and thrive through the pandemic. Council also approved that the Mayor write to the Federal Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and copy Members of Parliament, Members of Provincial Parliament, Association of Municipalities of Ontario, Federation of Canadian Municipalities, Mississauga Board of Trade, and local Business Improvement Areas requesting support for the continuation of this program. The request will also be part of the City’s 2021 federal and provincial pre-budget submissions.

The program is delivered through Economic Development Office’s Mississauga Business Enterprise Centre and helps small businesses use the Internet to market and sell their products and services online to reach new and existing customers. The program has helped 167 Mississauga businesses since October 2020. This program delivers three overarching goals to businesses:

• Achieve Digital Transformation;
• Adopt Digital Tools and Technology; and
• Compete in a Global Market.

Renewal Fees Deferred for Mobile Licences

Council approved deferral of renewal fees for mobile licences  for 120 days. The motion was raised by Ward 6 Councillor Ron Starr. The Public Vehicle Advisory Committee noted support for deferring the mobile licensing fees again in 2021 for 120 days. In 2020, Council passed a resolution to defer renewal fees for mobile licenses until June 1, 2020 or until 30 days have passed following the reopening of the public service counters.

Burial Weekend/Holidays Permit Charge

Council approved a by-law to amend the User Fees and Charges By-law, to eliminate the burial permit weekend/statutory holiday charge until the pandemic has passed. The motion was originally raised by Ward 1 Councillor Stephen Dasko to help reduce financial hardship for funeral homes and families.

Pet Grooming

The City of Mississauga has suspended the enforcement of pet grooming services pending clarification from the Government of Ontario about the regulations related to pet services, as long as the pet grooming services are only provided by curbside pickup.

Malton Business Improvement Area Expansion

Council approved a request from the Malton Business Improvement Area to begin the process of expanding the Airport Road border to addresses south of Derry Road.

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

Tags

• COVID-19