News release

Council Outcomes June 2, 2021: Business Licensing Relief and Infill Sites, Sign By-law Provisions Extended, Mississauga Matters and Integrity Commissioner Appointment

Local government | June 2, 2021

This week, Council approved business licensing relief and the appointment of a new integrity commissioner. Council also approved a report summarizing the City’s priority issues and engagement in the event of a 2021 federal election, directed staff to undertake a review of infill sites and the extension of sign by-law provisions made during the pandemic.

“During the pandemic, many businesses have faced unprecedented hardships. As a Council, we advocated on every front that was available to us to help our small business community. The pandemic caught many businesses by surprise and in some cases with little or no ability to continue operations. Given the variety of these hardships, we needed a model for business licensing that would recognize the different realities facing businesses,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “We will also continue supporting our business community through various digital and shop local programs. We are on the path to recovery and we will continue to advocate for and support our business community. As a City, we will move forward with our recovery plans and truly build back better.”

Business Licensing Relief

After review of a staff report Council approved reductions for a number of business categories.

Business licences renewal fees will be reduced by 50 per cent for 2021 with a cap of $300 for:

  • Personal Services
  • Body Rub Parlours
  • Adult Entertainment
  • Driving School Services
  • Restaurants and Related Food Service

Business licences renewal fees will be reduced by 25 per cent for 2021 with a cap of $300 for:

  • Taxi, Limousine and Airport Transportations Services
  • Tow Truck Services

Mississauga Matters

Council approved a report from General Committee summarizing the City’s priority issues and engagement approach in the event of a 2021 federal election. The City is preparing a Mississauga Matters advocacy campaign as was done with previous federal and provincial elections to highlight its priority issues to political leaders and registered candidates. Residents, businesses and key community stakeholders will also be engaged as part of the campaign.

The City’s priority issues for 2021 include:

  • Sustainable investments in infrastructure, transit and a green recovery
  • Affordable housing
  • COVID-19 support for communities and business recovery
  • Strengthening the federal-municipal relationship

City Sign By-law Provisions Extended for Portable Signs and Sidewalk Signs

To assist with hardships and challenges faced by businesses from the COVID-19 pandemic, Council approved the extension of sign by-law provisions to December 31, 2021. The sign by-law provisions apply to portable signs, including business improvement area boards with sidewalk signs inside planters and on City boulevards within business improvement areas.

The motion was raised by Ward 9 Councillor Pat Saito

Review of Infill Sites

Council directed staff to look at options for infill sites that can become a community concern when there are lengthy construction delays. Staff are to review other municipalities for processes and by-laws that could address concerns including construction hoarding.

The motion was raised by Ward 1 Councillor Stephen Dasko.

Illegal Construction

Council approved requesting to the province to

  • amend the Ontario Building Code Act to include a statutory minimum fine of $500 for contraventions of the act
  • allow inspectors to enter into dwellings to ensure compliance with the act where the inspector has reasonable grounds to believe that construction is taking place within a dwelling without a permit
  • give municipalities the powers required to physically halt egregious illegal construction such as constructing an home without permits

A letter on behalf of Council will be sent by Mayor Bonnie Crombie to Minister Steve Clark of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

The motion was raised by Ward 2 Councillor Karen Ras.

Integrity Commissioner

Council appointed Robert Swayze as the City of Mississauga’s Integrity Commissioner for a four-year term (July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2025).

The role of the Integrity Commissioner is to advise members of Council about their duties and responsibilities under the Code of Conduct, educate, investigate complaints and report on recommendations or investigations made in the year.

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