Mississauga is Ready to Celebrate Canada’s 150th Anniversary

Under the theme of Brilliance Together, the City of Mississauga will showcase its rich diversity, culture, heritage, people and public places to mark the country’s 150th Anniversary of Confederation. The City’s year-long program begins with the New Year’s Eve celebration and consists of 63 initiatives.

“Canada’s 150th Anniversary is a tremendous opportunity and important milestone to celebrate our diversity and the great cultural mosaic of Mississauga,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “With significant legacy projects for our City underway as well as meaningful ways for everyone to join in the city-wide celebrations, 2017 will be a year to remember.”

The City will mark the occasion with three main events hosted at Mississauga Celebration Square – New Year’s Eve 2016 (December 31), Canada Day 2017 (July 1) and Light Up the Square 2017 (November 25).

In January, the City will launch two engagement activities in celebration of Canada’s Anniversary – the 150 for 150: Mississauga Volunteer Challenge and Mississauga’s Biggest Birthday Card.  As part of the 150 for 150 program, residents will be encouraged to volunteer in their community for 150 minutes over the course of 2017. Mississauga’s Biggest Birthday Card will have ‘page panels’ that will travel throughout Mississauga early in 2017. The panels will be available at the City’s museums, libraries, community centres and arenas giving residents an opportunity to sign and share their birthday wishes. Mississauga’s Biggest Birthday Card will then be assembled and on display at Mississauga Celebration Square on July 1 – Canada’s Birthday.

“Our museums, community centres, libraries, parks and recreation centres have all joined together to celebrate this significant milestone in Canada’s history,” said Paul Mitcham, Commissioner of Community Services. “A Mississauga Canada 150 web page will be launched mid-December showcasing all of the Canada 150-themed events and programs and highlighting the ways residents can participate in the festivities.”

A number of legacy projects will also be completed in 2017. As part of funding for up to $2.1 million from the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program (CIP 150), 14 trails and nine playgrounds will be rehabilitated along with two specific renovation projects at Lake Aquitaine Park and Riverwood Park.

A Public Art installation will be created for Mississauga Celebration Square that will engage Canadians and newcomers on issues of identity, culture and the place of Indigenous peoples in contemporary society. These projects were made possible in part by the Government of Canada.

Background

In 2017, Canada will be celebrating its 150th Anniversary of Confederation. The Government of Canada is encouraging Canadians and municipalities to celebrate in meaningful ways through programming and public infrastructure that supports, promotes and aligns with the Canada 150 vision.

The City of Mississauga’s Canada 150th Anniversary program will be funded through Government of Canada for up to ($3.2 million):

• Up to $2.1 million to fund 25 infrastructure rehabilitation projects of parks, trails and playgrounds through the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program (CIP 150).
• Up to $1 million for the rehabilitation of the Small Arms Inspection Building also from CIP 150. This funding is pending the successful negotiation to purchase the property from the Toronto Region Conservation Authority.
• $199,000 for the Public Art Legacy piece through the Department of Canadian Heritage Celebrations and Commemoration Program – Canada 150 Fund grant.

All other initiatives will be funded using existing program budgets.