FEDERAL PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION - 2021 APPENDIX 1 - eSCRIBE Meetings
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2 11.5 Mayor’s Letter On behalf of the City of Mississauga The pandemic hit cities hard and Council and residents, I am pleased to Mississauga was no exception. At submit to you the City of Mississauga’s the close of 2020, Mississauga was 2021 federal pre-budget submission. projecting a $55M deficit. Through some As you prepare your government’s unprecedented actions including layoffs, 2021 Budget, we request that you hiring freezes, cuts to discretionary keep in mind our priorities and spending, and offering free transit, we recommendations, not only in saw our revenues disappear, but our Mississauga specifically, but across costs continued. Like all governments, our community and the broader we sought to provide relief, within our municipal sector. No government has means, by deferring taxes for residents all the answers, but every government and businesses, waiving fees and charges, has a role to play. and adjusting our business practices to meet the needs of a suffering community, COVID-19 has impacted all aspects of among many other measures. Thanks our society – from how we connect, to the cooperation of all three levels of do business, travel, and enjoy our time government, we were able to secure the with family and friends. It has impacted Safe Restart Funding, which has allowed our health and well-being, mentally and Mississauga to weather the financial physically, and laid bare the inequalities storm and continue to play our role as within our community. COVID-19 has a front line service provider – from snow forced us to confront uncomfortable plowing, to fire and emergency services, truths and question how our society and to business supports, our teams have institutions operate. At the same time, the continued to work for our community. crisis has provided us with opportunities This pandemic has shown what is to build back to a better society that possible when we work together is more equitable, stronger, and more toward shared objectives. resilient than before. All governments have a responsibility to make investments today to build for a better future. 2 2021 Federal Pre-budget Submission
3 11.5 Mayor’s Letter As we look to 2021 and beyond, The following document outlines Mississauga continues to face significant Mississauga’s priorities in relation to financial pressures. The echo effects the federal government. The information of this pandemic will be felt for many and recommendations contained within years to come. At the same time, we have been approved by our Council know that to build back better requires and reflect the top priorities of our City. making investments. While we must Our recommendations are organized make sacrifices now, we cannot cut our by our City’s recovery pillars: Financial, way to prosperity over the long term. Economic, and Community. The City Transit, affordable housing, supports of Mississauga is ready and willing for main street and small businesses to work with your government as we and our competitive sectors, as well not only recover, but broaden our as promotion of our hard hit tourism connections and build toward a brighter and cultural sectors is crucial, now future. We are all in this together and so, more than ever. So too are investments we must work together. in public health and protections for our essential workers. We will not Thank you for your consideration. return to “normal” as we knew it pre- Sincerely, pandemic and as such, all three levels of government must continue to work together to ensure no one is left behind during the recovery. Mayor 3 2021 Federal Pre-budget Submission
4 11.5 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Invest in Cities. Return to Prosperity. Mississauga Matters. MISSISSAUGA TODAY STRONG MUNICIPAL OUR COVID RESPONSE PARTNER Canada’s sixth largest city home to almost 800,000 people Mississauga hit hard by pandemic lost revenue and increased costs. Mississauga has a strong reputation for fiscal responsibility and budgetary planning. Provided relief to Economic engine residents and businesses: • 17 years - AAA Credit Rating more than 94,000 businesses, deferring taxes, free transit, • 31 years - GFOA award budget reporting 75+ Fortune 500 companies and waiving fees and charges 1,400 multinational firms • 22 years - GFOA award financial reporting Hard hit sectors continue to struggle: Strength small businesses & in diversity food/drink, live music, 145+ languages tourism, air travel, spoken and 55% of our self-employed Continuous improvement residents born outside Smart City of Canada Mississauga’s LEAN program 828km fibre Our proactive response drives efficiency with $68.4m in to COVID-19: optic network total cumulative savings since 2009. connecting • took immediate action $10.8 million in savings identified 346 sites to reduce deficit for 2021 (equivalent to reducing the City’s net costs 2%). • limited spending and Quality of life discretionary costs, hiring freeze 58.5 B 2 major hospitals, and staffing reductions, deferred Economic output 2 post-secondary campuses, 489 parks, capital projects and debt in Mississauga, 22km waterfront, 393km trails debenture issue until 2021 2019 373 sports fields, 3 beaches 4 2021 Federal Pre-budget Submission
5 11.5 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Strong Cities Build a Strong Country With COVID-19 the role of local LET’S BUILD TOGETHER >> government has never been more important. During the pandemic, the federal and provincial governments have been strong partners with municipalities. In Mississauga, funding received to date has been used for our 2020 operating deficit and will provide additional relief for 2021. Going forward, we need continued support and collaboration from our government partners. Strong, long-term and predictable funding partnerships across our recovery pillars are essential to ensuring that Mississauga, Ontario and Canada build back to better, creating stronger communities and a stronger country for all. 5 2021 Federal Pre-budget Submission
6 11.5 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Our 12 Recommendations FINANCIAL 1 Continue to provide Safe Restart funding to municipalities to deal 2 Deliver sustainable, long-term and predictable funding for infrastructure renewal, transit, 3 Provide the funding and support necessary to assist Mississauga in realizing our 4 Support a green recovery through investments in projects that mitigate the impacts of climate change with the ongoing impacts and active transportation major infrastructure projects. and increase the resiliency and of COVID-19 on city services projects to keep our adaptability of our communities. and operating budgets. communities moving. COMMUNITY ECONOMIC 5 Invest in the Mississauga community to create great places and amenities for 6 Partner with cities to fund and build affordable housing to close the supply gap and ensure 7 Support our small businesses and sectors hardest hit by the 8 Ensure our tourism industries can rebound through investments in everyone. everyone has a safe place to live. COVID-19 pandemic to existing and the creation kick-start the local and of new funding programs. national economy. 9 Keep our workers safe by providing adequate sick pay. 10 Invest in innovation to jumpstart the economy and help entrepreneurs 11 Provision of meaningful financial supports for domestic and foreign 12 Assist in the recovery and growth of the air transportation sector. succeed. direct investment. 6 2021 Federal Pre-budget Submission
8 11.5 Financial COVID-19 has put extraordinary to budget for deficits. At the same a global pandemic, to building 21st pressures on government budgets, time, cities do not have the same Century infrastructure, to responding particularly at the municipal level financial tools of the provincial or to the impacts of climate change, and from a public health and economic federal government to respond to adapting to changes in the national perspective. In Ontario, the Financial a health and economic crisis of the and global economies. Cities need Accountability Office (FAO) scale and scope of the COVID-19 the support of federal and provincial reported the cumulative deficit for pandemic. Property taxes and user partners to continue to provide municipalities in the province is fees are the main sources of funding essential front-line services, as well $6.8 billion over the next two years for cities like Mississauga. They are as invest in critical infrastructure. as a result of COVID-19. Provincial insufficient tools to address the issues legislation does not permit cities we face, from managing through Recommendation 1 Continue to provide Safe Restart funding to municipalities to deal with the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 on city services and operating budgets. Despite declining revenues due to The City of Mississauga is appreciative of deficit in 2021. Continued Safe Restart COVID-19, the City of Mississauga is still the support it has received to date from funding, and an extension of the Phase 2 expected to provide services to residents. the federal and provincial governments Transit stream to December 31, 2021 would Early in the pandemic, Mississauga Council from the Safe Restart Agreement, assist the City in reducing its projected took decisive action and implemented Municipal Transit Enhanced Cleaning 2021 deficit. measures including, staff layoffs and Program, ICIP COVID-19 Resilience temporary hiring freezes, reducing Stream, and Emergency Support for The City of Mississauga will need the discretionary costs, and deferring Heritage Organizations. These programs continued support of both the provincial capital projects. Despite these efforts, helped lessen the financial impact of and federal governments in order to the City still posted a year-end shortfall this pandemic, but the echo effects financially recover effectively over the next of approximately $55 million for 2020. of COVID-19 will continue to be felt few years. This is not a one-year event, but throughout 2021 and for many years to an economic crisis that will affect significant come. In fact, before accounting for any service industries such as Transit, Recreation additional Safe Restart funding the City is and the air travel industry in Mississauga for still projecting an approximate $22 million many years to come. 8 2021 Federal Pre-budget Submission
9 11.5 Financial Recommendation 2 Deliver sustainable, long-term and predictable funding for infrastructure renewal, transit, and active transportation projects to keep our communities moving. Like other Ontario municipalities, the The Public Transit Infrastructure Fund City of Mississauga cannot maintain or (PTIF) and the Investing in Canada grow it’s infrastructure on the local tax Infrastructure Program (ICIP) are good bill. In order to help with recovery efforts examples of allocation-based funding and continue to build Mississauga into formulas. These programs need to be a world-class city, we need long-term, made permanent and predictable, as well predictable and sustainable funding as increased over time to parallel the cost models for infrastructure renewal of construction. projects. This would ensure sufficient time and resources are in place to apply The Federal Gas Tax Fund is also a best practices to the management of good tool as it provides muncipalities these projects and allow us to focus with predictable and accountable on local priorities. funding which allows money to flow to municipalities in a timely and more efficient manner. Increasing the Federal Gas Tax Fund is recommended. Local Governments own the majority of infrastructure but receive the smallest share of tax dollars. 9 2021 Federal Pre-budget Submission
10 11.5 Financial i. State-of-Good Repair The City of Mississauga owns The City has been able to manage While the two per cent infrastructure approximately 60 per cent of the total financially throughout 2020 because and debt repayment property tax levy infrastructure in Mississauga, which is of our financial strength and the policies assists, additional funding from other worth about $12.4 billion, including $2.9 and practices adopted by Council over levels of government is required. The billion in roads, $4.5 billion in stormwater the years, such as the implementation City’s current funding does not fully fund systems, and $935 million in bridges. of an infrastructure levy. In 2021, our all capital requirements, but balances the infrastructure gap in Mississauga is need to maintain our infrastructure, fund Infrastructure must be maintained in a $291 million. This is despite prudent new projects as required, and minimize state-of-good repair in order to avoid measures undertaken for the last debt. As a result, the condition of some excessive future repair costs, put safety decade to manage our capital assets. of our assets is starting to decline and will first and ensure that Mississauga, Ontario With current financial tools, Mississauga require increased investment the longer and all of Canada build back to better, will not be able to significantly close they are allowed to decline. creating stronger communities and a this gap in the years ahead. stronger country for all. 2021-2030 Total Capital Plan State of Good Repair $2.5 B 10 2021 Federal Pre-budget Submission
11 11.5 Financial ii. Active Transportation COVID-19 has changed our travel The City of Mississauga’s 2018 Cycling The Master Plan details an 897 km cycling patterns and how we move. Now, more Master Plan’s vision is to build a safe, network at a cost of approximately $270 than ever, more people are turning to connected, convenient and comfortable million. At the City’s current funding alternative modes of transportation from cycling network that Mississauga level it will take 27 years to complete walking to cycling. In a time when we residents and visitors of all ages and this network. As a result, additional are staying home more than ever before, abilities will feel comfortable using not sustainable funding from senior levels going for a walk, roll or bike ride might only for recreational use, but also for of government is required in order to be the only way for some to get fresh commuter travel. build a truly multi-modal Mississauga. air and exercise. Without proper active transportation infrastructure in place, individuals may choose to stay indoors, leading to increased feelings of isolation and loneliness. 11 2021 Federal Pre-budget Submission
12 11.5 Financial Recommendation 3 Provide the funding and support necessary to assist Mississauga in realizing our major infrastructure projects. The City of Mississauga requires a reliable, efficient and sustainable inter-regional transit system. In order to construct our major transit priority projects outlined below, we require a committed federal partner. i. Regional Express Rail on GO Corridors and Building the Missing Link The City of Mississauga continues to Together with Toronto, Milton, Kitchener, eagerly await the development of Regional Cambridge, and Waterloo, the City of Express Rail (RER), which will provide the Mississauga continues to encourage the Milton and Kitchener Lines with two-way, relocation of heavy rail freight traffic from all-day service. the Milton and Kitchener GO Rail lines, to a proposed bypass rail line adjacent While increased service on the Milton to Highway 407 (the “missing link”). corridor is in the 2041 Regional It is only through the construction of Transportation Plan, improvements the missing link that the RER will be are not proposed until after 2025 able to move forward. and are subject to physical constraints and negotiations with freight operators. ii. Downtown Mississauga Terminal and Transitway Connection Mississauga’s 18-km, 12-station Transitway terminal, would provide for a continuous Construction of the Mississauga Transitway has made it faster and easier for commuters Transitway that would maximize the benefits has been made possible through funding to travel to, from and through Mississauga and success of previous investments. from the federal and provincial governments, and across the region. While the west and but the vital link that will be our Downtown The new terminal will be a critical transit hub east portions of the Transitway have access Mississauga Terminal and Transitway servicing Mississauga and the western GTHA to dedicated lanes, the Downtown portion Connection remains unfunded at this time. and provide a vital connection to Pearson experiences delays because it relies on International Airport. accessing local city streets. The completion of the Downtown segment of the Mississauga Transitway, with a dedicated transit corridor and new bus 12 2021 Federal Pre-budget Submission
13 11.5 Financial iii. Restoring the Downtown Loop to the Hurontario LRT Design In March 2019, the Ontario government Currently thousands of jobs, businesses Moving forward with the HuLRT announced scope changes to the project and housing units are located along the project inclusive of the downtown that removed a key component of the Hurontario corridor and Canada’s largest loop represents major steps towards Hurontario Light Rail Transit (HuLRT), development by Oxford Properties will be transformational transit improvements the downtown loop. In order to help the built in Mississauga’s downtown Square that our residents and businesses within City realize the full potential of downtown One District. the downtown and along the Hurontario Mississauga, the downtown loop should corridor are depending on. be considered as a funding priority. iv. Dundas Bus Rapid Transit Corridor The City’s Dundas Connects project The next steps in advancing this transit produced a Master Plan for the Dundas initiative are the completion of a Transit Corridor, which makes recommendations Project Assessment Process, and on land-use intensification and rapid preliminary engineering and design. transit for Dundas Street. Specifically, Federal and provincial funding for the Master Plan recommends a Bus this work, such as funding available Rapid Transit facility for the entire length through ICIP and for which the City has of Dundas Street. This supports major applied, would ensure that growth and improvements to transportation, land use redevelopment along Dundas will follow, and the public realm along the Dundas and implementation of transit may Street Corridor. occur sooner. 13 2021 Federal Pre-budget Submission
14 11.5 Financial Recommendation 4 Support a green recovery through investments in projects that mitigate the impacts of climate change and increase the resiliency and adaptability of our communities. The federal government’s strengthened • Accelerating discovery and driving We all have a role to play, and tackling it climate plan ‘A Healthy Environment innovation in regards to climate action requires global action, and collaboration. and a Healthy Economy,’ will require all to create jobs; Mississauga is seeking committed funding municipalities to play a critical role in from all levels of government to help meeting established targets. Mississauga • Enhancing green infrastructure advance transformative climate action is already taking action on climate investments and management projects, two of which are described change through its endorsement of the practices to improve local resilience; on the following page. Federation of Canadian Municipalities recommendations for a green and • Supporting low carbon energy inclusive economic recovery and through systems, such as district energy, the development of the City’s first-ever in the community; and Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP). • Supporting a Mississauga hydrogen Our 10-year CCAP plan focuses on hub: hydrogen fueling infrastructure both community and corporate actions and hydrogen fuel incentives to support that decrease greenhouse gas (GHG) transit and trucking companies. emissions and help the City become more resilient to changing climate conditions. These actions include: • Decreasing GHG emissions from our buildings, transport sectors and city vehicles; • Building our resilience to the expected impacts of climate change; • Increasing our capacity to deal with climate events; 14 2021 Federal Pre-budget Submission
15 11.5 Financial i. Transition of Bus Fleet to Zero-Emission Vehicles Mississauga Transit (‘MiWay’) is In order to meet this target, MiWay will The essential benefits of zero-emission committed to reducing overall GHG no longer purchase conventional diesel buses in today’s marketplace are emissions significantly over the next buses, and will be required to purchase considered environmentally friendly by decade. As of 2020, roughly 70 per cent zero-emission buses at some point over producing little to no greenhouse gas of the City’s GHG emissions stem from the next decade. The cost of this premium emissions, simpler to maintain, produce Public Transit Buses alone and MiWay is around $200 million. Federal and less noise pollution, better driveability, must decrease emissions by 40 per cent provincial investments are necessary and positive public perception and by 2030 and 80 per cent by 2050. in order to transition the fleet and population health for residents. cover the premium. ii. Bus Maintenance and Storage Facility Zero-Emission Conversion In order to operate Zero-Emission Buses MiWay may need to install electrolysers For our infrastructure to accommodate (both Battery-Electric and Hydrogen and fueling infrastructure. From a such a transition, support from higher Fuel Cell), MiWay must convert their maintenance perspective, Zero-Emission order levels of government is required. traditional diesel facilities to a facility Bus technology is relatively new and will that will accommodate charging or require technicians to learn new skills fueling infrastructure. This will require including high voltage systems. extensive structural overhauls, and in most cases, existing facilities may need to be completely rebuilt and future facilities constructed. The cost for this is currently unfunded. In the case of battery-electric buses, there are two charging options, which include depot charging and on-route charging. If on-route charging is a viable option, this will lead to additional infrastructure required on-street and within terminals and stations. For hydrogen fuel cell buses, 15 2021 Federal Pre-budget Submission
16 11.5 COMMUNITY 2021 FEDERAL PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION 16 2021 Federal Pre-budget Submission
17 11.5 Community Community recovery efforts will help Through the City’s work with its many to ensure that residents continue community stakeholders, residents will to choose to live in the City of be encouraged to join and participate in Mississauga based on community opportunities to re-engage in our vibrant amenities, support networks, municipal life. activities, and other facets that make Mississauga a great place to live. Recommendation 5 Invest in the Mississauga community to create great places and amenities for everyone. A recent survey conducted by Park The City of Mississauga is seeking People, highlighted that 70 per cent funding in order to proceed with the of Canadians appreciation for parks development of a sustainable and and green spaces has increased during creative community along its waterfront. COVID-19, noting that they would like The City is currently focusing on two more access to public space, nature projects: Lakeview Village and the Port and outdoor programming as part of Credit Harbour Marina. The revitalization COVID-19 recovery; and 87 per cent of of these sites will help deliver on the Canadians support increased spending City’s Strategic Plan action of creating on parks. a model sustainable creative community on the waterfront. 17 2021 Federal Pre-budget Submission
18 11.5 Community i. Lakeview Village This site will connect the former Ontario A condition of sale from OPG to Lakeview The City is seeking investment Power Generation (OPG) lands to the Community Partners Limited requires that opportunities for sustainability waterfront trail system and will create a 67 acres of waterfront land be remediated opportunities like District Energy, new 1,300m waterfront trail adjacent to and transferred to the City of Mississauga the animation of the proposed cultural Lakefront Promenade. An interconnected for parkland, institutional and cultural uses hub, the innovation corridor, and the system of parks and open spaces will consistent with the Inspiration Lakeview waterfront amenities, including the pier, provide a range of passive and active Master Plan. The City of Mississauga is which is envisioned to become a defining recreation opportunities; and contribute engaged, ready, and willing to complete feature of this site and Lake Ontario. to the character and identity of Lakeview these next steps. Village and reinforce a healthy, active, and vibrant community. 18 2021 Federal Pre-budget Submission
19 11.5 Community ii. Port Credit Harbour Marina Through the Inspiration Port Credit The marina supports one of the Charting the Future Course – 1 Port Street largest salmon-fishing derbies in East Master Plan process, community Canada, provides an important support to “keep the port in Port Credit” supply of recreational boat slips was established and reinforced the for the City and the region, and is need for a future public marina at 1 Port a cultural heritage link to the Great Street East. The comprehensive Master Lakes. Substantial new investment is Plan, which articulated a concept for the required for the infrastructure that future revitalization and redevelopment supports the marina function. of the site into a vibrant mixed-use neighbourhood, ensures the historic marina function is preserved. 19 2021 Federal Pre-budget Submission
20 11.5 Community Recommendation 6 Partner with cities to fund and build affordable housing to close the supply gap and ensure everyone has a safe place to live. Proactive intervention by all levels of middle-income households. However, government is imperative to ensure municipalities lack the financial tools that our communities continue to and legislative authority to close the gap thrive. Mississauga is doing what it between what the market will produce can to protect existing affordable and what households can afford. New housing supply and remove current powers and revenue sources are required regulatory and administrative barriers to incent housing affordable to middle to the development of housing for income earners. 20 2021 Federal Pre-budget Submission
21 11.5 Community Affordable Housing In 2017, Mississauga took the lead by 5. Expand programs for housing One of the greatest barriers developing a made-in-Mississauga plan developers to access financial to affordable housing is access (“Making Room for the Middle”) to backing and insurance to build to reasonably priced land. As a address issues of housing affordability more affordable housing (e.g. landowner, the federal government in our city. The plan identified 40 rental construction financing); is in a position to have a significant recommendations, of which seven impact on the affordable housing require federal support to give the City 6. Work with senior levels of supply by implementing a Housing and affordable housing developers the government to make their surplus First approach when disposing of ability to incentivize the building of lands available for affordable surplus federal lands suitable for affordable, middle-class housing. housing; and housing to the City or non-profit These recommendations include: housing providers. In addition, the 7. Provide standardized local housing federal government can provide 1. Create enduring and sustainable data and consistent methodologies additional assistance to non-profit funding programs that realize to measure housing affordability. housing producers in the form of seed developer timeframes and financial money or a feasibility grant in order needs (e.g., low-cost loans and to bridge the gap to National grants); Co-investment and other funding. 2. Expand affordable homeownership assistance to individuals (e.g., shared- equity mortgage programs); 3. Consider taxation policies that incent affordable housing (e.g., HST rebates, tax incentives for new or rehabilitated purpose-built rental housing and second units); 4. Explore tax credits and exemptions for affordable housing (e.g. income tax credit for second unit homeowners, low income housing tax credits); 21 2021 Federal Pre-budget Submission
22 11.5 ECONOMIC 2021 FEDERAL PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION 22 2021 Federal Pre-budget Submission
23 11.5 Economic The City of Mississauga has and will continue to play a key role in helping the local economy respond to this new normal. Currently, the City provides a range of programs and services designed to support economic development. It is our goal not only to recover the losses suffered during this pandemic, but to find every opportunity to help Mississauga businesses build back to better; and adopt an inclusive, whole community approach that leaves no one behind. Recommendation 7 Support our small businesses and sectors hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic to kick-start the local and national economy. Recommendation 8 Ensure our tourism industries can rebound through investments in existing and the creation of new funding programs. Recommendation 9 Keep our workers safe by providing adequate sick pay. The City of Mississauga has a strong local economy, comprised of a highly diverse business community that reaches across a wide variety of sectors. Home to over 94,000 businesses, with a GDP of $60 billion, the City is a major contributor to the Greater Toronto Area economy. It is imperative that we remain responsive to the needs of the business community as recovery unfolds. 23 2021 Federal Pre-budget Submission
24 11.5 Economic i. Small Business Supports The City of Mississauga recognizes A number of interventions and supports It is imperative for the success of our small business is the foundation of can only be delivered through the local small businesses and Mississauga’s Mississauga’s economy. From traditional federal and provincial governments. local economy that ongoing federal and main street small businesses to high- The following actions will be critical to provincial support is provided to the small growth scale-ups, the economic health support the small business community: business community that addresses their and vitality of these establishments specific challenges and needs. directly impact the overall well-being • Continuation of the Digital Mainstreet of the local economy. Unfortunately, Program to the end of 2021 without the small business community has been interruption; hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, with small and main street businesses having • Funding of full annual municipal to temporarily close physical locations. employment surveys in order to Throughout Mississauga, the largest strengthen data sets; and impacts on local main street businesses include: • Extend the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy Program beyond June 2021. • business closures; • employee layoffs; • reduced revenues/business activity; and • rent challenges. In recognition, the City’s Economic Development Office (EDO), which includes the Mississauga Business Enterprise Centre has prioritized supporting the small business community through focusing on outreach and communication activities; and supporting local small business in adopting digital technologies. EDO however cannot deliver all actions outlined in the City’s Economic Recovery Plan alone. 24 2021 Federal Pre-budget Submission
25 11.5 Economic ii. Tourism and Cultural Industry Support Since the beginning of the COVID-19 As such, sustainable funding for pandemic, the Province has indicated the Tourism and Cultural industry is that 350,000 jobs in Ontario’s culture required from the federal and provincial sector have been lost resulting in an governments. Not only will this support estimated $17.5 billion drop in economic drive more people to our City as we are impact from the culture sector to able to reopen, but will also help the local Ontario’s economy. economy through tourism spending. Ensuring Mississauga remains competitive In Mississauga, the story is no and attractive to film and music different. Local creative industries production is also a vital component and entrepreneurs were forced to to Mississauga’s recovery efforts. cease operations and are facing mass uncertainty. As there are still many unknowns about the future, organizations are unsure of sustainable funding opportunities such as government and sector-specific grants and if they will be able to cover costs moving into 2021 and beyond. 25 2021 Federal Pre-budget Submission
26 11.5 Economic iii. Paid Sick Leave A successful and strong economic Workers in precarious employment who While the City of Mississauga recovery from COVID-19 will require are most likely not to have paid sick days, acknowledges that measures have strong and effective support and including low-income workers, essential been taken to provide support to collaboration from federal, provincial workers, contract and agency workers, workers, such as through Bill 186 they and municipal governments. The City those who cannot work remotely, and are limited and time-sensitive. Both the of Mississauga has made it a priority to many health-care workers, simply cannot federal and provincial governments engage with our residents and business afford to take time off work. A lack of must quickly implement and fund the community, listen to their needs and paid sick days, income supports and necessary policies and programs to advocate on their behalf to federal and sick leave protection are known barriers provide adequate paid sick day benefits provincial representatives for stronger to compliance to COVID-19 control to ensure accessible and timely financial and more effective supports. measures, including testing and self- support in order to remove barriers facing isolation due to the fear of income-loss precariously employed individuals. Workplaces are a source of COVID-19 and financial hardship. transmission in Peel and a Peel Public Health Surveillance identifies that among COVID-19 cases the most frequently reported occupation categories after health (8.9 per cent), are trades, transport and equipment operators (5.5 per cent), sales and service (3.9 per cent) and manufacturing and utilities (3.4 per cent). 26 2021 Federal Pre-budget Submission
27 11.5 Economic Recommendation 10 Invest in innovation to jumpstart the economy and help entrepreneurs succeed. Recommendation 11 Provision of meaningful financial supports for domestic and foreign direct investment. The City of Mississauga recognizes that the ability of our local businesses and entrepreneurs to generate, commercialize and scale up new technologies and processes is critical to our long-term competitiveness. In recognition, the City has prioritized the following initiatives. i. Innovation Hub A central space within Mississauga to The launch of this collaborative is planned Funding from higher order levels promote, connect and develop innovation for 2022, and the City is currently working of government will assist in driving activity, the Innovation Hub will bring closely with all key stakeholders including these programs and benefit our entrepreneurs, investors, established University of Toronto, Sheridan College region, the province and the country. companies and innovation service and the RIC Centre to provide start up providers together to share challenges supports. The City’s goal is to drive scale- collaborate and support innovation and up activity through industry and investor entrepreneurial activity in Mississauga. connectivity and mentorship programs. ii. Business Attraction and Investment Mississauga’s economic well-being is sustain and grow our key sectors: foreign direct investment, including supported through the presence of key Life Sciences Sector Strategy (Ontario) retention and expansion incentive industry sectors including Advanced and Incentive Program(s); and Aerospace programs (CDN & ON) is critical in Manufacturing, High Value Business Sector Strategy (Canada) and Incentive Mississauga’s key target sectors and Services (including Finance and program(s). growth centres within the city. Information Technology), Smart Logistics and Life Sciences. Together these sectors The City has also pivoted its services to account for almost half of Mississauga’s support business investment attraction total employment. In recognition, the City and expansion in Mississauga. Meaningful has prioritized the following initiatives to financial supports for domestic and 27 2021 Federal Pre-budget Submission
28 11.5 Economic Recommendation 12 Assist in the recovery and growth of the air transportation sector. Airports are recognized as economic As the fourth largest global entry As governments around the world catalysts for the communities they point into the U.S.A, it boards flights impose border restrictions and advise serve, delivering jobs and investments to 210 destinations and more than their citizens against non-essential travel, to the local municipalities. The impact 22 million trans-border passengers the air transportation sector has faced of international airports is even greater; annually. Unfortunately, due to significant declines in air passenger they provide links to global markets while COVID-19, passenger activity at Pearson traffic, staff layoffs, and grounding fostering trade, investment and tourism. International Airport fell by 69.5 per cent of planes. The federal and provincial during the first nine months of 2020. governments must step in to assist in Mississauga is home to Canada’s the recovery and growth of this sector, largest airport. Serving over 49 million to prevent further job loss and to passengers annually, Toronto Pearson encourage economic growth and tourism. International Airport is a major global hub, providing Canadians with a gateway to the world. With over 330,000 surrounding jobs, the airport is home to the second largest employment zone in the country. 28 2021 Federal Pre-budget Submission
29 11.5 CONCLUSION Mississauga’s COVID-19 Recovery Framework prepared by the City’s Leadership Team, and in alignment with Ontario’s ‘Framework for Reopening our Province’, serves as the City’s guiding principles supporting reopening and recovery. Municipalities play a vital role in the delivery of critical services that residents rely on, and are on the frontline of safely reopening the economy. The federal government is an important partner in ensuring the City meets its objectives, realizes its vision, and achieves its city-building priorities, specifically through proper funding mechanisms. We know the course of COVID-19 is uncertain. Our plans and actions will need to remain agile to respond as needed. One thing we can be certain of, whatever challenge we face, we will overcome it together. 29 2021 Federal Pre-budget Submission
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