Mississauga has established itself as a leader in the use of technology to engage and inform citizens, and to deliver quality public services through innovation and partnerships. This was a campaign commitment of mine and we are working to see it through.
Technology is allowing us to empower residents to help find solutions to every day issues in Canada’s sixth-largest city.
Last year Council voted to approve a new open data program. Open data is public information that is accessible and easy to understand. In March, Mississauga joined communities from around the world to mark International Open Data Day by co-hosting this Idea Jam.
In partnership with our post-secondary partners, Sheridan College and the University of Toronto Mississauga, developers, designers, mappers and information analysts gathered to collaborate about making the most out of our open data sets. Participants mined through mountains of information with the goal to improve service delivery for residents, and develop new apps for the City.
Open data is allowing Mississauga to build on its already informative, popular and successful apps and online services. Mississauga Pingstreet provides real-time access to garbage and recycling calendars, current events, local government information, social media channels and more.
Features available on the Pingstreet app include Mississauga’s latest news, Twitter feeds, Mayor and Council contact information and waste collection schedules from the Region of Peel.
eMaps is Mississauga’s interactive online mapping service, whereas eParks has a comprehensive listing of parks, facilities and other public spaces. MiWay, Mississauga’s public transit service, recently launched a new mobile site with features including real-time bus departures, service alerts and other trip planning features.
The City of Mississauga now offers property owners the convenience of viewing their interim and final property tax bills online through eBill. Residents can sign up for eBill at mississauga.ca/ebill. When the interim and final property tax bills are issued, an email will advise that the tax bill is ready to be viewed on the City’s Tax Self-Service website, starting with the 2017 interim bill. eBill recipients will no longer get a paper copy through regular mail.
ePlans is an initiative that is making it easier to navigate through City Hall by electronically submitting site plans, building permits and other information.
The Mississauga Roads App lets users see on a map road construction projects happening throughout the City. The alerts section provides details about road work. During the winter months, this app can be used to track the locations of snowplows and see when a street was last plowed.
There are currently 45 online services available on eCity’s Online Services page with plans to add more. I encourage you to visit www.mississauga.ca/servicesonline to access these services.