Mayor Crombie with the Town Crier during the 2018 New Year’s Levee.
For Immediate Release | Check Against Delivery
January 14th, 2018
Mayor Crombie’s 2018 New Year’s Levee Remarks
“Good afternoon. Aani Boozhoo.
“We acknowledge that we gather today on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the New Credit.
“Happy New Year! Welcome to 2018! Welcome to City Hall; the heart of local democracy.
“It’s wonderful to see so many people here today.
“Like all of you, I am excited about the New Year.
“I’m excited because of Mississauga’s strong position and the potential for our city in 2018.
“Together, we are moving Mississauga forward toward a bright and promising future.
“We’re building for our kids and our grand kids and the generations to come.
“I am proud to work with a team of committed Councillors who have the best interests of this City at heart.
“Let me recognize:
- Ward 1 Councillor Jim Tovey
- Ward 2 Councillor Karen Ras
- Ward 3 Councillor Chris Fonseca
- Ward 4 Councillor John Kovac
- Ward 5 Councillor Carolyn Parrish
- Ward 6 Councillor Ron Starr
- Ward 7 Councillor Nando Iannicca
- Ward 8 Councillor Matt Mahoney
- Ward 9 Councillor Pat Saito
- Ward 10 Councillor Sue McFadden, and
- Ward 11 Councillor George Carlson
“Council does not do its work in isolation. We are supported by a dedicated, professional, and passionate team of staff, led by:
- Our City Manager, Janice Baker
- Gary Kent, Commissioner of Corporate Services and Chief Financial Officer
- Paul Mitcham, Commissioner of Community Services
- Ed Sajecki, Commissioner of Planning and Building
- Geoff Wright, Commissioner of Transportation and Works
“They and their teams are committed to excellence, and devoted to the residents and businesses of this City
“I can tell you, when speaking to my colleagues across the country, our team of Councillors and staff are the envy of the municipal sector.
“I am proud to work with them all.
“The New Year provides an opportunity to reflect on the year that was, as well as look toward the year to come and the future of our City.
“2017 was a milestone year for Canada and Mississauga. Mississauga joined all communities across Canada to mark the 150th anniversary of the founding of our respected and peaceful democracy.
“Many of you joined us for the year-long festivities that took place across Mississauga.
“During our 150th year, Canada has emerged as a beacon to the world. As other countries close their borders and sow dissent and division, Canada remains a strong democracy where people of all faiths, cultures, colours, and creeds, can find a home and flourish.
“Our commitment to welcoming people from around the world, celebrating – not just tolerating – the faiths and cultures of our people, and doing our best to ensure that every Canadian, no matter if you came here 150 years ago or 150 days ago, has an opportunity to succeed, sets us apart.
“As a City, Mississauga is a localized representation of this Canadian vision.
“We are home to people from every country on Earth, speaking over 200 languages.
“Yet our great diversity does not divide us; it unites us. Our diversity is our strength
“Mississauga has become a global destination. It’s where the world comes to work and where people come to succeed.
“It’s a place people want to be.
“When we open doors, we open possibility.
“2017 was a special year for Canada and for Mississauga.
“I think you will agree – there is a ‘buzz’ about Mississauga these days.
“In 2017 we hosted the Prime Minister, the Lieutenant Governor, ambassadors, consuls general, and delegations from around the world interested in learning more about how we operate and succeed.
“We’re changing as a City – for the better.
“The Mississauga of the first 40 years will look much different from the Mississauga of the next 40 years.
“Yet, we would not be in the position we are today without the strong foundations laid by those who came before us.
“As we look ahead, we reflect on where we came from.
“In a few short years, we mark another important milestone.
“In 2024, Mississauga turns 50.
“We must ask ourselves what we want our City to look like at 50. Who do we want to be?
“As you have heard me say many times, my vision for Mississauga is one that is diverse, dynamic, welcoming, and inclusive.
“It is a city that with a quality of life that Hazel McCallion would say is “second to none!”
“It’s a Mississauga made up of livable, walkable, affordable communities, where people can raise a family, and see their grandchildren grow.
“It is communities connected by transit, where people can get where they need to go quickly, affordably, and seamlessly.
“It’s a place that celebrates business and continues to remain fiscally prudent – investing in the foundations that make us competitive.
“It’s a world-class City that is a destination the world over.
“Most importantly, it’s a Mississauga every resident is proud to call home.
“In the last year, Council and staff have taken steps to realize this vision.
“We are investing in transit to connect our residents and communities to the wider GTA region.
“We’re building affordable housing, reshaping our communities to be more livable and walkable while at the same time protecting our environment…
“We are making our city smarter by investing in new technologies and connecting our businesses and residents.
“And, we are building critical infrastructure to improve our already high quality of life and our local economy…including parks, trails, community centres, roads and bridges, and so much more.
“At the same time, we remain fiscally prudent, keeping tax increases at around the rate of inflation and providing good value for tax dollars
“For the 14th straight year, Mississauga retains its Triple-A credit rating.
“Like the private sector, we’ve built the Lean process into the City of Mississauga’s corporate DNA to ensure we look for savings and more efficient ways of delivering services.
“Budget 2018 projected savings of over $3 million of taxpayers’ hard-earned money – totalling $52 million over the past decade.
“We secured new foreign-direct investment opportunities from our international Economic Development Office investment missions including Tohmei Industries, a renowned Japanese aerospace company.
“And BioLab, a $56 million investment that will create new high-value added jobs.
“And in 2018, there is more to come!
“With over 88,000 businesses, and an unrivaled commitment to supporting business growth, we are becoming a magnet for new investment
“We are on track to get construction underway in 2018 to build the fully funded Hurontario Light Rail Transit (LRT) system.
“We recently opened the Renforth Gateway, the most eastern station on the Mississauga Transitway and the final stop on the 18 kilometer, 12 stop Transitway.
“There are over 100,000 jobs along this line alone!
“At the same time, we invested in our local MiWay transit to create an additional 46,000 hours of service in 2018.
“We also continue to advocate for all-day, two-way GO on all Mississauga corridors, in particular the Milton line – the second busiest line in the GO network.
“It remains a top priority as Mississauga is now a net importer of jobs and in need of service both ways, all day.
“In our efforts to make government work better and be more transparent and accountable to taxpayers, we introduced recorded votes for all Council votes.
“We’ve also put more of our services online to make it easier for consumers to do business with the city.
“We are pressing ahead with a sustainable social procurement policy that considers social, ethical and environmental factors in the purchasing process, along with price, quality and service – the entire cost of a product of service.
“And for the first time, we are developing a Climate Change Action Plan to protect our environment for future generations.
“And, I am particularly proud that Mississauga has officially joined the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, joining the major cities of the world in the fight to protect our planet.
“This year we also launched – Making Room for the Middle – Mississauga’s bold new housing strategy to increase the supply of housing for middle income earners – the workforce that drives our local economy.
“It’s critical to our growth that people can both live and work in their community and not be priced out of the market – where families can stay close together and commutes are manageable.
“We continue to press ahead and implement a series of community consultation plans that are shaping neighbourhoods throughout Mississauga, including:
- Vision Cooksville
- Inspiration Lakeview
- Inspiration Port Credit
- My Malton
- the Ninth Line Lands
- Dundas Connects
- Britannia Farms and
- Downtown21 Plan;
“Mississauga is growing and building new communities connected by transit and trails; home to parks and community centres, public spaces, and an unrivalled quality of life.
“We are building a complete City. A world class-city.
“While we have so much to be proud of, we must not lose sight of what more we have to do.
“When 15% of our residents live in poverty. There is more we can do.
“In 2017 Mayor’s City-Wide Food Drive, we raised $225,409 and collected 265,611 pounds of food.
“Since we launched this important initiative in 2015, we have raised an astonishing $431,857 and 634,486 pounds of food for The Mississauga Food Bank and its member agencies.
“At the same time, foodbank usage continues to rise and shockingly, children make up over 50% of users.
“There is more we can and must do.
“When more than 30% of residents are spending more than 35% of their income on housing and families are forced to live further and further apart, we have an affordability issue. There’s more we can do.
“When people are spending more time commuting to work because of traffic and congestion, there is more we can do.
“When some in our community feel unsafe or persecuted and when there are those who continue to seek to divide us instead of unite us, there is more we can do.
“We must not be complacent. We must continue to take action.
“As we enter 2018, I challenge you to ask yourself: “Is there more I can do or actions I can take to make my City and my community a better place to live?”
“Is there a way I can do more to help others?”
“Small, random acts of kindness can go a long way to making the lives of others better. I challenge all of you to commit a small, random act of kindness each day.
“Hold a door, shovel a neighbour’s driveway, give someone a smile…
“Added together, these random acts can make a big difference in the lives of others.
“Civility. Compassion. Empathy. Understanding. Generosity…these are the hallmarks of Mississauga
“A New Year provides us an opportunity to reflect on what we have and what are thankful for.
“The Irish people have some of the best proverbs. This is one of my favourites:
“Count your blessings instead of your crosses.
“Count your gains instead of your losses
“Count your joys instead of your woes.
“Count your friends instead of your foes.
“Count your smiles instead of your tears.
“Count your courage instead of your fears.
“Count your full times instead of your lean.
“Count your kind deeds instead of your mean.
“Count your health instead of your wealth.
“Love your neighbor as much as yourself.
“I think we would all do well to heed this message in 2018.
“Friends, it is the honour of a lifetime to serve as your mayor.
“I am proud to work with such a committed team of Councillors and staff who all have the best interests of Mississauga at heart.
“I want to thank each of you and all residents in this great city for their ongoing commitment to making Mississauga a great place to live.
“As we look ahead, there is much more to be done. We’ve only just begun.
“In 2018, let’s continue what we’ve started
“Our future is bright, but only if we work together.
“I wish you and your family health, happiness, and prosperity.
“Here’s to 2018. Happy New Year!
“Thank you.”
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