Dear Ward 7 Residents,
Welcome back to our monthly update, where we keep you informed about the key developments and latest happenings in our vibrant community. Here's what April had in store for us:
What’s Happening in Town
Midtown Oakville Plan Reset
The Council has decided to hit the reset button on the planning for Midtown Oakville, calling for a revised approach with lower population and heights. Stay tuned for updates as the process unfolds. Learn more here.
Parks Plan 2031 Approved
Oakville Town Council has approved the updated Parks Plan 2031 and Parkland Dedication By-law 2024-034, setting the stage for vibrant greenspaces and urban parks. Following public consultations in fall 2023, revisions were made to align with provincial legislative changes, ensuring the townwide parkland standard. Take a peek.
Oakville Transit Mobile App
Oakville Transit has introduced a new mobile app, making trip bookings easier for Home to Hub, care-A-van, and Ride On-Demand customers. Check out the streamlined features for a smoother commuting experience.
Short-term Accommodations Regulations Update
We're seeking your input on potential revisions to our short-term accommodation regulations. Your feedback will shape the updates to ensure they align with our community's needs. Read more on the update.
Celebrating Success: Parks and Green Spaces Shine in 2024 Community Satisfaction Survey
In the latest 2024 Community Satisfaction Survey conducted by the Town, Oakville's parks and green spaces have garnered exceptional ratings, scoring an impressive 94%! This accomplishment underscores the town's dedication to providing residents with outstanding outdoor amenities and recreational areas. Learn more here.
Council approves Oakville’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) Multi-Year Plan
On April 29, 2024, Oakville Town Council unanimously approved the Town of Oakville Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) Multi-Year Plan, which outlines town actions over the next five years to be a more inclusive Oakville. The plan includes four goals that support the town’s objective to be an inclusive workplace and community where everyone feels they belong:
Goal 1: Foundational – drive the objective. Be accountable for incorporating IDEA in all areas of the organization.
Goal 2: Internal – attract and retain people. Cultivate a work environment that is diverse, inclusive, safe and one where staff feel respected and valued.
Goal 3: Community – listen to, engage and serve the community. Reflect our inclusive culture throughout the range of services we provide to our community.
Goal 4: Sustainability – communicate, track and measure. Align and connect our IDEA
@Ward 7
More Funding Toward Public Schools
The provincial government's $1.3 billion investment to build and upgrade schools is a significant step forward. Ward 7 as a hub for a growing number of young families will be benefiting from this provincial initiative. As an advocate for enhanced public education resources, I will keep calling on the provincial government for more actions in optimizing our education infrastructures. It was a great meeting with Minister Lecce and Minister Bethlenfalvy during their visit to Oakville, bringing much anticipated funding to nourish more young minds from and beyond Ward 7.
Crime Prevention Town Hall
Thanks to everyone who participated in the Crime Prevention Town Hall. We discussed crucial issues affecting our community and explored multi-level solutions to address them effectively with stakeholders townwide. As we strive to curb crimes and enhance neighbourhood watch, we lean on each other to stay vigilant and informed.
Earth Day Clean-Up
A huge shoutout to all the volunteers who joined the 33rd Annual Earth Day Clean-Up organized by Oakville Peace Centre. My gratitude goes to all outstanding volunteers and coordinators for pulling together and completing this significant project with excellence across from eight parks at Ward 7, which eventually made the clean-up a great success. Your dedication made a significant impact on our environment. As Canada’s most liveable town, I encourage each one of us to undertake a small step as such every day to keep our community nice and clean.
Attn: Road Closure
Drivers and pedestrians please re-route your trip accordingly due to the construction of the south leg of the new roundabout at Fourth Line between Burnhamthorpe Road West and 60m. South from May 1-17, 2024. To get updates and status changes on road closures, please follow my social media channels at the end of the newsletter to stay in the know.
Key Events
Sikh Heritage Month
April has been filled with reverence and celebration as we commemorate Sikh Heritage Month here in Oakville! This special time offers us the opportunity to honour and reflect upon the rich cultural contributions of the Sikh community to our town and beyond. On April 2, I was delighted to take part in the Sikh Heritage Month flag-raising ceremony at the Town Hall! It was a fantastic opportunity to commemorate and respect Sikh culture and heritage.
Interfaith Iftar Dinner
On April 6, I was delighted to attend Interfaith Iftar Dinner at the courtesy of Dr. Farah Shamim. Thanks for the invitation and it was always heartening to connect with the Muslim community here in town as we gather, celebrate, reflect and connect with one another. Events like these truly enhance our community spirit.
Oakville’s Ugadi Celebration
I had the pleasure of attending the lively Ugadi celebration hosted by the Halton Telugu Association on April 20! It was an honour to be joined by Minister Anita Anand, MPP Effie Triantafilopoulos, Mayor Marianne Meed Ward, Trustee Kelly Amos, and our council colleague Nav Nanda. The colorful performances beautifully showcased our rich cultural heritage. We wish everyone celebrating a year filled with joy, prosperity and health.
Promoting Autism Awareness through Art
I am thankful for being able to participate in the unveiling of Jayden Chen's Solo Exhibition, which brings attention to autism awareness. I extend my sincere appreciation to Gifted People Services and Prometheus Art Gallery for coordinating this meaningful event!
Upcoming
Asian Heritage Month Kick-off
It’s that time of the year again. Get ready to celebrate Asian Heritage Month in Oakville with various events throughout May. On May 2nd at 10 a.m., Oakville Town Hall will host the flag-raising ceremony to kick off Asian Heritage Month. Last year's ceremony drew over a hundred citizens, witnessing the inauguration of Oakville's first-ever Asian Heritage Month. This May marks Oakville's second Asian Heritage Month, and we look forward to seeing more residents at the ceremony, especially those dressed in traditional attire, confidently showcasing their cultural heritage. Everyone is welcome to join us and celebrate in your own way as the town marks the Asian Heritage Month.
National Youth Week
Join us in celebrating Oakville's youth during National Youth Week from May 1 to 7. We have a lineup of free activities and learning opportunities to recognize their achievements.
Centennial Cup
Don't miss the action-packed Centennial Cup at the Sixteen Mile Sports Complex from May 9 to 19. Get your tickets now and witness hockey excellence in our town.
Asian Heritage Festival
Indulge in the flavours of international cuisines, spend quality time with neighbours and friends, get to know small businesses and vendors that serve our community and discover much early summer outdoor fun much more at the Oakville North Fest. Stay tuned as more details will be provided in due course. ***Are you a small biz or vendor interested in: sponsoring this great event; setting up your own booth; *connecting with potential customers? Write to haltonasianheritages@gmail.com or info@now7.ca to ask how.
In closing, I encourage all Ward 7 residents to stay informed and engaged in the events and initiatives happening in our community. Your participation and feedback are invaluable in shaping the future of Oakville. Thank you for your continued support and involvement.
Ward Regards,
Scott Xie
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