Dear Ward 7 Residents,
This past month of May was task packed and eventful to say the least. We all are excited for the arrival of longer daytime and sun-kissed weather and I would like to update you on some key events and initiatives that have taken place in May and what to expect in the coming weeks. Be sure to check out my social media outlets and let your family and neighbours subscribe to the newsletter to always stay in the know.
What’s Happening in Town
Asian Heritage Month
We proudly recognized Asian Heritage Month at the Town Hall and all across Oakville with a variety of events and shows. This month-long celebration is another reflection of inclusion and multiculturalism here in town and at our Ward 7. Residents with Asian background and Asian Diasporas came together to reflect and showcase their heritage and cultural uniqueness via performing arts, paintings, cuisines and a screening of a great movie featuring Jacky Chan. As we celebrate the rich Asian culture and the very making of our community, we also recognize the challenges and hurdles that need to be addressed. It was such an honour to host and join so many homegrown artists and talents at the Council to kick off the live performance. I truly appreciate all involved in putting this proud celebration one of its kind.
Special Committee for Midtown Oakville Policies
The review on the Midtown Oakville Growth Area project is well underway. We would like to remind you that the online survey is still available until June 30. Please make yourself heard knowing that your input is extremely valuable and can shape the future policies for this significant project. To ensure thorough analysis that effectively incorporates public feedback, the Town Council has established a Special Committee of Council. This committee will review all the received feedback and work towards finalizing the policies by the end of this year. For more details, please consult:https://www.oakville.ca/business-development/planning-development/official-plan/official-plan-review/growth-area-reviews/midtown-oakville-growth-area-review/.
Feeding Wildlife Prohibition
Wildlife can be more active during summer and as a measure to maintain a healthy ecosystem between wildlife and the community, the Town Council has approved an amendment to the Lot Maintenance By-law. Feeding wildlife and leaving food out to attract animals is now strictly prohibited on both public and private properties in Oakville. However, you can still feed songbirds or hummingbirds, as long as the bird feeder is kept tidy and food spillage is promptly removed. I encourage you to learn more about the updated bylaw here: https://www.oakville.ca/town-hall/news-notices/2023-news-releases-archive/feeding-wildlife-is-prohibited-on-both-public-and-private-property-in-oakville/
Halton Police Day
Men and Women in blue are always there to keep our community safe and every day, they put their lives on the line to serve and protect Halton. I was humbled and honoured to join our fellow police officers and express the gratitude of all Ward 7 residents for their dedication and service to our community. As a comeback since the pandemic, this annual occasion has been specially close to many’s hearts. Halton Police Day is a constant reminder that we are better off because of those selfless, tireless and unsung heroes in law enforcement. Thank you for keeping our community safe and secure.
@Ward 7
Oakville #4 Catholic Elementary School Groundbreaking
Exciting news for parents at Ward 7 - Halton Catholic District School Board (HCDSB) held the official groundbreaking and blessing ceremony on May 4 for the future North Oakville #4 Catholic Elementary School. This remarkable event took place at 420 Threshing Mill Blvd., where the new school is set to open its doors to students in September 2024.
The North Oakville #4 Catholic Elementary School is designed as a two-storey building and will provide a welcoming educational environment for 671 students. We are committed to creating a nurturing space where every student can thrive academically, spiritually, and socially. HCDSB has allocated a budget of over $24 million for the construction and development of this state-of-the-art facility. Our dedicated team and all stakeholders are working diligently to ensure that all aspects of the school, from its architecture to its resources, meet the highest standards of excellence.
Loyalist Trail Traffic Safety Community Meeting
The Town hosted Loyalist Trail Traffic Safety Community Meeting on Tuesday, May 30th. The Sixteen Mile Community Room saw a great turnout. Aimed to address concerns related to traffic safety along the Loyalist Trail, the event provided an opportunity for community members to engage with town officials and express their thoughts and ideas. We are grateful for the active participation of our residents, as their input plays a crucial role in shaping the future of our community. We would like to extend our appreciation to Jill Stephen, the Director of Transportation and Engineering, Muhammad Imran, the Manager of Neighbourhood Traffic, Dragon Crkvenjas, a Traffic Technologist, and Sergeants Keith Nakahara and Ryan Smith from Halton Police.
During the meeting, a broad range of topics related to traffic safety were covered and discussed, including road safety, traffic control among others. The input received from the community will be thoroughly reviewed and considered by the town officials as they work towards implementing measures to enhance safety along the Loyalist Trail.
Community Traffic Safety Updates
Sunflower Drive and North Park Blvd
An all way stop (AWS) will be installed at this intersection and a work order for the installation has been entered. Stop signs will be installed at all approaches to this intersection along with stop-bars.
Sixteen Mile Drive and Isaac Avenue
The existing parking restriction on Sixteen Mile Drive will be extended by 10 metres (eastbound). The extension of the “No Parking” sign will help address the identified visibility and sightline concerns. Notifications were sent out to affected residents last week. A work order for the installation of the sign have been entered and the sign should be installed soon.
Pedestrian Crossovers (PXOs)
Road safety is of the paramount priority for each one of us. The Oakville Department of Transportation has been working diligently to improve road safety and optimize traffic management. In streamlining the pedestrian flow, PXOs will be installed in the following crossings in summer:
Post Road & Fowley Park
Postridge Road & William Rose Park
North Park Boulevard Trail Trossing (East of Trailside Drive)
George Savage Avenue & Wisteria Way
Oakville Blades to Host 2024 Centennial Cup
Exciting news for hockey enthusiasts in Ward 7! The Oakville Blades have announced their plans to host the 2024 Centennial Cup. Stay tuned for more details on this upcoming milestone and join us in celebrating the rich history of hockey in our town.
Support Budding Athletes
Following a busy couple of days participating in the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) conference, I had the honour to attend the award ceremony of this season's competition hosted by North Oakville Badminton Club. Delighted to join more than 100 members and families as we shared a meal and celebrated the end of the season. In just less than a year since the club was founded, more than 200 members signed up and it gathered a large number of adult badminton enthusiasts in the community. We look forward to more athletic engagements among community members. Interested in hosting a sports event or starting a league? Feel free to reach at scott.xie@oakville.ca and I will be happy to assist and look into community resources and collaborations.
Upcoming
As we transition into June, we invite you to celebrate with us throughout the month. Oakville will be hosting a range of free programs and activities in support of National Indigenous History Month, Pride Month, Recreation and Parks Month, and Seniors Month. It's a fantastic opportunity to engage, participate, and connect with our diverse community. Please refer to the attached news release for more information.
Bike Month
June is also Bike Month, and we encourage you to discover the joy of cycling. It's a sustainable way to travel, reduces road congestion, and helps you stay active. The festivities kick off with Bike to Work Day on June 1. Check out BikeMonth.ca for a variety of cycling activities and events happening throughout the month.
Black Music On the Block
All those music lovers and talents out there, you won’t want to miss the exciting celebration of Black Music Month at the Town Square in Oakville. The Black Music On the Block Event will take place on June 3, 2023 from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m @ Town Square. Bring your family and friends to experience live music, entertainment, and cultural appreciation. Hope to see you around.
Mayor's Picnic
Save the date! The Annual Mayor's Picnic is back on Sunday, June 11, from 12 Noon to 4:30 p.m. at Lakeside Park. Join us for an afternoon filled with music, activities, and a chance to connect with your fellow community members.
To close, I hope you find the newsletter informative and please stay safe, hydrated and active as we embrace an eventful summer here at Ward 7 and townwide.
Sincerely,
Scott Xie
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