Mississauga's general committee on Wednesday held off on a staff plan to put the Mississauga Majors Baseball Association on the same permit fee rules as other outdoor sports groups, sending the report back to staff to work out a path forward with the volunteer-run club.
A dispute over past deals
Nadia Paladino, the city's director of parks, forestry and environment, told the committee the Majors had permit fees waived or discounted for years under past arrangements. Staff examined whether those waived fees exceeded the group's formal and informal contributions, and looked at how other municipalities treat capital contributions from sports groups. She said only one other baseball association had fees waived, and that case has also been reconciled.
Tony Jasinski, executive vice-president of the Majors, spoke against the staff recommendation. He told councillors the association is run entirely by volunteers, was incorporated in 2005 and has partnered with the city and school boards for years. He said other baseball groups knew during past negotiations that the Majors would not be charged fees, and were encouraged to invest in capital work themselves.
Councillor Stephen Dasko said the informal agreements had been made on the understanding that the fee waivers would be honoured, and moved to refer the report back to staff. Raj Sheth, the commissioner of community services, said staff had already met with the Majors and that the recommendation was unlikely to change, since the report is meant to settle subsidies the group received in the past.
The referral passed 9-1. Councillor Joe Horneck, who had spoken in favour of treating all sports groups equitably, voted against it, and Mayor Carolyn Parrish abstained. Staff are also preparing a separate report on how the city should handle partnerships with affiliated sports groups in future.
Also at committee
Made-in-Ontario vehicles: the committee endorsed the city's response to the province's draft Made-in-Ontario fleet vehicle procurement policy. Chief financial officer Marisa Chiu said the draft's warning that funding could be withheld from cities that do not comply does not say which funding, and that the policy is not yet in force while the province collects feedback.
E-scooters: Deputy Mayor Matt Mahoney asked staff for a memo on e-scooter injuries and on Peel police enforcement. Councillor Dipika Damerla asked staff to look at the merits of asking the province to license e-scooters.
Non-emergency line: at Councillor Joe Kovac's request, the committee directed that a letter be sent from the mayor supporting MPP Sheref Sabawy's push for a three-digit police non-emergency number. Sabawy told the committee his private member's bill stalled for lack of stakeholder support and that he is gathering support to bring it back.
Development charges: Councillor Brad Butt asked staff to confirm whether the city could legally extend its development charge relief beyond Nov. 14, 2026, after Burlington passed a similar resolution.
General committee recommendations go to city council for final approval.
