Three of Mississauga's business improvement areas will get extra money for their Canada Day celebrations after council voted Wednesday to cover shortfalls in their event budgets.
The Port Credit, Malton and Streetsville BIAs each applied to the city's Cultural Festivals and Celebrations Grant Program and each received less than requested. Council has now agreed to make up the difference from the city's share of the municipal accommodation tax, the levy charged on short-term accommodation such as hotel stays.
The numbers
Port Credit BIA: requested $197,627, awarded $137,000, top-up of $60,627
Malton BIA: requested $27,000, awarded $15,000, top-up of $12,000
Streetsville BIA: requested $40,000, awarded $20,000, top-up of $20,000
Together, the top-ups total $92,627.
Business case
Kelly Ralston, executive director of the Port Credit BIA, and Barsha Tanakadoo of the Streetsville BIA spoke in support at the meeting. Ralston outlined the economic benefits Canada Day celebrations bring to local businesses. Council also received a Feb. 24 letter from Sam Kohli, chair of the Malton BIA, on the same motion.
Councillors asked about the challenges BIAs face in finding volunteers and corporate sponsors. Staff were directed to look at including the Clarkson BIA in future accommodation tax funding, and the BIAs were asked to involve local councillors in volunteer opportunities.
Ward 1 Councillor Stephen Dasko moved the motion, seconded by Ward 5 Councillor Natalie Hart. It carried 11-0.
A longer-term review
The motion also directs staff to report back on the city's overall commitment to Canada Day, including other ways to fund celebrations outside the regular grant process for 2027 and beyond. Mayor Carolyn Parrish said staff will bring forward reports on how accommodation tax money is allocated, as well as a policy on renaming city assets, before the end of this term of council.
