July 1, 2025 • 28 mins
Norm Murray is joined by Stephen Dasko, Councillor for Ward 1, City of Mississauga, to celebrate Canada Day on air! They’ll talk about what’s happening around the city, what you can expect for the celebrations, and reflect on the true meaning of being Canadian.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
The views expressed in the following program are those of
the participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of
SAGA nine sixty AM or its management.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
I'm Nora Murray. You're listening to News Talk Saga nine sixty.
Great to have you along today, and it's always a
pleasure to welcome our friend Stephen Dasco back to the program.
He is the Ward one counselor in Mississauga. A great
place to be in the summertime, my goodness, right down
on the water there, at least part of it is
along the lake shore and everything else going on. But
it's been a pleasure to welcome Stephen to the program
(00:40):
every month really for the past seven years or so
since I've been here at News Talk Saga nine sixty.
He's been a mainstay. He's put up with me that
long and it's always great to find out what's going
on in his part of the city. And then we
you know, we talk about politics, I guess locally in general,
and you never know what's going to come up. We
have found along the way too. So how are you today, Steven?
(01:04):
Thanks for joining us.
Speaker 3 (01:05):
I'm doing terrific. Happy Canada Day, Happy Canada Day.
Speaker 2 (01:09):
To you and the family, Miss Maria and everybody. Absolutely,
it's a great day. And do you feel a little
different this year, Steven, how would you describe Canada Day
this year in twenty twenty five.
Speaker 3 (01:23):
Well, I think Canada Day this year, for me, I
think many is a little more special. Sometimes every now
and again, I think we have such a tendency to
apologize for being Canadian. We tend to be very humble
about who we are. And I'm finding this year that
(01:44):
more of those that we speak with are just coming
out and just saying that they're proud Canadians. And it's
great to see. Unfortunately, we've got some challenges going on
in the world right now, but this is where Canadians
really have that grit and they rise to the occasion.
And I think this is going to be a really special,
special Canada Day.
Speaker 2 (02:05):
Yeah, it seems like we really need that right now,
right I mean, you and I were talking off the
air a little bit too as to what's going on
in the world in general, and you know, it's just
nice to have some real strong positivity and self belief
once again in Canada, like I really thought we'd had
all along, but you know, it's been challenged lately, shall we.
Speaker 3 (02:25):
Say it has been, and I think that's where it
shows that that we're Canadians, were good, decent people, but
we don't like to be taken for granted. And when
we're up against the wall, we come out and we
show people who we are and what we're all about.
And that's also why our celebrations today are going to
(02:49):
be I think just more important than ever to get
everybody out having that positive show of we're all Canadians.
We're all here to celebrate who we are and wherever
you come from in the world, this is home and
we're here in Canada, proud to be Canadians.
Speaker 2 (03:10):
Yeah, well, put too. And there are tons of celebrations
going on all over the country, all over the province,
certainly all throughout Peel region and specifically in Mississauga in
all the wards. But I want to hear what you've
got going on this afternoon and tonight in ward one,
because I know you and your team have been working
very very hard on this for a couple of months now.
(03:32):
We announced it on the air here and then you
guys have been working behind the scenes all along to
bring it to today. Are you ready for it is
it all set.
Speaker 3 (03:43):
We are ready. We rose to the challenge and thank
you very much again, Norm and really nine sixty to
come and just let us go over and just, I guess,
explain and also announce what's happened. So part of I
think what you're talking about is Paint the Town Red,
(04:06):
which is a bit of an institution in pork Credit. Uh,
they do an incredible job. It's a group of volunteers
that for years have been hosting Canaan Day celebrations in
pork Credit. And by by default it's aside from Celebration Square,
there's a few others around the city, but I would
say it's a real hallmark event in the city of Mississauga.
(04:28):
And this year for a few different reasons. One is, uh,
you know, funding becomes challenged, the rising cost of everything,
and then also finding volunteers and et cetera gets a
little challenge. So what we did was we banded together
and that was sat down, spoke with everyone. The mayor
(04:53):
did as well, and then we rolled up our sleeve
and said how do we make things happen. So the
Pork Credit BIA, which has just been absolutely fantastic, visit Mississauga.
Our Tourism Branch has come up to help out the
City of Mississauga all along with paint the town red.
(05:15):
We all locked arms to say, how can we make
this happen? And so a few changes this year. We
usually have a parade that goes along Lakeshore. Instead, what
we've done is we play it closed Lakeshore for the
entire day, and that is going to be where the
celebrations are right on the street all day long, all night.
(05:35):
And so it goes from twelve pm until eleven pm,
and it's going to be just an exciting time from
here Ontario or Highway ten all the way out to
Stay Bank, which is close to the river. The whole
area is going to be closed. So people, please, if
you're in the area, do not drive down there unless
you're coming to help celebrate, because traffic will probably be
(05:58):
a little bit busier than normal and you can still navigate,
but it will be busier than normal. And so really,
we've got a forty foot high ferris wheel right on
Lake Shore. We've got music, we've got all kinds of
different entertainment for people of all ages, very family friendly,
and this is a spot that if you're wondering if
(06:20):
you've got a space to come and celebrate, this is
your place to come and do it. And then tonight
we are going to capture the whole thing off and
finish it all off with an exciting, vibrant fireworks display
right off of barge just at the mouth of the
river on Lake Ontario, and it is going to be
absolutely spectacular.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
So if you're me, and you know me, I love
up in Ward five. I've told you that before. But
if I'm coming down, if I'm coming down for the party,
either during the afternoon or in the evening, and I'm driving,
if you were me, where would you go to? Where's
that sneaky spot you think I might be able to
find a parking spot? I don't mind walking a bit too,
That's okay. What are your recommendations? And I speak I
(07:03):
think on behalf of many people who may be in
the Mississauga area and want to come down to Port
Credit for the big event.
Speaker 3 (07:10):
Yeah, it all depends what time of day you're going
to be coming down for. If you're coming down during
the day, there's certainly some areas that you can look
to park. We've got an area around where the Port
Credit Arena is. There's a few other spots like that
as well. There's a few municipal lots that you can
look to park in also, and then when it comes
(07:33):
to fireworks, the same thing, or the other way to
go is leave the keys in the car at home
and take transit and that might be another great way
to come down as well.
Speaker 2 (07:44):
All right, thanks for that. You've got a heck of
a lineup. I mean, I'm going on your website here
to stephendasco dot com and you can click on the
event itself. I mean, there's a lot of information on
your website which is always very easy to navigate. Everybody
should be checking that out from time to time. Bookmarket,
but you've got i mean, the musicians schedule is up there,
(08:06):
whether it's the main stage at stave Bank and Lake
Shore like you're talking about, the Port Credit Players stage
also has some fantastic entertainers, local entertainers. The Rising Stars
stage is always going to be a fun thing to
partake in and cheer on the people who are there
and everything else too. There. You just every time you
(08:28):
turn around, there'll be something else to do. We'll there.
Speaker 3 (08:31):
Absolutely, We've got everything from literally stilt walkers to Uh.
There's all kinds of great stuff. Absolutely, there's a variety
of shows going on. We've we've even got there's a
really neat guy that goes around and he's going to
be roaming, as they say, so, just walking around and
doing his what he does. And his name is Elvis
(08:52):
the Magician. And this guy is just that your jaw
will be on the floor. He's really incredible at.
Speaker 1 (08:58):
What he does.
Speaker 3 (08:59):
I have no idea how he does what he does,
but he's absolutely fantastic on how he does it. And
so you've got everything going on. There's a free photo
booth that's a and lake Shore. You've also got some
other really interesting things. A balloon artist that that's going
to be There's there's a reptile and lion taming show
(09:23):
which is kind of fun. It's not really a lion
per see, but it's it's just kind of fun. And
then of course you've got some of our musical acts.
Christa Blondon, who she is just phenomenal. She is going
to be performing. She's just great to watch, always always
brings it. You've got another local band called Dingo they're
(09:44):
very good as well. You name it. We've got some
great Jordan John is going to be playing Chuck Jackson,
you name it. We've got We've got some just phenomenal
entertainment that's going to be performing as well.
Speaker 2 (09:57):
I'd come down just to watch and just to listen
and be there for Patty Janetta singing O Canada by
the way, which she will be doing right.
Speaker 3 (10:05):
Absolutely. She brings the house down each and every time,
and her version of the national anthem is just it
leaves you with goosebumps.
Speaker 2 (10:16):
Honestly, she should be the Air Canada Air Canada Scotia
Bank Arena. I think they should hire her in there.
She'd be a good luck charm for the Leafs. Goodness
knows they need it. And she would just be the
most incredible because I go back to the days I'm
going off on a tangent here, but I go back
to the days when Roge Ducett in the Montreal Forum
used to sing the Canadian national anthem back in the day.
(10:39):
I'm talking back in the late seventies, early eighties. If
anybody want to look to look wants to look it up,
and she reminds me of the great singers of our
national anthem. And there's been a few over the years,
but she is one of them. In my opinion, I
think that highly of her, and I honestly think that
Toronto Maple Leafs should bring her in to the Scotia
Bank Arena to sing that national anthem every night for
(11:01):
them or when she can, because it is well worth it.
Nobody does it like Patty. So that's at ten o'clock
tonight as well in the main stage and and everything
else going on. You've got such a great line roaming
performances everywhere, the street acrobats, the juggler, the fire eating squad.
Are you kidding me? Look at that?
Speaker 3 (11:21):
Oh yeah, absolutely, it's absolutely amazing. And the best part
about when Patty does the anthem, literally right after that
is when the fireworks kick off. Okay, so talk about
just an amazing Canadian you know, celebration. Like for me,
it's just it's it's really phenomenal. So Patty. For those
(11:45):
that don't know, she's been a very accomplished singer for
a number of years. She has a star on the
on the Music Walk of Fame. So if you're walking
around in Port Credit, go over to the Port Credit
Memorial Park and you'll be able to see Patty's are there,
or if you're up at Celebration Square, you can go
to Legends Row and see her Dotum there and she's
(12:09):
fantastic and so just a perfect way I think we're
going to be celebrating tonight.
Speaker 2 (12:14):
Absolutely such a great day today. Congratulations to you and
the entire team for putting this all together in the many,
many days and hours of work, and it's work putting
together in a day that culminates into one fantastic event
like this today. You guys deserve all the credit for sure.
Speaker 3 (12:32):
So well, it's just a day of celebrating the community,
and that's the most the most important thing is just
doing that, and we're putting ourselves out there too, you know,
to the world. So we're really hoping to welcome everybody
from all over. Please, if you're looking for a spot
to celebrate Canada Day, come down and enjoy yourself and
(12:53):
for everybody in the community, of course, this is this
is the perfect day to be down in the community
for all kinds of wonderful activities, as we're just saying.
And then on top of that, if you can't make
it there and you want to look for some other
great stuff to do, well, I also have to be
very partial to You can go over to the Port
Credit Legion. They have their barbecue going on over there.
(13:14):
There's always some great stuff that's right overlooking the river,
the Port Credit River. And then there's the Army Navy
Air Force Club. They're just an absolute gem and they
are located on Third Street, so right off of Castra
and they've got a great barbecue going on. They've got
music happening, very family friendly there as well. Their hot
(13:35):
dogs are a dollar by the way, so you can
definitely go over there and have your fill of hot
dogs and just some great old fashioned fun at the
Army Navy Air Force Club as well.
Speaker 2 (13:49):
Hashtag in the Port go to stephendasco dot com for
all the information you need to know about what's happening
today and tonight for Canada Day. Now that being said,
I know that's the main focus of the day, as
it should be. Let's move on a little bit here,
Steve and I want to find out what's been going
on throughout the month of June and what we can
look forward to in the month of July. Do you
(14:09):
want to give us an update as to what you've
been doing since summer began, I guess, Oh.
Speaker 3 (14:16):
We've had just a really busy time of things in
the community, and it's just it's hard to really pinpoint
one particular thing. I'll be honest, norm because there's a
lot of great things happening. And as you might know,
I absolutely love the arts. I love promoting what we
(14:37):
have arts and culture here in the great city of Mississauga.
And part of that is we've actually got the Summer
Music Series and that is on right now this coming
Sunday at six pm. The place you want to be
if you if you enjoy the Symphony as much as
I do. The Mississauga Symphony, which again another just incredible group.
(15:01):
They are going to be performing down in Pork Credits
Memorial Park and it's going to be a really, I think,
magical night. They always they always do a great job.
So that's another thing that everybody can come out and do.
And then as well, it's just summertime in ward one
is a very busy time of year, so there's always
(15:24):
lots of activity. But at the same time, we have
some unique challenges and those that are always around for
us to help contem with.
Speaker 2 (15:32):
I was noticing from your website too that The farmers
Market is on the Pork Credit Farmers Market every Saturday
right through October eleventh, eight o'clock in the morning till
two in the afternoon. I love a good farmer's market,
don't you. It just takes me away, even though it's
in the city. It just makes me feel like I'm
in the country.
Speaker 3 (15:50):
Oh, there's something about it. It's the colors, the smells,
the sounds, just the whole experience. It's absolutely wild. I
just like you. I love it as well. And you
know that's the nice thing about the summertime. And I'll
tell you We've got Saturday pre Credit farmers Market and
(16:13):
then on Sunday it's the Lakeview Farmers Market down at
the Small Arms Inspection Building right at Lake Shore in Dixie.
So if you can't make it for one day, you
go for the next day. They both have different and
unique offerings. They're absolutely great. But yeah, it just it
makes you feel. It makes you feel energized.
Speaker 2 (16:32):
I feel lots happening outdoors in Ward One and throughout
Mississauga for that matter. Do you have any idea where
the mayor is today on Canada Day. I bet she's
in hot demand for sure.
Speaker 3 (16:44):
Oh, she is, and she I did have a conversation
with her, and he said that she's got several different
places to be. She actually started a celebration in Malton
when she was the Ward five counselor and so she
started started off some candidate celebrations there. But she's also
(17:05):
got our celebration square and and then of course, as
we were talking about poor credit, So I think she's
going to be a busy lady today.
Speaker 2 (17:14):
Yeah, for sure. Do you know what else you got
on the schedule coming up in the month of July here, Steve,
And I know that today has taking up a lot
of your time and efforts, that's for sure, But I
also know that you never take a break, so I
figure you probably have a pretty full lineup in the
next few weeks. In July is a hot month literally
and figuratively in ward one, isn't it?
Speaker 3 (17:38):
It really is. There's a lot of different things that
are happening. And you know another one that's going to
be coming up as well is actually it's in August.
I'll say, I'll talk about a few other things, but
there's one that's coming up in August where I think
everybody would probably want to pay note of and that's
just up the street, just literally right outside of the world.
(18:00):
But I think a lot of different things will be happening,
you know, down in along the waterfront. To help celebrate
is the CPKC Women's Open, which is going to be
a huge one, and that's right up the street the
Mississaugo Golf and Country Club, and that is going to
be on August twentieth to twenty fourth. It's a pretty
(18:21):
spectacular time for us here outstanding.
Speaker 2 (18:24):
Oh that's great. Yeah, I bet there's a lot of
golf activities happening throughout the month of July and through
August of course obviously. And have you been out and
about it all or did you want to drop any
names or any restaurants and clubs and such.
Speaker 3 (18:38):
So I thought you'd never you know, Well, one that
if anybody hasn't had a chance to. We've talked about
disc golf on the program before and it's it's literally
it's a cross between golfing and frisbees and it's just
(18:58):
a great, fast owing sport. It's one that you know,
a lot can play. We now have three in the
Ward Wow and so we just recently opened up our
third in the Indian Heights community at a part called
the shan Mart Park and it's a four whole course
(19:19):
and it's one that again it's a great, great play.
If you have twenty minutes to half hour, you can
easily play the course and have a great amount of fun.
Getting out in the outdoors and doing it as well.
Speaker 2 (19:32):
Sounds like fun. It sounds like like you said, you
don't have to put aside half or your full day
necessarily to get in around. Sounds good.
Speaker 3 (19:41):
And then as well, we have I'm just trying to
think of the actual date that it's coming up. Is
Port Credits Buskerfest.
Speaker 2 (19:48):
Oh wow?
Speaker 1 (19:50):
And that is actually again in August. It's the fifteenth, sixteenth,
and seventeenth that it is coming back to the community.
And those are always great fun. Personally, I'm a big
fan and a big suck for at night when they
have the fire shows, those ones are always they just
dazzle me.
Speaker 2 (20:11):
Go to PC Buskerfest dot com. That's the Port Credit
busker Fest PC Buskerfest dot com. And you're right. August fifteen,
sixteen seventeen. Street performers from around the world actually come
to this. I mean, it's it's not just the locals,
Who are you juggling some bowling pins? This is something
(20:31):
that attracts a lot of a lot of attention.
Speaker 3 (20:34):
Right, oh yeah, yeah, absolutely. This just some great things
that are happening. And you know, this is also a
time that there's so much really good live local music
that's happening, and just all throughout the community. It's hard
to look at a spot where we don't have incredible
different things happening. And that goes from our busker program
(20:56):
that the city does, and that is is along different
mark places along our waterfront. As I mentioned, we've got
the summer music series that's underway and uh and then
as well, there's a lot of local restaurants are our Legion, Army, Navy,
Air Force Club. These are all places that have a
(21:18):
lot of live music and they're just the caliber is
a spectacular, no.
Speaker 2 (21:22):
Question about it. How are things going to council these days?
Steve and everybody getting along?
Speaker 3 (21:28):
Yeah, everybody's getting along in the whole the whole exercises.
You know, it's you know, I look at it as
how can we deliver the best possible services and do
the best possible things for our community and for Mississauga
and and that's the expectation level that I think we
all have around the council table to get things done.
(21:49):
And and that's what we do, you know, as far
as I'm concerned, it's we operate as a team.
Speaker 2 (21:55):
You know. Lately there was a meeting a couple of
weeks ago where most of council walked out of a meeting.
Can you elaborate a little bit on that, give us
your take on what happened.
Speaker 3 (22:06):
There a little bit, Yeah, sure will. So this is
up at the Region of Peel when so there's three
different municipalities there's Mississauga, Brampton and Caladen for them, for
a meeting to take place, all three have to be
represented there and if and if one particular or municipalities
(22:29):
are not participating, there's no quorum and the meeting fails
to move forward. And so what happened was there's a
bold step that that the mayor is undertaking and along
with council in Mississauga, and that's giving a I guess
(22:49):
at a discount when it comes to development charges, and
that's when a developer goes to build something, they have
to pay development charges and that's for different services and
things that have to get built wrong with it. So
there's Mississauga development charges and there's Region of Peel development
charges and so as the mayor has been working with
(23:13):
the province to say, well, look, why don't we have
a discount that would go on until November of twenty
twenty six. And for those that are looking to full
of building permit and that want to start building units,
as we need housing of all different types, then if
that's the case, then you will be able to get
(23:37):
a discount to your development charges. And that's at the
city and also at the Region of Peel. And what
the province is indicated is that they would be coming
in to help shore up some of the shortfall that
we might incur from something like this, because right now,
the amount of building permits that are going out for
(23:58):
condos or house and things like that is essentially zero,
and so you know, one hundred percent of zero is
of course zero. And what we're looking to do is say, well,
if you're able to make your numbers work and get
things moving and get people into houses and some sort
of shelter, then let's work together and make that happen.
(24:20):
And the province is saying, well, we'll work with you
to make sure that you are that you aren't you know,
left out in the cold as a municipality or as
the region, that we'll look after you as well. So
that's what we put forward. Unfortunately, Brampton and Calladen didn't
like the proposal that was going forward as it was.
(24:40):
So what they did is they turned around, they walked out,
and that was unfortunate. It was their prerogative, that's what
they did.
Speaker 2 (24:48):
Have you ever seen that, Stephen, Have you ever seen
that before though? Walking out walking out?
Speaker 3 (24:52):
Yeah, yeah, I will tell you we actually did the
same thing when we were walking when we were dealing
with it, and unfortunately it partially when one side feels
they can't move forward for whatever reason, that can happen.
That one was unfortunate. In case of Mississauga, this was
around budget time and when as we're as we now
(25:17):
have a nine point two percent budget increase, what we
were looking for is for Peel to come under some
some cost saving measures. They didn't do, so when unfortunately
we had to walk out to try to protect our
tax payers and so that that was unfortunately a challenge
that we had there. But you know, these are things
(25:40):
that fortunately don't happen very often, but but when they do,
it's it's really a call to pull everybody together and say,
you know, our taxpayers deserve better and and in our
particular case, that's what we looked at. And here it
was a matter of principle to be able to get
things moving and and so actually what did happen was
(26:03):
our latest latest, our latest regional council was much more
productive and so we're looking to get things moving forward.
Speaker 2 (26:11):
Okay, all right, it's interesting to get your take on that,
so thank you for sharing that. I know I'm just
sort of throwing that at you, but you've handled it
very well to explain to everybody and easy to understand. Terms. Well,
you know what, whatever the day holds for you, I
hope that it's a great one obviously, and it's going
to be very successful all the way through the afternoon
(26:32):
and into the evening here on Canada Day and fireworks tonight,
which are going to be incredible. This is going to
be like a big time fireworks show, by the way,
So I encourage everybody to head down and check out
everything and support some of the vendors and such that
are that are down there, and bring the family and
let's celebrate what's important to us, and that's our Canadian
life and our Canadian lifestyle and everybody who is here,
(26:54):
whether you were born here or otherwise, and it's it's
great to stand up and cheer and show that we
do have a lot of pride for sure, Steve, and
I hope your day is fantastic.
Speaker 3 (27:06):
Well you as well. I hope you have a terrific
day ahead, and for everybody that's tuned in and listening,
wishing everybody all the very best of us, safe, healthy
and happy Canada Day. God bless Canada. We truly live
in the greatest country in the world and this is
a great opportunity for us to go out and celebrate
(27:27):
who we are.
Speaker 2 (27:28):
Yeah, you are right, we are in the greatest country
in the world. Stephen Dasco. Always a pleasure go to
Stephendasco dot com for a full lineup update on what's
happening today and everything else happening in ward One. By
the way, it's a fantastic website to always check in
on once in a while. Stephen will talk to you
next month. Thanks again so much.
Speaker 3 (27:46):
I'm looking forward to it. Happy Canada Day, Normal.
Speaker 2 (27:49):
Happy Canada Day to you and everybody listening, and everybody
down and enjoying the big party happening, and in all
the wards too, But right now we're talking about Ward
one and what's happened there, and the fireworks are getting
warmed up for later on tonight. I'm Norm Murray. This
is News Talk SAGA nine sixty. We'll be back right
after this stream us live at SAGA nine sixty am
(28:19):
dot CA
The views expressed in the following program are those of
the participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of
SAGA nine sixty AM or its management.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
I'm Nora Murray. You're listening to News Talk Saga nine sixty.
Great to have you along today, and it's always a
pleasure to welcome our friend Stephen Dasco back to the program.
He is the Ward one counselor in Mississauga. A great
place to be in the summertime, my goodness, right down
on the water there, at least part of it is
along the lake shore and everything else going on. But
it's been a pleasure to welcome Stephen to the program
(00:40):
every month really for the past seven years or so
since I've been here at News Talk Saga nine sixty.
He's been a mainstay. He's put up with me that
long and it's always great to find out what's going
on in his part of the city. And then we
you know, we talk about politics, I guess locally in general,
and you never know what's going to come up. We
have found along the way too. So how are you today, Steven?
(01:04):
Thanks for joining us.
Speaker 3 (01:05):
I'm doing terrific. Happy Canada Day, Happy Canada Day.
Speaker 2 (01:09):
To you and the family, Miss Maria and everybody. Absolutely,
it's a great day. And do you feel a little
different this year, Steven, how would you describe Canada Day
this year in twenty twenty five.
Speaker 3 (01:23):
Well, I think Canada Day this year, for me, I
think many is a little more special. Sometimes every now
and again, I think we have such a tendency to
apologize for being Canadian. We tend to be very humble
about who we are. And I'm finding this year that
(01:44):
more of those that we speak with are just coming
out and just saying that they're proud Canadians. And it's
great to see. Unfortunately, we've got some challenges going on
in the world right now, but this is where Canadians
really have that grit and they rise to the occasion.
And I think this is going to be a really special,
special Canada Day.
Speaker 2 (02:05):
Yeah, it seems like we really need that right now,
right I mean, you and I were talking off the
air a little bit too as to what's going on
in the world in general, and you know, it's just
nice to have some real strong positivity and self belief
once again in Canada, like I really thought we'd had
all along, but you know, it's been challenged lately, shall we.
Speaker 3 (02:25):
Say it has been, and I think that's where it
shows that that we're Canadians, were good, decent people, but
we don't like to be taken for granted. And when
we're up against the wall, we come out and we
show people who we are and what we're all about.
And that's also why our celebrations today are going to
(02:49):
be I think just more important than ever to get
everybody out having that positive show of we're all Canadians.
We're all here to celebrate who we are and wherever
you come from in the world, this is home and
we're here in Canada, proud to be Canadians.
Speaker 2 (03:10):
Yeah, well, put too. And there are tons of celebrations
going on all over the country, all over the province,
certainly all throughout Peel region and specifically in Mississauga in
all the wards. But I want to hear what you've
got going on this afternoon and tonight in ward one,
because I know you and your team have been working
very very hard on this for a couple of months now.
(03:32):
We announced it on the air here and then you
guys have been working behind the scenes all along to
bring it to today. Are you ready for it is
it all set.
Speaker 3 (03:43):
We are ready. We rose to the challenge and thank
you very much again, Norm and really nine sixty to
come and just let us go over and just, I guess,
explain and also announce what's happened. So part of I
think what you're talking about is Paint the Town Red,
(04:06):
which is a bit of an institution in pork Credit. Uh,
they do an incredible job. It's a group of volunteers
that for years have been hosting Canaan Day celebrations in
pork Credit. And by by default it's aside from Celebration Square,
there's a few others around the city, but I would
say it's a real hallmark event in the city of Mississauga.
(04:28):
And this year for a few different reasons. One is, uh,
you know, funding becomes challenged, the rising cost of everything,
and then also finding volunteers and et cetera gets a
little challenge. So what we did was we banded together
and that was sat down, spoke with everyone. The mayor
(04:53):
did as well, and then we rolled up our sleeve
and said how do we make things happen. So the
Pork Credit BIA, which has just been absolutely fantastic, visit Mississauga.
Our Tourism Branch has come up to help out the
City of Mississauga all along with paint the town red.
(05:15):
We all locked arms to say, how can we make
this happen? And so a few changes this year. We
usually have a parade that goes along Lakeshore. Instead, what
we've done is we play it closed Lakeshore for the
entire day, and that is going to be where the
celebrations are right on the street all day long, all night.
(05:35):
And so it goes from twelve pm until eleven pm,
and it's going to be just an exciting time from
here Ontario or Highway ten all the way out to
Stay Bank, which is close to the river. The whole
area is going to be closed. So people, please, if
you're in the area, do not drive down there unless
you're coming to help celebrate, because traffic will probably be
(05:58):
a little bit busier than normal and you can still navigate,
but it will be busier than normal. And so really,
we've got a forty foot high ferris wheel right on
Lake Shore. We've got music, we've got all kinds of
different entertainment for people of all ages, very family friendly,
and this is a spot that if you're wondering if
(06:20):
you've got a space to come and celebrate, this is
your place to come and do it. And then tonight
we are going to capture the whole thing off and
finish it all off with an exciting, vibrant fireworks display
right off of barge just at the mouth of the
river on Lake Ontario, and it is going to be
absolutely spectacular.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
So if you're me, and you know me, I love
up in Ward five. I've told you that before. But
if I'm coming down, if I'm coming down for the party,
either during the afternoon or in the evening, and I'm driving,
if you were me, where would you go to? Where's
that sneaky spot you think I might be able to
find a parking spot? I don't mind walking a bit too,
That's okay. What are your recommendations? And I speak I
(07:03):
think on behalf of many people who may be in
the Mississauga area and want to come down to Port
Credit for the big event.
Speaker 3 (07:10):
Yeah, it all depends what time of day you're going
to be coming down for. If you're coming down during
the day, there's certainly some areas that you can look
to park. We've got an area around where the Port
Credit Arena is. There's a few other spots like that
as well. There's a few municipal lots that you can
look to park in also, and then when it comes
(07:33):
to fireworks, the same thing, or the other way to
go is leave the keys in the car at home
and take transit and that might be another great way
to come down as well.
Speaker 2 (07:44):
All right, thanks for that. You've got a heck of
a lineup. I mean, I'm going on your website here
to stephendasco dot com and you can click on the
event itself. I mean, there's a lot of information on
your website which is always very easy to navigate. Everybody
should be checking that out from time to time. Bookmarket,
but you've got i mean, the musicians schedule is up there,
(08:06):
whether it's the main stage at stave Bank and Lake
Shore like you're talking about, the Port Credit Players stage
also has some fantastic entertainers, local entertainers. The Rising Stars
stage is always going to be a fun thing to
partake in and cheer on the people who are there
and everything else too. There. You just every time you
(08:28):
turn around, there'll be something else to do. We'll there.
Speaker 3 (08:31):
Absolutely, We've got everything from literally stilt walkers to Uh.
There's all kinds of great stuff. Absolutely, there's a variety
of shows going on. We've we've even got there's a
really neat guy that goes around and he's going to
be roaming, as they say, so, just walking around and
doing his what he does. And his name is Elvis
(08:52):
the Magician. And this guy is just that your jaw
will be on the floor. He's really incredible at.
Speaker 1 (08:58):
What he does.
Speaker 3 (08:59):
I have no idea how he does what he does,
but he's absolutely fantastic on how he does it. And
so you've got everything going on. There's a free photo
booth that's a and lake Shore. You've also got some
other really interesting things. A balloon artist that that's going
to be There's there's a reptile and lion taming show
(09:23):
which is kind of fun. It's not really a lion
per see, but it's it's just kind of fun. And
then of course you've got some of our musical acts.
Christa Blondon, who she is just phenomenal. She is going
to be performing. She's just great to watch, always always
brings it. You've got another local band called Dingo they're
(09:44):
very good as well. You name it. We've got some
great Jordan John is going to be playing Chuck Jackson,
you name it. We've got We've got some just phenomenal
entertainment that's going to be performing as well.
Speaker 2 (09:57):
I'd come down just to watch and just to listen
and be there for Patty Janetta singing O Canada by
the way, which she will be doing right.
Speaker 3 (10:05):
Absolutely. She brings the house down each and every time,
and her version of the national anthem is just it
leaves you with goosebumps.
Speaker 2 (10:16):
Honestly, she should be the Air Canada Air Canada Scotia
Bank Arena. I think they should hire her in there.
She'd be a good luck charm for the Leafs. Goodness
knows they need it. And she would just be the
most incredible because I go back to the days I'm
going off on a tangent here, but I go back
to the days when Roge Ducett in the Montreal Forum
used to sing the Canadian national anthem back in the day.
(10:39):
I'm talking back in the late seventies, early eighties. If
anybody want to look to look wants to look it up,
and she reminds me of the great singers of our
national anthem. And there's been a few over the years,
but she is one of them. In my opinion, I
think that highly of her, and I honestly think that
Toronto Maple Leafs should bring her in to the Scotia
Bank Arena to sing that national anthem every night for
(11:01):
them or when she can, because it is well worth it.
Nobody does it like Patty. So that's at ten o'clock
tonight as well in the main stage and and everything
else going on. You've got such a great line roaming
performances everywhere, the street acrobats, the juggler, the fire eating squad.
Are you kidding me? Look at that?
Speaker 3 (11:21):
Oh yeah, absolutely, it's absolutely amazing. And the best part
about when Patty does the anthem, literally right after that
is when the fireworks kick off. Okay, so talk about
just an amazing Canadian you know, celebration. Like for me,
it's just it's it's really phenomenal. So Patty. For those
(11:45):
that don't know, she's been a very accomplished singer for
a number of years. She has a star on the
on the Music Walk of Fame. So if you're walking
around in Port Credit, go over to the Port Credit
Memorial Park and you'll be able to see Patty's are there,
or if you're up at Celebration Square, you can go
to Legends Row and see her Dotum there and she's
(12:09):
fantastic and so just a perfect way I think we're
going to be celebrating tonight.
Speaker 2 (12:14):
Absolutely such a great day today. Congratulations to you and
the entire team for putting this all together in the many,
many days and hours of work, and it's work putting
together in a day that culminates into one fantastic event
like this today. You guys deserve all the credit for sure.
Speaker 3 (12:32):
So well, it's just a day of celebrating the community,
and that's the most the most important thing is just
doing that, and we're putting ourselves out there too, you know,
to the world. So we're really hoping to welcome everybody
from all over. Please, if you're looking for a spot
to celebrate Canada Day, come down and enjoy yourself and
(12:53):
for everybody in the community, of course, this is this
is the perfect day to be down in the community
for all kinds of wonderful activities, as we're just saying.
And then on top of that, if you can't make
it there and you want to look for some other
great stuff to do, well, I also have to be
very partial to You can go over to the Port
Credit Legion. They have their barbecue going on over there.
(13:14):
There's always some great stuff that's right overlooking the river,
the Port Credit River. And then there's the Army Navy
Air Force Club. They're just an absolute gem and they
are located on Third Street, so right off of Castra
and they've got a great barbecue going on. They've got
music happening, very family friendly there as well. Their hot
(13:35):
dogs are a dollar by the way, so you can
definitely go over there and have your fill of hot
dogs and just some great old fashioned fun at the
Army Navy Air Force Club as well.
Speaker 2 (13:49):
Hashtag in the Port go to stephendasco dot com for
all the information you need to know about what's happening
today and tonight for Canada Day. Now that being said,
I know that's the main focus of the day, as
it should be. Let's move on a little bit here,
Steve and I want to find out what's been going
on throughout the month of June and what we can
look forward to in the month of July. Do you
(14:09):
want to give us an update as to what you've
been doing since summer began, I guess, Oh.
Speaker 3 (14:16):
We've had just a really busy time of things in
the community, and it's just it's hard to really pinpoint
one particular thing. I'll be honest, norm because there's a
lot of great things happening. And as you might know,
I absolutely love the arts. I love promoting what we
(14:37):
have arts and culture here in the great city of Mississauga.
And part of that is we've actually got the Summer
Music Series and that is on right now this coming
Sunday at six pm. The place you want to be
if you if you enjoy the Symphony as much as
I do. The Mississauga Symphony, which again another just incredible group.
(15:01):
They are going to be performing down in Pork Credits
Memorial Park and it's going to be a really, I think,
magical night. They always they always do a great job.
So that's another thing that everybody can come out and do.
And then as well, it's just summertime in ward one
is a very busy time of year, so there's always
(15:24):
lots of activity. But at the same time, we have
some unique challenges and those that are always around for
us to help contem with.
Speaker 2 (15:32):
I was noticing from your website too that The farmers
Market is on the Pork Credit Farmers Market every Saturday
right through October eleventh, eight o'clock in the morning till
two in the afternoon. I love a good farmer's market,
don't you. It just takes me away, even though it's
in the city. It just makes me feel like I'm
in the country.
Speaker 3 (15:50):
Oh, there's something about it. It's the colors, the smells,
the sounds, just the whole experience. It's absolutely wild. I
just like you. I love it as well. And you
know that's the nice thing about the summertime. And I'll
tell you We've got Saturday pre Credit farmers Market and
(16:13):
then on Sunday it's the Lakeview Farmers Market down at
the Small Arms Inspection Building right at Lake Shore in Dixie.
So if you can't make it for one day, you
go for the next day. They both have different and
unique offerings. They're absolutely great. But yeah, it just it
makes you feel. It makes you feel energized.
Speaker 2 (16:32):
I feel lots happening outdoors in Ward One and throughout
Mississauga for that matter. Do you have any idea where
the mayor is today on Canada Day. I bet she's
in hot demand for sure.
Speaker 3 (16:44):
Oh, she is, and she I did have a conversation
with her, and he said that she's got several different
places to be. She actually started a celebration in Malton
when she was the Ward five counselor and so she
started started off some candidate celebrations there. But she's also
(17:05):
got our celebration square and and then of course, as
we were talking about poor credit, So I think she's
going to be a busy lady today.
Speaker 2 (17:14):
Yeah, for sure. Do you know what else you got
on the schedule coming up in the month of July here, Steve,
And I know that today has taking up a lot
of your time and efforts, that's for sure, But I
also know that you never take a break, so I
figure you probably have a pretty full lineup in the
next few weeks. In July is a hot month literally
and figuratively in ward one, isn't it?
Speaker 3 (17:38):
It really is. There's a lot of different things that
are happening. And you know another one that's going to
be coming up as well is actually it's in August.
I'll say, I'll talk about a few other things, but
there's one that's coming up in August where I think
everybody would probably want to pay note of and that's
just up the street, just literally right outside of the world.
(18:00):
But I think a lot of different things will be happening,
you know, down in along the waterfront. To help celebrate
is the CPKC Women's Open, which is going to be
a huge one, and that's right up the street the
Mississaugo Golf and Country Club, and that is going to
be on August twentieth to twenty fourth. It's a pretty
(18:21):
spectacular time for us here outstanding.
Speaker 2 (18:24):
Oh that's great. Yeah, I bet there's a lot of
golf activities happening throughout the month of July and through
August of course obviously. And have you been out and
about it all or did you want to drop any
names or any restaurants and clubs and such.
Speaker 3 (18:38):
So I thought you'd never you know, Well, one that
if anybody hasn't had a chance to. We've talked about
disc golf on the program before and it's it's literally
it's a cross between golfing and frisbees and it's just
(18:58):
a great, fast owing sport. It's one that you know,
a lot can play. We now have three in the
Ward Wow and so we just recently opened up our
third in the Indian Heights community at a part called
the shan Mart Park and it's a four whole course
(19:19):
and it's one that again it's a great, great play.
If you have twenty minutes to half hour, you can
easily play the course and have a great amount of fun.
Getting out in the outdoors and doing it as well.
Speaker 2 (19:32):
Sounds like fun. It sounds like like you said, you
don't have to put aside half or your full day
necessarily to get in around. Sounds good.
Speaker 3 (19:41):
And then as well, we have I'm just trying to
think of the actual date that it's coming up. Is
Port Credits Buskerfest.
Speaker 2 (19:48):
Oh wow?
Speaker 1 (19:50):
And that is actually again in August. It's the fifteenth, sixteenth,
and seventeenth that it is coming back to the community.
And those are always great fun. Personally, I'm a big
fan and a big suck for at night when they
have the fire shows, those ones are always they just
dazzle me.
Speaker 2 (20:11):
Go to PC Buskerfest dot com. That's the Port Credit
busker Fest PC Buskerfest dot com. And you're right. August fifteen,
sixteen seventeen. Street performers from around the world actually come
to this. I mean, it's it's not just the locals,
Who are you juggling some bowling pins? This is something
(20:31):
that attracts a lot of a lot of attention.
Speaker 3 (20:34):
Right, oh yeah, yeah, absolutely. This just some great things
that are happening. And you know, this is also a
time that there's so much really good live local music
that's happening, and just all throughout the community. It's hard
to look at a spot where we don't have incredible
different things happening. And that goes from our busker program
(20:56):
that the city does, and that is is along different
mark places along our waterfront. As I mentioned, we've got
the summer music series that's underway and uh and then
as well, there's a lot of local restaurants are our Legion, Army, Navy,
Air Force Club. These are all places that have a
(21:18):
lot of live music and they're just the caliber is
a spectacular, no.
Speaker 2 (21:22):
Question about it. How are things going to council these days?
Steve and everybody getting along?
Speaker 3 (21:28):
Yeah, everybody's getting along in the whole the whole exercises.
You know, it's you know, I look at it as
how can we deliver the best possible services and do
the best possible things for our community and for Mississauga
and and that's the expectation level that I think we
all have around the council table to get things done.
(21:49):
And and that's what we do, you know, as far
as I'm concerned, it's we operate as a team.
Speaker 2 (21:55):
You know. Lately there was a meeting a couple of
weeks ago where most of council walked out of a meeting.
Can you elaborate a little bit on that, give us
your take on what happened.
Speaker 3 (22:06):
There a little bit, Yeah, sure will. So this is
up at the Region of Peel when so there's three
different municipalities there's Mississauga, Brampton and Caladen for them, for
a meeting to take place, all three have to be
represented there and if and if one particular or municipalities
(22:29):
are not participating, there's no quorum and the meeting fails
to move forward. And so what happened was there's a
bold step that that the mayor is undertaking and along
with council in Mississauga, and that's giving a I guess
(22:49):
at a discount when it comes to development charges, and
that's when a developer goes to build something, they have
to pay development charges and that's for different services and
things that have to get built wrong with it. So
there's Mississauga development charges and there's Region of Peel development
charges and so as the mayor has been working with
(23:13):
the province to say, well, look, why don't we have
a discount that would go on until November of twenty
twenty six. And for those that are looking to full
of building permit and that want to start building units,
as we need housing of all different types, then if
that's the case, then you will be able to get
(23:37):
a discount to your development charges. And that's at the
city and also at the Region of Peel. And what
the province is indicated is that they would be coming
in to help shore up some of the shortfall that
we might incur from something like this, because right now,
the amount of building permits that are going out for
(23:58):
condos or house and things like that is essentially zero,
and so you know, one hundred percent of zero is
of course zero. And what we're looking to do is say, well,
if you're able to make your numbers work and get
things moving and get people into houses and some sort
of shelter, then let's work together and make that happen.
(24:20):
And the province is saying, well, we'll work with you
to make sure that you are that you aren't you know,
left out in the cold as a municipality or as
the region, that we'll look after you as well. So
that's what we put forward. Unfortunately, Brampton and Calladen didn't
like the proposal that was going forward as it was.
(24:40):
So what they did is they turned around, they walked out,
and that was unfortunate. It was their prerogative, that's what
they did.
Speaker 2 (24:48):
Have you ever seen that, Stephen, Have you ever seen
that before though? Walking out walking out?
Speaker 3 (24:52):
Yeah, yeah, I will tell you we actually did the
same thing when we were walking when we were dealing
with it, and unfortunately it partially when one side feels
they can't move forward for whatever reason, that can happen.
That one was unfortunate. In case of Mississauga, this was
around budget time and when as we're as we now
(25:17):
have a nine point two percent budget increase, what we
were looking for is for Peel to come under some
some cost saving measures. They didn't do, so when unfortunately
we had to walk out to try to protect our
tax payers and so that that was unfortunately a challenge
that we had there. But you know, these are things
(25:40):
that fortunately don't happen very often, but but when they do,
it's it's really a call to pull everybody together and say,
you know, our taxpayers deserve better and and in our
particular case, that's what we looked at. And here it
was a matter of principle to be able to get
things moving and and so actually what did happen was
(26:03):
our latest latest, our latest regional council was much more
productive and so we're looking to get things moving forward.
Speaker 2 (26:11):
Okay, all right, it's interesting to get your take on that,
so thank you for sharing that. I know I'm just
sort of throwing that at you, but you've handled it
very well to explain to everybody and easy to understand. Terms. Well,
you know what, whatever the day holds for you, I
hope that it's a great one obviously, and it's going
to be very successful all the way through the afternoon
(26:32):
and into the evening here on Canada Day and fireworks tonight,
which are going to be incredible. This is going to
be like a big time fireworks show, by the way,
So I encourage everybody to head down and check out
everything and support some of the vendors and such that
are that are down there, and bring the family and
let's celebrate what's important to us, and that's our Canadian
life and our Canadian lifestyle and everybody who is here,
(26:54):
whether you were born here or otherwise, and it's it's
great to stand up and cheer and show that we
do have a lot of pride for sure, Steve, and
I hope your day is fantastic.
Speaker 3 (27:06):
Well you as well. I hope you have a terrific
day ahead, and for everybody that's tuned in and listening,
wishing everybody all the very best of us, safe, healthy
and happy Canada Day. God bless Canada. We truly live
in the greatest country in the world and this is
a great opportunity for us to go out and celebrate
(27:27):
who we are.
Speaker 2 (27:28):
Yeah, you are right, we are in the greatest country
in the world. Stephen Dasco. Always a pleasure go to
Stephendasco dot com for a full lineup update on what's
happening today and everything else happening in ward One. By
the way, it's a fantastic website to always check in
on once in a while. Stephen will talk to you
next month. Thanks again so much.
Speaker 3 (27:46):
I'm looking forward to it. Happy Canada Day, Normal.
Speaker 2 (27:49):
Happy Canada Day to you and everybody listening, and everybody
down and enjoying the big party happening, and in all
the wards too, But right now we're talking about Ward
one and what's happened there, and the fireworks are getting
warmed up for later on tonight. I'm Norm Murray. This
is News Talk SAGA nine sixty. We'll be back right
after this stream us live at SAGA nine sixty am
(28:19):
dot CA
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