Blog Posts - Rockwood Homeowners' Association

If your child is a Poet Let everyone know It!

3/11/2018

The search is on for Mississauga’s second Youth Poet Laureate!

The Poet Laureate role is to “serve as a literary ambassador for youth in the City of Mississauga and to elevate the status of poetry, literary arts and young writers within their communities.” This is an honorary position for youth who have expressed themes relevant to Mississauga through excellent poetry, or writing skills.

If the next Poet Laureate lives in your home, you can download the submission package linked here. The deadline for submissions is March 18, 2018.

Free Telephone Reassurance Program

3/11/2018

Make someone’s day a little more special...

This FREE service provides check-in and friendly phone calls to older adults who live alone and are in need of someone to touch base with them to ensure their well-being on a regularly scheduled basis.

If you are interested in this service, please contact the Square One Seniors Wellness Services or go online at www.sq1oac.com, email squareonesws@rogers.com, or give them a call at 905-615-3207.

Ask Joe, Your Neighbourhood Handyman

3/11/2018

Dear Joe, I just purchased and installed some new LED lamps in my kitchen pot lights and when dimming them the lamps start to flicker. Any idea of what is going on? The old type lamps did not do this. - Henry in Rockwood

Hi Henry This question has been asked of me a few times from family and friends. First of all, you have made a great decision that will save you some money on energy costs for years to come. Unfortunately, due to the technology that is used in these types of lamps, they are not compatible with the dimmers you probably have in your house.

The LED lamps must be the dimmable type and must be matched with the appropriate dimmer made for LED lamp technology.
So, what you now need to do now is have each dimmer changed to an LED dimmer. Please remember that a qualified electrician who will ensure the connections are made appropriately should do this. Word of caution: you can damage a dimmer if it is not appropriately installed.

Renovation Funds Available for Seniors

3/11/2018

The Region of Peel has money available to fund safety and accessibility concerns for seniors, persons with disabilities, and families with a combined income under $60,000. This program covers renovations to provide accessibility, safety, structural, electrical, plumbing or heating issues. To receive funds, you must have owned the home for at least three years. Unfortunately, to qualify, the maximum value of the property in Mississauga is $546,203. This would effectively eliminate most detached homeowners, but could be of interest to those who own towns, links and semis. The program will fund recipients on a first come basis until the funding is exhausted. For more details, or to apply online: peelregion.ca/peelrenovates or call 905-793-9200.

New Riding for Rockwood

3/11/2018

When the boundaries for our Federal riding changed in 2015, our boundaries for the Provincial elections were automatically changed. For the June 7TH 2018, Provincial election, you will be voting for a candidate in the Mississauga EastCooksville Riding. For several years, Rockwood was aligned with the Brampton South riding for both Provincial and Federal elections. We are now back in a Mississauga riding.

March 11th, 2018

3/11/2018

I attended Sts. Martha and Mary School as a child and was lucky enough to live close and enjoy the walk. I still live in the area and am very worried for our children and seniors.

There’s no excuse for hostile behaviour and breaking traffic rules. Parents and motorists have to start driving safely – we don’t want someone to get hurt. I have witnessed parents not following rules of the road, including not stopping at a marked crosswalk, or driving over the speed limit. Distracted driving has also increased and remains high.

Tips for parents to help make school zones safer:

1. Avoid running late. A great deal of stress arises from feeling rushed. Give yourself plenty of time in the morning and consider completing tasks and preparing your child’s school items the night before.

2. Focus on what you can control. No matter what’s going on around you, be patient and courteous. Reacting with extreme frustration may aggravate the situation and increase the risk of unsafe behaviours. 3. Follow the rules; which include school, drop off and pick up procedures and rules of the road such as driving within the speed limit, stopping at marked cross walks and not driving distracted. If everyone follows the rules, problems and misunderstandings are less likely to occur.

5. Reduce congestion. Consider walking or cycling your child to school or park a few blocks away and walk your child the rest of the way to school.

6. Speeding. School zone speed limit is 30 km/hr between 8am - 5pm on school days unless otherwise posted. In playground zones, a 30-km/hr speed limit is in effect from dawn to dusk, 365 days of the year. • Crosswalks. Drivers must stop for pedestrians crossing the road at a crosswalk. The best and safest rule is for drivers to stop once they see a pedestrian standing on the curb at a crosswalk and to wait for as long as it takes for all pedestrians to reach the curb on the other side. • Crossing guards/patrollers. Drivers, pedestrians and cyclists must follow the instructions of a school crossing guard or student patroller. • Distracted driving. Using an electronic device while driving, including holding the device in a position in which it may be used, is considered to be distracted driving and is against the law. For you parents and guardians dropping off or picking up your child from school, avoid using your cell phone within a school zone, even when your car is parked and idling at the curb. Parents please teach your kids how to walk or cycle safely near or on the road.

Burnhamthorpe Facelift STarts Spring 2018

3/11/2018

The City has announced major reconstruction of Burnhamthorpe Rd. East from the Etobicoke Creek to Dixie Rd. It is anticipated that work will commence this spring and will continue until December. The work, estimated to cost $8.5 million, for reconstruction of Burnhamthorpe Road East (approximately 2 km), will include: • The extension of the multi-use trail along the north side of the road, including lighting and connecting with the Etobicoke Creek Trail • Catch basin lead replacements • Management of stormwater runoff using Low Impact Development • Intersection improvements including traffic signal replacements and bus stop/queue jump lanes constructed at Bough Beeches Boulevard/Havenwood Drive, Fieldgate Drive and Ponytrail Drive intersections. • During this same timeframe, watermain work will be in process along Ponytrail, north of Burnhamthorpe, and along Rathburn. Residents can probably expect major traffic issues during this period.

Airport Advisory

3/11/2018

Councillor Fonseca has been notified that plans for runway maintenance is scheduled for resurfacing of runway 06L/24R (one of the east/west runways, located in the southern area of the airport). The first phase will begin on April 23, 2018 and is anticipated to be completed in June. If required, the second phase would be undertaken in the fall. Unlike the previous construction, these north/south runways will only be closed in the evenings. This means that there will be increased traffic between 10 p.m. and 12:00 a.m. Rockwood Residents are reminded that noise complaints and be filed by contacting the GTAA Noise Office at 416-247-7682 or fill out the noise complaint form on their website: https:// torontopearson.com/en/noisecomplaint

Rockwood To Receive Community Bonus

3/11/2018

When a new development is approved, the City requires the developer to provide a benefit for the “community.” The benefit is based on a percentage of an estimated increased value resulting from the approval to allow the development. On January 15, 2018, a proposal to disburse $750,000 in benefits for the Forest Park development was brought to the Planning Committee for approval. While we were pleased that a new splash pad for Garnetwood Park was included, the RHA expressed concerns that a good portion of the funds were to be used to enhance the builder’s own property and not the community’s. The question “Who is the community?” was posed by the Council. Is it the residents of the existing rental buildings or the greater community of Rockwood? As this is a relatively new program, there does not seem to be a cut and dried response. Should the funds be used to enhance the landscaping of private property? Or should we accept that making this property more appealing is a benefit to the entire community? While we agree that the tenants are an integral part of the community, the agreement with the City included an extensive list of improvements within the buildings that the developer was required to complete in order to move forward with the project. We feel strongly that upgrades to the elevators should be a leasehold improvement and a cost that the landlord should pay. As a part of the approval process, the capacity of the storm water management tank was questioned. The City confirmed that the studies indicated the capacity was sufficient. The community budget, however, included $50,000 to upgrade the capacity.

As a result of our objection, the decision was set aside allowing the RHA and the now defunct PDOC time to present alternate proposals. The Rockwood Homeowners’ Association (RHA) has requested that Council consider providing $200,000 to be used for the use of the Tenants, $50,000 to upgrade the storm water management tank which will benefit homeowners in the immediate area, and the balance of $500,000 be directed to the benefit of the community at large. We have requested that, along with the splash pad to be located in Garnetwood Park, the balance of funds be used for: covered or shaded areas around the playground and splash pad; more benches and picnic tables; additional landscaping along the Shaver Trail, and benches for Beechwood Park.

Waste War in Rockwood Village

3/11/2018

In 2015 the townhouse complexes were exempted from the Cart program. In a complete about turn, the Region of Peel has now advised residents that they will be getting carts. Many owners are strongly opposed to the change in their waste management. Storage of the carts is the biggest issue. With little room in the garage, no side yards, and no back yard access, the only place left to store the containers would be at the front of the units. This last option would not only be unsightly but is in contravention of the Mississauga Property Standards By-law. In an attempt to demand Peel reverse this decision, the Condo Boards for each of the complexes, are looking for volunteers to circulate a petition opposing the introduction of the cart program. If you would like to assist in this initiative, please contact the President of your complex or e-mail sherry.irwin@bell.net for more information or to volunteer. The petition will be presented to Councilor Fonseca on March 27th.

Save the Date for the RHA'S Annual General Meeting

3/11/2018

The Annual General Meeting for the Rockwood Homeowners’ Association is coming up in May! You can be assured that issues important to all residents will be addressed. If you have an item of particular concern that you would like on the agenda, pleases send us a note: rha.executive@gmail.com.

Airport Heat Cools: Increases to Air Traffic Suspended

3/11/2018

Great news! Plans by the GTAA to permanently increase flights over our community have been suspended for 5 years.

In the spring, GTAA announced plans to increase flights in and out of the airport, which would have significant impact on our quality of life. Born out of this announcement, CAAS (Community Alliance for Airport Safety) was formed. Many communities in the flight paths, including Rockwood and Markland Woods, already disturbed with increasing noise and the potential for safety issues/problems, joined forces to lobby against the proposal.

The message from CAAS was successful in gaining the support of Provincial, Federal and Municipal Legislators, airport unions, 19 communities and many concerned citizens. Together, the voice of the people was heard loudly and clearly. While this battle has been won, the fight continues. The GTAA will be reviewing flight paths again in five years. In the interim, they will still be using the North/South runways as they normally have in the past, notwithstanding weather conditions, maintenance, and other issues. While noise is a factor of increased traffic, the number one issue must be safety. It is imperative that we continue to support efforts to ensure that the safety overhead is paramount in any plan to increase traffic.

Rockwood residents who are concerned about airport issues should make an effort to join CAAS at caasafety.ca. CAAS can provide the most up-to-date details on what is transpiring at the airport on the efforts to ensure safety to our community.

Mississauga is Making Room for the Middle

5/26/2017

Grow Your Garden and Green Thumb this Summer

5/26/2017

Learn how to create a container garden and have the best harvest! Make the most of this growing period and learn how to create and maintain a container garden and enjoy the harvest from it all season long. Join Burnhamthorpe SNAP and Ecosource on Tuesday May 30th, at 7:00 p.m. at Burnhamthorpe Library (3650 Dixie Rd., Mississauga). Space is limited! To reserve your spot, email: Sabrina Selvaggi at sselvaggi@trca.on.ca.

Rely on ROUTE 20? Expect a Slower Commute

5/26/2017

"The proposed change to Route 20 in MiWay 5 is not imminent but this route is likely to be adversely impacted (both travel time and reliability) by the City of Toronto project to re-align the Six Points interchange in Etobicoke: http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=9654a0bdbd309510VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD. This work is starting and will take over 3 years as it moves through the various stages. We hope to mitigate the impact but each stage will bring different challenges.

The Mississauga Transitway station at Tahoe has been operational for over a year and the final station on the Transitway at Renforth will be completed this year. There are multiple routes providing access from Tahoe to the City Centre and Route 109 provides access to the Subway. Service frequencies and spans of service on Route 109 have been improved since Tahoe opened."

Mayor Crombie Writes to the GTAA Following Airport Construction

5/22/2017

Following the Rockwood Homeowners' Association's Annual General Meeting hosted on May 17th, 2017, it was requested that Mayor Crombie's letter sent in regards to recent airport construction be published and circulated to residents. The letter, published on May 7th, 2017 and sent to Mr. Howard Eng, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Toronto Airport Authority (GTAA), is featured below.

Shaping the Future at Pearson

5/13/2017

The GTAA is looking for 36 residents from across Durham, Halton, Peel, Toronto and York to be on a Residents’ Reference Panel. A request for participation is being sent to 20,000 households across these areas looking for participants to consider:

How terminals can grow to accommodate more passengers.
New transit options that can serve the airport and region.
Our approach to managing and mitigating noise.
New commitments to engage and inform area residents about our operations
Strengthening our environmental sustainability programs.

Participants will be required to attend four day long sessions to be held on May 27th, June 3rd, September 9th and 16th. With the recent activity at Pearson, those who want to provide their input into managing future changes are urged to apply. If you do not get this invitation by mail, you can access it here.

"ASK JOE" - YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD HANDYMAN

5/13/2017

The Rockwood Times As part of our pleased to announce a new regular feature. Ask Joe, our local handyman, jack (or Joe) of almost anything, will answer your questions about home maintenance. Do you have a question about maintaining your home? Ask Joe! Please submit your questions to rha.executive@gmail.com Use the subject “Ask Joe.”

Question: Hi, Joe, Any idea what all the construction work on Maple Ridge Dr. is all about? - Jimmy

Hi, Jimmy, If you recall, I wrote an article last year on power outages in Rockwood. As it turns out, it looks like hydro personnel must be reading our newsletter. The article mentioned the aging of the underground cables in our area as a cause for outages. This construction is to replace the main power cables and distribution transformers that provide power to our houses. This spring the following streets are being done: Branchwood Park, Saltdene Terrace, Maple Ridge Dr. (Ponytrail to Fieldgate Dr.) and Fieldgate Dr. (Maple Ridge to Rathburn). Please remember that there will be a significant power outage on the day they transfer from the old cables and transformers to the new ones. There is a plan to do the remaining of Rockwood as the cables approach the end of their lifetime.

Do you have a question about maintaining your home? Ask Joe! Please submit your questions to rha.exective@gmail.com. Use the subject “Ask Joe.”

Chelsea on The Green Coming Soon?

5/13/2017

The much anticipated launch of the condo development on the Forest Park lands is now a reality. Signage is now on the property announcing that pre-construction sales are imminent. Potential buyers are being urged to register on the chelseaonthegreen.com website for pre-sale information. According to the website, the plan is for two towers with a total of 153 units ranging in size from 524 to 749 square feet. Amenities will include 24-hour concierge, party room, meeting room, fitness center, a yoga/pilates room, guest suite, multipurpose room, lockers, and bike storage and a dog wash centre. There is no mention of any type of pool or exterior amenities other than green space and featured location in Rockwood Village. There is also no mention of pricing. The developer describes the project as follows: “The sky is blue, the grass is green, so get ready to enjoy life in one of Mississauga’s most vibrant and established neighbourhoods. Chelsea on the Green is a unique condominium that showcases its natural surroundings both visually and experientially.”

Is our Red hot real estate market cooling down?

5/13/2017

With relatively few homes on the market this spring, those brave sellers who listed early were rewarded handsomely. The average sale price of a town house rose to $624,325 between January 1 and April 28, 2017. During the same time period, the average price of a detached home rose to $1,236,600. In terms of detached homes, it should be noted that many of the 14 sales were high end, or larger homes, and this accounted for the huge increase over last year’s average sale price of $856,000. The red-hot real estate market is making a lot of news. Many politicians are putting the blame on a variety of targets including foreign buyers, vacant properties and real estate agents. Real estate agents are blaming the snail’s pace of municipalities’ approved in-fill projects and new housing developments, and a record breaking low inventory of homes coming on the market. However, this highly publicized attention on the market may be having some effect, as there are signs that things may be changing. There has been a spike in listings, which may be just the seasonal trend kicking in, or possibly that sellers are considering that, with values at record highs, it may be time to cash in and downsize to a condo or the cottage. The law of supply and demand may write the conclusion to this story. With more inventory, the market should cool and become more balanced so that sellers will no longer receive 10-30 offers on their properties. As for buyers, they may decide to take the “let’s wait and see” position, hoping that government will step in and fix everything. It is doubtful that the steps the governments have already announced will have much impact, but if we start seeing a substantial growth in inventory, the market will definitely change from being a windfall for sellers to a much more favorable market for buyers. Buyers will also have to keep a close eye on interest rates, as rates may rise while waiting for prices to fall. The other key player in the end game will be the financial institutions. After all, banks really have the final say in what a property is worth unless you have a lot more to invest than 20%. Right now, bankers are looking at real estate in the same terms as commodity futures. The big question is: “Will there be a correction?” There are lots of theories but I have no definitive answer. Like everyone else, I can only speculate that if there is, I believe it will only be to keep the market on par with traditional gains (2-5%) and possibly a little drop in current prices. In other words, the days of 30% increases may have come to an end, but hopefully, current values will remain established. We will have to wait and see. Unfortunately, values in Real Estate are based on past results. In the last week of April, with winter behind us we started to see a little more activity in Rockwood. Unfortunately, the noise from the airport, which is anticipated to continue until mid-May, might be a spoiler for those who are not advising potential buyers that current conditions are way outside normal.

Help! Make them go away...

5/13/2017

For more than three weeks, we have been subjected to a constant barrage of air traffic that has not gone unnoticed. We know planes use the north south runway for landings when the wind is coming out of the north and that this will end relatively soon. We also know that this runway is traditionally used only 5% of the year, which works out to 18 days. You get used to it, you can handle this. However, in the first two weeks of noise, we have already surpassed the 2016 usage and noise toleration.

It would appear that we are living in a seven-week nightmare that features the roar of planes, not only landing, but often taking off, every 30 seconds from early morning until late at night. It is extremely stressful. The RHA is getting calls and emails from Rockwood residents, all wondering, “What the heck is going on?” and “Have they added a new runway over our neighborhood?” The good news is that the noise is temporary; the bad news is that we will be in this holding pattern until mid May. There is a four-phase construction project underway on the main east-west runway (5-23) at the airport. The first two phases are underway now and scheduled to be completed by mid May.

In order to complete this work, traffic has been diverted to the north-south runways, right over our homes. Unfortunately, this whole scenario will be repeated in October when the balance of the work is scheduled to be completed.

On April 19, a regularly scheduled CENAC (Community Environment and Noise Advisory Committee) was held. Joe Silva, RHA President, described the meeting as “hot, lively, loud and crowded.” With rumours circulating that the current noise levels were a “trial balloon” for things to come, the meeting drew a large and diverse crowd. Since all levels of government, Federal, Provincial and Municipal, were in attendance, this issue is being taken seriously. Sightings of “close calls” and averted take offs were noted, and highlighted the need to ensure that safety protocols were being followed.

Peter Fonseca, our Member of Parliament, expressed the community’s sentiment of dismay that the GTAA failed to communicate to anyone its intention to change airport traffic patterns, let alone those of us who would be most affected. Robyn Connelly, Director, Community Relations, GTAA, has confirmed that she will attend our AGM on May 17 to address our questions. The GTAA has also issued an apology to our residents by way of an advertisement, printed on the back page of this newsletter.

A joint community meeting for Markland and Rockwood is also in the planning stage, tentatively to be held at Silverthorn Collegiate on May 27, 2017. If and when this meeting is confirmed, it will be posted on our website. Meanwhile, the skies over Rockwood were quiet the last weekend of April. Is this a sign that we are getting back to normal—or just a calm before the next storm?

Mayor Crombie, Councillor Fonseca, and the GTAA to Attend The RHA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING MAY 17TH

5/13/2017

This year’s keynote speaker at the Rockwood Homeowners’ Association will be Mayor Bonnie Crombie. Of course, our Councillor Chris Fonseca will also be on hand to field questions on issues that affect our community. With the air traffic on everyone’s mind, we are pleased to announce that Robyn Connelly from the GTAA (Greater Toronto Airport Authority) will also be on hand to answer any questions and concerns. This is your opportunity to come out, listen and speak out on topics that are of interest to our community. If you have topics that you would like any of our speakers to address, please send them to us at rha.executive@gmail.com. We will forward them to the speakers, so that they can come prepared with appropriate information. There will also be sufficient time allocated to addressing your questions. We look forward to seeing you!

Rockwood Homeowners Association Annual General Meeting (AGM)
ednesday May 17th
Sts. Martha and Mary Church, 1870 Burnhamthorpe Rd E, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Councillor Fonseca Provides Airport Noise Update

5/1/2017

Mississauga Ward 3 Councillor Chris Fonseca provided the following update to the Rockwood Homeowners' Association on Monday, May 1st, 2017. Please note the following airport construction update:

I received the following information from the GTAA regarding CENAC, recent updates on airport construction, aircraft noise initiatives and opportunities for community members to participate.

I draw your attention to these key dates:

May 4th — GTAA AGM - details below. Please plan to attend and share.
May 16th — Phase 2 construction is scheduled to cease. I will be requesting written confirmation. Please note, the GTAA has yet to provide information on an announced Phase 3 of construction in the Fall. I will be raising this at the May 4th AGM.
May 27th — HOLD the date for a community meeting. Confirmation and details to follow. Please plan to attend and share.
May 31st - Deadline to apply for the GTAA Residents Reference Panel. This is your opportunity to give input into how airport operations impact you, noise mitigation and noise sharing. Please note, I was informed by Hillary Marshall and Robyn Connelly that 20,000 notices were sent out to impacted neighborhoods, inviting residents to participate on this panel. There will be 36 residents chosen. If you are interested in sitting on this panel and have not received the invitation, please let me know. I will be advocating for representation on this panel from all Ward 3 communities impacted by the airport operations.
May 31st - Extended deadline to give input into the Toronto Airport Airspace Review (TorontoAirspaceReview@askhelios.com). This is a SEPARATE and independent study, although funded by NAVCAN, from the GTAA study. It is your opportunity to give input into how airport operations impact you, noise mitigation and noise sharing.
July 31st - Deadline to take the GTAA online survey on Noise Fairness & Airport Growth, online survey on Noise Fairness & Airport Growth.

I will be encouraging as many people as possible to provide input via the online surveys, applying to sit on the Residential Reference Panel, as well as attend the GTAA AGM on May 4th and May 27th (TBC) meeting.

I continue to request that the GTAA and NAVCAN be transparent, accountable and much more timely in their communications.

I will also continue to advocate for all Ward 3 residents and communities impacted by airport operations and make it clear that current operations, regardless of construction, are not sustainable. As well as any airport operations moving forward, should remain at 3-5% (what was in place for many years prior to the construction) use yearly of the north/south runways, no departure operations on 33R, and no extension of the night flight formula.

Respectfully,
Councillor Chris Fonseca, Ward 3
300 City Centre Drive
Mississauga, Ontario L5B 3C1
Telephone: 905-896-5300
Fax: 905-896-5463

Have You Heard? Rockwood Village to Experience Increased Air Traffic Until End Of Month

4/16/2017

Have you noticed increased air traffic above Rockwood Village lately? As Toronto Pearson International Airport resurfaces one runway, residents can expect increased air traffic until the end of April. Learn more about ongoing changes at the Community Environment and Noise Advisory Committee (CENAC) meeting happening this Wednesday, April 19th at 6:00 p.m., GTAA Admin. Building, 3111 Convair Drive, Pearson Boardrooms A&B. For meeting details, please visit the Toronto Pearson International Airport website.

If you cannot attend the meeting, please note that members of the Rockwood Homeowners' Association will be attending as per usual, and questions about the meeting or air traffic in Rockwood Village can be sent to the Rockwood Homeowners' Association here.

To file a noise complaint, please visit the Toronto Pearson International Airport website.

May 2nd, 2017 Update: The Greater Toronto Airport Authority has provided the following update to residents in regards to ongoing construction and noise issues in the Rockwood Village community.

May 2nd, 2017 Update: Peter Fonseca, Member of Parliament for Mississauga East—Cooksville has provided the following update to residents in regards to ongoing construction and noise issues in the Rockwood Village community.

Coyotes Trolling Rockwood

2/26/2017

During the last week of January, Mississauga Animal Services conducted a door-to-door canvas of streets in our neighborhood. Those who answered the door were informed that there had been two recent incidents, in broad daylight, of coyotes breaching fences and attacking small pets. In one such incident the residents were present and witnessed the attack. Those who were not home received a package containing brochures that included two pieces of material specific to coyotes.

As coyote sightings are most prevalent at dusk, sightings during the day are a cause for concern. Rockwood is an area with close proximity to a large population of coyotes that live in the ravine. For many years, they have regularly been spotted in the fields north of Audubon. Also, the hydro lines create a natural pathway for coyotes to gain access to a broader feeding area. Residents who live south of Audubon or in areas adjacent to the ravine, and the hydro fields, are all too aware that coyotes often wander on their streets or properties, but generally at night.

Since there is no plan to control the coyote population, you need to be aware of the danger of leaving small pets and children unattended when they are outdoors. You should also ensure that your pets are properly vaccinated and always check your yard before letting your pet outside at night. While walking your dog, keep it on a short leash.

Most important in keeping coyotes away from residential areas is to make sure that they are not able to find food. Do not leave food for pets outside, do clean up bird feeder grains that fall on the ground and store all garbage and compost in containers. The City recommends a solid six inch fence with mesh underground to prevent burrowing, and light sensors and sprinkler systems to keep coyotes out of your property.

Coyotes will avoid scary situations. For personal safety when walking, particularly at night, bring a flashlight or an umbrella. If you see a coyote, wave your arms, flash the umbrella, and shout to startle and scare it away.

If you see unusual coyote activity, call Animal Services at 905-896-5858. If in immediate danger, call 911. For additional information visit: mypetmississauga.ca