General Committee - Corporate Grants

Meeting #:
Date:
Time:
1:00 PM - Immediately following the completion of General Committee
Location:
Council Chambers, Civic Centre, 2nd Floor
300 City Centre Drive, Mississauga, Ontario, L5B 3C1
and Online Video Conference
Members Present
  • Deputy Mayor and Chair Matt Mahoney, Ward 8
  • Councillor and Vice-Chair John Kovac, Ward 4
  • Mayor Carolyn Parrish
  • Councillor Stephen Dasko, Ward 1
  • Councillor Alvin Tedjo, Ward 2
  • Councillor Chris Fonseca, Ward 3
  • Councillor Natalie Hart, Ward 5
  • Councillor Joe Horneck, Ward 6
  • Councillor Dipika Damerla , Ward 7
  • Councillor Martin Reid, Ward 9
  • Councillor Sue McFadden, Ward 10
  • Councillor Brad Butt, Ward 11

Staff Present

Geoff Wright, City Manager and CAO
Marisa Chiu, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer
Jodi Robillos, Commissioner of Community Services
Sean Robertson-Palmer, Community Development Coordinator
Jennifer Cowie-Bonne, Manager Community & Neighbourhood Development
Sacha Smith,  Manager/Deputy Clerk, Secretariat and Access & Privacy 
Angie Melo, Legislative Coordinator


Deputy Mayor and Councillor Mahoney, Chair called the meeting to order at 1:03 PM

Deputy Mayor and Councillor Mahoney, Chair recited the Indigenous Land Statement

Approved (Councillor A. Tedjo)

The following deputations be added to the agenda.

6.8   Anna Gulinski, Executive Director, Art Gallery of Mississauga and Jayme Gaspar, Executive Director,
        Heritage Mississauga

6.9   Natalie Kwan, Music For Every Child

Sean Robertson-Palmer, provided an overview of the Grant Program purpose, total investment, Integration of Arts, Culture and Festivals Subcommittee Recommendations, 2025 Grant Program Outcomes. groups, cultural project grants, recommendation for surpluses and what residents can expect in 2025.

In response to Councillor Kovac's enquiry regarding feedback to the groups, Sean Robertson-Palmer, Community Development Coordinator, explained the process that results are communicated, including an evaluation summary and are invited to contact staff to have a fulsome discussion on the application.

In response to Councillor Kovac's enquiry regarding appeal of results, Jodi Robillos, Commissioner, Community Services added that groups are provided a very detailed report back and that prior to submitting applications, groups are provided coaching on how to submit applications and provided support throughout the process.

  • RECOMMENDATIONGC-0069-2025
    Moved ByCouncillor J. Kovac

    That the deputation and associated presentation by Sean Robertson-Palmer, Community Development Coordinator with respect to the corporate report dated January 14, 2025 and titled

    2025 Culture and Community Grant Programs from the Commissioner of Community Services be received.

    Received

Teresa L Burgess-Ogilvie, Executive Director, Safe City Mississauga spoke to the 2024 Annual Impact Report.

In response to Councillor Kovac's enquiry whether the Peel Regional Police (PRP) has considered incorporating Safe City with PRP, Teresa L Burgess-Ogilvie advised that the conversation hasn't happened; however, there has been comments made about the value and benefit of having an organization like Safe City.

Teresa L Burgess-Ogilvie, Executive Director, and Gerald Adad, Countering Hate Lead, responded to Committee Member enquiries regarding the following:

  • has Peel Regional Police (PRP) considered incorporating Safe City with PRP
  • funding received from the Peel Regional Police
  • CPTED or analysis through neighbourhood watch
  • assisting with creating safer spaces for seniors and others in need of help
  • has a request to the school boards be made to fund programs initiated in schools
  • RECOMMENDATIONGC-0070-2025
    Moved ByCouncillor N. Hart

    That the deputation and associated presentation by Teresa L Burgess-Ogilvie, Executive Director, Safe City Mississauga with respect to 2024 Annual Impact Report be received.

    Received

James Nguyen, President, Saigon Park Group expressed thanks on behalf of the Vietnamese community for the naming of Saigon Park on Matheson Blvd. and to the Mayor for recognizing the contribution the community has made to the city and, to Jodi Robillos, Commissioner, Community Services for her support.

James Nguyen spoke to the subject matter and the importance of the grant funding to  Saigon Park Anniversary Festival.

  • RECOMMENDATIONGC-0071-2025
    Moved ByMayor Parrish

    That the deputation by James Nguyen, President, Saigon Park Group with respect to Saigon Park Anniversary Festival, Cultural Festival & Celebrations Grant, $10,000 be received.

    Received

Vikas Kholi and Ev Harris highlighted MonstrARTity's past events and extended an invitation to this year’s 15th anniversary of MonstrARTity.

Councillor Damerla spoke to the benefits to the community.

  • RECOMMENDATIONGC-0072-2025
    Moved ByCouncillor D. Damerla

    That the deputation and associated presentation by  Vikas Kohli, Executive Director, and Ev Harris, Managing Director, monstrARTity Creative General Committee Corporate Grants 2025 02 05 Community be received.

    Received

Mike Douglas, spoke on behalf of Arshad Mahmood, Director, Canadian Community Arts Initiative regarding reconsideration to approve the portion of funding that was denied.  M. Douglas provided an overview of the venue issues which lead to the amalgamation of the festivals, which may have contributed to a significant portion of the grant not being approved.

In response to Mayor Parrish, Jodi Robillos, Commissioner, Community Service clarified that the venue renovations being referenced by M. Douglas was not on the application and funding criteria is very clear regarding the duration of the event and advised that the most groups, including this group received an increased amount in grant funding.

  • RECOMMENDATIONGC-0073-2025
    Moved ByMayor Parrish

    That the deputation and associated presentation by  Mike Douglas, on behalf of Arshad Mahmood, Director, Canadian Community Arts Initiative with respect to Reconsideration of Cultural Festival Grant - Mosaic Festival 2025 be received.

    Received

Kristine Kane highlighted the performers showcased at the 2024 Southside Blues and Jazz Festival and summarized what to expect for the 2025  Southside Blues and Jazz Festival.

Councillor Dasko, Councillor Damerla and Deputy Mayor and Chair Mahoney spoke in support and to the success of the festival.

Kane responded to Councillor Dasko regarding the feedback on the changes and how the festival organizers will adapt to the changes.

  • RECOMMENDATIONGC-0074-2025
    Moved ByCouncillor S. Dasko

    That the deputation and associated presentation by  Kristine Kane, Chair, Southside Shuffle Blues & Jazz Festival be received.

    Received

Margot Stevens, Chair of the Board, CreativeHub 1352, provided an introduction to CreativeHub 1352, an overview of revenue, expenses and grants received, 2025 plan and request for additional funding.

In response to Councillor Dasko, Jodi Robillos, Commissioner, Community Services spoke to decrease of rates and fees for city facilities, including the Small Arms Building, will continue to work with CreativeHub regarding fees.

Councillor Damerla spoke in support of the work CreativeHub does for the community.

In response to Councillor Kovac, M. Stevens noted there are implications of funding received rather than the funding received.

Councillor Horneck spoke to the increased budget and wouldn't support any further increase.

  • RECOMMENDATIONGC-0075-2025
    Moved ByCouncillor S. Dasko

    That the deputation and associated presentation by Margot Stevens, Chair of the Board, CreativeHub 1352 be received.  

    Received

Anna Gulbinski, Executive Director, Art Gallery of Mississauga and Jayme Gaspar, Executive Director, Heritage Mississauga, expressed thanks for the funding support, the opportunity to make submissions and be heard, creation of subcommittee, the hard work of staff and the increased program funding.

  • RECOMMENDATIONGC-0076-2025
    Moved ByCouncillor J. Horneck

    That the deputation by Anna Gulbinski, Executive Director, Art Gallery of Mississauga and Jayme Gaspar, Executive Director, Heritage Mississauga be received.

    Received

Natalie Kwan, Music For Every Child provided an introduction of Music for Every Child, a not-for-profit charitable organization that funds music therapy for children with autism and development needs, without federal or provincial funding. N. Kwan provided an overview of funding financials, past events, the impacts of growth, request for funding and assistance with financial governance, operating procedures, assistance with strengthening application and operations.

In response to Councillor Butt, Jodi Robillos, Commissioner, Community Services, confirmed that the group received grant funding and that staff would work with them on ways to bolster their applications.

  • RECOMMENDATIONGC-0077-2025
    Moved ByCouncillor B. Butt

    That the deputation and associated presentation by Natalie Kwan, Music For Every Child be received.

    Received

The following items were approved on the consent agenda

10.2.1 -  Letter from Arshad Mahmood, Director, Canadian Community Arts Initiative with respect to Mosaic                     festival 2025

Councillor Butt, expressed thanks to staff on the annual review and the work with the subcommittee.

Councillor Butt provided an overview of the rationale to increase funding to Safe City Mississauga and put forward a Motion to increase the funding.

In response to Mayor Parrish, Jodi Robillos, Commissioner, Community Services, noted that Safe City Mississauga is a multi-year community grant group and provided an overview of Safe City Mississauga's funding request to the city and its funding from the Region of Peel.

Councillor Butt clarified that the Region of Peel will be funding new programs over the next two years and that the core program of Neighbourhood Watch is left with a shortfall in funding and seeks approval to provide additional funds from the 2025 Culture and Community Grant surplus, and directed staff to look at what a future service agreement would be.

Councillor Dasko spoke to the funding surplus and put forward a motion to allow community groups to meet with staff to review and determine if additional funding is appropriate.

Deputy Mayor and Chair, M. Mahoney left at 3:00 PM

Councillor and Vice-Chair J. Kovac assumed the role of Chair at 3:00 PM

Jodi Robillos, Commissioner, Community Services, provided an overview of the application review process and noted that if it is the Committee's desire to re-open the review process to the groups that did not receive the funding amount they requested, staff would need direction on what to consider outside of the approved criteria in the 2nd review of the application.

In response to Mayor Parrish's suggestion to narrowing the scope of review, Jodi Robillos, noted the challenges should Committee direct staff not to follow the approved criteria that was applied for the initial review.

Councillor Parrish further suggested that Councillor Dasko meet with staff and the specific groups in person to conduct a further review.

In response to Councillor Reid, Councillor Dasko clarified the purpose and rationale to conduct a further review.

Councillor Fonseca, suggested that a second review be open to groups in tourist zones and groups whose expenses were determined ineligible.

Mayor Parrish suggested Councillor Dasko meet with staff and the specific groups in person to conduct a further review.

Councillor Dasko withdrew his motion.

  • RECOMMENDATIONGC-0078-2025
    Moved ByCouncillor B. Butt
    1. That the Corporate Report entitled “2025 Culture and Community Grant Programs” dated January 14, 2025, from the Commissioner of Community Services be approved.

    2. That amendments to the current 2024-2026 multi-year agreements of the Art Gallery of Mississauga, Heritage Mississauga, Orchestras Mississauga, Mississauga Arts Council, and Visual Arts Mississauga be approved.
    3. That Council delegates authority to Director of Recreation & Culture to approve a spring intake of the Live Music Grants Pilot Program.
    1. That all necessary By-laws be enacted.
    1. That an additional $86,015, funded from 2025 Culture and Community Grant surplus, be approved for Safe City Mississauga’s 2025 Multi-Year Community Grant, under Operating Costs: Personnel Administration, for the Neighbourhood Watch Manager, deemed essential personnel by the SCM Board of Directors.
    1. That staff be directed to review the eligibility criteria for Multi-Year Community Grants and reinstate Services & Program Costs as eligible for funding, as these costs were eligible in previous years.
    1. That staff be directed to work with Safe City Mississauga on a service contract/agreement to be presented to Council by September 2025.
    YES (8)Councillor S. Dasko, Councillor C. Fonseca, Councillor D. Damerla, Councillor S. McFadden, Councillor A. Tedjo, Councillor M. Reid, Councillor B. Butt, and Councillor N. Hart
    NO (2)Councillor J. Kovac , and Councillor J. Horneck
    ABSTAIN (1)Mayor Parrish
    Carried (8 to 2)

3:27 PM (Councillor S. McFadden)