What Matters Most to You?
It takes more than promises to be a good representative. It takes experience that comes with doing the job. It takes leadership and a strong voice at both the region and city. It takes knowledge of the ward and the issues that are important to you that comes from living and raising a family here. It takes the ability to introduce new ideas and implement them. It takes the initiative to search out new programs and technologies and make them work. It takes a good grasp of municipal finances and policies. It takes a total commitment to making our community safe and vibrant and the knowledge to do that.
It takes a caring, experienced person like Pat Saito to be the best representative Ward 9 can have.
Pat’s record speaks for itself. Click on the topics below to find out how Pat handles the issues that are important to you.
Integrity
The key issue for the 2010 election is to ensure that we keep strong people like Pat on Council. The need for a Councillor who has shown integrity and honesty has never been stronger. Ward 9 has had the best representation of any ward for many years and we need to continue to keep Pat working for us.
Pat is known for her tenacity when she works for her residents. She will fight for what she believes in and for what is in the best interest of Ward 9 and the City.
Innovative Ideas
When people talk about bringing fresh ides to the City, you only have to look at Pat’s record to see that we already have a Councillor who is constantly introducing new ideas and innovative projects. The difference is that Pat knows how to implement these ideas. She never makes idle promises that she knows cannot be achieved. Pat has the experience, the knowledge and the drive to get things done and to do them right the first time.
Transportation
Pat continues to be a strong advocate for better transportation to serve Ward 9 and the City.
407 Transitway
Pat recently met with MetroLinx staff to discuss the Hwy 407 Corridor Transitway and is ensuring it remains a priority in their plans. GO Transit
Pat is also working with our MPP and GO Transit senior staff to ensure that GO Transit proceeds with all day service on the Milton Line as planned. She worked with First Gulf, a Meadowvale Business park company, to convince GO to build a walkway from Argentia Road to the Meadowvale GO Station – this is being built this summer and will be a help to people working in the business park.
One of Pat’s greatest successes is the opening of the Lisgar GO Station – making Ward 9 the only community with two GO stations.
Mississauga Transit
Pat continues to seek input from transit users through her forums. These small group opportunities give transit staff and Pat much information that helps the City to improve services.
Ward 9 service has improved in the past 4 years and Pat continues to advocate for more frequent and increased service to our community.
Community Safety
 Pat was recognized in April, 2006 by Peel Regional Police for her outstanding work in crime prevention. She was awarded the Bob Boyne Memorial Award for her efforts in developing and supporting crime prevention programs.
Mississauga has the distinction of being selected as the Safest City in Canada every year since 2003. Ward 9 continues to have one of the lowest rates of crime in the City. This is because we have an excellent police service and crime prevention programs that work. Our community works together with Council , the police and these organizations to ensure that our streets are safe for everyone.
Pat holds regular Crime Prevention meetings in Ward 9 neighbourhoods throughout the year. Detailed statistics on recent criminal activity in the community are also posted on her www.ward9.ca Web site.
Some of Pat's other community safety initiatives include:
- • Community police station at Meadowvale Town Centre
• New Fire station 122 in Churchill Meadows
• Initiated Mississauga Crime Prevention Association
• Successfully advocated for hiring more police officers
• Led initiative to deter marijuana grow houses
• Introduced CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) into City/Region planning
• Anti- graffiti and anti-vandalism programs
- • Initiated Peel Youth Violence Prevention Strategy
Youth Services
Pat's three children grew up in Ward 9, attended school here and were involved in community activities. Pat knows the pressures and the needs of our young people and she has worked successfully with them and for them to ensure that their specific needs are met.
Pat worked with business and organizations to bring the Dam Youth Drop In to the Meadowvale community and has always been a supporter and an advocate for the organization. She meets with young people on many occasions to get their input and to involve them in the process. Pat worked with residents in the community as well as police and various businesses and organizations to form the Meadowvale Community Partnership. This group started to address youth violence and has evolved into an advocate for youth in Ward 9. Pat continues to be an active part of this group and helps provide programs for parents and young people on such topics as bullying, self esteem and healthy lifestyles. Pat's work in this area also includes:
- • Sponsors annual parenting/youth seminar
• Supports The Dam Youth Drop-In
• Initiated Peel Youth Crime Prevention forum/strategy
• Works with Mayor’s Youth Advisory Committee
• Youth Recreation Strategy underway
Seniors
As Ward 9's older population increases, there are new and emerging needs to be met. Pat maintains a working relationship with the seniors' organizations in Ward 9, such as Meadowvale Seniors' Club, and is always ready to assist them with concerns and issues.
Seniors housing is a major need and, as a member of Peel Living, Pat is working towards the construction of more affordable housing for seniors in the region. Pat is also a member of both the City and region Accessibility Advisory Committees to ensure safe and easy access for everyone to public facilities. Pat's other involvement in seniors' issues include:
- • Assists Meadowvale Senior’s Club
• Long term care facility at Erin Centre/Winston Churchill
• Support of Heritage Square improvements
• Works with Eden Wood Seniors Village
• Promotes senior’s snow subsidy program
• Older Adult Strategy underway
The Environment
• Preservation of Osprey Woods with Lisgar Residents’ Association
• Purchase of 4 woodlots in Churchill Meadows
• Discovery and preservation of Kindree Family cemetery with LRA
• Woodlot management plans
• Preservation of Lisgar Meadow Brook
• Redevelopment of Osprey marsh to natural state
• Proponent of green roofs
• Alternative energy sources (i.e. wind power)
• Enersource hydro conservation programs
Health and Social Services
As your Region of Peel Councillor, Pat is a strong advocate for the much-needed social services for Ward 9 residents.
Wise Decisions
“At the Region of Peel, Council must balance the budgets with the intense needs of our most vulnerable citizens. As your Councillor I have a sound record of being able to do this – because I know what is needed and where the cuts can be made that won’t hurt these residents.”, says Pat
Dental
Over the past term Pat has been a strong voice for improved senior and youth services. Accomplishments include a seniors’ dental program that Pat has spoken out in favour of and supported increased funding in the 2010 budget.
Better dental for children and youth is also a priority and one in which Pat has had much success.
Feeding Peel
Pat suggested that the region coordinate a more comprehensive look at how we can feed our hungry in Peel. This work is ongoing but it brought together all providers of food banks in Peel to consolidate ideas and resources. Pat is pushing for a central food distribution building in Mississauga that will serve all the food banks and provide better service to our citizens in need.
New Mothers
When staff cut back on the new mothers breastfeeding services, Pat took the matter to Council and spoke out in favour of keeping this service or at least replacing it with an equal service.
Staff listened and while the active program was not replaced, access to support was increased.
Health First
When it comes to public health, Pat is not only a strong advocate, but she is a very knowledgeable Councillor. The vast number of health programs provided by the Region is astounding. Pat has a record of doing her homework and learning about each service so she can make informed sound budget decisions each year. She works closely with staff to ensure that our citizens have access to the necessary services. Pat has supported extra training for our paramedics as well as improved equipment and working conditions as she understands how vital they are to a healthy and safe community.
Parks and Recreation Programs
Pat believes that all residents should have equal access to recreational facilities and programs. She works with City staff and residents to review community needs and then she is a strong voice at Council to get the needed facilities and programs for Ward 9.
Pat works with all age groups in the ward to make sure that needs are met. She involves residents in the planning of programs and facilities. Some of Pat's initiatives and successes include:
- • Initiated joint City/school projects such as Erin Meadows Community Centre, Churchill Meadows Library
• BMX track in Meadowvale Sports Park
• Central Mississauga and local skateboard parks
• Purchase of lands for recreational use on Ninth Line
• Redevelopment of Lake Aquitaine and Meadowvale Four Rinks
• Construction of off-leash dog parks
• Initiating indoor soccer facility for Ward 9
• Splash pads in local parks (one more under construction)
• Local bike parks
• Meadowvale Community Centre redevelopment survey
• Working with sports groups to resolve issues
Business and Development
Attracting New Jobs
Pat works closely with businesses in Ward 9 to ensure that we continue to have jobs for our residents. The past few years have seen an upturn in business development in the ward and Pat has worked with the development companies to ensure that their projects are built on time. Ward 9 remains very attractive to major companies and is the site of numerous head offices as well as research companies.
When Pat visits companies she takes with her the knowledge of the City and its finances so she can speak with confidence to both the existing businesses as well as the potential future ones.
Smart Growth and Development
Pat’s record of managing good development goes back for years. It was her insight that resulted in the building of the city’s first pedestrian oriented community – Churchill Meadows. Although now no longer part of Ward 9, this community is testament to her expertise in planning issues and her ability to make sound decisions as well as innovative suggestions.
Now that Ward 9 is aging, Pat is dealing with infill developments. She has handled each application with integrity and honesty. Knowing that infill has a much greater impact on a neighbourhood, Pat still believes that being up front and honest about the landowner rights and being realistic is the best way to go. Giving false promises to residents is not Pat’s way of doing business.
While not all applications can be opposed, Pat did oppose strongly 2 in the past two years in the Meadowvale community. One at Tenth Line and Aquitaine and one at Aquitaine and Glen Erin. Both ended successfully with the applicant withdrawing their applications. Pat worked closely with the community to oppose these proposals and the end result is testament to her unwavering support for her residents and doing what she knew was right and more importantly doable.
Financial Stability
Mississauga is in a good financial situation. This is due to the past decisions made by Councillors such as Pat Saito.
Reserves that were set up years ago have ensured that Mississauga has not had to borrow for capital projects for many years. Council knew that the day would come when debt financing would be required. It is imperative that the people managing that debt and making the decisions are knowledgeable about City finances and can make the right decisions. Pat has proven she can do that and is the only candidate who has that experience and that knowledge.
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