On a visit to MPP Rudy Cuzetto’s office four months ago, he suggested the best way to advocate and get our message across to our elected representatives was simply an old-fashioned letter. Since that meeting, we have sent out short notes each month to all our local MPP’s, our local Ministry of Children Community and Social Services (MCCSS) Program Supervisor and even the Deputy Minister Daniele Zanotti.

We shared that Community Living Mississauga participated in the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services’ annual Legislative Compliance Review and we were thrilled to announce that our organization achieved and almost unheard of 100% compliance across all areas!

When we wrapped up our 70th anniversary, we shared some of our accomplishments during 2025:

Dedicated Workforce:

  • We currently employ 555 committed full- and part-time staff, with an average length of service of 9.74 years, reflecting deep expertise and continuity of support.

Expanded Supports:

  • We supported 358 children through our Early Childhood and Education program at 96 community-based centres over the year.
  • Increased enrollment in our 2025 Children’s Summer Support Program, Community Engagement Resource Initiative, and Weekend Respite Programs.
  • Expanded 24-Hour Residential Supports, assisted three more people to move into homes of their own.

Housing Solutions:

  • Partnered with The Daniels Corporation to purchase two condominium units, supporting four additional people. Also, we are looking forward on partnering on new projects in the future.

Most recently, we addressed the issues of long waiting lists, families in crisis, and people being abandoned due to lack of support. Combined with the absence of new funding from the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, these issues have created significant hardship for many people and their families.

In Peel Region alone, more than 6,300 people are waiting for developmental services. This includes over 1,300 waiting for supported living, over 2,800 waiting for community participation supports, and over 1,100 waiting for caregiver respite. There are currently 201 people on the regional “pressure list,” 107 of them from Mississauga, each presenting with highly complex needs and no attached funding.

Lack of adequate financial support places organizations and employees at risk and ultimately jeopardizes the quality and availability of services for people who have an intellectual disability in Ontario.

We also informed our elected representatives that we had submitted a pre-budget proposal to Ontario’s Ministry of Finance. Copies are being sent to all of our MPPs.

As part of our ongoing advocacy efforts with our elected officials, we will continue with these monthly updates throughout 2026.