Good morning! This is The Oakville Digest, your trusted guide to everything happening in the beautiful town of Oakville, Ontario.

Here is what to expect in today’s issue:

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Canada Post has resumed full service levels for domestic parcels following a month-long employee strike that ended in December. On-time service guarantees for domestic parcels were reinstated on January 6, 2025, and normal processing and delivery levels have returned nationwide, including in rural and remote areas.

For those who had to give a heartfelt "your gift is in the mail" excuse this holiday season, you're not alone! Canada Post faced significant backlogs during the strike, which overlapped with the busiest time of year for shipping. While most parcels are now arriving on time, Canadians may still experience delays with Transaction Mail (letters and bills), Neighbourhood Mail, and international packages as the system clears remaining backlogs.

Canada Post thanked Canadians for their patience as they worked through higher-than-normal holiday volumes and strike-related challenges. Better late than never, right?

The National Right to Housing Forum, held in Burlington and hosted by Community Development Halton (CDH), brought over 150 community members together to confront Halton’s housing challenges. With representatives from housing providers, social services, and local government, the forum served as a platform to discuss pressing issues and identify opportunities for progress.

James Dunn, a McMaster University professor, highlighted key challenges, including the widening gap between incomes and housing costs, the loss of affordable rental units, and population growth outpacing supply. Yet, the forum also focused on solutions, emphasizing a strategic approach to address both housing supply and income disparities.

While the demand for housing continues to grow—evidenced by a 52% increase in the subsidized housing waitlist since 2021—Halton has made some progress. The region added 243 affordable units in recent years and is actively planning its next 10-year housing strategy, focusing on expanding stock and preserving existing units.

The forum concluded with a call to action, underscoring the importance of advocacy, coalition-building, and community-based solutions. While challenges remain significant, the event demonstrated a shared commitment to collaboration and bold policy changes to address the housing crisis head-on.

Full article: here

Longtime Oakville resident Juliana Sprott has been awarded the Order of Ontario, recognizing her extraordinary contributions to addressing food insecurity, hunger, and homelessness.

As Chief Giving Officer of The Sprott Foundation, which began in her family’s bookstore, Sprott has spearheaded initiatives providing $45 million to community-driven projects. Her work includes major support for Indigenous communities and homelessness prevention, with a focus on dignity, empowerment, and collaboration.

The honour “brought tears to my eyes,” said Sprott, who still considers Oakville home despite now living in Toronto. She will officially receive her insignia at a ceremony later this year.

Sprott’s recognition is a proud moment for Oakville, showcasing the profound impact one of its own continues to make across the country.

Oakville-born Michael Hoecht is making his hometown proud as he prepares for the NFL playoffs with the Los Angeles Rams. Born to Canadian parents, Hoecht lived in Oakville until age four before moving to Ohio, but his ties to the GTA remain strong, with family still living in Toronto.

Hoecht’s football journey began in grade school and led him to Brown University, where he played college football while earning a degree in business entrepreneurship. Despite pandemic challenges during the 2020 NFL draft, Hoecht’s creativity and determination helped him land with the Rams. He joined their main roster in 2021 and became a Super Bowl champion in his rookie season.

Now in his fourth NFL season, Hoecht has become a key linebacker for the Rams, recording 92 tackles so far. With the playoffs kicking off next week, he and the Rams are determined to make another deep run—and Oakville fans couldn’t be prouder of their hometown hero.

Friday, January 10
🌤️ A mix of sun and cloud.
High: -3°C | Low: -10°C

Saturday, January 11
☁️ Cloudy.
High: -2°C | Low: -8°C

Sunday, January 12
❄️ Snow showers.
High: -5°C | Low: -11°C

Thank you for reading The Oakville Digest! We hope you found this edition helpful and insightful. We’d love to hear your feedback or any event suggestions you’d like us to feature in future issues. Don’t forget to share with friends and family, and we’ll see you Monday!

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