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:

• 🪙 Updates to the minimum wage in Ontario

• 🎨 Oakville needs young local artists for a mural project

• 📅 Some fun events for your weekend!

Thanks for being part of our growing community. Let us know what you loved in today’s issue by replying to this email, and….

Let’s dive in!

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News

🪙 Ontario Minimum Wage Going Up

Good news for Ontario workers—minimum wage is getting a raise. Starting October 1, the hourly rate will go up from $17.20 to $17.60. It’s a modest 40-cent increase, but for full-time workers, that adds up to an extra $835 a year.

The province ties the change to inflation, and this bump makes Ontario’s minimum wage the second-highest in Canada. “Fair, balanced and predictable,” is how Labour Minister David Piccini describes it.

Since 2018, the minimum wage has climbed by $3.60. For Oakville residents working hourly jobs, this fall’s boost could mean a little more breathing room.

🎨 Help Pick Bronte Village’s New Street Banners

Before heading to the polls for the federal election, Bronte Village residents have another vote to cast—this time, for street banner designs.

Four colourful options are up for consideration, and the winning artwork will decorate Bronte’s streets this summer. “These banners will brighten up our streets, celebrate our community’s spirit and let people know that they’ve entered our one-of-a-kind neighbourhood,” says the Bronte BIA.

Locals can vote by commenting on the Bronte Village Facebook post or by submitting their pick through a Google Form. The deadline to vote is Monday, April 14, so don’t miss your chance to help shape the look of one of Oakville’s most vibrant neighbourhoods.

Community Spotlight

🖼️ Call for Artists: Lead Oakville’s 2025 Youth Mural Project

The Town of Oakville is seeking a professional artist to lead its 2025 Youth Mural Project at Iroquois Ridge Community Centre. This is a unique opportunity to mentor youth and create a vibrant indoor mural alongside students aged 13 to 18.

Now in its third year, the project helps young artists explore mural design, colour theory, and painting techniques. The final work will be unveiled in May 2026 and should reflect the collective vision and values of the participating youth.

The project budget is up to $6,000, and applications are open until May 25, 2025. Interested artists with experience working with youth are encouraged to apply through the town’s Call for Submissions page.

🤖 Oakville Teens Launch AI Tool to Make Health Info Easier to Access

A group of Oakville high school students is making waves with HealthBot, an AI-powered chatbot designed to deliver reliable, easy-to-understand medical information. Led by 16-year-old Aayan Wasti from White Oaks Secondary, the student-run team created the tool through their startup, AIHealth, to help users get answers to everyday health questions using sources like the CDC and WHO.

“We don’t claim to replace doctors, but we do provide a first step for people looking for reliable, quick health insights,” said Wasti. Alongside teammates Ivan Jehad, Aayan Rahman, and Brianna Azan, the group tackled technical setbacks and skepticism to build something they say is now helping users get trusted answers faster.

Next up? The team is working on MyMindFlow.co, an AI therapy assistant focused on mental health support. Big plans, bold moves—and it all started in Oakville.

Weather

Friday, April 4
🌤️ Cooler with sunshine and a few clouds.
High: 8°C | Low: 3°C

Saturday, April 5
🌧️ Windy in the morning with periods of rain; cloudy.
High: 9°C | Low: 2°C

Sunday, April 6
☁️ Mainly cloudy.
High: 8°C | Low: 1°C

Events

• Spring Fling 2025 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM | April 4 (more info)

  • Location: Galaxy 707 Club, 475 North Service Road East, Oakville

  • Description: Celebrate spring with music, food, and games! Dance, mingle and make memories at this fun annual event.

• Oakville Trivia for Singles 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM | April 4 (more info)

  • Location: Figaro Coffee House, 350 Lakeshore Rd E, Oakville

  • Description: Test your knowledge and meet new people at our Singles Trivia Night! Features team rotations, mystery question categories, and prizes. Alcoholic/non-alcoholic drinks available.

• House & Pizza Night with DJ KimVanity 10:00 PM - 2:30 AM | April 4 (more info)

  • Location: Fratellis, 316 Kerr Street, Oakville

  • Description: FREE pizza and house beats with DJ KimVanity! Enjoy mouth-watering pizza (first come, first served) and a killer mix of house, deep house, and tech-house. Ages 19+. Free entry with RSVP.

• Fearless: Oakville Symphony | April 5,6 (more info)

  • Location: AEG Liebherr Auditorium, 130 Navy Street, Oakville

  • Description: Experience Barber, Mozart, Tomasi and Stravinsky performed by the Oakville Symphony, featuring rising star William Leathers on piano and trumpet.

• Bloom and Brush 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM | April 5 (more info)

  • Location: Oak Cafe Gallery, 77 Lakeshore Road West, Oakville

  • Description: Spring-themed painting workshop for all ages and skill levels. Guided instruction provided while you enjoy beverages.

• Adult Book Club: Meet Me at the Lake 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM | April 5 (more info)

  • Location: Woodside Branch, 1274 Rebecca Street, Oakville

  • Description: Discuss Carley Fortune's novel in a lively book club meeting. Pick up your copy in advance. No registration required.

• 8th Annual Chinook Salmon Penning 12:00 PM | April 5 (more info)

  • Location: Bronte Heritage Waterfront Park, 2340 Ontario Street, Oakville

  • Description: Family-friendly event helping stock 15,000 Chinook Salmon fingerlings. Join this important conservation effort at the waterfront park.

• Skate Oakville | Lights, Skates, Action! 2:00 PM & 7:00 PM | April 5 (more info)

  • Location: Sixteen Mile Sports Complex, 3070 Neyagawa Boulevard, Oakville

  • Description: Dazzling ice show featuring spectacular costumes, grand set pieces, and vibrant lighting. Two performance times available.

• Yoga Swing Sound Bath Experience 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM | April 5 (more info)

  • Location: Haven Pilates & Co., 33 Shepherd Road, Oakville

  • Description: Deep relaxation combining yoga swings and sound healing vibrations. Choose between swing or mat experience. No prior experience needed.

• Bunny's Breakfast Bash at Dave & Buster's 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM | April 6 (more info)

  • Location: Dave & Buster's, 2021 Winston Park Drive, Oakville

  • Description: Family event with breakfast, egg hunt, photo ops with the Bunny, and arcade games. Choose between two ticket packages including meal and activities.

• Meditation for Beginners 2:45 PM - 3:45 PM | April 6 (more info)

  • Location: OPL - Central Branch, 120 Navy Street, Oakville

  • Description: Learn Isha Kriya meditation with a trained instructor. This 12-18 minute practice promotes clarity and wellbeing, with ongoing online support available.

• Oakville Easter & Spring Market 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM | April 6 (more info)

  • Location: 79 Jones Street, Oakville

  • Description: Celebrate Easter and spring with local vendors, crafts, and seasonal delights at this vibrant community market.

• Monday Coffee & Conversation 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM | April 7 (more info)

  • Location: The Women's Centre, 1515 Rebecca Street, Oakville

  • Description: Casual Monday meetup for women to connect over coffee. Great way to meet others and learn about center programs.

• Words of Strength: Poetry Workshop 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM | April 7 (more info)

  • Location: The Women's Centre of Halton, 1515 Rebecca Street, Oakville

  • Description: Healing poetry workshop where participants' work may be auctioned to support women's programs. Guided writing exercises in a supportive space.

• Monday Night Trivia at The Tipsy Fox 7:00 PM | Mondays (more info)

  • Location: The Tipsy Fox Pub & Grill, 478 Dundas Street West, Oakville

  • Description: Free visual pub trivia with digital scoring and prizes. Teams welcome. Great food/drinks in a lively atmosphere.

• For Moms: Spring Stroller Socials 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | April 9 (more info)

  • Location: Towne Square, Downtown Oakville

  • Description: Leisurely walk through historic downtown followed by coffee with fellow moms.

• LeadTribes Oakville Networking Lunch 12:15 PM | April 9 (more info)

  • Location: Milestones Restaurant, 3051 Vega Boulevard, Mississauga

  • Description: Professional networking event for Ontario entrepreneurs. Focus on leadership development and business connections.

• FREE Robotics Workshop for Grades 1-3 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM | April 9 (more info)

  • Location: Zebra Robotics, 407 Iroquois Shore Road, Oakville

  • Description: Hands-on robotics workshop where children (with parent/guardian) will build and code their own robot while exploring mechanical concepts. Ages 6-9.

• Artist Talk: The Story Behind the Tower of Banned Books 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM | April 9 (more info)

  • Location: OPL Central Branch, 120 Navy Street, Oakville

  • Description: Artist Kelly McCray discusses the evolution of the banned books art installation, from its origins as the Surveillance Tower to its current form as a statement on censorship.

• Fitness Class: Dance Essentials 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM | April 9 (more info)

  • Location: Taste of Colombia, 67 Bronte Road, Oakville

  • Description: Ballet-inspired fitness class focusing on strength, flexibility and posture using barre exercises. Suitable for all levels. Refunds available up to 7 days before event.

Thank You!

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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