Why can’t wrapping paper be recycled?

Our recycling contractor does not accept wrapping paper. The materials that go into making wrapping paper often lead to the paper not being accepted at paper mills.

  • Wrapping paper is heavily dyed, laminated and/or contains non-paper additives such as glitter and plastics that cannot be recycled;
  • Some wrapping paper is very thin and contains very few good quality fibres for recycling;
  • Unacceptable materials are often mixed with wrapping paper such as sticky tape, foil wrapping, bubble wrap, ribbons, bows and tissue paper.

A full list of unacceptable blue box items is available here: http://www.sarnia.ca/living-here/garbage-and-recycling/recycling-guidelines

Who can use Sarnia’s new bicycle lanes?

The following modes of transportation may use the bike lanes:

  • Bicycles
  • E-bikes

E-bikes passing bicycles will need to do so using general purpose lanes when safe to do so.

The following modes of transportation may use the sidewalk:

  • Pedestrians (including runners)
  • Small children’s bicycles (up to 50cm wheel diameter)
  • Mobility Scooters

Please note that cars cannot stop or park in bike lanes. Cars parked in bike lanes may be issued a parking ticket fine of $30. By-Law Enforcement will start enforcing illegal parking in these lanes over the next couple months, but will first educate the public and allow for citizens to become familiar with the lanes.

For more information about bike lanes in Sarnia, please visit our website:  http://www.city.sarnia.on.ca/living-here/getting-around/cycling-in-sarnia

What is the Transit Special Service Area Tax Rate?

The Sarnia Transit Special Service Area Tax Rate is for properties that are within a 450 meter radius of a transit route. These properties are taxed to reflect this on their property tax bill. Taxes collected partially cover the cost of providing Sarnia Transit services, along with revenue from the transit users.

The City’s GIS (Geographic Information System) is utilized to determine which properties are included in the Special Service Area Tax Rate area. The 450 meter radius is measured “as the crow flies” from an owner’s property to the transit route.

transit special service area

What programs and events are happening in Sarnia this summer?

From food festivals to concert series, there is something fun happening every weekend this summer in Sarnia! We welcome you to join us for these entertaining, free events.

Music:

The City organizes a nightly concert series, featuring local artists.  For more information on the Program, visit our website.

Festivals and Events:

A complete Community Event Listing can be found in our Sarnia Summer Events Guide on our website or in the Summer Activities Guide, here.  From concerts to dog shows, food festivals and family fun days, to charity walks and gatherings, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Canada Day:

Sarnia’s Canada Day festivities include a parade, multicultural food booths, inflatables, fireworks, and more. For full details visit our Canada Day Celebrations page.

Programs:

Strangway Centre offers plenty of exciting programs for adults 18+ from yoga and pickleball to woodworking.

Children can enjoy day camps, free swims, and plenty of entertaining activities.

Program information is available in the Activities Guide.

For more information please contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 519-332-0330 ext. 3201 or parksandrecreation@sarnia.ca.

Internet and Telephone Voting

Sarnia City Council has adopted internet and telephone voting as the sole voting methods for the 2018 municipal election.

 

How long has internet and telephone voting been used in Ontario elections?

Internet and telephone voting was first used by the City of Markham in 2003. Since then, it has been adopted by 185 municipalities in Ontario.

 

Where will I be able to vote?

  1. Vote from home or anywhere with internet access using a smartphone, tablet or computer.
  2. Vote using a touchtone phone.
  3. Visit a Voter Help Centre for assistance. You will be able to vote at Voter Help Centres using a device or phone provided by the City or your own device.

If you do not receive or lose your Voter Information Letter, a Voter Help Centre will be able to provide you with a username and PIN.

City Hall will be open as a Voter Help Centre during the twelve-day voting period (October 11-22) during business hours and on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The following Voter Help Centres will be open on the final day of voting, October 22, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.:

  • City Hall
  • Clearwater Arena
  • St Patrick’s Catholic High School
  • A Bright’s Grove Location – TBA

These locations are subject to change following a further review.

 

How will I know how to vote?

Each eligible voter on the voter’s list will receive a Voter Information Letter in the mail. The Voter Information Letter will contain a unique PIN and instructions for how to vote online or by telephone. There is no registration process—your Voter Information Letter will provide you a URL and phone number that you can use to vote directly.

You can check to see if you are on the voter’s list by visiting www.voterlookup.ca. The City Clerk will be able to add or remove your name for the voter’s list beginning in September.

 

Who will provide oversight over the process?

The Lambton County IT department has agreed to audit the process during throughout the voting period. The County of Lambton does not oversee municipal elections and is at arm’s length from the process.

 

What kinds of devices has the City invested in?

The City will provide a combination of tablets, laptops, and desktop computers at Voter Help Centres.

 

Who is hosting the election server and where is it located?

All data is managed externally by Bell Aliant on servers located in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. No data is held at City Hall.

 

Will eligible voters be able to print a copy of how they voted?

The internet voting system will display a confirmation screen, but the final confirmation screen will not show how the person voted.

The Municipal Elections Act prohibits taking photographs or video recordings of marked ballots or showing marked ballots to any person to reveal how they have voted. The intent behind this law is to prevent coercion, such as a family member or employer asking to see proof of how someone voted.