Tired of being put on hold for 311? In Mississauga, at least you can discover new music

The next clip Mississauga residents require to plain nearly a deadened raccoon on their street, they could discover a brand new selection of local musicians.

The city's Music 311 program is making a comeback for the sixth year, with 12 songs to be selected to play for callers while they're waiting on the line. 

The call-out is out for new artists. And Gaby Al Botros, whose song Mist was selected last year, has one main piece of advice for those applying: 

"Pick a soft, calming song," he said. "It's not annoying when you're waiting." 

The classical guitarist and composer moved to Canada from Syria as part of the Artist Protection Fund, a program run by the American non-profit Institute of International Education that helps threatened artists get out of dangerous regions.

Having called Mississauga home for four years now, he said it's exciting to have so many others in the city discover his music. 

Mississauga's 311 contact centre received 225,365 calls last year, according to the city, and 175,965 in 2025 so far. The city did not say how long its average 311 wait-time is.

"That is actually a very good exposure for me as a musician," Al Botros said in an interview. 

Pop musician Shanaya Patel also had her song August Twenty-Second picked last year.

"It was something that I honestly hadn't thought of before in terms of marketing or promotion or even connecting with people in that way," Patel said, reflecting on how she's discovered songs during mundane moments like eating at a restaurant.

"I love when those moments happen. So it's so great to maybe create that moment for someone else," she said. 

Hold music can resonate with people. Just have a look at the comment section for the Tim Carleton song Opus No. 1, which will be familiar to anyone who's been put on hold before. 

Mississauga took inspiration from other cities like Toronto to start the music program, according to Corey Poole, a co-ordinator with Mississauga's music program development.

Since the program started, he says city staff received calls from residents who wanted to find out what songs they listened to while on hold. Given its success, he said they also started playing the songs across other channels, like the livestreams of city council as viewers wait for meetings to start. 

Each artist selected for the program gets $300 for a one-year term. 

"This is just one of the ways that we can help create paid opportunities for them, while also showcasing the top-notch talent," Poole said.

He said each year, the 12 finalists are selected by a panel of members in the local music industry who are looking for music "as diverse as Mississauga itself." 

"We accept music with lyrics in any language. We accept music of all different genres and styles. Of course, we just ask that it be completely family-friendly," he said. 

Applications close Sept. 28, with those selected publicly announced in January. If groups apply, at least 50 per cent of members have to be local to Mississauga. 

Reporter

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