Mzwandile Poncana

Peel police board approves 9.9 per cent budget hike, one year after passing an unprecedented $144M spending increase Residents urge restraint as Peel’s proposed police budget climbs for a third year.

Peel's police board has again voted to increase it's annual budget — this time by 9.9% for 2026.

“I don't believe Mississauga taxpayers will be happy” said Mayor Parish, urging the region to balance "safety needs" with affordability.

www.mississauga.com/news/peel-po...

"I am, somehow, less interested in the weight and convolutions of Einstein's brain than in the near certainty that people of equal talent have lived and died in cotton fields and sweatshops." - Steven Jay Gould

Just a reminder that I still periodically update my Indie and Local CDN Journalists starter pack so if you’re Canadian and want to support some cool folks, here you go. #cdnpoli #cdn

Brampton had second-highest eviction rate in GTA during pandemic, report finds A new report finds Brampton renters faced the GTA’s second-highest eviction rate during COVID, with racialized households most at risk.

New research shows Brampton had the GTA’s second-highest eviction filing rate during the pandemic. Studies and tenant data reveal racialized renters face disproportionate risks, with corporate landlords driving much of the increase in no-fault evictions.

www.bramptonguardian.com/news/brampto...

Compounding on this, the survey found that nearly half of complaints to 311 go unresolved, and 16 per cent of tenants feel threatened for making a complaint to landlords.

The report also found that 65 per cent of tenants pay between $1,501 and $2,500 monthly — considered unaffordable for most of these residents. Additionally, 80 per cent of units require repairs, and 36.6 per cent of tenants have received above-guideline rent increases.

1 in 3 Peel tenants report cockroaches or bugs, ACORN survey finds A new ACORN survey of 257 Peel Region tenants reveals widespread cockroach and bug infestations, unresolved maintenance issues, and rent hikes above provincial limits.

1 in 3 tenants in Peel Region report cockroaches and other bugs, a new Peel ACORN survey finds.

Peel ACORN attribute this to a broader crisis of housing neglect and disrepair in Brampton and Mississauga.

www.mississauga.com/news/1-in-3-...

Brampton church, outreach hub serving vulnerable downtown clients disappointed not to hear from city over threatened lawsuit The Brampton church and outreach hub that serve vulnerable downtown clients are disappointed not to hear from the city over a threatened lawsuit.

In late July, Brampton moved to threaten legal action against a church and a homelessness program, citing ‘neighborhood safety concerns.’

Weeks later, the church and the program say they’re open to solutions — but have heard nothing from the City.

www.bramptonguardian.com/news/brampto...

Controversial 10-storey Mississauga condo proposal requires additional environmental impact study, say city planning staff A 10-storey condo proposed at 900 Lakeshore Rd. West has sparked concern over zoning, environment, and traffic. Mississauga staff say more studies are needed.

City staff have delayed a decision on a proposed 10-storey condo at 900 Lakeshore Rd. W. in Mississauga, citing multiple missing environmental studies.

www.mississauga.com/news/council...

Brampton threatens legal action against church and community outreach program City cites public safety concerns at Grace United Church and Regeneration Outreach. Leaders say they weren’t warned and are already addressing issues.

Brampton is threatening legal action against a church & outreach program serving unhoused residents, citing 'safety concerns.'

But service providers say the city is scapegoating the unhoused for a homelessness crisis it is failing to address.

www.bramptonguardian.com/news/brampto...

‘Very concerned’: Peel Region’s only supervised drug consumption site was forced to close in May, the promised HART Hub still isn’t open Peel Region’s only supervised drug consumption site was forced by the province to close in May.

Peel’s only supervised drug-use site shut down in May due to provincial legislation.

Ontario promised a replacement HART Hub to service vulnerable drug users — but months later, it hasn't opened yet.

www.bramptonguardian.com/news/very-co...

United Way report lays bare anti-Black barriers facing African asylum seekers in Peel and other Greater Toronto communities New United Way report shows anti-Black discrimination, shelter overcrowding and work-permit delays trap African asylum seekers in Peel’s housing crisis.

Anti-Black racism is driving African asylum seekers in Peel and the GTA into overcrowded shelters, rental discrimination and job barriers, according to new qualitative research released by United Way today. www.bramptonguardian.com/news/united-...

Emerald Energy — the operator of the facility — says it followed all requirements, including open houses and newspaper notices. But residents say they never saw them — and Peel Public Health itself flagged gaps in communication and environmental equity. (3/3)

The expanded facility is expected to burn 5 times more garbage daily. Residents near the site — many of whom are racialized or low-income — worry about long-term health impacts, from respiratory issues to cancer. (2/3)

‘This is all very scary’: Brampton residents raise alarm over incinerator expansion Residents near Brampton’s incinerator say they were not properly informed about expansion plans and fear its impact on health and democracy.

“I’m freaking out.”
Many Brampton residents living near the city’s waste incinerator say they were never told it would expand — and now fear for their health and families as air pollution could rise by over 200%. (1/3) www.bramptonguardian.com/news/this-is...

Sharp rise in homelessness, disproportionate impact on Black African asylum claimants sparks concern in Peel Peel’s point-in-time count shows asylum seekers make up 37 per cent of the region’s homeless. Of those, 81 per cent are Black African.

A new report from Peel Region shows asylum seekers now make up 37% of the region’s homeless population. Of those, 81% are Black Africans. www.bramptonguardian.com/news/sharp-r...

‘Still a struggle’: Peel region’s trans community faces deep health care gaps Advocates say trans and non-binary people in Peel face major barriers to health-care access, with few affirming services and long waits forcing many to leave the region.

Despite progress in visibility, accessing safe, affirming care in Peel region remains difficult for many trans and non-binary residents, according to service providers. www.mississauga.com/news/still-a...

‘I never thought I’d have to fight like this’: Peel’s international students say immigration system is broken as election looms As federal immigration rules change, Peel’s international students call the system broken and demand better support ahead of the 2025 election.

As many international students in Peel face debt, joblessness, and potential life-altering deportation, students — alongside community orgs and settlement experts — are calling for a more stable, humane immigration system ahead of the federal election. www.bramptonguardian.com/politics/fed...

Brampton supervised drug consumption site closure ‘a step backwards’ in helping those living with addiction, say staff Workers at Brampton’s supervised drug-use site say its closure will put lives at risk and force drug use into unsafe spaces.

As Brampton’s supervised drug consumption site nears its March 31 closure, its frontline workers reflect on its impact. They say the site provided critical harm reduction services and support—and without it, a gap in life-saving care will remain.

www.bramptonguardian.com/news/brampto...

Brampton supervised drug consumption site’s scheduled closure pleases mayor, but concerns support workers and health officials At a Peel council meeting, officials and advocates raised concerns over the province’s decision to close the region’s only supervised drug-use site.

Peel’s only supervised drug consumption site is set to close on March 31 due to provincial legislation. At a recent council meeting, health officials and advocates warned of the risks of the closure, while Mayor Patrick Brown welcomed the decision. www.bramptonguardian.com/news/brampto...

Ontario election parties pitch affordability plans as food insecurity rises in Peel Region Ontario parties unveil affordability plans as food insecurity affects nearly one in four Peel residents.

With nearly 1 in 4 Peel residents facing food insecurity and over 111,000 in the region living in poverty, Ontario parties pitch affordability plans ahead of the election. But are any of the promises enough? Read more below:

www.mississauga.com/politics/pro...

Toronto Metropolitan University medical school hosts panel discussion urging Peel board students to break down barriers in medicine Black health-care workers spoke to Peel students about breaking barriers in medicine at a TMU and Peel school board panel discussion.

TMU and Peel’s school board hosted a panel of Black health-care professionals at Mississauga Secondary School — the event addressed the historical lack of diversity in medicine and aimed to inspire future generations to pursue careers in the field.

www.mississauga.com/news/toronto...

Mississauga town hall hears concerns over missing Black boys in the GTA Community members gathered in Malton to discuss the number of missing Black boys in the GTA. Advocates are calling for action, police accountability, and greater media attention.

A recent Mississauga town hall — led by the Find Ontario Missing Boys committee — aimed to spread awareness about missing Black boys in the GTA. Advocates called for police accountability and better media coverage of the issue. www.mississauga.com/news/mississ...

Food Banks Mississauga cuts staff, cancels programs amid financial strain Food Banks Mississauga is laying off staff and cutting programs as demand for food assistance surges, citing financial strain and government inaction.

Food Banks Mississauga has laid off 16 per cent of its paid workforce and cancelled two programs in an effort to sustain operations as demand for emergency food assistance surges.

www.mississauga.com/news/food-ba...

Unifor accuses Walmart of violating labour laws, following historic vote to unionize Unifor files complaints claiming Walmart’s wage freeze for unionized Mississauga workers breach labour laws and discourage unionization.

After workers at a Mississauga distribution centre became the first Walmart staff in the country to unionize, the workers — and the union representing them — are now accusing the retail giant of violating multiple labor laws.

Read more here: www.mississauga.com/news/unifor-...

Re/Max report says Mississauga home prices set to rise 6% in 2025. Some families are weighing tough choices Mississauga home prices are projected to rise six per cent in 2025, leaving families grappling with affordability and tough housing decisions.

New: Re/Max report says Mississauga home prices set to rise 6% in 2025. Some families are weighing tough choices.

www.mississauga.com/news/re-max-...

Sheridan College program cuts ‘could ripple through community’ Sheridan College announced last week it was suspending 40 programs and reviewing 27 others.

“People are breaking down, people are crying,” said Ariane, a third-year student in Sheridan’s creative writing and publishing program.

A close look at how recent program cuts at Sheridan are impacting the college and its surrounding community: www.mississauga.com/news/sherida...

Ontario accessibility act lacks standards to solve housing crisis for people with disabilities As Ontario’s 2025 accessibility deadline looms, advocates highlight critical gaps in housing standards, calling for urgent reforms to address affordability and accessibility for seniors and people wit...

Ontario promised to become accessible by 2025, but advocates warn the province is falling short when it comes to meeting the housing needs of people with disabilities.

The accessible housing crisis continues to leave many behind, they say.

Read more: www.mississauga.com/news/ontario...

Rising HIV rates in Peel Region disproportionately high among most vulnerable groups HIV rates in Peel Region increased by 154 per cent between 2018 and 2022. Experts cite stigma, systemic barriers, and lack of access to care as key factors. Public health calls for investment in clini...

Rising HIV rates in Peel Region disproportionately high among most vulnerable groups: Advocates and officials link rising HIV rates to stigma, systemic barriers and a lack of accessible health-care services.

www.mississauga.com/news/rising-...

‘We give them a way out’: REST Centres working hard for Black youth in Peel Region facing homelessness REST Centres addresses youth homelessness in Peel Region with culturally responsive programs, tackling systemic barriers and fostering independence.

A profile of REST Centres — an agency in Peel that lifts BIPOC youth out of homelessness. “As soon as I was introduced to REST, REST was able to help me get back on my feet,” said one youth.

www.bramptonguardian.com/news/we-give...