The Liberal incumbent won more than half the votes in Mississauga–Streetsville, easily besting the Conservatives’ Ghada Melek in a race that was projected to be a “toss up.” Mayor Bonnie Crombie was happy to embrace him as well, saying the federal Liberals have been good to the city. After he’s finished celebrating his win, Sikand said, he’s headed back to the halls of power in Ottawa with a mission: putting an end to the gangs and shootings that continue to plague Mississauga.
Justin Trudeau’s win in 2015 ushered in a long period of political hegemony in Mississauga and Brampton. But the Liberal juggernaut didn’t pay the kinds of dividends hoped for in these cities. Will voter angst and anger and reprisal replace hope as residents head to the polls on Monday? Will the Liberals pay the price for frittering away a huge hometown advantage?
As the sun rises on election day, the Liberals’ and Conservatives’ main Facebook accounts have spent more than $1 million each nationwide. The number is low to zero for most individual candidates in Mississauga and Brampton, as traditional methods like signs and door knocking are still big. In a few key races, however, candidates feel a couple thousand dollars on targeted adverts may help decide the result.
While the big three names — the Liberals, Conservatives and NDP — dominate the spotlight, other parties are on the streets playing the ground game as well. The Marxist-Leninist Party, Animal Protection Party and Canada’s Fourth Front are just a few.
In Mississauga—Lakeshore residents have organized three separate all candidate debates. Incumbent Sven Spengemann, Conservative candidate Stella Ambler and Green, NDP and PPC representatives have attended every single one of them. With the race in Lakeshore arguably the closest in the city, candidates have gone into detail on local issues, where some in other ridings simply repeat the party platform.
Candidates in Peel have been careful in expressing their personal opinions on topical issues. Asked by The Pointer about potentially controversial wedge topics such as abortion, immigration and the legalization of cannabis, most candidates have kept their personal cards close to the chest, opting instead to share the party position. Though safe, this trend may worry voters, who hope to see their candidates display a unique knowledge and understanding of their riding and the values of local residents.
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Oluseyi Sode, who has a Ph.D., has worked a string of ‘survival jobs’ since his arrival in Canada. He finally landed a sessional instructor position at the University of Guelph, but it has not been a smooth, linear path for the professor. His story of trying to break into the professional labour force as a newcomer, in his respective field, is a fairly typical example of the adversity highly skilled immigrants face. But a little adversity is nothing for the man from Nigeria.
This is the last of three profiles of immigrants as Canadians head to the polls and our country’s approach to newcomers remains a top of mind issue for many.
The Liberal incumbent for Mississauga–Streetsville began his term talking about constituents who were worried about their children’s future, who couldn’t afford their homes and could barely make it home for dinner after work due to poor investments in transit.
For all his initial protests, voting records show Sikand didn’t stray from the party line, and the bill he introduced on impaired driving went nowhere.
Part of a series ahead of the federal election on the parliamentary record over the past four years of 10 incumbent MPs in Brampton and Mississauga.
Brampton’s Kulwant Singh has faced two challenges since arriving in his second continent: making it; and making it as an artist. The obstacles for newcomers are daunting enough, but trying to pursue his passion for painting, in a world that often views him as alien, has revealed another layer in Canada’s complex society.
This is the second of three profiles of immigrants as Canadians head to the polls and our country’s approach to newcomers remains a top of mind issue for many.
At a campaign rally for the NDP attended by Leader Jagmeet Singh Thursday, Brampton East candidate Saranjit Singh shot back at a Liberal incumbent who accused the leader of creating false hope by promising a new hospital and university in the city. The party leader has also made a sweeping commitment to Mississauga, in hopes of wooing undecided residents ahead of Monday’s big vote.
The NDP candidate for Brampton Centre has apologized for an old tweet that has resurfaced in which he makes fun of an article on vulnerable girls and the sex trade.
The joke is particularly painful in Peel, which is ground-zero for human trafficking in the GTA.
A young rookie MP from Mississauga, Iqra Khalid did not speak much in the House of Commons during her first term.
However, away from the bustle of the political arena, Khalid made her priorities clear, speaking frequently on several committees dealing with equality, justice and human rights.
Part of a series ahead of the federal election on the parliamentary record over the past four years of 10 incumbent MPs in Brampton and Mississauga.
Kyanh Do and Kim Tran are living a blessed life with a beautiful home and four flourishing daughters. But if it wasn’t for Canada’s attitude toward immigration things could have unfolded in an entirely different way after they fled communist Vietnam four decades ago.
This is the first of three profiles of immigrants as Canadians head to the polls and our country’s approach to newcomers remains a top of mind issue for many.
The Liberal incumbent is outspoken on social media and in the House of Commons about issues like inequality and plastic pollution. His only bill, which he says was drafted through consultation with his constituents, designated the fourth week of every September as “Gender Equality Week.”
When it comes to voting, though, Spengemann is no rogue and faithfully sticks to the party line.
Part of a series ahead of the federal election on the parliamentary record over the past four years of 10 incumbent MPs in Brampton and Mississauga.
The Liberal incumbent for Brampton Centre started strong in the first two years of his term, promising to crush “the enemy” of poverty and nursing a private member’s bill that could have empowered his city to fight for better investment.
Those dreams have yet to come to fruition, however, and in the meantime the MP has fallen relatively silent.
Part of a series ahead of the federal election on the parliamentary record over the past four years of 10 incumbent MPs in Brampton and Mississauga.
The incumbent MP for Mississauga East–Cooksville regularly turned up to vote. He asked relevant questions about the postal service, immigration and transit. He worked to bring valuable business connections to the city. But Fonseca — who never defied the party whip and never tabled a private member’s bill — was much quieter when it came to difficult problems in his community that could require him to challenge party leaders.
Part of a series ahead of the federal election on the parliamentary record over the past four years of 10 incumbent MPs in Brampton and Mississauga.
The MP for Brampton West was rewarded early with the title of parliamentary secretary, a role that offers a direct pipeline to party leaders in cabinet. Over the span of four years, she worked alongside the ministers of health, revenue and international development. But despite her promise to “fight for the values, priorities and the voices of the residents of Brampton West,” Khera hasn’t secured any significant investment to solve the city’s persistent problems.
Part of a series ahead of the federal election on the parliamentary record over the past four years of 10 incumbent MPs in Brampton and Mississauga.
The Liberal incumbent for Brampton North is calling the NDP’s promise “disingenuous.” Though she acknowledges the health-care crisis gripping the Flower City, Sahota says the New Democrats were wrong to make the offer a centerpiece of their Brampton campaign because the decision ultimately requires the signoff of the premier. Meanwhile, Sahota’s NDP rival argues the new hospital is actually a responsibility for all three orders of government.
At the Conservative leader’s latest stop, located at a trucking company’s facility near the Maple Lodge Farms plant in Brampton, Scheer provided no additional details on funding for Brampton and Mississauga.
Instead, he repeated his key campaign messaging, adding a few comments on the prospect of a Liberal-NDP coalition and the Grits’ supposed plan to decriminalize hard drugs.
Residents are shaken after Saturday’s stabbing near the farmers’ market and gunshots heard early Thursday morning. The region’s top cop was quick to ease fears by announcing greater police presence and a new substation in the core.
However, the reformer said his approach to solving society’s ills involves not just uniformed officers but also regional officials, city councillors, social-services agencies and the very people who are concerned for their safety.
The MP for Brampton North has made connecting with her constituents a priority, organizing town halls and appearing at community events. She’s been a strong advocate, bringing the people’s demands for a fair share of investment to the halls of power in Ottawa. Yet, as her tone changes from insistent to celebratory, the situation in Brampton remains much the same.
Part of a series ahead of the federal election on the parliamentary record over the past four years of 10 incumbent MPs in Brampton and Mississauga.
The incumbent for Brampton South is just the latest candidate to report tampering with campaign signs. Sidhu cast aspersions on her political rivals, but regardless of who is responsible, the incidents add to a growing list of conflicts and controversies that show this election has become more about people than policy.
After a heated Peel District School Board trustee’s meeting Thursday, when William Davies was accused of calling McCrimmon Middle School in Brampton, McCriminal, the trustee has finally apologized for his remark. The trustee remained silent throughout the meeting, as members of the Black community, which makes up a large portion of the school’s student body, asked for an apology. It remains unclear why acting Chair Sue Lawton misled the public when she said her colleague had never made the remark, despite another trustee’s repeated efforts for months to get action on behalf of the community.
The news comes a week after school closures were narrowly avoided, as CUPE and its educational support staff had threatened to go on strike. Meanwhile, the president of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation tells The Pointer why the teachers’ union had to wait this long to call a vote.
With the election entering its final sprint, the chances of a minority government seem likely. Over the weekend, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh gradually opened up on what might happen if his party holds the balance of power after October 21. During his latest visit to Brampton, Singh vowed that his promises for a new hospital and university campus in the Flower City would be kept, though he did not offer more details or a timeline for the projects.
Who is actually winning in Mississauga and Brampton? It could be anyone’s guess. Peel Region is a polling desert, with next to no public surveys catering to local residents. The No. 1 resource for individual ridings is based on national data and a whole lot of tweaking. For citizens looking to vote strategically on October 21, the best resource may just be watching what the parties are up to.
The MP for Mississauga Centre has spoken regularly about the community he represents, highlighting local luminaries and events in the House of Commons. However, despite being a backbencher with no other hats to wear, Alghabra’s main focus over the past four years has been the international stage.
Part of a series ahead of the federal election on the parliamentary record over the past four years of 10 incumbent MPs in Brampton and Mississauga.
The Brampton South Liberal incumbent became part of the majority government in 2015, sitting as a backbencher. Her strong advocacy on diabetes awareness and funding, with Sidhu’s prior experience in the healthcare system, quickly became the focus of her work. But healthcare remains in crisis, in her own riding and throughout Brampton.
Part of a series ahead of the federal election on the parliamentary record over the past four years of 10 incumbent MPs in Brampton and Mississauga.
Advance voting began Friday and a handful of issues dominated the concerns of Mississauga residents The Pointer spoke with throughout the day as they cast a ballot. The economy and jobs, infrastructure to support an influx of newcomers, crime and affordable housing, were all push factors for the early birds, most of whom were over the age of 50.
Another Mississauga visit, another opportunity for Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau to address city-specific issues. But he didn’t. Offering only the same broad speaking points he uses across the country – people benefitting from four years of Liberal investments and policies – Trudeau still didn’t outline how, specifically, he plans to tackle pressing issues in Mississauga and Brampton, such as their widening infrastructure gap, funding for the Hurontario-Main LRT and rising gang violence across the region.
Mississauga—Malton is facing a range of social ills, including precarious housing and public safety. Yet during the 42nd Parliament, Liberal incumbent Navdeep Bains has been using his words and bills to fulfill his duties as minister of innovation, science and economic development rather than support his riding.
This is the first in a series ahead of the federal election on the parliamentary record over the past four years of 10 incumbent MPs in Mississauga and Brampton.
Thursday night’s meeting of Peel District School Board trustees was brought to a standstill. Members of the Black community demanded to know what will be done with Trustee William Davies, who they say referred to McCrimmon Middle School as McCriminal — a problematic nickname because the school is mostly composed of racialized groups.
Many will look back on 2019 as a year of education revolution, as Ontario’s teachers rise up against millions in funding cuts and an increase in class sizes. After finally coming to an agreement with school support staff this past Sunday, the province will now have to dance with the teachers despite their frayed relationship.
City council began exploring the feasibility of allowing seniors to travel for free on Brampton Transit back in March. A staff report released this week puts the cost of that at $750,000 and rising, and Mayor Patrick Brown’s hopes of finding a sponsor to cover the loss have been dashed. Another report dismissed the idea of free travel for youth as too costly. Even so, officials say they aren’t giving up the hunt for opportunities.
That benchmark moment from 1960 remains with us today, as style over substance created a paradigm shift in politics. Modern debates are just as focused on political gunslinging and showmanship, but while last Monday did have its moments, the spark has been lost. Without even entertainment value, what purpose remains?
Gathered at the downtown Brampton theatre, federal candidates offered little clarity on most issues but added a few big pledges. Those included funding for a Main Street LRT, a cultural education centre and support for the Cybersecurity Catalyst. Not all parties came prepared with new promises, however, and some didn’t come prepared with answers.
If the campaign of the country’s first-ever visible-minority leader didn’t cement race as a key theme of the 2019 federal election, the discovery of Justin Trudeau’s history with blackface and brownface certainly did.
Now that racist and islamophobic grafitti has appeared on two NDP signs in Peel, candidates like Brampton's Saranjit Singh are grappling with how to combat hateful attitudes in the country’s most diverse cities.
The Brampton-born NDP candidate helped Singh hold on to power before supporting his rise to party leader. Though the odds are stacked against him in Brampton Centre, Boswell is committed to getting the city the support it needs to manage its rapid growth — starting with a second hospital.
During a campaign stop in Mississauga-Lakeshore, the Conservative leader reminisced about time spent in the riding during his youth. Though he said he spent many hours on the city’s buses and trains, Scheer refused to commit to any individual plans, including a critical $200-million project on the mayor’s priority list.
Few sights are more horrifying than your chosen representative mindlessly shuffling into the House of Commons to groan the party line. While some MPs do go rogue, speaking for themselves or their constituents, they have rapidly become outnumbered by the echoing hordes. One politician who suffered for speaking out tells The Pointer that today’s candidates will have to decide early whether to become a maverick or monster.
The federal NDP added funding for a downtown campus to its list of promises for Brampton on Wednesday. While the party left a number of questions unanswered, including which university might inhabit the space, how much the plan will cost and whether it is a simple restoration of the deal Doug Ford cancelled last year, the sheer scale of the “New Deal for Brampton” could win over many skeptics.
Two of the lowest scores in the new Mississauga Citizen Satisfaction Survey relate to cycling and affordable housing, with residents distinctly unimpressed. However, Mayor Bonnie Crombie welcomed the results, telling The Pointer that affordable housing and cycling were two priorities for council and that solutions are already on the table.
Physically and mentally drained, Jamie Peddle wants the federal government to help ease the strain by implementing a national autism strategy and including autism treatment in medicare. To that end he’s tried to bend the ear of politicians, including party leaders at recent campaign events — but he’s making less headway than he’d hoped.
In the wake of a recent shooting on the 410, public safety remains at the centre of the federal election debate in Brampton. On Friday, the Conservative candidate for Brampton East, Ramona Singh, held an event to coincide with the reveal of Andrew Scheer’s plan for a “safer Canada.”
The event, attended by former attorney general Peter MacKay, shows the kind of resources the party is putting into Brampton East ahead of October 21.
Twelve days ago, Mayor Bonnie Crombie wrote to the federal party leaders asking them to commit to Mississauga’s priorities. Those asks, gathered under the Mississauga Matters campaign, had gone unanswered until NDP leader Jagmeet Singh replied, agreeing to them all, in principle. Justin Trudeau and the Liberal Party have also confirmed receipt of Mississauga’s demands, which they say they will answer soon, while Andrew Scheer and the Conservatives have remained tight lipped.
After the end of a violent summer, the 2018 municipal election became a wakeup call for candidates who didn’t realize that crime had become the number one concern for many Mississauga and Brampton residents. The public pushed for action, and they eventually got it; a budget increase and more officers on the streets in 2019. But would it help?
Meanwhile, the controversial chief of police announced she was stepping down.
This is the third and final part of a series on a year of crime in 2018 that has still left politicians and the public searching for answers in two of the country’s largest cities.
In the lead-up to an expected appearance by Alberta Premier Jason Kenney at Pawanjit Gosal’s Brampton Centre campaign headquarters, Mississauga—Malton Liberal incumbent Navdeep Bains, who has been acting as a fixer across the province recently, called a sudden media availability to take place across the street from the Conservative event.
The move caused several supporters who turned out to see Kenney and Gosal break away from the event in an attempt to confront Bains, but he jumped into a car just as an agitated crowd gathered where he addressed the media.
A quarter-century ago, Markham was a satellite community that sat above Toronto like a puffy cloud of vast nothingness. After Yvonne Yeung put her fingerprints on the designs of its future, the municipality in neighbouring York Region is now one of the envies of the GTA, a booming city that bills itself as Canada’s most diverse place. Tech companies and other employers have flocked there, while forward-thinking builders, with the guidance of people like Yeung, continue transforming it into a suburban marvel.
Now, she wants to do the same for Brampton.
In his first week on the job, Peel Chief of Police Nish Duraiappah has a lot of questions to answer, and ask. One of them is how to develop trust with all the communities he now serves in two of the country’s largest cities. His predecessor, Jennifer Evans, was often criticized for creating tension between the force and communities alienated by her leadership style, including her steadfast support of carding, a practice that targeted Black residents in Mississauga and Brampton. Duraiappah is looking to take a different approach, amid the chaos of crime gripping the region.
It was like the tale of Cinderella: before the clock struck midnight, and the possibility of things turning bad for both the province and CUPE education workers, they were able to power through and come to a tentative agreement. The news Sunday evening was much needed relief and comfort for tens of thousands of parents in Peel, as they were bracing for a full-on strike that would have left their kids stranded. Instead, other than some before-school programs Monday morning, it’s business as usual.
