With ban on stores, illegal pot a growing concern in Mississauga; Peel’s worsening mental health crisis draws minister to regional council

Peel Democracy Watch is The Pointer’s weekly feature aimed at increasing the public’s awareness and political involvement in the Region of Peel by highlighting key agenda items, motions and decisions.  

Brampton Committee of Council

Date: April 12 - 9:30 a.m. | Delegate | Full agenda | Watch live

Brampton Library delegation

The head of Brampton Library’s board will appear before council following a letter sent to Mayor Patrick Brown and Brampton Council detailing concerns with the City evicting the Chinguacousy branch for a proposed medical school.

The board is asking Council for a commitment to build a permanent new home for one of the City’s most-visited libraries.

The board is also requesting an assessment to determine the needs of the Brampton community and a review of the annual budget to account for lost operational costs of about $260,000.

Members also want the City to cover the estimated $500,000 in one-time costs of moving and improving the proposed new location at the Chinguacousy Park Ski Chalet.

Previous reporting:

• Bramalea Civic Centre Chinguacousy library being evicted to host TMU medical school despite few details to support the plan

• A ‘betrayal’: Patrick Brown’s handling of Brampton library’s Chinguacousy branch latest example of his failed leadership

• Save Brampton’s Chinguacousy library location: Petitions take off; board asks Patrick Brown & council to fund new home

Mississauga General Committee

Date: April 12 – 9:30 a.m. | Delegate | Full agenda | Watch live 

Cannabis retail sales update

A motion and staff report is coming forward to discuss lifting Mississauga’s ban on opening cannabis retail stores.

On December 12, 2018, Council passed a resolution to prohibit stores from selling cannabis within Mississauga citing concerns around the lack of adequate municipal oversight, the risk of “clustering”; and a desire to seek better municipal control over cannabis retail store locations before allowing them. 

According to a report provided by staff, compared to other municipalities, Mississauga residents are disproportionately served by the illegal cannabis market, creating more pressure to allow legal operations. 

The full staff report can be viewed here.

Previous reporting:

• Mississauga Council opts out of legal cannabis stores for the second time

• Mississauga Board of Trade calls on Council to allow legal cannabis stores to slow unregulated market

• Cannabis delivery good news for Mississauga residents—but City misses out on millions in revenue

• The cat-and-mouse game of illegal cannabis in Mississauga: 86% increase in charges for impaired driving

Caledon General Committee 

Date: April 12 - 2:30 p.m. | Delegate | Full agenda | Watch live

Strategic plan workshop

A workshop by Sage Solutions is being conducted to discuss the development of a 12-year strategic plan for the Town of Caledon. 

The plan, which has been soliciting surveys and feedback from residents over the past few months, will provide guidance for key developments in Caledon’s future and help prioritize work in specific areas.

Previous reporting:

• Annette Groves, new mayor of Caledon, promises to move the Town in new direction; will protect its natural beauty

Regional Council

Date: April 13 - 9:30 a.m. | Delegate | Full agenda | Watch Live

Delegations from Sylvia Jones and Michael Tibollo

Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Sylvia Jones as well as Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, will be presenting to Regional Council about funding for the Peel Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Centre of Excellence and other mental health initiatives,

Previous reporting:

• Increased demand for mental health support adds further strain to Peel’s underfunded system

• ‘Nothing has changed’: Province ignores mental health and addictions crisis in Peel, children waiting up to 737 days for help

Advancing Senior’s Care

Peel staff estimate that by 2041, one in five residents will be 65 and older. As a result, the Region is looking at implementing a new model of care based on innovative techniques used in Denmark.  

The Danish Home and Community Care Model emphasizes a culture for senior citizens that focuses on “upstream activities to optimize current functioning and prevent further decline;” push for active inclusion of seniors in their healthcare decisions through choice and access to their medical records; introducing innovative assistive technology; student recruitment; and digital healthcare access.

The full staff report can be viewed here.

Previous reporting:

• As residents live longer and longer, Peel funds study into disturbing rise of elder abuse

Support for Ukrainian refugees to wind down

A staff report by Sean Baird, Commissioner of Human Services recommends staff proceed with a wind down of the Region of Peel’s dedicated emergency housing servoces for Ukrainian arrivals by June 30.

In June 2022, the Region began using a hotel site to provide emergency housing and basic needs support for Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion. 

Baird notes that the ramp up of the federal Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Hotel Stay Program, which provides 585 rooms in the Greater Toronto Area, allows Peel Region to wind down its program and allow the federal government to assume jurisdiction.

The IRCC Hotel Stay Program provides up to two weeks of support, compared to the 44 day average length of stay in Peel’s program.

The full staff report can be viewed here.

Sustainable Transportation Strategy

The Region of Peel’s Sustainable Transportation Strategy has a goal of transitioning residents away from the car to move active modes of transportation. A pillar of the strategy is an attempt to convert 50 percent of trips made within the Region to sustainable modes of transportation by 2041. 

Kealy Dedman, Commissioner of Public Works, reports that staff have initiated the 2051 Transportation Master Plan (2051 TMP), which will reconfirm transportation infrastructure needs to 2041 and evaluate needs to 2051.

The full staff report can be viewed here.

Peel Police Services Board appointment (in-camera)

An in camera matter on Thursday will see councillors discussing a citizen appointment to the Peel Police Services Board. Members of Peel’s Black communities have been calling for a Black resident to be appointed to the board in order to address the disproportionate harm to Black residents at the hands of police. 

Previous reporting:

• Will Peel’s police board include Black members to help hold force accountable?Peel Police Board ignores report on controversial shooting of Black resident that led to $21M lawsuit against former chief & the board

• Peel councillors have an opportunity to add Black representation to the police services board; will they show leadership?

• Peel Police has a history of targeting Black residents; its board has failed to represent them

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @JessicaRDurling

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