In stunning move, PDSB trustees unite and vote for province to take over embattled board

In stunning move, PDSB trustees unite and vote for province to take over embattled board

It appears Peel District School Board’s refusal to take proper action to stop anti-Black racism and other forms of systemic discrimination within the board, has led to self-implosion. Trustees unanimously voted late Wednesday evening to have a provincially appointed supervisor step in to take over the board. The move could pave the way for the removal of Director Peter Joshua, as calls for his resignation among a growing list of diverse and influential community organizations get louder. 



Minister confirms province will take over governance of PDSB a day after rally demanding racial equality and historic vote by the board

Minister confirms province will take over governance of PDSB a day after rally demanding racial equality and historic vote by the board

After a tiring few months and years of work by anti-Black racism advocates, the Peel District School Board has agreed to hand over control of its governance to the provincial education ministry. A day after Wednesday’s large Black Lives Matter march, Education Minister Stephen Lecce said a supervisor will take over the embattled board.



After two damning provincial investigations and mounting calls for PDSB director to resign, he appoints anti-Black racism consultant

After two damning provincial investigations and mounting calls for PDSB director to resign, he appoints anti-Black racism consultant

With a provincial deadline looming, the Peel District School Board’s director has hired education specialist Dr. Avis Glaze to advise the board on its anti-Black racism work. However, the timing of the decision and description of the role have raised more questions, while calls grow louder for Director Peter Joshua to step down because of his failed leadership on equity and inclusion in one of the country's most diverse regions. 



After years of underfunding, council offering a lifeline to city’s arts community to help recover after COVID-19

After years of underfunding, council offering a lifeline to city’s arts community to help recover after COVID-19

Money for the arts and tourism sectors in Brampton is being given out by the city in order to keep local business alive. Due to physical distancing regulations, these industries have been the hardest hit in the wake of the pandemic, but is the city going far enough to support them?



As coronavirus hot spots continue to emerge across Brampton, city needs a solution for illegal secondary suites

As coronavirus hot spots continue to emerge across Brampton, city needs a solution for illegal secondary suites

A recent report from the City’s building department highlights the ongoing problems home owners face when trying to create legal secondary units, or basement apartments. A lack of consistent guidelines, spotty inspections and no clear rules for the number of these ubiquitous units have created a dilemma that might be contributing to high rates of infection in the city.



Brampton holds Peel back from stage-2 reopening as region’s hospitals near capacity 

Brampton holds Peel back from stage-2 reopening as region’s hospitals near capacity 

Peel is now one of just three regions in the province that will not be allowed to progress to the second stage of reopening. While neighbouring York Region has been given the greenlight to reopen at the end of this week, ICU and acute care beds in Brampton, where testing has been woeful, and Mississauga remain filled while local rates of the novel coronavirus in parts of Peel continue to pose a major problem. 



Peel officer who killed D’Andre Campbell won’t speak to SIU; Ford government paved way for refusal to cooperate

Peel officer who killed D’Andre Campbell won’t speak to SIU; Ford government paved way for refusal to cooperate

The Special Investigations Unit, which is conducting a probe into the fatal police shooting of 26-year-old D’Andre Campbell in April, is unable to get a statement or notes from the subject officer.

A recent amendment to the Police Services Act under the Ford government in 2019 shields officers who don’t want to cooperate with the police watchdog.



Brampton floats idea of boulevard instead of highway for Heritage Heights; is it realistic?

Brampton floats idea of boulevard instead of highway for Heritage Heights; is it realistic?

Heritage Heights is the largest undeveloped area in Brampton, a space central to its 2040 Vision. Recently, staff and councillors have discussed pioneering dreams for the land, but the city’s track record suggests it may just be more rhetoric.



Queen’s Park needs to take over the PDSB

Queen’s Park needs to take over the PDSB

The Peel District School Board has a long history of looking the other way when it comes to systemic discrimination and bigotry, allowing racists like Paul Fromm to infest its ranks. By not facing up to the problem of its anti-Black bias, or having administrators and teachers who don’t reflect the demographic changes that have created a disconnect with communities served, the board has forced the hand of the provincial government. Now, it must protect students forsaken by the board. 



Peel District School Board director should resign

Peel District School Board director should resign

Brampton City Councillor Harkirat Singh, a former PDSB trustee, says he witnessed firsthand the damaging actions of Director Peter Joshua. The elected official believes systemic anti-Black racism and other forms of discrimination plaguing the board and harming students will only be eradicated if Joshua quits.



The new ‘work life’ might create more happiness and productivity

The new ‘work life’ might create more happiness and productivity

More and more people are returning to work. Others continue to work from home. While nobody can say for certain how the structure of employment and labour will change, the reality could be a pleasant twist for many, including some of our largest corporations.



A more equitable and inclusive way to enforce Brampton Transit fares aims to educate not punish as we slowly return to normal 

A more equitable and inclusive way to enforce Brampton Transit fares aims to educate not punish as we slowly return to normal 

If you don’t pay your fare on a Toronto bus, you could land yourself a fine of more than $400, even if you’ve just forgotten your wallet. In Brampton, as the city moves on from free fares during the height of the pandemic, a different approach to police passengers shows there is a more human, more welcoming way. And it might help grow ridership.



Recent killings of Black men in Minneapolis and Atlanta sparked calls to defund police, but what does that mean?

Recent killings of Black men in Minneapolis and Atlanta sparked calls to defund police, but what does that mean?

Terms like abolish, defund and reform have been flying across social media and in conversations across North America since the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer almost three weeks ago. What do these terms really mean and how can public officials best take care of both functions that police are supposed to provide: serve and protect? 



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

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

Regional Council wants a more aggressive stand on the mental health crisis in Peel. An already desperate situation has worsened since the pandemic, with more demand for mental health support within a system already severely underfunded and overwhelmed.

While councillors blame the province, they too have ignored the increasingly dire reality for years.



A ‘shameful’ lack of action; Council of Canadian Muslims demands PDSB chair and director resign

A ‘shameful’ lack of action; Council of Canadian Muslims demands PDSB chair and director resign

In the wake of an independent investigation into Peel District School Board that found the director and trustees are not cooperating with provincial directives, Peel's diverse communities are coming together to demand transformational change.

The National Council of Canadian Muslims is the latest large organization to voice concerns after widespread reports of anti-Black racism and Islamophobia at the board.



COVID-19 highlights something many missed: the medical needs of homeless individuals

COVID-19 highlights something many missed: the medical needs of homeless individuals

While the need always existed, social and medical assistance for homeless people were topics not widely talked about before COVID-19. The failure to do so has led some organizations to provide assistance, with a hope our healthcare system and social service sector can work more collaboratively to protect the vulnerable in the future. 



PDSB ‘lifts’ trespass notice against anti-Black racism advocate without explanation or apology

PDSB ‘lifts’ trespass notice against anti-Black racism advocate without explanation or apology

In February, Peel District School Board issued a trespass notice, banning a parent and vocal critic of the board’s record on discrimination from board property. It alleged Idris Orughu made “threatening” comments, but a police probe found that was not the case. Now, without admitting a mistake or the harm its allegation caused, and while the board faces widespread condemnation from the education ministry and the public for its unwillingness to confront anti-Black racism, PDSB has suddenly removed the ban with no explanation.



‘Change is coming’: Peel police chief promises systemic action to eradicate anti-Black racism

‘Change is coming’: Peel police chief promises systemic action to eradicate anti-Black racism

The problem is twofold for Chief Nishan Duraiappah who is facing issues of anti-Black racism inside his organization and a groundswell of anti-police sentiment fuelled by the horrific death of George Floyd at the hands of police in Minneapolis. 

The progressive chief, just over six months on the job, promises community members they will soon witness changes as a result of work going on behind the scenes.



Brampton’s one-day pop-up testing centre offered relief and new drive-thru site will help, but the city has screened only 12% of the target level

Brampton’s one-day pop-up testing centre offered relief and new drive-thru site will help, but the city has screened only 12% of the target level

After living under the “hot spot” label for weeks, residents of northeast Brampton queued for a one-off novel coronavirus testing opportunity Wednesday.

It was a temporary fix in a city labelled a problem area, where many are concerned about woeful testing rates in the hard hit region. Meanwhile, Peel Memorial’s testing facility will be folded to make way for a drive-through site, similar to those that have been popular in other jurisdictions.



Blistering provincial investigation report on PDSB reveals an organization incapable of fixing anti-Black racism it perpetuates: Minister issues ultimatum 

Blistering provincial investigation report on PDSB reveals an organization incapable of fixing anti-Black racism it perpetuates: Minister issues ultimatum 

An independent investigation into the Peel District School Board has returned a damning verdict, finding the organization chronically ill-equipped to tackle discrimination, specifically anti-Black racism. The investigation was prompted by the board’s failure to support ministerial directives to fix its systemic problems with race. The new report lays the groundwork for the province to take over a dysfunctional public institution that has caused irreparable harm to Black students for decades.



Brampton Transit’s desperate need for new infrastructure set back by mishandled funding request & recent tax freezes

Brampton Transit’s desperate need for new infrastructure set back by mishandled funding request & recent tax freezes

As ridership continues to grow in Brampton, the City is reaching capacity for the number of buses it can store. A badly needed new storage facility was originally scheduled for 2021 and then delayed to 2024, a timeline that could now be in jeopardy too, after news that staff failed to properly apply for assistance from higher levels of government.



‘You are kidding right??’: Peel police union president responds when asked for thoughts on body-worn cameras

‘You are kidding right??’: Peel police union president responds when asked for thoughts on body-worn cameras

Adrian Woolley’s four-word response to The Pointer after Mississauga’s and Brampton’s mayors, who sit on the police board, declared their intention to have the force’s officers wear cameras, leaves questions about support among the rank and file, as voices across North America grow louder, demanding police be held accountable by the technology. 



‘It’s not going to be doors open, back to normal’ for optometrists, dentists and massage therapists

‘It’s not going to be doors open, back to normal’ for optometrists, dentists and massage therapists

Going to get a filling, eye exam or massage will take much longer than it did before as many medical-related practices try their best to accommodate strict guidelines and their patients in a completely different environment forced by the pandemic.



Councillor Charmaine Williams should be lauded for her progressive stance on policing, but she shouldn’t stand alone

Councillor Charmaine Williams should be lauded for her progressive stance on policing, but she shouldn’t stand alone

Charmaine Williams is the only Black council member in Brampton and Mississauga, where police street checks, or carding stops, have been aggressively supported by the outgoing chief.

Williams has picked up the torch, buoyed by a new report, to end the harmful practice that has targeted young Black men and to push for community-police partnerships that have been eroded. Will the rest of Brampton council strongly support her?



Predators and a pandemic: parents urged to protect children as online exploitation projected to rise

Predators and a pandemic: parents urged to protect children as online exploitation projected to rise

With children stuck inside, more and more are turning to the internet and social media to entertain themselves and stay connected with friends, unaware they’re being targeted.

The presence of child sexual abuse material is rising dramatically – triggering calls for popular sites like Pornhub to be shuttered for not doing enough to remove abusive content.



Brampton announces transit recovery plan, will charge fares by July 2

Brampton announces transit recovery plan, will charge fares by July 2

The city’s eventual return to full transit service under a just revealed strategy will not be business as usual. It includes mandatory masks with front-loading on buses. But there is no answer for how the City will make up a $4.7 million monthly loss. The decision comes as high infection rates across the city are still a major concern. 



Is the ‘retail apocalypse’ upon us?

Is the ‘retail apocalypse’ upon us?

Has the pandemic reshaped our world and our buying habits? Will those brick and mortar stores and some of our biggest malls be laid to waste under a constant assault by e-commerce giants like Amazon and Rakuten? Just what is the future of the retail sector at both the local and national level?



New report on Brampton’s LRT extension study leaves more questions than answers; is the City putting the cart before the horse?

New report on Brampton’s LRT extension study leaves more questions than answers; is the City putting the cart before the horse?

After a year in the making, a new report on the City’s light rail vision has emerged. But it lacks serious details and raises questions that may only be answered at public open houses once staff actually have answers. Firm decisions can’t be made until an ongoing environmental study is complete, and with the current medical crisis gripping the city, that might not happen anytime in the foreseeable future. Meanwhile, no detailed costing is available and it remains unclear if the LRT can even run through a provincially designated floodplain.



‘We understand there is a lot of hurt’: Chief acknowledges Peel police’s own troubles with region’s Black community

‘We understand there is a lot of hurt’: Chief acknowledges Peel police’s own troubles with region’s Black community

North America has been rocked by explosive protests against ongoing anti-Black racism following the death of George Floyd who died after a police officer’s weight pressed down on the man’s neck for nearly ten minutes while he hopelessly pleaded for mercy. 

Most of the boiling reaction, including rioting and looting, has occurred south of the border. But Peel has its own brutal legacy of anti-Black behaviour, which the new chief, Nishan Duraiappah, isn’t hiding from.



Ontario’s new screening strategy holds the key to reopening while Peel sits in limbo with news that residents who tested positive might not have been informed 

Ontario’s new screening strategy holds the key to reopening while Peel sits in limbo with news that residents who tested positive might not have been informed 

Brampton and Mississauga are in a holding pattern and people are beyond tired of circling around their homes, waiting for a return to normal life. The province’s new plan for testing is crucial to any future reopening timeline and will help Peel immensely as it continues to struggle with high rates of infection. But the unfolding approach to ramp up testing remains somewhat unclear for many waiting to return to work and normalcy. 



Petitions call for PDSB director to resign, demand unions finally respond to anti-Black racism; OSSTF breaks silence

Petitions call for PDSB director to resign, demand unions finally respond to anti-Black racism; OSSTF breaks silence

Online petitions are gaining more traction as the anti-Black racism movement stretches across North America, helping amplify the complaints of systemic discrimination inside the Peel District School Board. Calls are growing louder for Director Peter Joshua to step down. 



Prime Minister’s $2.2B pledge to municipalities goes over like a lead balloon

Prime Minister’s $2.2B pledge to municipalities goes over like a lead balloon

The federal government remained silent for weeks on how it will help foundering municipalities whose revenues dried up almost as fast as the spread of the novel coronavirus. But when Justin Trudeau broke that silence Monday, his commitment was nowhere near what cities were expecting.



UPDATE: Ontario takes ‘full responsibility’ for COVID-19 reporting error; Peel Public Health and William Osler stay mute 

UPDATE: Ontario takes ‘full responsibility’ for COVID-19 reporting error; Peel Public Health and William Osler stay mute 

William Osler failed to report hundreds of positive novel coronavirus tests after they were confirmed in provincial labs. Meanwhile, Peel Public Health did not notice a lack of results from Brampton’s only testing centre and failed to trace the cases. Now, neither organization is responding to questions, while the province and Health Minister Christine Elliott step in to take the blame. 



Confusion swirls as Brampton keeps outdoor facilities closed but retail businesses, including shops at Bramalea City Centre, begin opening

Confusion swirls as Brampton keeps outdoor facilities closed but retail businesses, including shops at Bramalea City Centre, begin opening

Despite high rates of COVID-19 in recent weeks across the city, and the province labelling it a hot spot, many residents are not sure what is opening under provincial guidelines and what City officials are choosing to keep closed.



Peel targeted in province’s new testing plan as maps show high neighbourhood infection rates across Brampton

Peel targeted in province’s new testing plan as new maps show high neighbourhood infection rates across Brampton

The plan involves bringing mobile testing centres to workplaces experiencing outbreaks to ensure widespread testing can occur. While the province is working with regional health agencies to roll out the initiative, no information on when wide scale testing will begin is available. Meanwhile, Peel neighbourhood data has been released for the first time and the picture is not good in many parts of the region.



William Osler failed to report 700 positive cases from Brampton and Etobicoke testing centres

William Osler failed to report 700 positive cases from Brampton and Etobicoke testing centres

Media reports have revealed that the health network operating Brampton’s hospitals and the sole testing centre at Peel Memorial did not notify public health agencies of hundreds of positive test results due to a mix up, leaving officials scrambling to trace the possible spread of the novel coronavirus as a result of the communication error. 



With the Brampton Music Theatre facing a bleak future COVID-19 brings fear to the city’s courageous arts scene

With the Brampton Music Theatre facing a bleak future COVID-19 brings fear to the city’s courageous arts scene

Brampton’s small but strong arts scene is an important part of the cultural identity in one of the world’s most diverse cities. It has survived funding cuts, political gamesmanship and other tests over time, but the impact of the novel coronavirus is another challenge altogether.



Maitreyi Ramakrishnan wants Mississauga’s magical collision of cultures reflected on screens around the world

Maitreyi Ramakrishnan wants Mississauga’s magical collision of cultures reflected on screens around the world

The star of Netflix’s new hit, Never Have I Ever, spoke to The Pointer about the growing diversity in TV and film and her home in Mississauga. She hopes to see more roles for South Asian actors in the future and would love her success to help put Mississauga, the place where she was shaped, on the map.



White PDSB trustee claims ministry directive to end harmful streaming of Black students is ‘political’

White PDSB trustee claims ministry directive to end harmful streaming of Black students is ‘political’

A group of white trustees at Peel District School Board has shared its concerns over the consequences of ending academic streaming. In March, the Ministry of Education instructed the board to end the practice, which has been shown to harm visible minority students, especially those who are Black.



Despite the summer heat COVID-19 puts a damper on Brampton’s plan to open cooling centres, while tenants are stuck inside sweltering apartments

Despite the summer heat COVID-19 puts a damper on Brampton’s plan to open cooling centres, while tenants are stuck inside sweltering apartments

May marked the first time the city experienced a heat wave this year. With temperatures reaching 30 degrees or more two days in a row, many vulnerable residents who rely on external cooling facilities had nowhere to go. Landlords are not required to keep temperatures below any specific level, which often leads to blistering indoor conditions that residents now have no relief from.



After centuries, will COVID-19 finally force Ontario’s archaic education system to innovate?

After centuries, will COVID-19 finally force Ontario’s archaic education system to innovate?

Even as the global COVID-19 pandemic continues, people are turning their eyes to the future.

The education sector, so often slow to adapt, is one area that could see radical changes and a move to effective online learning as the world slowly reopens.



Dangerous Brampton 'hot spots' feared while province takes over devastated Mississauga care home

Dangerous Brampton 'hot spots' feared while province takes over devastated Mississauga care home

The novel coronavirus still poses a catastrophic threat in Brampton and Mississauga, despite growing desires to ignore the pandemic. While people flock to outdoor spaces under the summer-like sunshine, local officials are warning the risk is far from over. The mounting dilemma comes as Peel Region’s public health authority waits on provincial testing instructions that could help both cities get a better handle on a local crisis that is still spreading.  



If Brampton is a ‘hot spot’ why isn’t City Hall developing a tailored reopening plan?

If Brampton is a 'hot spot' why isn’t City Hall developing a tailored reopening plan?

The City has talked a lot about getting back to normal, but Mayor Patrick Brown appears to be speaking out of both sides of his mouth. Some information does not add up, with officials reassuring residents that the ongoing local COVID-19 risk, including news of outbreaks in the city, will dictate plans. But details of a unique Brampton approach have been few and far between.



Peel attracts new residents from around the world, but data shows more and more want to leave

Peel attracts new residents from around the world, but data shows more and more want to leave

With Toronto Pearson Airport near the heart of Peel and other settlement dynamics at play, immigrants from around the globe come to call Mississauga and Brampton home. However, data from Statistics Canada shows that many families and young professionals choose to decamp and move elsewhere in Ontario.



Principal of Brampton high school temporarily removed, being investigated for Islamophobic comments as PDSB’s equity problems continue

Principal of Brampton high school temporarily removed, being investigated for Islamophobic comments as PDSB’s equity problems continue

The principal of a Peel high school has been suspended pending an investigation into comments she made at a staff meeting last week. Multiple sources have told The Pointer those comments were Islamophobic and in response to the Ministry of Education’s directive to end the streaming of racialized students into pathways that are damaging to their future.



Ministry of Education ‘concerned’ as PDSB effectively fails three anti-racism directives 

Ministry of Education ‘concerned’ as PDSB effectively fails three anti-racism directives 

A letter to Peel District School Board from the Ministry of Education has drawn more attention to the board’s failure to deal with its widespread discriminatory practices including anti-Black racism. The scathing memo raises more questions about Director Peter Joshua's mishandling of the disturbing issue and reveals three of the board’s recent responses were inadequate, while a request for extensions to others was labelled “concerning”.



Military whistleblower report details serious neglect at long-term care homes in Ontario, including Brampton

Military whistleblower report details serious neglect at long-term care homes in Ontario, including Brampton

In an unprecedented move, the Canadian Armed Forces has chosen to publicly expose appalling conditions in Ontario’s long-term care sector after providing emergency assistance over the last month. 

While many of the findings confirm the terrible reality many seniors have suffered for decades, the push from the military may finally bring sustained pressure to force decision makers into action.



Business owners trying to avoid eviction question why they can’t get direct help from national rent program

Business owners trying to avoid eviction question why they can’t get direct help from national rent program

The Canadian Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance program aims to aid thousands of small businesses including those based in Peel. But the decision to provide help while thousands of owners struggle to stay afloat rests with landlords.



Abused women around the world suffering horrifically from our planet’s worst pandemic

Abused women around the world suffering horrifically from our planet’s worst pandemic

Canada has often led the world in the criminalization of family violence, but the problem has gotten “out of hand” says the federal ombudsman for victims of crime. The killer virus is delivering another deadly lesson, and this one is aimed directly at men.



A return to reading: people escaping into the stories they love  

A return to reading: people escaping into the stories they love  

With the overwhelming volume of COVID-19 news, and the uncertainty that has taken over daily life, many have been hunting for ways to escape. 

Whether that’s through new hobbies or old passions, the Brampton Library system has seen a serious spike in people looking for books and materials to help keep them occupied at home.