Moved by: Councillor Vicente
Seconded by: Mayor Brown
WHEREAS Brampton is one of the fastest-growing large cities in Canada, serving as a diverse economic engine for both Ontario and the country, being Canada's ninth-largest city with a population in 2024 of 826,998; and
Whereas Brampton residents need access to and reliable support from various social services, including childcare, senior care, and mental health care, at different stages of their lives to thrive and succeed; and
Whereas a recent report by the Metamorphosis Network has shown that Peel residents receive less provincial funding for municipal and social services compared to the average Ontario resident, with a shortfall of $578 per person annually; and
Whereas this funding gap results in over $868 million in underfunding across Peel annually, with almost half a billion dollars affecting Brampton alone; and
Whereas these funding deficiencies lead to longer wait times and less equitable access to municipal and social services for Brampton residents; and
Whereas to compensate for provincial funding shortfalls, Brampton has had to increase municipal contributions to these services using local revenue sources such as property taxes and user fees; and
Whereas Brampton deserves a fair, new deal from the provincial government that ensures sufficient and sustainable funding so residents have equitable access to the municipal and social services they rely upon;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
1. The Council of the City of Brampton urges the Government of Ontario, the Premier, the relevant ministers, and local MPPs to immediately commit to providing a fair, new deal for Brampton to ensure that the city receives an equitable share of provincial investment in municipal and social services;
2. The Council of the City of Brampton calls on the Government of Ontario, the Premier, the relevant ministers, and local MPPs to meet with local representatives, including municipal elected officials, City Staff, and non-profit organizations, to collaborate on a plan to address provincial underfunding of municipal and social services in Brampton; and
3. The acting Mayor, on behalf of City Council, will advocate to the Government of Ontario, the Premier, the relevant ministers, and local MPPs to convey the aforementioned requests.
See Item 8.1
Added to the agenda and published on the City's website on June 24, 2024.