Minutes

Brampton Women's Advisory Committee

The Corporation of the City of Brampton

Thursday, April 17, 2025

7:00 P.m. - 9:00 P.m.

Hybrid Meeting - Virtual Option & In-Person in Council Chambers – 4th Floor – City Hall

Members Present:

• Angel Massey-Singh (Co-Chair)
• Kathleen Douglass (Co-Chair)
• Simrat Atwal
• Kritika Chopra
• Dominique Darmanin-Sturgeon
• Eraj Waqar
• Regional Councillor R. Santos
• Regional Councillor N. Brar

Members Absent:

• Lindsay Branton
• Nadia Chandra
• Simran Dosanjh
• Marjorie R. Taylor

Staff Present:

• Shanika Johnson, Manager, Equity Office, Corporate Services
• Chandra Urquhart, Legislative Coordinator

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1.

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. and adjourned at 7:42 p.m.

2.

Approval of Agenda

• BWAC005-2025

  That the agenda for the Brampton Women's Advisory Committee meeting, be approved as amended, to add the following:

  8.1  Discussion at the request of Kritika Chopra, Member, re: Youth Leadership Initiative

  Carried

3.

Declarations of Interest under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act

Nil

4.

Previous Minutes

4.1

Minutes - Brampton Women's Advisory Committee - January 16, 2025

The minutes were considered by Committee of Council on February 17, 2025 and approved by Council on February 26, 2025. The minutes were provided for Committee’s information.

5.

Delegations/Presentations

5.1

Delegation by Jenna Robson, Director of Operations, Regeneration Outreach Community, re: Homelessness in the City

Jenna Robson, Director of Operations, Regeneration Outreach Community, provided a presentation entitled "Homelessness in the City". Committee discussion on this matter included the following:

• Changes to demographics of clientele since the pandemic  
  • demographics include individuals who seek assistance from the marketplace and meal programs, while some may need one of the services 
  • increase in individuals for mental health program support  
• Availability of data on the number of women who visit the site and the type of issues they are facing
  • meal programs serve a lot more women, some of whom are facing family break downs and violence, international students, and some individuals who just need assistance 
• Existing gaps in the program for women trying to access services 
  • limited services are available in healthcare and addiction issues 
• Mandate of the organization is to offer services to all in the community seeking assistance

The following motion was considered:

• BWAC006-2025

  That the delegation by Jenna Robson, Director of Operations, Regeneration Outreach Community, to the Brampton Women's Advisory Committee meeting of April 17, 2025, re: Homelessness in the City, be received.

  Carried

6.

Reports/Updates

6.1

Update by Regional Councillor Santos and Regional Councillor Brar, re: International Women's Day Event - March 8, 2025

Regional Councillor Santos and Regional Councillor Brar, provided an update on International Women's Day Event held on March 8, 2025, noting that the event was successful and well attended. The following was highlighted:

• Concert - women empowerment
• Panel discussion

Committee discussion on this matter included the following:

• Acknowledgement of the marketplace feature and the young women entrepreneurs' participation
• Suggestion that the panel discussion be permitted more time for questions/comments
• Opportunity for members of the Committee to participate and play a bigger role in the planning of the event
  • events' staff follow a planning model for event 
  • members may wish to meet with staff to discuss the event for 2026
• Comments that members would like to see more youth in attendance 

Members were advised that the update was also an opportunity for members to provide feedback. It was suggested that an item be listed on the agenda for the meeting in January 2026 to discuss plans for next year's event.

7.

Upcoming Pertinent Issues

Nil

8.

Other/New Business/Information Items

8.1

Discussion at the request of Kritika Chopra, Member, re: Youth Leadership Initiative

Kritika Chopra, Member, provided information regarding a program entitled 'Youth Leadership Initiative,' and advised that the program was launched by the Region of Peel Stabilization Grant program as a pilot project. A flyer was circulated to members, and they were asked to share it with their social media platforms and youth networks. The program is in its outreach stage and is focused around diversity, equity and inclusion. Workshops will be offered, and youths will have an opportunity for mentorship roles. 

Clerk's Office staff suggested that the flyer may be added to the agenda as additional material and published on the website.

9.

Correspondence

Nil

10.

Question Period

Nil

11.

Public Question Period

Nil

12.

Adjournment

The following motion was considered:

• BWAC007-2025

  That Brampton Women's Advisory Committee meeting do now adjourn to meet again on October 16, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.

  Carried