During a recent visit to Ottawa, Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown engaged in a productive meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, focusing on two critical issues for Brampton: the rising problem of auto thefts in Peel Region and the advancement of a Light Rail Transit (LRT) line into Downtown Brampton.
Addressing Auto Thefts in Peel Region
Mayor Brown highlighted the alarming increase in auto thefts within Brampton and Peel Region, urging the federal government to take decisive action. He proposed the installation of four container scanners at the Port of Montreal and an additional scanner at the Intermodal Hubs in Brampton and Vaughan. Brown also advocated for granting local police jurisdiction at these key locations to effectively combat auto theft rings that have significantly impacted the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). According to Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich of the Peel Regional Police Service, Brampton and Mississauga experienced a sharp rise in auto thefts, with 8,322 reported incidents in 2023, more than doubling the figure from 2021.
Advancing the Hazel McCallion LRT Line
In addition to addressing auto thefts, Mayor Brown and the Brampton city council have been actively lobbying for the extension of the Hazel McCallion LRT line through downtown Brampton. This initiative received a boost from Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s recent announcement of plans to extend the LRT, including a loop around Square One Shopping Centre in Mississauga. Mayor Brown emphasized the importance of federal involvement in Phase 2 of the tunnelled LRT extension, which aims to connect the under-construction LRT with the Brampton Innovation District GO Station in Downtown Brampton. This project is seen as crucial for enhancing the transit network’s functionality, resiliency, efficiency, and convenience.
Prime Minister Trudeau’s Response
While the Office of the Prime Minister declined to comment further, Prime Minister Trudeau did acknowledge the importance of addressing the housing crisis in Brampton and the GTA during a media scrum preceding his meeting with Mayor Brown. Trudeau highlighted the collaborative efforts between the federal government and Brampton, including investments in the housing accelerator fund agreement and support for asylum seekers in Peel. He emphasized the ongoing work to ensure fairness and opportunities for success through investments in infrastructure, transit, and housing affordability.The meeting between Mayor Brown and Prime Minister Trudeau represents a significant step towards addressing Brampton’s pressing challenges and underscores the continued partnership between the Government of Canada and the City of Brampton.
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