Proposed Dissolution of Region of Peel Puts 6,700 Jobs at Risk
Yesterday, the Ontario government introduced the Hazel McCallion Act, a legislation that aims to dissolve the Regional Municipality of Peel and establish independent municipalities for Mississauga, Brampton, and Caledon by 2025. While Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie welcomed the news, expressing her readiness to celebrate, Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown raised concerns about equitable resource allocation for his city. Caledon Mayor Annette Groves stated her municipality’s satisfaction with the regional government.
However, the dissolution of the Region of Peel puts approximately 6,700 jobs at risk. The Region of Peel is responsible for various services, including Peel Regional Paramedic Services, Peel Public Health, long-term care for seniors, child care support, garbage collection and recycling, water treatment, road maintenance, housing, and shelter. These employees, excluding Peel Regional Police Service personnel, now find themselves caught in the midst of this political change.
Mayor Crombie acknowledges the predicament faced by the Region of Peel employees but believes that most of them will secure jobs within Mississauga or Brampton, as the provision of essential programs and services will need to continue. She assures that the transition board overseeing the dissolution will prioritize smooth operations during this process.
Peel Regional Chair Nando Iannicca acknowledges the disagreements regarding governance but emphasizes that all parties involved recognize and value the services provided by Peel to residents, vulnerable individuals, and businesses. He assures the community that there will be no disruptions in service delivery during the transition. The Region of Peel will collaborate with its partners to provide necessary information for well-informed decisions that ensure the uninterrupted provision of crucial services.
Chair Iannicca extends his gratitude to the dedicated regional staff for their commitment during this challenging time. Their unwavering focus on serving residents has consistently upheld service excellence in the public sector.