Patrick Brown: Canadian cities are facing an extortion crisis. They cannot face it alone
By Patrick Brown, Contributor Patrick Brown is the mayor of Brampton. Every mayor in Canada learns this lesson quickly: the problems that land on your desk are rarely abstract. They arrive as phone calls from small business owners or families whose sense of safety has been shaken. In Peel Region, extortion has become one of those […]
Patrick Brown: Parliament must pass Bill C-2 now to address Canada’s extortion epidemic
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown speaks during a press conference to announce his intention to re-run for mayorship, at city hall in Brampton, Ont., on Monday, July 18, 2022. (Cole Burston/The Canadian Press) As the mayor of Brampton, I’ve seen the extortion crisis hit our communities hard. Last month, I wrote an op-ed that detailed how […]
Patrick Brown calls for government support to tackle extortion targeting Peel’s South-Asian community
In response to concerns of extortion-related crimes primarily targeting the South Asian community in Peel Region, Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown is calling on the province and the federal government to help combat the growing problem. Sammy Kogan/The Canadian Press Dharmjit Mand had been receiving threats to his safety through WhatsApp for three months, demanding he […]
We’re in the midst of a car-theft crisis. I went to America to find a solution
“The battle against auto theft is not just about recovering stolen property. It is about safeguarding our communities, protecting our economic interests and dismantling the networks of organized crime that thrive on these illicit activities,” writes Patrick Brown. Toronto Police Service As mayor of Brampton, my commitment to tackling the rampant issue of auto theft has recently […]
Trump’s reckless tariffs an insult to Brampton’s steel, aluminum workers
U.S. Commerce Secretary nominee Howard Lutnick, right, speaks as U.S. President Donald Trump signs a series of executive orders including 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum in the Oval Office at the White House on Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Photo by Andrew Harnik /Getty Images We have not and will never back […]
Why supporting Peel police is critical for Peel Region’s community safety
Peel Regional Police cruisers. Toronto Sun Peel Region has long been a beacon of growth and opportunity. However, as our region grows, so too do the demands placed on essential services. Nowhere is this more evident than in the state of policing in Peel Region. For too long, critical investments in public safety were overlooked, […]
For years, Peel has underfunded its police. It’s time to correct that mistake
Peel Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah speaks to the media with Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown looking on in April. Richard Lautens Toronto Star For too long, Peel has underfunded its police force, failing to keep pace with rapid population growth and the increasing complexity of public safety challenges. Today, Peel Regional Police has the worst officer-to-population […]
How Canada’s mayors can support communities in time of economic crisis
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown looks on during the Diwali Mela festival at Sesquicentennial Park in Brampton, Ont., Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Lahodynskyj Canada’s prosperity was never given; it was earned. It was earned by the greatest our country has to offer, our people. Those who work in the steel mills of Hamilton, […]
Involuntary care can stop overdose deaths and save lives
Peel Regional Police vehicles are seen in a file photo. Photo by Ernest Doroszuk /Toronto Sun Canada is in the grips of an addiction crisis that shows no signs of slowing. The opioid epidemic, fuelled by powerful synthetic drugs like fentanyl, has shattered families and claimed thousands of lives. But our response has been piecemeal […]
Compassionate intervention is the lifeline Canada’s addiction crisis needs
Syringes are seen on the ground in Montreal, Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press) Canada’s addiction crisis is worsening, claiming more lives each day and straining communities across the country. Families are watching helplessly as loved ones fall deeper into addiction, and public resources are stretched to the breaking point. While voluntary treatment […]