6,700 Region of Peel jobs at risk in Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon split

The move to dissolve the Region of Peel government for an independent Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon puts 6,700 jobs at risk.

Yesterday (May 18), the Ontario government introduced the Hazel McCallion Act, which would, if passed, begin the process to dissolve the Regional Municipality of Peel and make the municipalities of Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon independent by 2025.

The news was good for Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie who said she was ready to do a “happy dance” but Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown raised concerns about his city getting its fair share in the split. And Caledon Mayor Annette Groves said her municipality was happy under the regional government.

While the news may be good for Mississauga, dissolving the Region of Peel puts jobs at risk.

The Region of Peel services include  Peel Regional Paramedic Services, Peel Public Health, long-term care and services for seniors, child care support, garbage collection and recycling, water and water treatment, road maintenance, housing and shelter.

A Region of Peel spokesperson confirmed there are currently around 6,700 employees. That number doesn’t include Peel Regional Police Service.

“This is a difficult time in Peel’s proud history,” said Peel Regional Chair Nando Iannicca in a statement. “For nearly 50 years, we have provided strong value-for-money for taxpayers and served the people in our community.”

The Region of Peel employees are caught in the middle of this political dynamic, Crombie told insauga.com publisher Khaled Iwamura in an Instagram interview.

But Crombie believes most employees will find work.

“Many will have jobs with Mississauga or Brampton because we will have to continue to provide the same programs and services we always have,” Crombie said. “So they will be finding homes, the vast majority of them.”

The transition board, which will oversee the dissolution of the Region of Peel, will ensure there continues to be smooth operations, she said.

Iannicca added that there have been disagreements about governance, but all partners involved continue to respect and value the services Peel delivers to the residents, vulnerable in society and businesses.

“There will be no service interruptions for our community,” he said. “We will continue to serve the people in Peel as this transition happens.”

The Region of Peel will work with all partners to provide the information needed for informed decisions that ensure continued delivery of these important services, he added.

“I want to thank Regional staff for their dedication through this stressful time,” he said. “Their resident-first focus delivers service excellence that is unsurpassed in the public service.”

 

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