Brampton hires new city manager, interim CAO moved to legislative services

Brampton finally has a new full-time Chief Administrative Officer more than nine months after the former city manager was removed amid division on city council.

Marlon Kallideen, previously the City’s Commissioner of Community Services, has been selected as Brampton’s permanent Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), the City said on Friday.

Former Director of Bylaw Services Paul Morrison temporarily took over the role in February following a council vote to remove then-CAO David Barrick from the position. Barrick’s ouster came after two council meetings were cancelled when a block of six councillors boycotted the sessions in protest, likening the City’s democracy to an “authoritarian dictatorship.”

The city says Kallideen joined the City in Realty Services in 2021, becoming Commissioner of Legislative Services before transitioning into Community Services where he led teams in multiple divisions including Performing Arts, Service Brampton, and Parks and Forestry.

“Marlon is regarded by Council and staff as a trusted, strategic and thoughtful leader with a proven record of achieving meaningful results for the communities he serves,” Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said in a release, adding that Kallideen’s “strong leadership and commitment to service excellence will drive the City forward.”

In his new role as CAO, Kallideen will be in charge of the City’s leadership team, consisting of five Commissioners, the City’s General Manager of Brampton Transit, and the Brampton Fire and Emergency Services’ Fire Chief.

With Kallideen stepping into the CAO role, Morrison has transitioned to being the City’s acting Legislative Services Commissioner.

The City thanked Morrison for filling in as interim CAO, leading the City through its workplace reintegration following COVID-19 lockdowns, as well as the October municipal election.