February 12, 2024
Mississauga, ON - "In Canada, a car is stolen every six minutes.
In Peel Region, the situation is especially acute, and totally unacceptable.
Peel Regional Police reported 8,279 vehicle thefts in 2023 — a 145% increase since 2020.
These crimes are often committed by violent carjackings and home invasions. And since Jan 10, Peel police data report 683 vehicle thefts – 22 per day!
Mississauga residents absolutely must feel safe in their cars, and their homes.
We must come together to coordinate our response to these terrible crimes.
While I was pleased to see the Federal Government host a Summit this past week, and to read the Statement of Intent, time is of the essence.
Each day lost to talking about solutions instead of acting on them is another 22 cars stolen in the Region of Peel.
We know there are 2 key solutions Police have been asking the Federal Government to put in place: 1/ Secure the ports & 2/ Harsher penalties for car theft.
It’s time to implement these solutions as soon as possible.
The time to act is now. ”
Media Release
January 15, 2024
Mississauga Residents could be facing an additional 4% property tax increase unless the Federal Government starts funding the costs of asylum seeker settlement.
The Region of Peel shelters continue to operate at around 300 percent of capacity due to the asylum crisis caused by federal inaction. Last year the Region forked out $23 million on supporting asylum seekers because the federal government was missing in action.
In 2024 the Region of Peel is looking at spending at least $42 million to settle asylum seekers and I am confident it will be north of $42 Million. Yet to date, there is no commitment from the Federal Government to fund the Region of Peel even though Immigration and Refugee settlement is clearly a federal responsibility
If the Federal Government does not start funding, the Region of Peel is looking at an additional 4 % or more increase to property taxes in 2024 over and above what has already been approved.
I call upon the Federal Government to:
1) Fully reimburse the Region of Peel $24 million spent last year on behalf of the Federal Government to support Asylum Seekers. (Only $10 Million has been reimbursed)
2) Immediately start funding the $42 million that is the minimum cost of settling asylum seekers in Peel in 2024
It is unacceptable that municipal governments are being forced to go cap in hand to the federal government to fund services that the federal government is responsible for.
Media Release
December 13, 2023
Today was a significant day for tenants in the City of Mississauga. My motion to enhance our rental building inspection program was approved by City Council. Important improvements that will be put into effect in the upcoming three to six months are:
1) A website that will display the findings of every rental building inspection.
2) Increasing the pass rate for buildings from 50% to 60%
3) Including inspection results of individual units into the overall building score
These enhancements will ensure tenants are better protected. I want to thank Peel Acorn and other rental advocacy groups for their collaboration.
Media Release - Mississauga
Nov 24, 2023
While, I am pleased to see the federal government announce $7 million in funding to the Region of Peel towards a welcome centre for asylum seekers, the fact is, it is a day late and a dollar short.
This year alone the Region of Peel is spending close to $20 M to support asylum seekers and expects to spend significantly more next year. So, the $7 million announced today is simply not enough.
I am requesting the Trudeau government to immediately refund the $20M spent so far and to commit to more funding for Peel in 2024. Sticking property tax payers with the bill for federal programs is unfair.