BRAMPTON — The acceptance of new artifact and artwork donations at the Peel Art Gallery Museum and Archives (PAMA) could be temporarily placed on hold as discussions continue around a potential transfer of operations to the City of Brampton.
A motion set to be considered at Regional Council proposes freezing PAMA’s 2026 marketing budget and pausing the acceptance of new donations until greater clarity is provided on the museum’s future governance and ownership structure. The motion has been brought forward by Brampton Councillor Rowena Santos and Mississauga Councillor Stephen Dasko.
The proposal follows concerns over funding equity and usage, after data showed that the majority of PAMA’s visitors and program participants are residents of Brampton, despite the museum being funded jointly by Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon. While Mississauga contributes the largest share of the operating budget, Brampton residents account for the overwhelming majority of attendance.
Supporters of the motion argue that continuing to accept new artifacts or artworks without a clear governance plan could complicate future decisions around ownership, care and stewardship of the collection. The pause is intended to be temporary, pending a detailed staff report outlining options for governance, funding, and the division of assets.
If a transition proceeds, Brampton would work collaboratively with Mississauga and Caledon to finalize ownership interests related to the property, building and collections, with shared ownership among the three municipalities. Regional archive services would continue to be funded under the existing model, while each municipality would independently assess its future tax levy contributions toward arts, culture and heritage starting in 2027.
PAMA is housed in Brampton’s historic former Peel County courthouse and jail and preserves collections reflecting the shared history of Brampton, Mississauga and Caledon. Decisions made in the coming weeks could shape the future direction of one of Peel Region’s most significant cultural institutions.