A nationwide public safety summit could soon be heading to Brampton, thanks to growing interest in the work Peel Regional Police have done to address crime and build safer communities.
At last month’s Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) conference, municipal leaders from across the country gathered to share ideas and collaborate on community-building initiatives. Among the Brampton delegation was Councillor Rowena Santos, who, along with others, worked to advance key city goals—including securing $3.8 billion in transit funding.
One of the conference’s standout moments came from Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah, whose presentation on public safety drew so much attention that mayors and councillors from across Canada reportedly lined up to hear more.
Now, Brampton is looking to build on that momentum. City Council passed a motion on Wednesday to begin planning a national public safety summit that would bring police leaders, elected officials, and public safety experts to Brampton in 2026. The initiative is being developed in collaboration with FCM, which is now considering the city’s proposal to co-host the event.
Councillor Santos said the summit would reinforce Brampton’s leadership on major public safety issues, including the city’s calls for bail reform and efforts to address repeat offenders. It would also expand on the success of a local summit hosted last year by Peel police, which focused on combatting a spike in auto thefts across Mississauga and Brampton.
Peel Regional Police provided Brampton City Council with a closed-door briefing on Wednesday, with another update expected at the Peel Regional Council meeting on Thursday.
Santos, who was recently re-elected for a sixth term on the FCM Board of Directors, also received recognition for five consecutive years of service. City officials say her continued presence on the board ensures that Brampton’s voice will remain influential in shaping national policy and funding decisions that directly impact local communities.
If approved, the proposed public safety summit could take place as early as spring 2026, positioning Brampton as a national leader in collaborative approaches to community safety.