A proposed increase in stormwater fees in Brampton has been put on hold following heated discussions among city councillors, with some expressing concerns about the financial impact on residents.
Councillor Michael Palleschi criticized the proposed hikes, calling them a “money grab” that shifts more financial pressure onto taxpayers. “It’s just more money that we can get from residents and put it into a different project as far as I’m concerned,” Palleschi said during Wednesday’s council meeting.
The increases, which were intended to adjust for inflation and address a $1 million shortfall in stormwater service funding, would see fees for a medium-sized home rise from $92.03 to $95.16, and for larger homes from $119.64 to $123.71.
Fee Changes Intended to Address Inequities
City staff have argued that the revised stormwater fee system was designed to “rebalance the way stormwater charges are paid.” Under the previous structure, residential property owners subsidized non-residential properties “to a great extent,” staff said, and the changes aim to ensure non-residential property owners contribute more equitably.
Deputy Mayor Harkirat Singh defended the shift, emphasizing that the user fee system was implemented to reduce tax pressures on residential homeowners. “If revenue losses are going onto residents’ property tax bills, it defeats the purpose of the changes,” Singh said, adding that the increases seem to represent a “back-step” from the original intent.
Riverwalk Funding Raises Concerns
Councillor Palleschi also questioned the use of stormwater fees to fund Brampton’s downtown Riverwalk project, which is partially financed through reserve funds tied to stormwater management.
He stressed that stormwater funds should be exclusively used for their intended purpose. “Taxpayers in my area are not paying for a fancy light in Riverwalk, but they’ll pay for the stormwater support that is needed, specifically for the downtown,” Palleschi said.
The Riverwalk project, designed to mitigate flooding and revitalize Brampton’s downtown core, has been a key initiative for the city but has also drawn scrutiny over its reliance on reserve funds.
Next Steps
Mayor Patrick Brown tabled the proposed fee increases until the upcoming budget deliberations, temporarily pausing the decision. The council will revisit the matter with the aim of addressing funding gaps while balancing the financial impact on Brampton residents.
The stormwater fee debate highlights ongoing tensions between infrastructure funding needs and protecting taxpayers from additional financial burdens. The council is expected to resume discussions during budget talks in the coming weeks.