Another week, another sideshow outside Brampton City Hall—this time courtesy of self-proclaimed landlord advocates Azad Goyat and Raj Ghuman. Armed with megaphones and misinformation, the pair has been loudly opposing Brampton’s Residential Rental Licensing (RRL) pilot project. But beneath the noise lies one clear motive: self-preservation.
Let’s be honest—this isn’t about fair housing policy. It’s about protecting a system that benefits landlords who’ve long operated unchecked.
Who’s Leading This So-Called Movement?
Azad Goyat, a two-time failed municipal candidate, has now reinvented himself as a “landlord rights” crusader. Both times he ran for public office, voters overwhelmingly rejected his platform—including in his own polling station. Instead of moving on, Goyat has turned his political defeat into a pressure campaign rooted in half-truths and performative outrage.
His ally, Raj Ghuman, brings his own brand of controversy to the cause. Together, they’ve set out to confuse the public, erode trust in enforcement, and protect landlords operating illegal, unsafe, and overcrowded rental units—many of which exploit international students and vulnerable newcomers.
Let’s be clear: it is illegal to rent out unsafe, unlicensed housing in Brampton. No amount of protest will change that.
No Fees, No Excuses
One of the loudest (and most misleading) talking points has been that the licensing process is too expensive. That claim is not just false—it’s outdated. The City of Brampton’s 2025 budget waived all Residential Rental Licensing fees. That’s right: the cost to register a rental is now zero. All landlords are required to do is comply with basic health and safety standards.
For responsible landlords, this poses no threat. For those who’ve been cutting corners and raking in profits while endangering tenants—it’s a problem. And that’s exactly the point.
A Policy Backed by Facts, Not Fear
City Council’s approach to the RRL pilot has been deliberate and data-driven. Far from reckless, the program was rolled out in five high-complaint wards, followed by an intake pause to fine-tune implementation based on community feedback. The City expanded outreach in multiple languages and ensured that landlords of legal units are supported and protected.
The result? Thousands of properties inspected. Hundreds of licences issued. Life-threatening code violations uncovered—and addressed.
This is what responsible governance looks like.
A Handful of Protesters Don’t Speak for Brampton
Each week, a small crowd—typically fewer than 50 men—gathers to protest outside City Hall. They claim to speak for Brampton’s landlords. But Brampton is home to over 800,000 residents. These few do not represent the majority.
Most Brampton residents, including tenants, students, and newcomers, support stronger enforcement against unsafe rentals. They’ve lived the consequences of overcrowded, neglected units—and they’ve called for reform for years.
Now that reform is finally happening, those with the most to lose are crying foul.
The Real Story
This isn’t grassroots activism—it’s a last-ditch effort by a pair of failed politicians trying to preserve a broken system that puts profit over people.
Brampton City Council has shown leadership by standing up for tenants, cracking down on dangerous units, and supporting compliant landlords. The RRL pilot is a smart, effective step toward safer, more equitable housing in a city that desperately needs it.
The distractions outside City Hall may grab headlines, but they don’t change the facts. Brampton residents want safe, legal, affordable housing—and they aren’t buying the noise.