City focuses on health care expansion, transit improvements, and recreational facilities
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown announced the release of the city’s proposed 2025 budget during a news conference at city hall on Friday, January 10. The budget outlines a proposed 2.9% increase in property taxes. When combined with the anticipated 5.5% increase from the Region of Peel, residents can expect an overall 8.4% rise in their property tax bills for 2025.
Peel Region Council has yet to finalize its 2025 budget. A meeting scheduled for December 12 to approve the regional budget was deferred after Mississauga’s councillors did not attend due to disagreements over a significant increase to the Peel police budget.
According to the city and region, the combined tax increase would amount to approximately $515 for the average residential property—$321 from Peel Region and $194 from Brampton.
This marks Brampton’s second budget under Ontario’s “strong-mayor” legislation, which grants mayors greater control over the budget process. However, Mayor Brown emphasized that his office adopted a collaborative approach, seeking input from city council members, staff, and community stakeholders when crafting the proposed budget.
“This is the midpoint of our council mandate, and we are focused on driving progress and prosperity,” Mayor Brown stated during the news conference. “Our AAA credit rating attests to strong fiscal stewardship, which is the foundation upon which prosperity is built. It speaks to the strength of Brampton’s financial position.”
One percent of the city’s proposed 2.9% tax increase is dedicated to a hospital levy introduced in 2022 to fund the city’s share of expanding the Peel Memorial Urgent Care Centre into a second full-service hospital. To date, $81.1 million has been reserved for this project, with an additional $4.9 million expected from levies.
Early construction on the new hospital is anticipated to begin in the spring after facing multiple delays. The budget also allocates $10 million for the Toronto Metropolitan Medical School, currently under construction.
Other significant investments include $15 million for downtown revitalization and $15 million for the Riverwalk flood mitigation initiative. The budget proposes $29 million for the new Embleton Community Centre and Library and $23 million to develop “winter optimized” recreational facilities, including an indoor cricket dome at the Earnscliffe Recreation Centre.
Additional recreational investments feature $14 million for the Cassie Campbell Field Hockey field, $5 million for park and playground upgrades, increased funding for outdoor ice rinks, and expanded capacity for recreation programs to serve an additional 8,000 residents.
Brampton Transit is set to receive a substantial boost with $300 million allocated for constructing a third transit facility and the addition of 52,000 service hours to enhance ride frequency and expand routes.
Brampton Council has scheduled four special meetings for budget deliberations, inviting public input:
- Monday, January 13: 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Tuesday, January 14: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Thursday, January 16: 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Friday, January 17: 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Residents can request to speak at these meetings through the city clerk’s office or submit delegation requests online.
In addition, the city will host a telephone town hall on January 13 to provide more information about the budget and gather public feedback. Interested participants can register for the telephone town hall here.
Mayor Brown and ward councillors will also host “budget chat” sessions at various locations across the city’s five wards. Visit www.brampton.ca for dates, times, and further information. The full proposed budget is also available on the city’s website.
Council aims to finalize and approve the budget on January 20.