BRAMPTON — August 28, 2026
Brampton Regional Councillor Rowena Santos is stepping onto the national stage after being appointed Chair of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Standing Committee on Community Safety and Crime Prevention for the 2026–27 term.
The appointment gives Brampton a stronger voice in national municipal discussions on crime, policing, community corrections, emergency preparedness and emergency management.
Santos, who represents Wards 1 and 5, has served on FCM’s Board of Directors since 2020 and has held several leadership positions within the national organization.
She previously served three terms as Chair of the Standing Committee on Municipal Finance, Infrastructure and Transportation and two terms as Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee on Anti-Racism and Equity. FCM has also recognized her as a “Municipal Trailblazer” for her contributions to local government.
Local crime concerns brought to police
Santos’ appointment comes as community safety remains a major concern for many Brampton residents.
In June, she presented the Peel Police Services Board with findings from a community survey involving 161 residents.
Residents identified concerns including vehicle break-ins, package thefts and people checking car doors overnight. Some respondents also indicated they were reluctant to report smaller crimes because they believed little action would result.
Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah acknowledged that crimes sometimes considered minor can still have a significant impact on how safe residents feel in their neighbourhoods.
Santos will now have an opportunity to take those local experiences into broader national discussions.
Auto theft, guns and organized crime among priorities
Brampton has identified several major public-safety challenges requiring greater cooperation among municipal, provincial and federal governments.
They include organized crime, auto theft, firearms, drug trafficking, human trafficking, gender-based violence, hate and extremism.
The city has also been pressing Ottawa for greater investment in policing, including additional resources for Peel Regional Police to combat organized crime and other transnational criminal activity.
“Community safety is fundamental to the well-being of our residents, children and families,” Santos said.
She said the FCM position will allow her to bring Brampton’s perspective to national discussions while working with municipalities facing similar challenges across Canada.
Brown and police chief welcome appointment
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said Santos’ selection by municipal leaders from across the country represents significant recognition of her work and will strengthen Brampton’s voice on national public-safety issues.
Chief Duraiappah also congratulated Santos, describing her as a consistent advocate for community safety and crime prevention in Brampton and Peel.
As committee chair, Santos will help lead discussions among municipalities on practical approaches to preventing crime while advocating for stronger partnerships and additional resources from other levels of government.
For Brampton, the appointment means that concerns residents experience at the neighbourhood level — from car break-ins and theft to organized crime, guns and human trafficking — will have a direct channel into national municipal discussions on how Canadian communities can be made safer.