Every day, Peel Regional Police officers put themselves in harm’s way to protect the safety and well-being of Brampton and Mississauga residents. They confront violent criminals, investigate organized crime, and respond to increasingly dangerous emergencies. But their ability to keep Peel safe is now being jeopardized by Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish and her council’s political decision to oppose the 2025 police budget.
This isn’t just a financial debate; it’s a direct threat to public safety.
Peel is facing an unprecedented increase in crime. Home invasions have surged by more than 300%, shootings are up 80%, and carjackings have jumped by 51%. Organized crime is growing bolder and are looking to exploit gaps in enforcement and vulnerabilities in our community. Residents are no longer hearing about these crimes from a distance — they are experiencing them firsthand in their own homes.
The proposed 2025 police budget will ensure Peel Regional Police is adequately equipped to respond to these challenges. It includes funding for 300 new officers, expanded investigative teams, and critical technology upgrades. These resources are needed right now to meet the demands of a rapidly growing population and escalating threats.
Mississauga Council’s opposition to this budget is not grounded in public safety; it’s about getting re-elected and ignoring the safety of residents. While they celebrate marginal savings, they are gambling with the lives of the very people they are elected to represent. This short-sighted decision ignores the harsh realities on our streets:
— An illegal firearm is seized or used in Peel almost every single day, with a staggering 87% increase in illegal firearm seizures.
— Violent reoffenders are on the rise, with nearly half of all arrests involving individuals with prior convictions.
— Mental health and addiction-related calls have spiked dramatically, placing additional strain on already stretched resources.
If this budget isn’t approved, the consequences to residents will be devastating and long-lasting. Response times to emergency calls will grow longer, leaving Mississauga residents waiting for help during life-or-death situations. Officers will face burnout as they are forced to do more with less. Criminal networks will see Peel as an easy target for illegal firearms, human trafficking, and organized crime.
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Peel Region already has one of the lowest police-to-population ratios among major urban centres in Canada. Every delay in funding puts more strain on a service that is fighting to keep up with exponential growth. The price of inaction is not just measured in statistics, it will be felt in more violent crimes, shattered families, and lives forever changed by preventable tragedies.
This is a defining moment for Parrish and Mississauga council. They must decide whether to stand with the residents who rely on Peel Regional Police for their safety or a legacy of political convenience over the security of their residents. Rejecting this budget is not just irresponsible — it’s dangerous.
Public safety is not negotiable. Parrish and Mississauga council must stop playing politics with people’s lives and approve the 2025 police budget immediately. The officers who protect this community every day deserve the tools and resources they need to do their jobs effectively. Anything less is a betrayal of the trust placed in them—and in our elected leaders.
— Adrian Woolley is president of the Peel Police Association