Community News
What will be the impact of the dissolution of Peel? Peel residents are anxious!
BY PAUL JUNOR
Many diverse groups and individuals have expressed widespread concerns regarding the impending dissolution of the Peel Region. It was in July 2023 that the PC-led Conservatives passed the Hazel McCallion Act (Bill 112), which legislated the dissolution of the Region of Peel on December 31st, 2024. As a result of this, municipalities that make up the Region of Peel will now be single-tier municipalities and regional governments will no longer coordinate shared services. Many non-profit and community-based organizations are waiting with bated breath for the outcomes of the fallout from the planned break-up of Peel.
In response to the possible implications and consequences of the dissolution of Peel, a network of over 80 non-profit organizations came together to form a coalition to address these issues. The launch of the Metamorphosis Network of Peel was announced on Monday, October 23rd, 2023, and was followed by a press conference in the Media Studio at Queen’s Park on Tuesday, October 24th, 2023.
Metamorphosis Network was formed in 2005 when service providers in the healthcare system were alarmed by the significant changes that were being proposed and wanted to ensure that there were positive outcomes for residents. It has broadened its mandate given the current realities of impending changes in Peel Region.
It is an independent network of community support services, non-profit organizations and community groups that have formed the backbone of community services in: Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon for decades. Their purpose is to collaborate to enhance client service, knowledge transfer and service improvements to the transition taking place in the Regional Municipality of Peel.
The following are services which are currently managed and delivered by the Region of Peel:
- Affordable housing
- Homelessness services and shelters
- Welfare and support programs
- Children And Children’s Programs
- Water and sewage
- Garbage collection
- Major road management and maintenance
- Public health and addiction services
- Paramedic/Emergency services
- Transportation for people with disabilities
- Developmental services
- Long-Term Care facilities
- Services for seniors
There are five risks that the Metamorphosis Network listed as a result of the dissolution:
Increased management to oversee separate programs. They will need separate
programs for three municipalities.
That will mean either complex inter-municipal arrangements, or three sets of administrators-three housing and human services departments, three children’s services departments, three public health boards, three water and sewer departments, all operating separately.
Longer waits and more constraints on access to childcare subsidies, housing and supports.
Right now, the Region manages centralized waiting lists for: childcare subsidies, affordable housing, people experiencing homelessness to connect to services, and housing, and support programs. After dissolution, Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon will have separate programs with separate lists, so access will depend on where you live.
Local community services may get more complicated.
Non-profit organizations receive most of their funding from the Region. After dissolution, they will have to apply to three municipalities and provide three sets of reports on activities. If they get different funding from each municipality, clients may receive different levels of service depending on where they are based.
Some services may need to be replaced.
Brampton doesn’t have a shelter serving families facing homelessness. Caledon doesn’t have a shelter for women experiencing domestic violence. Brampton has more long-term care beds at their new facility.
Implementation of boundaries that used to be invisible.
Services like snow clearing and emergency medical services are provided to the Region as a whole. When the Region is dissolved, will ambulances and snowplows stop crossing the 407? Will people have to show proof of their postal code to get service and be turned down if they are from the wrong area?