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A looming ban on fireworks in Mississauga — which caused a firestorm among the local Hindu community — turned out to be a dud. But first, the University of Toronto says it’s looking into a pair of “anti-semitic incidents” on the Mississauga campus.
SCOOP — The University of Toronto has opened an investigation into two alleged “antisemitic incidents” last week.
What they're saying: “I have received concerning reports of two anti-semitic incidents on our campus at the beginning and end of last week,” wrote Alexandra Gillespie, the University of Toronto Mississauga's principal, in an internal email on Tuesday. “I wanted to let the community know that these reports are under review by our Campus Safety team.”
For context: Last week, a vigil honouring Palestinian “martyrs,” hosted by the Student Union, took place. The event was condemned by one group, Doctors Against Racism and Antisemitism (DARA), as “rubbing salt into the wounds of our Jewish learners, staff, faculty, and alumni.”
Meanwhile, Jewish faculty and students set up a table to commemorate victims of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel. The display, with security surrounding it, drew a crowd of opposing students.
Later, in an Instagram post, Hillel Ontario said students “had to be escorted out a back door to protect them from an angry mob.”
That said: The university won't say what the two incidents involved. “We have nothing further to add… other than all members of the university community have a right to learn, live, work, and research in an environment that is free of discrimination and harassment,” a spokesperson told The Report. “If U of T determines there have been violations of university policies, we will take appropriate action.”
Speaking of: The Muslim Student Association says it’s lawyering up after Energy Minister Stephen Lecce called them a “morally degenerate group.” “Minister Lecce’s words are defamatory and completely false,” the group said, calling on him to issue a public apology.
— By Ahmad Elbayoumi
Compromise — No ban, but Mississauga City Council voted Wednesday to tighten the rules on fireworks.
To recap: Just two weeks ago, Council punted a planned vote to ban consumer fireworks. That day, about a hundred residents showed up to protest the proposed new by-law, with councillors split on the issue. (Mayor Carolyn Parrish told CBC News she expected a vote “to be tight” and “likely be decided by one or two votes.”)
What happened: Some councillors say Parrish had indicated her interest in reaching a compromise on the new by-law prior to the Wednesday meeting. She had a sit-down with Ruchi Wali of the Canadian National Council for Hindus (CNCH) earlier this week, which she called “a last-ditch effort to keep fireworks.”
Over thirty residents were scheduled to delegate on the proposed ban, but Wali spoke first — at Parrish's request — with a proposal that seemed to calm tensions.
Wali expressed the community's desire to “educate first, enforce firmly and celebrate respectfully,” as opposed to an outright ban. She shared the group's plans to collaborate with the city, by informing community members about existing regulations for fireworks use.
The new restrictions: Mississauga will keep fireworks displays on five designated holidays — Lunar New Year, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Diwali and New Year’s Eve — within limited hours, between 6 to 10 p.m. on most days. The city also plans to flag noisier types like Roman Candles for potential restriction in a final by-law, prohibit same-day sales and set aside an extra $300,000 for enforcement.
Cllr. Joe Horneck, who seconded Parrish's motion, told The Report that he found the new proposed measures to be “rounding the edges versus doing something dramatic.”
Meanwhile, Cllr. Dipika Damerla, the most vocal opponent to a ban, said she was “disappointed” by Parrish not including her in the discussions with the CNCH, and took issue with the day-of-sale ban, calling it “paternalistic and patronizing.”
Parrish v. Damerla: At Wednesday's meeting, Mississauga's mayor also rejected Damerla's claim that she wanted to ban fireworks, calling her colleague “very difficult” to work with on the issue, and even floating the idea of filing an integrity commissioner complaint. Parrish did not respond to a request for comment.
Recall: After residents complained that fireworks rules were being ignored, Parrish had asked staff to come back with fixes. “This is not about eliminating celebrations — it’s about creating safer practices,” Georgios Fthenos, the Director of Enforcement, said as he presented a recommendation for “a full prohibition on the sale, distribution, possession, and use of consumer fireworks.” Catch up.
The vote: Ultimately, councillors voted 8-3 to proceed with Parrish's new motion and end “discussion, debate or deputations,” with Councillors Brad Butt, Alvin Tedjo and Damerla opposing it.
Then, councillors voted unanimously to approve the majority of the new measures, with a separate vote on the prohibition on day-of holiday sales clearing 7-4, with Damerla, Butt, Tedjo and Sue McFadden voting against.
Butt told The Report he doesn’t feel “banning sales on the actual days solves the issue,” and that he doesn’t hear the widespread complaints from his residents about fireworks misuse.
Damerla, meanwhile, apologized to gathered residents that they had been “denied the opportunity to debate” on the motion. She told The Report that she felt it was a “suboptimal decision” to not continue the discussion.
The reaction: Aleem Kanji from the Canadian National Fireworks Association (CNFA), who delegated against the proposed ban two weeks ago, called the decision a “balanced and thoughtful approach.”
Damerla, for her part, told The Report she’s “pleased we’re not banning all fireworks” — and believes most residents feel the same — but said she’s “not pleased with some of the new provisions.”
Parrish treated herself to ice cream. “Council hit a settlement on fireworks — which I love! A good day!” she posted on X.
Next: Parrish says the city will study fireworks’ decibel levels. “We are presuming those labelled with ‘big bang’ demarcations will be the easiest ones to eliminate,” she wrote. “We will be depending on manufacturers’ cooperation. Elimination of noisiest and most dangerous rather than all.”
Changes? Clerk Diana Rusnov confirmed at the meeting that the matter could only be brought up “a year after consideration,” according to municipal by-law.
“We’ll see how it unfolds,” Damerla told The Report.
— Mississauga's General Committee met on Wednesday. Of note:
— Brampton City Council did too. Of note:
Meanwhile, happening this weekend:
— At 6 p.m. tonight, some councillors will be at the Seva Gala at the Queen’s Manor Event Centre.
— The Trillium Foundation will also be hosting a Diwali Gala at the Pearson Convention Centre in Brampton.
— At 7 p.m. tonight, Dipika Damerla will be hosting a Tenant Rights Workshop at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Elementary School.
— On Saturday at 10 a.m., Joe Horneck will be hosting a Tree Planting event at Woodland Park.
— On Saturday at 7:45 p.m., Stephen Dasko will be at the Mississauga Chargers game at the Port Credit Memorial Arena.
— Patrick Brown: Over the Thanksgiving weekend, he was at the opening gala of the International Film Festival of South Asia with Cllr. Rod Power. Then, he stopped by the last Brampton Farmer’s Market of the year with his son, Theodore. He spoke at the inauguration of the Jesus Centre Word to World Ministries Canada’s new centre in Brampton. He made a cameo at RED FM’s Diwali mela with Councillor Dennis Keenan.
He celebrated fast food chain Jollibee’s fifth anniversary in Brampton. He attended a Diwali celebration held by the Akhand Bharti Club of Canada. He attended the West Indian Chutney to the Core cultural celebration. He also cut the ribbon at the opening of the Goreway Drive Bridge.
Watch: Brown made the rounds to discuss the Stellantis’ plant closure, telling CTV's Vassy Kapelos that it was a “punch to the gut.”
— Carolyn Parrish: “Thanksgiving Day has a special meaning this year,” she wrote on X about the ceasefire in Gaza.
She also plugged Food Banks Mississauga’s fundraising drive, which ends today.
Last Friday, she was at the ribbon-cutting for Canada Welding Supply’s new building in Mississauga.
— Annette Groves: She welcomed students from Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) to Caledon Town Hall.
On Tuesday, she praised new painted crosswalks honouring servicemen and women.
— Stelantis moving a planned Jeep Compass auto-plant in Brampton to Illinois, leaving 3,000 workers in limbo.
From the company: “This [$13 billion] investment in the United States — the single largest in the company’s history — will drive our growth, strengthen our manufacturing footprint and bring more American jobs to the states we call home,” CEO Antonio Filosa said in a statement.
Brampton’s mayor says he's “deeply disappointed.” “This announcement is disheartening for the thousands of highly skilled, highly trained and loyal employees who have given so much to this industry,” wrote Patrick Brown in response.
Meanwhile, Unifor president Lana Payne said “Canadian auto jobs are being sacrificed on the Trump altar.”
Ontario's Chamber of Commerce and the Brampton Board of Trade also denounced the move: “... We are calling on all parties to finalize a plan that keeps production in Brampton and strengthens Ontario's essential role in North America's integrated auto supply chain.”
Industry Minister Melanie Joly is threatening to take Stellantis to court.
Premier Doug Ford says he plans to keep the plant open “no matter what.”
— As Peel paramedics face costly delays in getting patients to hospitals, one Toronto ER doctor has envisioned a rapid-response partnership for on-site treatment. “We want to reach those patients that maybe would have never made it,” Dr. Johannes von Vopelius-Feldt says.
— Conservative leader Pierre Poillievre thinks he can turn Brampton blue in the next federal election.
— CBC caught up with Sikh leader Inderjeet Singh Gosal, who declined police protection after death threats from the Indian government. “I’d rather take India’s bullet than stop campaigning for the Khalistan referendum,” he said.
— Provincial courts transferred some services online on Tuesday.
— The Mississauga woman who spray-painted racist anti-Indian graffiti is facing mischief charges.
— The Pointer reported on the “wild west” process for selecting municipal integrity commissioners, and the Ford government's attempt to shore it up through Bill 9.
— Steven Del Duca says he wants to spend $350 K for new “crime-fighting technology” in Vaughan, like closed-circuit cameras. Will other cities follow suit?
— In The Local, a York University alumna wrote about how a one year-old $280 M campus in Markham (largely unoccupied) isn’t enough to fix the school’s many broader issues.
— Last Wednesday, Caledon launched a Council Decision Database.
— On Thursday, Peel commemorated Dress Purple Day to raise awareness for child safety.
— PC MPP Deepak Anand thanking Carolyn Parrish for the Goreway Bridge opening. “Thank you Mayor Parrish for delivering another historic project.”
— Seen: Stephen Dasko and Natalie Hart at the TD MonsterArts Deepavali Party. Alvin Tedjo hosted a Pasta Dinner in support of Food Banks Mississauga. Stephen Dasko visited the Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area with Charles Sousa. Dasko was a guest on Sauga 960 AM's The Norm.
Thank you for reading The Peel Report. Are you happy with the new fireworks regulations in Mississauga? I want to hear from you, and I’ll keep you anonymous. We’re back in your inbox on Monday.
A looming ban on fireworks in Mississauga — which caused a firestorm among the local Hindu community — turned out to be a dud. But first, the University of Toronto says it’s looking into a pair of “anti-semitic incidents” on the Mississauga campus.
SCOOP — The University of Toronto has opened an investigation into two alleged “antisemitic incidents” last week.
What they're saying: “I have received concerning reports of two anti-semitic incidents on our campus at the beginning and end of last week,” wrote Alexandra Gillespie, the University of Toronto Mississauga's principal, in an internal email on Tuesday. “I wanted to let the community know that these reports are under review by our Campus Safety team.”
For context: Last week, a vigil honouring Palestinian “martyrs,” hosted by the Student Union, took place. The event was condemned by one group, Doctors Against Racism and Antisemitism (DARA), as “rubbing salt into the wounds of our Jewish learners, staff, faculty, and alumni.”
Meanwhile, Jewish faculty and students set up a table to commemorate victims of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel. The display, with security surrounding it, drew a crowd of opposing students.
Later, in an Instagram post, Hillel Ontario said students “had to be escorted out a back door to protect them from an angry mob.”
That said: The university won't say what the two incidents involved. “We have nothing further to add… other than all members of the university community have a right to learn, live, work, and research in an environment that is free of discrimination and harassment,” a spokesperson told The Report. “If U of T determines there have been violations of university policies, we will take appropriate action.”
Speaking of: The Muslim Student Association says it’s lawyering up after Energy Minister Stephen Lecce called them a “morally degenerate group.” “Minister Lecce’s words are defamatory and completely false,” the group said, calling on him to issue a public apology.
— By Ahmad Elbayoumi
Compromise — No ban, but Mississauga City Council voted Wednesday to tighten the rules on fireworks.
To recap: Just two weeks ago, Council punted a planned vote to ban consumer fireworks. That day, about a hundred residents showed up to protest the proposed new by-law, with councillors split on the issue. (Mayor Carolyn Parrish told CBC News she expected a vote “to be tight” and “likely be decided by one or two votes.”)
What happened: Some councillors say Parrish had indicated her interest in reaching a compromise on the new by-law prior to the Wednesday meeting. She had a sit-down with Ruchi Wali of the Canadian National Council for Hindus (CNCH) earlier this week, which she called “a last-ditch effort to keep fireworks.”
Over thirty residents were scheduled to delegate on the proposed ban, but Wali spoke first — at Parrish's request — with a proposal that seemed to calm tensions.
Wali expressed the community's desire to “educate first, enforce firmly and celebrate respectfully,” as opposed to an outright ban. She shared the group's plans to collaborate with the city, by informing community members about existing regulations for fireworks use.
The new restrictions: Mississauga will keep fireworks displays on five designated holidays — Lunar New Year, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Diwali and New Year’s Eve — within limited hours, between 6 to 10 p.m. on most days. The city also plans to flag noisier types like Roman Candles for potential restriction in a final by-law, prohibit same-day sales and set aside an extra $300,000 for enforcement.
Cllr. Joe Horneck, who seconded Parrish's motion, told The Report that he found the new proposed measures to be “rounding the edges versus doing something dramatic.”
Meanwhile, Cllr. Dipika Damerla, the most vocal opponent to a ban, said she was “disappointed” by Parrish not including her in the discussions with the CNCH, and took issue with the day-of-sale ban, calling it “paternalistic and patronizing.”
Parrish v. Damerla: At Wednesday's meeting, Mississauga's mayor also rejected Damerla's claim that she wanted to ban fireworks, calling her colleague “very difficult” to work with on the issue, and even floating the idea of filing an integrity commissioner complaint. Parrish did not respond to a request for comment.
Recall: After residents complained that fireworks rules were being ignored, Parrish had asked staff to come back with fixes. “This is not about eliminating celebrations — it’s about creating safer practices,” Georgios Fthenos, the Director of Enforcement, said as he presented a recommendation for “a full prohibition on the sale, distribution, possession, and use of consumer fireworks.” Catch up.
The vote: Ultimately, councillors voted 8-3 to proceed with Parrish's new motion and end “discussion, debate or deputations,” with Councillors Brad Butt, Alvin Tedjo and Damerla opposing it.
Then, councillors voted unanimously to approve the majority of the new measures, with a separate vote on the prohibition on day-of holiday sales clearing 7-4, with Damerla, Butt, Tedjo and Sue McFadden voting against.
Butt told The Report he doesn’t feel “banning sales on the actual days solves the issue,” and that he doesn’t hear the widespread complaints from his residents about fireworks misuse.
Damerla, meanwhile, apologized to gathered residents that they had been “denied the opportunity to debate” on the motion. She told The Report that she felt it was a “suboptimal decision” to not continue the discussion.
The reaction: Aleem Kanji from the Canadian National Fireworks Association (CNFA), who delegated against the proposed ban two weeks ago, called the decision a “balanced and thoughtful approach.”
Damerla, for her part, told The Report she’s “pleased we’re not banning all fireworks” — and believes most residents feel the same — but said she’s “not pleased with some of the new provisions.”
Parrish treated herself to ice cream. “Council hit a settlement on fireworks — which I love! A good day!” she posted on X.
Next: Parrish says the city will study fireworks’ decibel levels. “We are presuming those labelled with ‘big bang’ demarcations will be the easiest ones to eliminate,” she wrote. “We will be depending on manufacturers’ cooperation. Elimination of noisiest and most dangerous rather than all.”
Changes? Clerk Diana Rusnov confirmed at the meeting that the matter could only be brought up “a year after consideration,” according to municipal by-law.
“We’ll see how it unfolds,” Damerla told The Report.
— Mississauga's General Committee met on Wednesday. Of note:
— Brampton City Council did too. Of note:
Meanwhile, happening this weekend:
— At 6 p.m. tonight, some councillors will be at the Seva Gala at the Queen’s Manor Event Centre.
— The Trillium Foundation will also be hosting a Diwali Gala at the Pearson Convention Centre in Brampton.
— At 7 p.m. tonight, Dipika Damerla will be hosting a Tenant Rights Workshop at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Elementary School.
— On Saturday at 10 a.m., Joe Horneck will be hosting a Tree Planting event at Woodland Park.
— On Saturday at 7:45 p.m., Stephen Dasko will be at the Mississauga Chargers game at the Port Credit Memorial Arena.
— Patrick Brown: Over the Thanksgiving weekend, he was at the opening gala of the International Film Festival of South Asia with Cllr. Rod Power. Then, he stopped by the last Brampton Farmer’s Market of the year with his son, Theodore. He spoke at the inauguration of the Jesus Centre Word to World Ministries Canada’s new centre in Brampton. He made a cameo at RED FM’s Diwali mela with Councillor Dennis Keenan.
He celebrated fast food chain Jollibee’s fifth anniversary in Brampton. He attended a Diwali celebration held by the Akhand Bharti Club of Canada. He attended the West Indian Chutney to the Core cultural celebration. He also cut the ribbon at the opening of the Goreway Drive Bridge.
Watch: Brown made the rounds to discuss the Stellantis’ plant closure, telling CTV's Vassy Kapelos that it was a “punch to the gut.”
— Carolyn Parrish: “Thanksgiving Day has a special meaning this year,” she wrote on X about the ceasefire in Gaza.
She also plugged Food Banks Mississauga’s fundraising drive, which ends today.
Last Friday, she was at the ribbon-cutting for Canada Welding Supply’s new building in Mississauga.
— Annette Groves: She welcomed students from Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) to Caledon Town Hall.
On Tuesday, she praised new painted crosswalks honouring servicemen and women.
— Stelantis moving a planned Jeep Compass auto-plant in Brampton to Illinois, leaving 3,000 workers in limbo.
From the company: “This [$13 billion] investment in the United States — the single largest in the company’s history — will drive our growth, strengthen our manufacturing footprint and bring more American jobs to the states we call home,” CEO Antonio Filosa said in a statement.
Brampton’s mayor says he's “deeply disappointed.” “This announcement is disheartening for the thousands of highly skilled, highly trained and loyal employees who have given so much to this industry,” wrote Patrick Brown in response.
Meanwhile, Unifor president Lana Payne said “Canadian auto jobs are being sacrificed on the Trump altar.”
Ontario's Chamber of Commerce and the Brampton Board of Trade also denounced the move: “... We are calling on all parties to finalize a plan that keeps production in Brampton and strengthens Ontario's essential role in North America's integrated auto supply chain.”
Industry Minister Melanie Joly is threatening to take Stellantis to court.
Premier Doug Ford says he plans to keep the plant open “no matter what.”
— As Peel paramedics face costly delays in getting patients to hospitals, one Toronto ER doctor has envisioned a rapid-response partnership for on-site treatment. “We want to reach those patients that maybe would have never made it,” Dr. Johannes von Vopelius-Feldt says.
— Conservative leader Pierre Poillievre thinks he can turn Brampton blue in the next federal election.
— CBC caught up with Sikh leader Inderjeet Singh Gosal, who declined police protection after death threats from the Indian government. “I’d rather take India’s bullet than stop campaigning for the Khalistan referendum,” he said.
— Provincial courts transferred some services online on Tuesday.
— The Mississauga woman who spray-painted racist anti-Indian graffiti is facing mischief charges.
— The Pointer reported on the “wild west” process for selecting municipal integrity commissioners, and the Ford government's attempt to shore it up through Bill 9.
— Steven Del Duca says he wants to spend $350 K for new “crime-fighting technology” in Vaughan, like closed-circuit cameras. Will other cities follow suit?
— In The Local, a York University alumna wrote about how a one year-old $280 M campus in Markham (largely unoccupied) isn’t enough to fix the school’s many broader issues.
— Last Wednesday, Caledon launched a Council Decision Database.
— On Thursday, Peel commemorated Dress Purple Day to raise awareness for child safety.
— PC MPP Deepak Anand thanking Carolyn Parrish for the Goreway Bridge opening. “Thank you Mayor Parrish for delivering another historic project.”
— Seen: Stephen Dasko and Natalie Hart at the TD MonsterArts Deepavali Party. Alvin Tedjo hosted a Pasta Dinner in support of Food Banks Mississauga. Stephen Dasko visited the Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area with Charles Sousa. Dasko was a guest on Sauga 960 AM's The Norm.
Thank you for reading The Peel Report. Are you happy with the new fireworks regulations in Mississauga? I want to hear from you, and I’ll keep you anonymous. We’re back in your inbox on Monday.
A looming ban on fireworks in Mississauga — which caused a firestorm among the local Hindu community — turned out to be a dud. But first, the University of Toronto says it’s looking into a pair of “anti-semitic incidents” on the Mississauga campus.
SCOOP — The University of Toronto has opened an investigation into two alleged “antisemitic incidents” last week.
What they're saying: “I have received concerning reports of two anti-semitic incidents on our campus at the beginning and end of last week,” wrote Alexandra Gillespie, the University of Toronto Mississauga's principal, in an internal email on Tuesday. “I wanted to let the community know that these reports are under review by our Campus Safety team.”
For context: Last week, a vigil honouring Palestinian “martyrs,” hosted by the Student Union, took place. The event was condemned by one group, Doctors Against Racism and Antisemitism (DARA), as “rubbing salt into the wounds of our Jewish learners, staff, faculty, and alumni.”
Meanwhile, Jewish faculty and students set up a table to commemorate victims of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel. The display, with security surrounding it, drew a crowd of opposing students.
Later, in an Instagram post, Hillel Ontario said students “had to be escorted out a back door to protect them from an angry mob.”
That said: The university won't say what the two incidents involved. “We have nothing further to add… other than all members of the university community have a right to learn, live, work, and research in an environment that is free of discrimination and harassment,” a spokesperson told The Report. “If U of T determines there have been violations of university policies, we will take appropriate action.”
Speaking of: The Muslim Student Association says it’s lawyering up after Energy Minister Stephen Lecce called them a “morally degenerate group.” “Minister Lecce’s words are defamatory and completely false,” the group said, calling on him to issue a public apology.
— By Ahmad Elbayoumi
Compromise — No ban, but Mississauga City Council voted Wednesday to tighten the rules on fireworks.
To recap: Just two weeks ago, Council punted a planned vote to ban consumer fireworks. That day, about a hundred residents showed up to protest the proposed new by-law, with councillors split on the issue. (Mayor Carolyn Parrish told CBC News she expected a vote “to be tight” and “likely be decided by one or two votes.”)
What happened: Some councillors say Parrish had indicated her interest in reaching a compromise on the new by-law prior to the Wednesday meeting. She had a sit-down with Ruchi Wali of the Canadian National Council for Hindus (CNCH) earlier this week, which she called “a last-ditch effort to keep fireworks.”
Over thirty residents were scheduled to delegate on the proposed ban, but Wali spoke first — at Parrish's request — with a proposal that seemed to calm tensions.
Wali expressed the community's desire to “educate first, enforce firmly and celebrate respectfully,” as opposed to an outright ban. She shared the group's plans to collaborate with the city, by informing community members about existing regulations for fireworks use.
The new restrictions: Mississauga will keep fireworks displays on five designated holidays — Lunar New Year, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Diwali and New Year’s Eve — within limited hours, between 6 to 10 p.m. on most days. The city also plans to flag noisier types like Roman Candles for potential restriction in a final by-law, prohibit same-day sales and set aside an extra $300,000 for enforcement.
Cllr. Joe Horneck, who seconded Parrish's motion, told The Report that he found the new proposed measures to be “rounding the edges versus doing something dramatic.”
Meanwhile, Cllr. Dipika Damerla, the most vocal opponent to a ban, said she was “disappointed” by Parrish not including her in the discussions with the CNCH, and took issue with the day-of-sale ban, calling it “paternalistic and patronizing.”
Parrish v. Damerla: At Wednesday's meeting, Mississauga's mayor also rejected Damerla's claim that she wanted to ban fireworks, calling her colleague “very difficult” to work with on the issue, and even floating the idea of filing an integrity commissioner complaint. Parrish did not respond to a request for comment.
Recall: After residents complained that fireworks rules were being ignored, Parrish had asked staff to come back with fixes. “This is not about eliminating celebrations — it’s about creating safer practices,” Georgios Fthenos, the Director of Enforcement, said as he presented a recommendation for “a full prohibition on the sale, distribution, possession, and use of consumer fireworks.” Catch up.
The vote: Ultimately, councillors voted 8-3 to proceed with Parrish's new motion and end “discussion, debate or deputations,” with Councillors Brad Butt, Alvin Tedjo and Damerla opposing it.
Then, councillors voted unanimously to approve the majority of the new measures, with a separate vote on the prohibition on day-of holiday sales clearing 7-4, with Damerla, Butt, Tedjo and Sue McFadden voting against.
Butt told The Report he doesn’t feel “banning sales on the actual days solves the issue,” and that he doesn’t hear the widespread complaints from his residents about fireworks misuse.
Damerla, meanwhile, apologized to gathered residents that they had been “denied the opportunity to debate” on the motion. She told The Report that she felt it was a “suboptimal decision” to not continue the discussion.
The reaction: Aleem Kanji from the Canadian National Fireworks Association (CNFA), who delegated against the proposed ban two weeks ago, called the decision a “balanced and thoughtful approach.”
Damerla, for her part, told The Report she’s “pleased we’re not banning all fireworks” — and believes most residents feel the same — but said she’s “not pleased with some of the new provisions.”
Parrish treated herself to ice cream. “Council hit a settlement on fireworks — which I love! A good day!” she posted on X.
Next: Parrish says the city will study fireworks’ decibel levels. “We are presuming those labelled with ‘big bang’ demarcations will be the easiest ones to eliminate,” she wrote. “We will be depending on manufacturers’ cooperation. Elimination of noisiest and most dangerous rather than all.”
Changes? Clerk Diana Rusnov confirmed at the meeting that the matter could only be brought up “a year after consideration,” according to municipal by-law.
“We’ll see how it unfolds,” Damerla told The Report.
— Mississauga's General Committee met on Wednesday. Of note:
— Brampton City Council did too. Of note:
Meanwhile, happening this weekend:
— At 6 p.m. tonight, some councillors will be at the Seva Gala at the Queen’s Manor Event Centre.
— The Trillium Foundation will also be hosting a Diwali Gala at the Pearson Convention Centre in Brampton.
— At 7 p.m. tonight, Dipika Damerla will be hosting a Tenant Rights Workshop at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Elementary School.
— On Saturday at 10 a.m., Joe Horneck will be hosting a Tree Planting event at Woodland Park.
— On Saturday at 7:45 p.m., Stephen Dasko will be at the Mississauga Chargers game at the Port Credit Memorial Arena.
— Patrick Brown: Over the Thanksgiving weekend, he was at the opening gala of the International Film Festival of South Asia with Cllr. Rod Power. Then, he stopped by the last Brampton Farmer’s Market of the year with his son, Theodore. He spoke at the inauguration of the Jesus Centre Word to World Ministries Canada’s new centre in Brampton. He made a cameo at RED FM’s Diwali mela with Councillor Dennis Keenan.
He celebrated fast food chain Jollibee’s fifth anniversary in Brampton. He attended a Diwali celebration held by the Akhand Bharti Club of Canada. He attended the West Indian Chutney to the Core cultural celebration. He also cut the ribbon at the opening of the Goreway Drive Bridge.
Watch: Brown made the rounds to discuss the Stellantis’ plant closure, telling CTV's Vassy Kapelos that it was a “punch to the gut.”
— Carolyn Parrish: “Thanksgiving Day has a special meaning this year,” she wrote on X about the ceasefire in Gaza.
She also plugged Food Banks Mississauga’s fundraising drive, which ends today.
Last Friday, she was at the ribbon-cutting for Canada Welding Supply’s new building in Mississauga.
— Annette Groves: She welcomed students from Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) to Caledon Town Hall.
On Tuesday, she praised new painted crosswalks honouring servicemen and women.
— Stelantis moving a planned Jeep Compass auto-plant in Brampton to Illinois, leaving 3,000 workers in limbo.
From the company: “This [$13 billion] investment in the United States — the single largest in the company’s history — will drive our growth, strengthen our manufacturing footprint and bring more American jobs to the states we call home,” CEO Antonio Filosa said in a statement.
Brampton’s mayor says he's “deeply disappointed.” “This announcement is disheartening for the thousands of highly skilled, highly trained and loyal employees who have given so much to this industry,” wrote Patrick Brown in response.
Meanwhile, Unifor president Lana Payne said “Canadian auto jobs are being sacrificed on the Trump altar.”
Ontario's Chamber of Commerce and the Brampton Board of Trade also denounced the move: “... We are calling on all parties to finalize a plan that keeps production in Brampton and strengthens Ontario's essential role in North America's integrated auto supply chain.”
Industry Minister Melanie Joly is threatening to take Stellantis to court.
Premier Doug Ford says he plans to keep the plant open “no matter what.”
— As Peel paramedics face costly delays in getting patients to hospitals, one Toronto ER doctor has envisioned a rapid-response partnership for on-site treatment. “We want to reach those patients that maybe would have never made it,” Dr. Johannes von Vopelius-Feldt says.
— Conservative leader Pierre Poillievre thinks he can turn Brampton blue in the next federal election.
— CBC caught up with Sikh leader Inderjeet Singh Gosal, who declined police protection after death threats from the Indian government. “I’d rather take India’s bullet than stop campaigning for the Khalistan referendum,” he said.
— Provincial courts transferred some services online on Tuesday.
— The Mississauga woman who spray-painted racist anti-Indian graffiti is facing mischief charges.
— The Pointer reported on the “wild west” process for selecting municipal integrity commissioners, and the Ford government's attempt to shore it up through Bill 9.
— Steven Del Duca says he wants to spend $350 K for new “crime-fighting technology” in Vaughan, like closed-circuit cameras. Will other cities follow suit?
— In The Local, a York University alumna wrote about how a one year-old $280 M campus in Markham (largely unoccupied) isn’t enough to fix the school’s many broader issues.
— Last Wednesday, Caledon launched a Council Decision Database.
— On Thursday, Peel commemorated Dress Purple Day to raise awareness for child safety.
— PC MPP Deepak Anand thanking Carolyn Parrish for the Goreway Bridge opening. “Thank you Mayor Parrish for delivering another historic project.”
— Seen: Stephen Dasko and Natalie Hart at the TD MonsterArts Deepavali Party. Alvin Tedjo hosted a Pasta Dinner in support of Food Banks Mississauga. Stephen Dasko visited the Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area with Charles Sousa. Dasko was a guest on Sauga 960 AM's The Norm.
Thank you for reading The Peel Report. Are you happy with the new fireworks regulations in Mississauga? I want to hear from you, and I’ll keep you anonymous. We’re back in your inbox on Monday.
A looming ban on fireworks in Mississauga — which caused a firestorm among the local Hindu community — turned out to be a dud. But first, the University of Toronto says it’s looking into a pair of “anti-semitic incidents” on the Mississauga campus.
SCOOP — The University of Toronto has opened an investigation into two alleged “antisemitic incidents” last week.
What they're saying: “I have received concerning reports of two anti-semitic incidents on our campus at the beginning and end of last week,” wrote Alexandra Gillespie, the University of Toronto Mississauga's principal, in an internal email on Tuesday. “I wanted to let the community know that these reports are under review by our Campus Safety team.”
For context: Last week, a vigil honouring Palestinian “martyrs,” hosted by the Student Union, took place. The event was condemned by one group, Doctors Against Racism and Antisemitism (DARA), as “rubbing salt into the wounds of our Jewish learners, staff, faculty, and alumni.”
Meanwhile, Jewish faculty and students set up a table to commemorate victims of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel. The display, with security surrounding it, drew a crowd of opposing students.
Later, in an Instagram post, Hillel Ontario said students “had to be escorted out a back door to protect them from an angry mob.”
That said: The university won't say what the two incidents involved. “We have nothing further to add… other than all members of the university community have a right to learn, live, work, and research in an environment that is free of discrimination and harassment,” a spokesperson told The Report. “If U of T determines there have been violations of university policies, we will take appropriate action.”
Speaking of: The Muslim Student Association says it’s lawyering up after Energy Minister Stephen Lecce called them a “morally degenerate group.” “Minister Lecce’s words are defamatory and completely false,” the group said, calling on him to issue a public apology.
— By Ahmad Elbayoumi
Compromise — No ban, but Mississauga City Council voted Wednesday to tighten the rules on fireworks.
To recap: Just two weeks ago, Council punted a planned vote to ban consumer fireworks. That day, about a hundred residents showed up to protest the proposed new by-law, with councillors split on the issue. (Mayor Carolyn Parrish told CBC News she expected a vote “to be tight” and “likely be decided by one or two votes.”)
What happened: Some councillors say Parrish had indicated her interest in reaching a compromise on the new by-law prior to the Wednesday meeting. She had a sit-down with Ruchi Wali of the Canadian National Council for Hindus (CNCH) earlier this week, which she called “a last-ditch effort to keep fireworks.”
Over thirty residents were scheduled to delegate on the proposed ban, but Wali spoke first — at Parrish's request — with a proposal that seemed to calm tensions.
Wali expressed the community's desire to “educate first, enforce firmly and celebrate respectfully,” as opposed to an outright ban. She shared the group's plans to collaborate with the city, by informing community members about existing regulations for fireworks use.
The new restrictions: Mississauga will keep fireworks displays on five designated holidays — Lunar New Year, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Diwali and New Year’s Eve — within limited hours, between 6 to 10 p.m. on most days. The city also plans to flag noisier types like Roman Candles for potential restriction in a final by-law, prohibit same-day sales and set aside an extra $300,000 for enforcement.
Cllr. Joe Horneck, who seconded Parrish's motion, told The Report that he found the new proposed measures to be “rounding the edges versus doing something dramatic.”
Meanwhile, Cllr. Dipika Damerla, the most vocal opponent to a ban, said she was “disappointed” by Parrish not including her in the discussions with the CNCH, and took issue with the day-of-sale ban, calling it “paternalistic and patronizing.”
Parrish v. Damerla: At Wednesday's meeting, Mississauga's mayor also rejected Damerla's claim that she wanted to ban fireworks, calling her colleague “very difficult” to work with on the issue, and even floating the idea of filing an integrity commissioner complaint. Parrish did not respond to a request for comment.
Recall: After residents complained that fireworks rules were being ignored, Parrish had asked staff to come back with fixes. “This is not about eliminating celebrations — it’s about creating safer practices,” Georgios Fthenos, the Director of Enforcement, said as he presented a recommendation for “a full prohibition on the sale, distribution, possession, and use of consumer fireworks.” Catch up.
The vote: Ultimately, councillors voted 8-3 to proceed with Parrish's new motion and end “discussion, debate or deputations,” with Councillors Brad Butt, Alvin Tedjo and Damerla opposing it.
Then, councillors voted unanimously to approve the majority of the new measures, with a separate vote on the prohibition on day-of holiday sales clearing 7-4, with Damerla, Butt, Tedjo and Sue McFadden voting against.
Butt told The Report he doesn’t feel “banning sales on the actual days solves the issue,” and that he doesn’t hear the widespread complaints from his residents about fireworks misuse.
Damerla, meanwhile, apologized to gathered residents that they had been “denied the opportunity to debate” on the motion. She told The Report that she felt it was a “suboptimal decision” to not continue the discussion.
The reaction: Aleem Kanji from the Canadian National Fireworks Association (CNFA), who delegated against the proposed ban two weeks ago, called the decision a “balanced and thoughtful approach.”
Damerla, for her part, told The Report she’s “pleased we’re not banning all fireworks” — and believes most residents feel the same — but said she’s “not pleased with some of the new provisions.”
Parrish treated herself to ice cream. “Council hit a settlement on fireworks — which I love! A good day!” she posted on X.
Next: Parrish says the city will study fireworks’ decibel levels. “We are presuming those labelled with ‘big bang’ demarcations will be the easiest ones to eliminate,” she wrote. “We will be depending on manufacturers’ cooperation. Elimination of noisiest and most dangerous rather than all.”
Changes? Clerk Diana Rusnov confirmed at the meeting that the matter could only be brought up “a year after consideration,” according to municipal by-law.
“We’ll see how it unfolds,” Damerla told The Report.
— Mississauga's General Committee met on Wednesday. Of note:
— Brampton City Council did too. Of note:
Meanwhile, happening this weekend:
— At 6 p.m. tonight, some councillors will be at the Seva Gala at the Queen’s Manor Event Centre.
— The Trillium Foundation will also be hosting a Diwali Gala at the Pearson Convention Centre in Brampton.
— At 7 p.m. tonight, Dipika Damerla will be hosting a Tenant Rights Workshop at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Elementary School.
— On Saturday at 10 a.m., Joe Horneck will be hosting a Tree Planting event at Woodland Park.
— On Saturday at 7:45 p.m., Stephen Dasko will be at the Mississauga Chargers game at the Port Credit Memorial Arena.
— Patrick Brown: Over the Thanksgiving weekend, he was at the opening gala of the International Film Festival of South Asia with Cllr. Rod Power. Then, he stopped by the last Brampton Farmer’s Market of the year with his son, Theodore. He spoke at the inauguration of the Jesus Centre Word to World Ministries Canada’s new centre in Brampton. He made a cameo at RED FM’s Diwali mela with Councillor Dennis Keenan.
He celebrated fast food chain Jollibee’s fifth anniversary in Brampton. He attended a Diwali celebration held by the Akhand Bharti Club of Canada. He attended the West Indian Chutney to the Core cultural celebration. He also cut the ribbon at the opening of the Goreway Drive Bridge.
Watch: Brown made the rounds to discuss the Stellantis’ plant closure, telling CTV's Vassy Kapelos that it was a “punch to the gut.”
— Carolyn Parrish: “Thanksgiving Day has a special meaning this year,” she wrote on X about the ceasefire in Gaza.
She also plugged Food Banks Mississauga’s fundraising drive, which ends today.
Last Friday, she was at the ribbon-cutting for Canada Welding Supply’s new building in Mississauga.
— Annette Groves: She welcomed students from Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) to Caledon Town Hall.
On Tuesday, she praised new painted crosswalks honouring servicemen and women.
— Stelantis moving a planned Jeep Compass auto-plant in Brampton to Illinois, leaving 3,000 workers in limbo.
From the company: “This [$13 billion] investment in the United States — the single largest in the company’s history — will drive our growth, strengthen our manufacturing footprint and bring more American jobs to the states we call home,” CEO Antonio Filosa said in a statement.
Brampton’s mayor says he's “deeply disappointed.” “This announcement is disheartening for the thousands of highly skilled, highly trained and loyal employees who have given so much to this industry,” wrote Patrick Brown in response.
Meanwhile, Unifor president Lana Payne said “Canadian auto jobs are being sacrificed on the Trump altar.”
Ontario's Chamber of Commerce and the Brampton Board of Trade also denounced the move: “... We are calling on all parties to finalize a plan that keeps production in Brampton and strengthens Ontario's essential role in North America's integrated auto supply chain.”
Industry Minister Melanie Joly is threatening to take Stellantis to court.
Premier Doug Ford says he plans to keep the plant open “no matter what.”
— As Peel paramedics face costly delays in getting patients to hospitals, one Toronto ER doctor has envisioned a rapid-response partnership for on-site treatment. “We want to reach those patients that maybe would have never made it,” Dr. Johannes von Vopelius-Feldt says.
— Conservative leader Pierre Poillievre thinks he can turn Brampton blue in the next federal election.
— CBC caught up with Sikh leader Inderjeet Singh Gosal, who declined police protection after death threats from the Indian government. “I’d rather take India’s bullet than stop campaigning for the Khalistan referendum,” he said.
— Provincial courts transferred some services online on Tuesday.
— The Mississauga woman who spray-painted racist anti-Indian graffiti is facing mischief charges.
— The Pointer reported on the “wild west” process for selecting municipal integrity commissioners, and the Ford government's attempt to shore it up through Bill 9.
— Steven Del Duca says he wants to spend $350 K for new “crime-fighting technology” in Vaughan, like closed-circuit cameras. Will other cities follow suit?
— In The Local, a York University alumna wrote about how a one year-old $280 M campus in Markham (largely unoccupied) isn’t enough to fix the school’s many broader issues.
— Last Wednesday, Caledon launched a Council Decision Database.
— On Thursday, Peel commemorated Dress Purple Day to raise awareness for child safety.
— PC MPP Deepak Anand thanking Carolyn Parrish for the Goreway Bridge opening. “Thank you Mayor Parrish for delivering another historic project.”
— Seen: Stephen Dasko and Natalie Hart at the TD MonsterArts Deepavali Party. Alvin Tedjo hosted a Pasta Dinner in support of Food Banks Mississauga. Stephen Dasko visited the Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area with Charles Sousa. Dasko was a guest on Sauga 960 AM's The Norm.
Thank you for reading The Peel Report. Are you happy with the new fireworks regulations in Mississauga? I want to hear from you, and I’ll keep you anonymous. We’re back in your inbox on Monday.
A looming ban on fireworks in Mississauga — which caused a firestorm among the local Hindu community — turned out to be a dud. But first, the University of Toronto says it’s looking into a pair of “anti-semitic incidents” on the Mississauga campus.
SCOOP — The University of Toronto has opened an investigation into two alleged “antisemitic incidents” last week.
What they're saying: “I have received concerning reports of two anti-semitic incidents on our campus at the beginning and end of last week,” wrote Alexandra Gillespie, the University of Toronto Mississauga's principal, in an internal email on Tuesday. “I wanted to let the community know that these reports are under review by our Campus Safety team.”
For context: Last week, a vigil honouring Palestinian “martyrs,” hosted by the Student Union, took place. The event was condemned by one group, Doctors Against Racism and Antisemitism (DARA), as “rubbing salt into the wounds of our Jewish learners, staff, faculty, and alumni.”
Meanwhile, Jewish faculty and students set up a table to commemorate victims of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel. The display, with security surrounding it, drew a crowd of opposing students.
Later, in an Instagram post, Hillel Ontario said students “had to be escorted out a back door to protect them from an angry mob.”
That said: The university won't say what the two incidents involved. “We have nothing further to add… other than all members of the university community have a right to learn, live, work, and research in an environment that is free of discrimination and harassment,” a spokesperson told The Report. “If U of T determines there have been violations of university policies, we will take appropriate action.”
Speaking of: The Muslim Student Association says it’s lawyering up after Energy Minister Stephen Lecce called them a “morally degenerate group.” “Minister Lecce’s words are defamatory and completely false,” the group said, calling on him to issue a public apology.
— By Ahmad Elbayoumi
Compromise — No ban, but Mississauga City Council voted Wednesday to tighten the rules on fireworks.
To recap: Just two weeks ago, Council punted a planned vote to ban consumer fireworks. That day, about a hundred residents showed up to protest the proposed new by-law, with councillors split on the issue. (Mayor Carolyn Parrish told CBC News she expected a vote “to be tight” and “likely be decided by one or two votes.”)
What happened: Some councillors say Parrish had indicated her interest in reaching a compromise on the new by-law prior to the Wednesday meeting. She had a sit-down with Ruchi Wali of the Canadian National Council for Hindus (CNCH) earlier this week, which she called “a last-ditch effort to keep fireworks.”
Over thirty residents were scheduled to delegate on the proposed ban, but Wali spoke first — at Parrish's request — with a proposal that seemed to calm tensions.
Wali expressed the community's desire to “educate first, enforce firmly and celebrate respectfully,” as opposed to an outright ban. She shared the group's plans to collaborate with the city, by informing community members about existing regulations for fireworks use.
The new restrictions: Mississauga will keep fireworks displays on five designated holidays — Lunar New Year, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Diwali and New Year’s Eve — within limited hours, between 6 to 10 p.m. on most days. The city also plans to flag noisier types like Roman Candles for potential restriction in a final by-law, prohibit same-day sales and set aside an extra $300,000 for enforcement.
Cllr. Joe Horneck, who seconded Parrish's motion, told The Report that he found the new proposed measures to be “rounding the edges versus doing something dramatic.”
Meanwhile, Cllr. Dipika Damerla, the most vocal opponent to a ban, said she was “disappointed” by Parrish not including her in the discussions with the CNCH, and took issue with the day-of-sale ban, calling it “paternalistic and patronizing.”
Parrish v. Damerla: At Wednesday's meeting, Mississauga's mayor also rejected Damerla's claim that she wanted to ban fireworks, calling her colleague “very difficult” to work with on the issue, and even floating the idea of filing an integrity commissioner complaint. Parrish did not respond to a request for comment.
Recall: After residents complained that fireworks rules were being ignored, Parrish had asked staff to come back with fixes. “This is not about eliminating celebrations — it’s about creating safer practices,” Georgios Fthenos, the Director of Enforcement, said as he presented a recommendation for “a full prohibition on the sale, distribution, possession, and use of consumer fireworks.” Catch up.
The vote: Ultimately, councillors voted 8-3 to proceed with Parrish's new motion and end “discussion, debate or deputations,” with Councillors Brad Butt, Alvin Tedjo and Damerla opposing it.
Then, councillors voted unanimously to approve the majority of the new measures, with a separate vote on the prohibition on day-of holiday sales clearing 7-4, with Damerla, Butt, Tedjo and Sue McFadden voting against.
Butt told The Report he doesn’t feel “banning sales on the actual days solves the issue,” and that he doesn’t hear the widespread complaints from his residents about fireworks misuse.
Damerla, meanwhile, apologized to gathered residents that they had been “denied the opportunity to debate” on the motion. She told The Report that she felt it was a “suboptimal decision” to not continue the discussion.
The reaction: Aleem Kanji from the Canadian National Fireworks Association (CNFA), who delegated against the proposed ban two weeks ago, called the decision a “balanced and thoughtful approach.”
Damerla, for her part, told The Report she’s “pleased we’re not banning all fireworks” — and believes most residents feel the same — but said she’s “not pleased with some of the new provisions.”
Parrish treated herself to ice cream. “Council hit a settlement on fireworks — which I love! A good day!” she posted on X.
Next: Parrish says the city will study fireworks’ decibel levels. “We are presuming those labelled with ‘big bang’ demarcations will be the easiest ones to eliminate,” she wrote. “We will be depending on manufacturers’ cooperation. Elimination of noisiest and most dangerous rather than all.”
Changes? Clerk Diana Rusnov confirmed at the meeting that the matter could only be brought up “a year after consideration,” according to municipal by-law.
“We’ll see how it unfolds,” Damerla told The Report.
— Mississauga's General Committee met on Wednesday. Of note:
— Brampton City Council did too. Of note:
Meanwhile, happening this weekend:
— At 6 p.m. tonight, some councillors will be at the Seva Gala at the Queen’s Manor Event Centre.
— The Trillium Foundation will also be hosting a Diwali Gala at the Pearson Convention Centre in Brampton.
— At 7 p.m. tonight, Dipika Damerla will be hosting a Tenant Rights Workshop at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Elementary School.
— On Saturday at 10 a.m., Joe Horneck will be hosting a Tree Planting event at Woodland Park.
— On Saturday at 7:45 p.m., Stephen Dasko will be at the Mississauga Chargers game at the Port Credit Memorial Arena.
— Patrick Brown: Over the Thanksgiving weekend, he was at the opening gala of the International Film Festival of South Asia with Cllr. Rod Power. Then, he stopped by the last Brampton Farmer’s Market of the year with his son, Theodore. He spoke at the inauguration of the Jesus Centre Word to World Ministries Canada’s new centre in Brampton. He made a cameo at RED FM’s Diwali mela with Councillor Dennis Keenan.
He celebrated fast food chain Jollibee’s fifth anniversary in Brampton. He attended a Diwali celebration held by the Akhand Bharti Club of Canada. He attended the West Indian Chutney to the Core cultural celebration. He also cut the ribbon at the opening of the Goreway Drive Bridge.
Watch: Brown made the rounds to discuss the Stellantis’ plant closure, telling CTV's Vassy Kapelos that it was a “punch to the gut.”
— Carolyn Parrish: “Thanksgiving Day has a special meaning this year,” she wrote on X about the ceasefire in Gaza.
She also plugged Food Banks Mississauga’s fundraising drive, which ends today.
Last Friday, she was at the ribbon-cutting for Canada Welding Supply’s new building in Mississauga.
— Annette Groves: She welcomed students from Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) to Caledon Town Hall.
On Tuesday, she praised new painted crosswalks honouring servicemen and women.
— Stelantis moving a planned Jeep Compass auto-plant in Brampton to Illinois, leaving 3,000 workers in limbo.
From the company: “This [$13 billion] investment in the United States — the single largest in the company’s history — will drive our growth, strengthen our manufacturing footprint and bring more American jobs to the states we call home,” CEO Antonio Filosa said in a statement.
Brampton’s mayor says he's “deeply disappointed.” “This announcement is disheartening for the thousands of highly skilled, highly trained and loyal employees who have given so much to this industry,” wrote Patrick Brown in response.
Meanwhile, Unifor president Lana Payne said “Canadian auto jobs are being sacrificed on the Trump altar.”
Ontario's Chamber of Commerce and the Brampton Board of Trade also denounced the move: “... We are calling on all parties to finalize a plan that keeps production in Brampton and strengthens Ontario's essential role in North America's integrated auto supply chain.”
Industry Minister Melanie Joly is threatening to take Stellantis to court.
Premier Doug Ford says he plans to keep the plant open “no matter what.”
— As Peel paramedics face costly delays in getting patients to hospitals, one Toronto ER doctor has envisioned a rapid-response partnership for on-site treatment. “We want to reach those patients that maybe would have never made it,” Dr. Johannes von Vopelius-Feldt says.
— Conservative leader Pierre Poillievre thinks he can turn Brampton blue in the next federal election.
— CBC caught up with Sikh leader Inderjeet Singh Gosal, who declined police protection after death threats from the Indian government. “I’d rather take India’s bullet than stop campaigning for the Khalistan referendum,” he said.
— Provincial courts transferred some services online on Tuesday.
— The Mississauga woman who spray-painted racist anti-Indian graffiti is facing mischief charges.
— The Pointer reported on the “wild west” process for selecting municipal integrity commissioners, and the Ford government's attempt to shore it up through Bill 9.
— Steven Del Duca says he wants to spend $350 K for new “crime-fighting technology” in Vaughan, like closed-circuit cameras. Will other cities follow suit?
— In The Local, a York University alumna wrote about how a one year-old $280 M campus in Markham (largely unoccupied) isn’t enough to fix the school’s many broader issues.
— Last Wednesday, Caledon launched a Council Decision Database.
— On Thursday, Peel commemorated Dress Purple Day to raise awareness for child safety.
— PC MPP Deepak Anand thanking Carolyn Parrish for the Goreway Bridge opening. “Thank you Mayor Parrish for delivering another historic project.”
— Seen: Stephen Dasko and Natalie Hart at the TD MonsterArts Deepavali Party. Alvin Tedjo hosted a Pasta Dinner in support of Food Banks Mississauga. Stephen Dasko visited the Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area with Charles Sousa. Dasko was a guest on Sauga 960 AM's The Norm.
Thank you for reading The Peel Report. Are you happy with the new fireworks regulations in Mississauga? I want to hear from you, and I’ll keep you anonymous. We’re back in your inbox on Monday.
A looming ban on fireworks in Mississauga — which caused a firestorm among the local Hindu community — turned out to be a dud. But first, the University of Toronto says it’s looking into a pair of “anti-semitic incidents” on the Mississauga campus.
SCOOP — The University of Toronto has opened an investigation into two alleged “antisemitic incidents” last week.
What they're saying: “I have received concerning reports of two anti-semitic incidents on our campus at the beginning and end of last week,” wrote Alexandra Gillespie, the University of Toronto Mississauga's principal, in an internal email on Tuesday. “I wanted to let the community know that these reports are under review by our Campus Safety team.”
For context: Last week, a vigil honouring Palestinian “martyrs,” hosted by the Student Union, took place. The event was condemned by one group, Doctors Against Racism and Antisemitism (DARA), as “rubbing salt into the wounds of our Jewish learners, staff, faculty, and alumni.”
Meanwhile, Jewish faculty and students set up a table to commemorate victims of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel. The display, with security surrounding it, drew a crowd of opposing students.
Later, in an Instagram post, Hillel Ontario said students “had to be escorted out a back door to protect them from an angry mob.”
That said: The university won't say what the two incidents involved. “We have nothing further to add… other than all members of the university community have a right to learn, live, work, and research in an environment that is free of discrimination and harassment,” a spokesperson told The Report. “If U of T determines there have been violations of university policies, we will take appropriate action.”
Speaking of: The Muslim Student Association says it’s lawyering up after Energy Minister Stephen Lecce called them a “morally degenerate group.” “Minister Lecce’s words are defamatory and completely false,” the group said, calling on him to issue a public apology.
— By Ahmad Elbayoumi
Compromise — No ban, but Mississauga City Council voted Wednesday to tighten the rules on fireworks.
To recap: Just two weeks ago, Council punted a planned vote to ban consumer fireworks. That day, about a hundred residents showed up to protest the proposed new by-law, with councillors split on the issue. (Mayor Carolyn Parrish told CBC News she expected a vote “to be tight” and “likely be decided by one or two votes.”)
What happened: Some councillors say Parrish had indicated her interest in reaching a compromise on the new by-law prior to the Wednesday meeting. She had a sit-down with Ruchi Wali of the Canadian National Council for Hindus (CNCH) earlier this week, which she called “a last-ditch effort to keep fireworks.”
Over thirty residents were scheduled to delegate on the proposed ban, but Wali spoke first — at Parrish's request — with a proposal that seemed to calm tensions.
Wali expressed the community's desire to “educate first, enforce firmly and celebrate respectfully,” as opposed to an outright ban. She shared the group's plans to collaborate with the city, by informing community members about existing regulations for fireworks use.
The new restrictions: Mississauga will keep fireworks displays on five designated holidays — Lunar New Year, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Diwali and New Year’s Eve — within limited hours, between 6 to 10 p.m. on most days. The city also plans to flag noisier types like Roman Candles for potential restriction in a final by-law, prohibit same-day sales and set aside an extra $300,000 for enforcement.
Cllr. Joe Horneck, who seconded Parrish's motion, told The Report that he found the new proposed measures to be “rounding the edges versus doing something dramatic.”
Meanwhile, Cllr. Dipika Damerla, the most vocal opponent to a ban, said she was “disappointed” by Parrish not including her in the discussions with the CNCH, and took issue with the day-of-sale ban, calling it “paternalistic and patronizing.”
Parrish v. Damerla: At Wednesday's meeting, Mississauga's mayor also rejected Damerla's claim that she wanted to ban fireworks, calling her colleague “very difficult” to work with on the issue, and even floating the idea of filing an integrity commissioner complaint. Parrish did not respond to a request for comment.
Recall: After residents complained that fireworks rules were being ignored, Parrish had asked staff to come back with fixes. “This is not about eliminating celebrations — it’s about creating safer practices,” Georgios Fthenos, the Director of Enforcement, said as he presented a recommendation for “a full prohibition on the sale, distribution, possession, and use of consumer fireworks.” Catch up.
The vote: Ultimately, councillors voted 8-3 to proceed with Parrish's new motion and end “discussion, debate or deputations,” with Councillors Brad Butt, Alvin Tedjo and Damerla opposing it.
Then, councillors voted unanimously to approve the majority of the new measures, with a separate vote on the prohibition on day-of holiday sales clearing 7-4, with Damerla, Butt, Tedjo and Sue McFadden voting against.
Butt told The Report he doesn’t feel “banning sales on the actual days solves the issue,” and that he doesn’t hear the widespread complaints from his residents about fireworks misuse.
Damerla, meanwhile, apologized to gathered residents that they had been “denied the opportunity to debate” on the motion. She told The Report that she felt it was a “suboptimal decision” to not continue the discussion.
The reaction: Aleem Kanji from the Canadian National Fireworks Association (CNFA), who delegated against the proposed ban two weeks ago, called the decision a “balanced and thoughtful approach.”
Damerla, for her part, told The Report she’s “pleased we’re not banning all fireworks” — and believes most residents feel the same — but said she’s “not pleased with some of the new provisions.”
Parrish treated herself to ice cream. “Council hit a settlement on fireworks — which I love! A good day!” she posted on X.
Next: Parrish says the city will study fireworks’ decibel levels. “We are presuming those labelled with ‘big bang’ demarcations will be the easiest ones to eliminate,” she wrote. “We will be depending on manufacturers’ cooperation. Elimination of noisiest and most dangerous rather than all.”
Changes? Clerk Diana Rusnov confirmed at the meeting that the matter could only be brought up “a year after consideration,” according to municipal by-law.
“We’ll see how it unfolds,” Damerla told The Report.
— Mississauga's General Committee met on Wednesday. Of note:
— Brampton City Council did too. Of note:
Meanwhile, happening this weekend:
— At 6 p.m. tonight, some councillors will be at the Seva Gala at the Queen’s Manor Event Centre.
— The Trillium Foundation will also be hosting a Diwali Gala at the Pearson Convention Centre in Brampton.
— At 7 p.m. tonight, Dipika Damerla will be hosting a Tenant Rights Workshop at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Elementary School.
— On Saturday at 10 a.m., Joe Horneck will be hosting a Tree Planting event at Woodland Park.
— On Saturday at 7:45 p.m., Stephen Dasko will be at the Mississauga Chargers game at the Port Credit Memorial Arena.
— Patrick Brown: Over the Thanksgiving weekend, he was at the opening gala of the International Film Festival of South Asia with Cllr. Rod Power. Then, he stopped by the last Brampton Farmer’s Market of the year with his son, Theodore. He spoke at the inauguration of the Jesus Centre Word to World Ministries Canada’s new centre in Brampton. He made a cameo at RED FM’s Diwali mela with Councillor Dennis Keenan.
He celebrated fast food chain Jollibee’s fifth anniversary in Brampton. He attended a Diwali celebration held by the Akhand Bharti Club of Canada. He attended the West Indian Chutney to the Core cultural celebration. He also cut the ribbon at the opening of the Goreway Drive Bridge.
Watch: Brown made the rounds to discuss the Stellantis’ plant closure, telling CTV's Vassy Kapelos that it was a “punch to the gut.”
— Carolyn Parrish: “Thanksgiving Day has a special meaning this year,” she wrote on X about the ceasefire in Gaza.
She also plugged Food Banks Mississauga’s fundraising drive, which ends today.
Last Friday, she was at the ribbon-cutting for Canada Welding Supply’s new building in Mississauga.
— Annette Groves: She welcomed students from Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) to Caledon Town Hall.
On Tuesday, she praised new painted crosswalks honouring servicemen and women.
— Stelantis moving a planned Jeep Compass auto-plant in Brampton to Illinois, leaving 3,000 workers in limbo.
From the company: “This [$13 billion] investment in the United States — the single largest in the company’s history — will drive our growth, strengthen our manufacturing footprint and bring more American jobs to the states we call home,” CEO Antonio Filosa said in a statement.
Brampton’s mayor says he's “deeply disappointed.” “This announcement is disheartening for the thousands of highly skilled, highly trained and loyal employees who have given so much to this industry,” wrote Patrick Brown in response.
Meanwhile, Unifor president Lana Payne said “Canadian auto jobs are being sacrificed on the Trump altar.”
Ontario's Chamber of Commerce and the Brampton Board of Trade also denounced the move: “... We are calling on all parties to finalize a plan that keeps production in Brampton and strengthens Ontario's essential role in North America's integrated auto supply chain.”
Industry Minister Melanie Joly is threatening to take Stellantis to court.
Premier Doug Ford says he plans to keep the plant open “no matter what.”
— As Peel paramedics face costly delays in getting patients to hospitals, one Toronto ER doctor has envisioned a rapid-response partnership for on-site treatment. “We want to reach those patients that maybe would have never made it,” Dr. Johannes von Vopelius-Feldt says.
— Conservative leader Pierre Poillievre thinks he can turn Brampton blue in the next federal election.
— CBC caught up with Sikh leader Inderjeet Singh Gosal, who declined police protection after death threats from the Indian government. “I’d rather take India’s bullet than stop campaigning for the Khalistan referendum,” he said.
— Provincial courts transferred some services online on Tuesday.
— The Mississauga woman who spray-painted racist anti-Indian graffiti is facing mischief charges.
— The Pointer reported on the “wild west” process for selecting municipal integrity commissioners, and the Ford government's attempt to shore it up through Bill 9.
— Steven Del Duca says he wants to spend $350 K for new “crime-fighting technology” in Vaughan, like closed-circuit cameras. Will other cities follow suit?
— In The Local, a York University alumna wrote about how a one year-old $280 M campus in Markham (largely unoccupied) isn’t enough to fix the school’s many broader issues.
— Last Wednesday, Caledon launched a Council Decision Database.
— On Thursday, Peel commemorated Dress Purple Day to raise awareness for child safety.
— PC MPP Deepak Anand thanking Carolyn Parrish for the Goreway Bridge opening. “Thank you Mayor Parrish for delivering another historic project.”
— Seen: Stephen Dasko and Natalie Hart at the TD MonsterArts Deepavali Party. Alvin Tedjo hosted a Pasta Dinner in support of Food Banks Mississauga. Stephen Dasko visited the Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area with Charles Sousa. Dasko was a guest on Sauga 960 AM's The Norm.
Thank you for reading The Peel Report. Are you happy with the new fireworks regulations in Mississauga? I want to hear from you, and I’ll keep you anonymous. We’re back in your inbox on Monday.
A looming ban on fireworks in Mississauga — which caused a firestorm among the local Hindu community — turned out to be a dud. But first, the University of Toronto says it’s looking into a pair of “anti-semitic incidents” on the Mississauga campus.
SCOOP — The University of Toronto has opened an investigation into two alleged “antisemitic incidents” last week.
What they're saying: “I have received concerning reports of two anti-semitic incidents on our campus at the beginning and end of last week,” wrote Alexandra Gillespie, the University of Toronto Mississauga's principal, in an internal email on Tuesday. “I wanted to let the community know that these reports are under review by our Campus Safety team.”
For context: Last week, a vigil honouring Palestinian “martyrs,” hosted by the Student Union, took place. The event was condemned by one group, Doctors Against Racism and Antisemitism (DARA), as “rubbing salt into the wounds of our Jewish learners, staff, faculty, and alumni.”
Meanwhile, Jewish faculty and students set up a table to commemorate victims of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel. The display, with security surrounding it, drew a crowd of opposing students.
Later, in an Instagram post, Hillel Ontario said students “had to be escorted out a back door to protect them from an angry mob.”
That said: The university won't say what the two incidents involved. “We have nothing further to add… other than all members of the university community have a right to learn, live, work, and research in an environment that is free of discrimination and harassment,” a spokesperson told The Report. “If U of T determines there have been violations of university policies, we will take appropriate action.”
Speaking of: The Muslim Student Association says it’s lawyering up after Energy Minister Stephen Lecce called them a “morally degenerate group.” “Minister Lecce’s words are defamatory and completely false,” the group said, calling on him to issue a public apology.
— By Ahmad Elbayoumi
Compromise — No ban, but Mississauga City Council voted Wednesday to tighten the rules on fireworks.
To recap: Just two weeks ago, Council punted a planned vote to ban consumer fireworks. That day, about a hundred residents showed up to protest the proposed new by-law, with councillors split on the issue. (Mayor Carolyn Parrish told CBC News she expected a vote “to be tight” and “likely be decided by one or two votes.”)
What happened: Some councillors say Parrish had indicated her interest in reaching a compromise on the new by-law prior to the Wednesday meeting. She had a sit-down with Ruchi Wali of the Canadian National Council for Hindus (CNCH) earlier this week, which she called “a last-ditch effort to keep fireworks.”
Over thirty residents were scheduled to delegate on the proposed ban, but Wali spoke first — at Parrish's request — with a proposal that seemed to calm tensions.
Wali expressed the community's desire to “educate first, enforce firmly and celebrate respectfully,” as opposed to an outright ban. She shared the group's plans to collaborate with the city, by informing community members about existing regulations for fireworks use.
The new restrictions: Mississauga will keep fireworks displays on five designated holidays — Lunar New Year, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Diwali and New Year’s Eve — within limited hours, between 6 to 10 p.m. on most days. The city also plans to flag noisier types like Roman Candles for potential restriction in a final by-law, prohibit same-day sales and set aside an extra $300,000 for enforcement.
Cllr. Joe Horneck, who seconded Parrish's motion, told The Report that he found the new proposed measures to be “rounding the edges versus doing something dramatic.”
Meanwhile, Cllr. Dipika Damerla, the most vocal opponent to a ban, said she was “disappointed” by Parrish not including her in the discussions with the CNCH, and took issue with the day-of-sale ban, calling it “paternalistic and patronizing.”
Parrish v. Damerla: At Wednesday's meeting, Mississauga's mayor also rejected Damerla's claim that she wanted to ban fireworks, calling her colleague “very difficult” to work with on the issue, and even floating the idea of filing an integrity commissioner complaint. Parrish did not respond to a request for comment.
Recall: After residents complained that fireworks rules were being ignored, Parrish had asked staff to come back with fixes. “This is not about eliminating celebrations — it’s about creating safer practices,” Georgios Fthenos, the Director of Enforcement, said as he presented a recommendation for “a full prohibition on the sale, distribution, possession, and use of consumer fireworks.” Catch up.
The vote: Ultimately, councillors voted 8-3 to proceed with Parrish's new motion and end “discussion, debate or deputations,” with Councillors Brad Butt, Alvin Tedjo and Damerla opposing it.
Then, councillors voted unanimously to approve the majority of the new measures, with a separate vote on the prohibition on day-of holiday sales clearing 7-4, with Damerla, Butt, Tedjo and Sue McFadden voting against.
Butt told The Report he doesn’t feel “banning sales on the actual days solves the issue,” and that he doesn’t hear the widespread complaints from his residents about fireworks misuse.
Damerla, meanwhile, apologized to gathered residents that they had been “denied the opportunity to debate” on the motion. She told The Report that she felt it was a “suboptimal decision” to not continue the discussion.
The reaction: Aleem Kanji from the Canadian National Fireworks Association (CNFA), who delegated against the proposed ban two weeks ago, called the decision a “balanced and thoughtful approach.”
Damerla, for her part, told The Report she’s “pleased we’re not banning all fireworks” — and believes most residents feel the same — but said she’s “not pleased with some of the new provisions.”
Parrish treated herself to ice cream. “Council hit a settlement on fireworks — which I love! A good day!” she posted on X.
Next: Parrish says the city will study fireworks’ decibel levels. “We are presuming those labelled with ‘big bang’ demarcations will be the easiest ones to eliminate,” she wrote. “We will be depending on manufacturers’ cooperation. Elimination of noisiest and most dangerous rather than all.”
Changes? Clerk Diana Rusnov confirmed at the meeting that the matter could only be brought up “a year after consideration,” according to municipal by-law.
“We’ll see how it unfolds,” Damerla told The Report.
— Mississauga's General Committee met on Wednesday. Of note:
— Brampton City Council did too. Of note:
Meanwhile, happening this weekend:
— At 6 p.m. tonight, some councillors will be at the Seva Gala at the Queen’s Manor Event Centre.
— The Trillium Foundation will also be hosting a Diwali Gala at the Pearson Convention Centre in Brampton.
— At 7 p.m. tonight, Dipika Damerla will be hosting a Tenant Rights Workshop at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Elementary School.
— On Saturday at 10 a.m., Joe Horneck will be hosting a Tree Planting event at Woodland Park.
— On Saturday at 7:45 p.m., Stephen Dasko will be at the Mississauga Chargers game at the Port Credit Memorial Arena.
— Patrick Brown: Over the Thanksgiving weekend, he was at the opening gala of the International Film Festival of South Asia with Cllr. Rod Power. Then, he stopped by the last Brampton Farmer’s Market of the year with his son, Theodore. He spoke at the inauguration of the Jesus Centre Word to World Ministries Canada’s new centre in Brampton. He made a cameo at RED FM’s Diwali mela with Councillor Dennis Keenan.
He celebrated fast food chain Jollibee’s fifth anniversary in Brampton. He attended a Diwali celebration held by the Akhand Bharti Club of Canada. He attended the West Indian Chutney to the Core cultural celebration. He also cut the ribbon at the opening of the Goreway Drive Bridge.
Watch: Brown made the rounds to discuss the Stellantis’ plant closure, telling CTV's Vassy Kapelos that it was a “punch to the gut.”
— Carolyn Parrish: “Thanksgiving Day has a special meaning this year,” she wrote on X about the ceasefire in Gaza.
She also plugged Food Banks Mississauga’s fundraising drive, which ends today.
Last Friday, she was at the ribbon-cutting for Canada Welding Supply’s new building in Mississauga.
— Annette Groves: She welcomed students from Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) to Caledon Town Hall.
On Tuesday, she praised new painted crosswalks honouring servicemen and women.
— Stelantis moving a planned Jeep Compass auto-plant in Brampton to Illinois, leaving 3,000 workers in limbo.
From the company: “This [$13 billion] investment in the United States — the single largest in the company’s history — will drive our growth, strengthen our manufacturing footprint and bring more American jobs to the states we call home,” CEO Antonio Filosa said in a statement.
Brampton’s mayor says he's “deeply disappointed.” “This announcement is disheartening for the thousands of highly skilled, highly trained and loyal employees who have given so much to this industry,” wrote Patrick Brown in response.
Meanwhile, Unifor president Lana Payne said “Canadian auto jobs are being sacrificed on the Trump altar.”
Ontario's Chamber of Commerce and the Brampton Board of Trade also denounced the move: “... We are calling on all parties to finalize a plan that keeps production in Brampton and strengthens Ontario's essential role in North America's integrated auto supply chain.”
Industry Minister Melanie Joly is threatening to take Stellantis to court.
Premier Doug Ford says he plans to keep the plant open “no matter what.”
— As Peel paramedics face costly delays in getting patients to hospitals, one Toronto ER doctor has envisioned a rapid-response partnership for on-site treatment. “We want to reach those patients that maybe would have never made it,” Dr. Johannes von Vopelius-Feldt says.
— Conservative leader Pierre Poillievre thinks he can turn Brampton blue in the next federal election.
— CBC caught up with Sikh leader Inderjeet Singh Gosal, who declined police protection after death threats from the Indian government. “I’d rather take India’s bullet than stop campaigning for the Khalistan referendum,” he said.
— Provincial courts transferred some services online on Tuesday.
— The Mississauga woman who spray-painted racist anti-Indian graffiti is facing mischief charges.
— The Pointer reported on the “wild west” process for selecting municipal integrity commissioners, and the Ford government's attempt to shore it up through Bill 9.
— Steven Del Duca says he wants to spend $350 K for new “crime-fighting technology” in Vaughan, like closed-circuit cameras. Will other cities follow suit?
— In The Local, a York University alumna wrote about how a one year-old $280 M campus in Markham (largely unoccupied) isn’t enough to fix the school’s many broader issues.
— Last Wednesday, Caledon launched a Council Decision Database.
— On Thursday, Peel commemorated Dress Purple Day to raise awareness for child safety.
— PC MPP Deepak Anand thanking Carolyn Parrish for the Goreway Bridge opening. “Thank you Mayor Parrish for delivering another historic project.”
— Seen: Stephen Dasko and Natalie Hart at the TD MonsterArts Deepavali Party. Alvin Tedjo hosted a Pasta Dinner in support of Food Banks Mississauga. Stephen Dasko visited the Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area with Charles Sousa. Dasko was a guest on Sauga 960 AM's The Norm.
Thank you for reading The Peel Report. Are you happy with the new fireworks regulations in Mississauga? I want to hear from you, and I’ll keep you anonymous. We’re back in your inbox on Monday.
A looming ban on fireworks in Mississauga — which caused a firestorm among the local Hindu community — turned out to be a dud. But first, the University of Toronto says it’s looking into a pair of “anti-semitic incidents” on the Mississauga campus.
SCOOP — The University of Toronto has opened an investigation into two alleged “antisemitic incidents” last week.
What they're saying: “I have received concerning reports of two anti-semitic incidents on our campus at the beginning and end of last week,” wrote Alexandra Gillespie, the University of Toronto Mississauga's principal, in an internal email on Tuesday. “I wanted to let the community know that these reports are under review by our Campus Safety team.”
For context: Last week, a vigil honouring Palestinian “martyrs,” hosted by the Student Union, took place. The event was condemned by one group, Doctors Against Racism and Antisemitism (DARA), as “rubbing salt into the wounds of our Jewish learners, staff, faculty, and alumni.”
Meanwhile, Jewish faculty and students set up a table to commemorate victims of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel. The display, with security surrounding it, drew a crowd of opposing students.
Later, in an Instagram post, Hillel Ontario said students “had to be escorted out a back door to protect them from an angry mob.”
That said: The university won't say what the two incidents involved. “We have nothing further to add… other than all members of the university community have a right to learn, live, work, and research in an environment that is free of discrimination and harassment,” a spokesperson told The Report. “If U of T determines there have been violations of university policies, we will take appropriate action.”
Speaking of: The Muslim Student Association says it’s lawyering up after Energy Minister Stephen Lecce called them a “morally degenerate group.” “Minister Lecce’s words are defamatory and completely false,” the group said, calling on him to issue a public apology.
— By Ahmad Elbayoumi
Compromise — No ban, but Mississauga City Council voted Wednesday to tighten the rules on fireworks.
To recap: Just two weeks ago, Council punted a planned vote to ban consumer fireworks. That day, about a hundred residents showed up to protest the proposed new by-law, with councillors split on the issue. (Mayor Carolyn Parrish told CBC News she expected a vote “to be tight” and “likely be decided by one or two votes.”)
What happened: Some councillors say Parrish had indicated her interest in reaching a compromise on the new by-law prior to the Wednesday meeting. She had a sit-down with Ruchi Wali of the Canadian National Council for Hindus (CNCH) earlier this week, which she called “a last-ditch effort to keep fireworks.”
Over thirty residents were scheduled to delegate on the proposed ban, but Wali spoke first — at Parrish's request — with a proposal that seemed to calm tensions.
Wali expressed the community's desire to “educate first, enforce firmly and celebrate respectfully,” as opposed to an outright ban. She shared the group's plans to collaborate with the city, by informing community members about existing regulations for fireworks use.
The new restrictions: Mississauga will keep fireworks displays on five designated holidays — Lunar New Year, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Diwali and New Year’s Eve — within limited hours, between 6 to 10 p.m. on most days. The city also plans to flag noisier types like Roman Candles for potential restriction in a final by-law, prohibit same-day sales and set aside an extra $300,000 for enforcement.
Cllr. Joe Horneck, who seconded Parrish's motion, told The Report that he found the new proposed measures to be “rounding the edges versus doing something dramatic.”
Meanwhile, Cllr. Dipika Damerla, the most vocal opponent to a ban, said she was “disappointed” by Parrish not including her in the discussions with the CNCH, and took issue with the day-of-sale ban, calling it “paternalistic and patronizing.”
Parrish v. Damerla: At Wednesday's meeting, Mississauga's mayor also rejected Damerla's claim that she wanted to ban fireworks, calling her colleague “very difficult” to work with on the issue, and even floating the idea of filing an integrity commissioner complaint. Parrish did not respond to a request for comment.
Recall: After residents complained that fireworks rules were being ignored, Parrish had asked staff to come back with fixes. “This is not about eliminating celebrations — it’s about creating safer practices,” Georgios Fthenos, the Director of Enforcement, said as he presented a recommendation for “a full prohibition on the sale, distribution, possession, and use of consumer fireworks.” Catch up.
The vote: Ultimately, councillors voted 8-3 to proceed with Parrish's new motion and end “discussion, debate or deputations,” with Councillors Brad Butt, Alvin Tedjo and Damerla opposing it.
Then, councillors voted unanimously to approve the majority of the new measures, with a separate vote on the prohibition on day-of holiday sales clearing 7-4, with Damerla, Butt, Tedjo and Sue McFadden voting against.
Butt told The Report he doesn’t feel “banning sales on the actual days solves the issue,” and that he doesn’t hear the widespread complaints from his residents about fireworks misuse.
Damerla, meanwhile, apologized to gathered residents that they had been “denied the opportunity to debate” on the motion. She told The Report that she felt it was a “suboptimal decision” to not continue the discussion.
The reaction: Aleem Kanji from the Canadian National Fireworks Association (CNFA), who delegated against the proposed ban two weeks ago, called the decision a “balanced and thoughtful approach.”
Damerla, for her part, told The Report she’s “pleased we’re not banning all fireworks” — and believes most residents feel the same — but said she’s “not pleased with some of the new provisions.”
Parrish treated herself to ice cream. “Council hit a settlement on fireworks — which I love! A good day!” she posted on X.
Next: Parrish says the city will study fireworks’ decibel levels. “We are presuming those labelled with ‘big bang’ demarcations will be the easiest ones to eliminate,” she wrote. “We will be depending on manufacturers’ cooperation. Elimination of noisiest and most dangerous rather than all.”
Changes? Clerk Diana Rusnov confirmed at the meeting that the matter could only be brought up “a year after consideration,” according to municipal by-law.
“We’ll see how it unfolds,” Damerla told The Report.
— Mississauga's General Committee met on Wednesday. Of note:
— Brampton City Council did too. Of note:
Meanwhile, happening this weekend:
— At 6 p.m. tonight, some councillors will be at the Seva Gala at the Queen’s Manor Event Centre.
— The Trillium Foundation will also be hosting a Diwali Gala at the Pearson Convention Centre in Brampton.
— At 7 p.m. tonight, Dipika Damerla will be hosting a Tenant Rights Workshop at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Elementary School.
— On Saturday at 10 a.m., Joe Horneck will be hosting a Tree Planting event at Woodland Park.
— On Saturday at 7:45 p.m., Stephen Dasko will be at the Mississauga Chargers game at the Port Credit Memorial Arena.
— Patrick Brown: Over the Thanksgiving weekend, he was at the opening gala of the International Film Festival of South Asia with Cllr. Rod Power. Then, he stopped by the last Brampton Farmer’s Market of the year with his son, Theodore. He spoke at the inauguration of the Jesus Centre Word to World Ministries Canada’s new centre in Brampton. He made a cameo at RED FM’s Diwali mela with Councillor Dennis Keenan.
He celebrated fast food chain Jollibee’s fifth anniversary in Brampton. He attended a Diwali celebration held by the Akhand Bharti Club of Canada. He attended the West Indian Chutney to the Core cultural celebration. He also cut the ribbon at the opening of the Goreway Drive Bridge.
Watch: Brown made the rounds to discuss the Stellantis’ plant closure, telling CTV's Vassy Kapelos that it was a “punch to the gut.”
— Carolyn Parrish: “Thanksgiving Day has a special meaning this year,” she wrote on X about the ceasefire in Gaza.
She also plugged Food Banks Mississauga’s fundraising drive, which ends today.
Last Friday, she was at the ribbon-cutting for Canada Welding Supply’s new building in Mississauga.
— Annette Groves: She welcomed students from Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) to Caledon Town Hall.
On Tuesday, she praised new painted crosswalks honouring servicemen and women.
— Stelantis moving a planned Jeep Compass auto-plant in Brampton to Illinois, leaving 3,000 workers in limbo.
From the company: “This [$13 billion] investment in the United States — the single largest in the company’s history — will drive our growth, strengthen our manufacturing footprint and bring more American jobs to the states we call home,” CEO Antonio Filosa said in a statement.
Brampton’s mayor says he's “deeply disappointed.” “This announcement is disheartening for the thousands of highly skilled, highly trained and loyal employees who have given so much to this industry,” wrote Patrick Brown in response.
Meanwhile, Unifor president Lana Payne said “Canadian auto jobs are being sacrificed on the Trump altar.”
Ontario's Chamber of Commerce and the Brampton Board of Trade also denounced the move: “... We are calling on all parties to finalize a plan that keeps production in Brampton and strengthens Ontario's essential role in North America's integrated auto supply chain.”
Industry Minister Melanie Joly is threatening to take Stellantis to court.
Premier Doug Ford says he plans to keep the plant open “no matter what.”
— As Peel paramedics face costly delays in getting patients to hospitals, one Toronto ER doctor has envisioned a rapid-response partnership for on-site treatment. “We want to reach those patients that maybe would have never made it,” Dr. Johannes von Vopelius-Feldt says.
— Conservative leader Pierre Poillievre thinks he can turn Brampton blue in the next federal election.
— CBC caught up with Sikh leader Inderjeet Singh Gosal, who declined police protection after death threats from the Indian government. “I’d rather take India’s bullet than stop campaigning for the Khalistan referendum,” he said.
— Provincial courts transferred some services online on Tuesday.
— The Mississauga woman who spray-painted racist anti-Indian graffiti is facing mischief charges.
— The Pointer reported on the “wild west” process for selecting municipal integrity commissioners, and the Ford government's attempt to shore it up through Bill 9.
— Steven Del Duca says he wants to spend $350 K for new “crime-fighting technology” in Vaughan, like closed-circuit cameras. Will other cities follow suit?
— In The Local, a York University alumna wrote about how a one year-old $280 M campus in Markham (largely unoccupied) isn’t enough to fix the school’s many broader issues.
— Last Wednesday, Caledon launched a Council Decision Database.
— On Thursday, Peel commemorated Dress Purple Day to raise awareness for child safety.
— PC MPP Deepak Anand thanking Carolyn Parrish for the Goreway Bridge opening. “Thank you Mayor Parrish for delivering another historic project.”
— Seen: Stephen Dasko and Natalie Hart at the TD MonsterArts Deepavali Party. Alvin Tedjo hosted a Pasta Dinner in support of Food Banks Mississauga. Stephen Dasko visited the Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area with Charles Sousa. Dasko was a guest on Sauga 960 AM's The Norm.
Thank you for reading The Peel Report. Are you happy with the new fireworks regulations in Mississauga? I want to hear from you, and I’ll keep you anonymous. We’re back in your inbox on Monday.
A looming ban on fireworks in Mississauga — which caused a firestorm among the local Hindu community — turned out to be a dud. But first, the University of Toronto says it’s looking into a pair of “anti-semitic incidents” on the Mississauga campus.
SCOOP — The University of Toronto has opened an investigation into two alleged “antisemitic incidents” last week.
What they're saying: “I have received concerning reports of two anti-semitic incidents on our campus at the beginning and end of last week,” wrote Alexandra Gillespie, the University of Toronto Mississauga's principal, in an internal email on Tuesday. “I wanted to let the community know that these reports are under review by our Campus Safety team.”
For context: Last week, a vigil honouring Palestinian “martyrs,” hosted by the Student Union, took place. The event was condemned by one group, Doctors Against Racism and Antisemitism (DARA), as “rubbing salt into the wounds of our Jewish learners, staff, faculty, and alumni.”
Meanwhile, Jewish faculty and students set up a table to commemorate victims of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel. The display, with security surrounding it, drew a crowd of opposing students.
Later, in an Instagram post, Hillel Ontario said students “had to be escorted out a back door to protect them from an angry mob.”
That said: The university won't say what the two incidents involved. “We have nothing further to add… other than all members of the university community have a right to learn, live, work, and research in an environment that is free of discrimination and harassment,” a spokesperson told The Report. “If U of T determines there have been violations of university policies, we will take appropriate action.”
Speaking of: The Muslim Student Association says it’s lawyering up after Energy Minister Stephen Lecce called them a “morally degenerate group.” “Minister Lecce’s words are defamatory and completely false,” the group said, calling on him to issue a public apology.
— By Ahmad Elbayoumi
Compromise — No ban, but Mississauga City Council voted Wednesday to tighten the rules on fireworks.
To recap: Just two weeks ago, Council punted a planned vote to ban consumer fireworks. That day, about a hundred residents showed up to protest the proposed new by-law, with councillors split on the issue. (Mayor Carolyn Parrish told CBC News she expected a vote “to be tight” and “likely be decided by one or two votes.”)
What happened: Some councillors say Parrish had indicated her interest in reaching a compromise on the new by-law prior to the Wednesday meeting. She had a sit-down with Ruchi Wali of the Canadian National Council for Hindus (CNCH) earlier this week, which she called “a last-ditch effort to keep fireworks.”
Over thirty residents were scheduled to delegate on the proposed ban, but Wali spoke first — at Parrish's request — with a proposal that seemed to calm tensions.
Wali expressed the community's desire to “educate first, enforce firmly and celebrate respectfully,” as opposed to an outright ban. She shared the group's plans to collaborate with the city, by informing community members about existing regulations for fireworks use.
The new restrictions: Mississauga will keep fireworks displays on five designated holidays — Lunar New Year, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Diwali and New Year’s Eve — within limited hours, between 6 to 10 p.m. on most days. The city also plans to flag noisier types like Roman Candles for potential restriction in a final by-law, prohibit same-day sales and set aside an extra $300,000 for enforcement.
Cllr. Joe Horneck, who seconded Parrish's motion, told The Report that he found the new proposed measures to be “rounding the edges versus doing something dramatic.”
Meanwhile, Cllr. Dipika Damerla, the most vocal opponent to a ban, said she was “disappointed” by Parrish not including her in the discussions with the CNCH, and took issue with the day-of-sale ban, calling it “paternalistic and patronizing.”
Parrish v. Damerla: At Wednesday's meeting, Mississauga's mayor also rejected Damerla's claim that she wanted to ban fireworks, calling her colleague “very difficult” to work with on the issue, and even floating the idea of filing an integrity commissioner complaint. Parrish did not respond to a request for comment.
Recall: After residents complained that fireworks rules were being ignored, Parrish had asked staff to come back with fixes. “This is not about eliminating celebrations — it’s about creating safer practices,” Georgios Fthenos, the Director of Enforcement, said as he presented a recommendation for “a full prohibition on the sale, distribution, possession, and use of consumer fireworks.” Catch up.
The vote: Ultimately, councillors voted 8-3 to proceed with Parrish's new motion and end “discussion, debate or deputations,” with Councillors Brad Butt, Alvin Tedjo and Damerla opposing it.
Then, councillors voted unanimously to approve the majority of the new measures, with a separate vote on the prohibition on day-of holiday sales clearing 7-4, with Damerla, Butt, Tedjo and Sue McFadden voting against.
Butt told The Report he doesn’t feel “banning sales on the actual days solves the issue,” and that he doesn’t hear the widespread complaints from his residents about fireworks misuse.
Damerla, meanwhile, apologized to gathered residents that they had been “denied the opportunity to debate” on the motion. She told The Report that she felt it was a “suboptimal decision” to not continue the discussion.
The reaction: Aleem Kanji from the Canadian National Fireworks Association (CNFA), who delegated against the proposed ban two weeks ago, called the decision a “balanced and thoughtful approach.”
Damerla, for her part, told The Report she’s “pleased we’re not banning all fireworks” — and believes most residents feel the same — but said she’s “not pleased with some of the new provisions.”
Parrish treated herself to ice cream. “Council hit a settlement on fireworks — which I love! A good day!” she posted on X.
Next: Parrish says the city will study fireworks’ decibel levels. “We are presuming those labelled with ‘big bang’ demarcations will be the easiest ones to eliminate,” she wrote. “We will be depending on manufacturers’ cooperation. Elimination of noisiest and most dangerous rather than all.”
Changes? Clerk Diana Rusnov confirmed at the meeting that the matter could only be brought up “a year after consideration,” according to municipal by-law.
“We’ll see how it unfolds,” Damerla told The Report.
— Mississauga's General Committee met on Wednesday. Of note:
— Brampton City Council did too. Of note:
Meanwhile, happening this weekend:
— At 6 p.m. tonight, some councillors will be at the Seva Gala at the Queen’s Manor Event Centre.
— The Trillium Foundation will also be hosting a Diwali Gala at the Pearson Convention Centre in Brampton.
— At 7 p.m. tonight, Dipika Damerla will be hosting a Tenant Rights Workshop at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Elementary School.
— On Saturday at 10 a.m., Joe Horneck will be hosting a Tree Planting event at Woodland Park.
— On Saturday at 7:45 p.m., Stephen Dasko will be at the Mississauga Chargers game at the Port Credit Memorial Arena.
— Patrick Brown: Over the Thanksgiving weekend, he was at the opening gala of the International Film Festival of South Asia with Cllr. Rod Power. Then, he stopped by the last Brampton Farmer’s Market of the year with his son, Theodore. He spoke at the inauguration of the Jesus Centre Word to World Ministries Canada’s new centre in Brampton. He made a cameo at RED FM’s Diwali mela with Councillor Dennis Keenan.
He celebrated fast food chain Jollibee’s fifth anniversary in Brampton. He attended a Diwali celebration held by the Akhand Bharti Club of Canada. He attended the West Indian Chutney to the Core cultural celebration. He also cut the ribbon at the opening of the Goreway Drive Bridge.
Watch: Brown made the rounds to discuss the Stellantis’ plant closure, telling CTV's Vassy Kapelos that it was a “punch to the gut.”
— Carolyn Parrish: “Thanksgiving Day has a special meaning this year,” she wrote on X about the ceasefire in Gaza.
She also plugged Food Banks Mississauga’s fundraising drive, which ends today.
Last Friday, she was at the ribbon-cutting for Canada Welding Supply’s new building in Mississauga.
— Annette Groves: She welcomed students from Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) to Caledon Town Hall.
On Tuesday, she praised new painted crosswalks honouring servicemen and women.
— Stelantis moving a planned Jeep Compass auto-plant in Brampton to Illinois, leaving 3,000 workers in limbo.
From the company: “This [$13 billion] investment in the United States — the single largest in the company’s history — will drive our growth, strengthen our manufacturing footprint and bring more American jobs to the states we call home,” CEO Antonio Filosa said in a statement.
Brampton’s mayor says he's “deeply disappointed.” “This announcement is disheartening for the thousands of highly skilled, highly trained and loyal employees who have given so much to this industry,” wrote Patrick Brown in response.
Meanwhile, Unifor president Lana Payne said “Canadian auto jobs are being sacrificed on the Trump altar.”
Ontario's Chamber of Commerce and the Brampton Board of Trade also denounced the move: “... We are calling on all parties to finalize a plan that keeps production in Brampton and strengthens Ontario's essential role in North America's integrated auto supply chain.”
Industry Minister Melanie Joly is threatening to take Stellantis to court.
Premier Doug Ford says he plans to keep the plant open “no matter what.”
— As Peel paramedics face costly delays in getting patients to hospitals, one Toronto ER doctor has envisioned a rapid-response partnership for on-site treatment. “We want to reach those patients that maybe would have never made it,” Dr. Johannes von Vopelius-Feldt says.
— Conservative leader Pierre Poillievre thinks he can turn Brampton blue in the next federal election.
— CBC caught up with Sikh leader Inderjeet Singh Gosal, who declined police protection after death threats from the Indian government. “I’d rather take India’s bullet than stop campaigning for the Khalistan referendum,” he said.
— Provincial courts transferred some services online on Tuesday.
— The Mississauga woman who spray-painted racist anti-Indian graffiti is facing mischief charges.
— The Pointer reported on the “wild west” process for selecting municipal integrity commissioners, and the Ford government's attempt to shore it up through Bill 9.
— Steven Del Duca says he wants to spend $350 K for new “crime-fighting technology” in Vaughan, like closed-circuit cameras. Will other cities follow suit?
— In The Local, a York University alumna wrote about how a one year-old $280 M campus in Markham (largely unoccupied) isn’t enough to fix the school’s many broader issues.
— Last Wednesday, Caledon launched a Council Decision Database.
— On Thursday, Peel commemorated Dress Purple Day to raise awareness for child safety.
— PC MPP Deepak Anand thanking Carolyn Parrish for the Goreway Bridge opening. “Thank you Mayor Parrish for delivering another historic project.”
— Seen: Stephen Dasko and Natalie Hart at the TD MonsterArts Deepavali Party. Alvin Tedjo hosted a Pasta Dinner in support of Food Banks Mississauga. Stephen Dasko visited the Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area with Charles Sousa. Dasko was a guest on Sauga 960 AM's The Norm.
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