Doug Ford government to unveil the future of Peel Region as Mississauga and Caledon go their own way

What’s the deal with Peel?

Premier Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservatives will unveil the path to dissolving Peel Region and the future of municipal governance in Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon on Thursday afternoon.

Municipal Affairs Minister Steve Clark will table legislation ending a half century of regional government in Peel in a bid to reduce red tape to enable more housing and transit to be built more quickly.

As first disclosed by the Star, Ford’s cabinet approved the move on Wednesday afternoon.

The change is a major victory for Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie, who won 77.1 per cent of the popular vote in October by campaigning for independence from Peel.

Crombie, a potential Ontario Liberal leadership candidate, has long complained Mississauga taxpayers, who cover 60 per cent of Peel’s costs, send $84 million annually to subsidize services in Brampton and Caledon.

But Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown fears his city stands to lose $1 billion in shared infrastructure — two water treatment facilities and Peel Regional Police headquarters — located in Mississauga.

Ford, whose Tories represent all the ridings in Peel, promised last week that Brampton is “not going to be shafted by Mississauga or anyone else” when he eliminates regional government.

Caledon Mayor Annette Groves has said she prefers the status quo for her city.

The municipal revamp will not affect Peel’s school boards.

But it will take several years to unravel regional government due to the shared costs among the three municipalities, such as policing, garbage collection and water treatment.

Crombie, Brown and Groves will be at Queen’s Park for the introduction of Clark’s legislation.

The Star will have complete coverage after the bill is tabled at around 1:15 p.m.

This is a developing story.

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