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Brampton had second-highest eviction rate in GTA during pandemic, report finds

Mzwandile Poncana @mzwandilep.bsky.social · Sep 28

"I am, somehow, less interested in the weight and convolutions of Einstein's brain than in the near certainty that people of equal talent have lived and died in cotton fields and sweatshops."
- Steven Jay Gould

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Reposted by Mzwandile Poncana

🔫Scott Martin🛼 @youcaughtscott.com · Sep 1

Just a reminder that I still periodically update my Indie and Local CDN Journalists starter pack so if you’re Canadian and want to support some cool folks, here you go. #cdnpoli #cdn

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Mzwandile Poncana @mzwandilep.bsky.social · Aug 29

New research shows Brampton had the GTA’s second-highest eviction filing rate during the pandemic. Studies and tenant data reveal racialized renters face disproportionate risks, with corporate landlords driving much of the increase in no-fault evictions.

www.bramptonguardian.com/news/brampto...

A new report finds Brampton renters faced the GTA’s second-highest eviction rate during COVID, with racialized households most at risk.

1 in 3 Peel tenants report cockroaches or bugs, ACORN survey finds

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Mzwandile Poncana @mzwandilep.bsky.social · Aug 13

Compounding on this, the survey found that nearly half of complaints to 311 go unresolved, and 16 per cent of tenants feel threatened for making a complaint to landlords.

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Mzwandile Poncana @mzwandilep.bsky.social · Aug 13

The report also found that 65 per cent of tenants pay between $1,501 and $2,500 monthly — considered unaffordable for most of these residents. Additionally, 80 per cent of units require repairs, and 36.6 per cent of tenants have received above-guideline rent increases.

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Mzwandile Poncana @mzwandilep.bsky.social · Aug 13

1 in 3 tenants in Peel Region report cockroaches and other bugs, a new Peel ACORN survey finds.

Peel ACORN attribute this to a broader crisis of housing neglect and disrepair in Brampton and Mississauga.

www.mississauga.com/news/1-in-3-...

A new ACORN survey of 257 Peel Region tenants reveals widespread cockroach and bug infestations, unresolved maintenance issues, and rent hikes above provincial limits.

Brampton church, outreach hub serving vulnerable downtown clients disappointed not to hear from city over threatened lawsuit

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Mzwandile Poncana @mzwandilep.bsky.social · Aug 11

In late July, Brampton moved to threaten legal action against a church and a homelessness program, citing ‘neighborhood safety concerns.’

Weeks later, the church and the program say they’re open to solutions — but have heard nothing from the City.

www.bramptonguardian.com/news/brampto...

The Brampton church and outreach hub that serve vulnerable downtown clients are disappointed not to hear from the city over a threatened lawsuit.

Controversial 10-storey Mississauga condo proposal requires additional environmental impact study, say city planning staff

Mzwandile Poncana @mzwandilep.bsky.social · Jul 30

City staff have delayed a decision on a proposed 10-storey condo at 900 Lakeshore Rd. W. in Mississauga, citing multiple missing environmental studies.

www.mississauga.com/news/council...

A 10-storey condo proposed at 900 Lakeshore Rd. West has sparked concern over zoning, environment, and traffic. Mississauga staff say more studies are needed.

Brampton threatens legal action against church and community outreach program

Mzwandile Poncana @mzwandilep.bsky.social · Jul 28

Brampton is threatening legal action against a church & outreach program serving unhoused residents, citing 'safety concerns.'

But service providers say the city is scapegoating the unhoused for a homelessness crisis it is failing to address.

www.bramptonguardian.com/news/brampto...

City cites public safety concerns at Grace United Church and Regeneration Outreach. Leaders say they weren’t warned and are already addressing issues.

‘Very concerned’: Peel Region’s only supervised drug consumption site was forced to close in May, the promised HART Hub still isn’t open

Mzwandile Poncana @mzwandilep.bsky.social · Jul 17

Peel’s only supervised drug-use site shut down in May due to provincial legislation.

Ontario promised a replacement HART Hub to service vulnerable drug users — but months later, it hasn't opened yet.

www.bramptonguardian.com/news/very-co...

Peel Region’s only supervised drug consumption site was forced by the province to close in May.

United Way report lays bare anti-Black barriers facing African asylum seekers in Peel and other Greater Toronto communities

Mzwandile Poncana @mzwandilep.bsky.social · Jul 15

Anti-Black racism is driving African asylum seekers in Peel and the GTA into overcrowded shelters, rental discrimination and job barriers, according to new qualitative research released by United Way today. www.bramptonguardian.com/news/united-...

New United Way report shows anti-Black discrimination, shelter overcrowding and work-permit delays trap African asylum seekers in Peel’s housing crisis.

Mzwandile Poncana @mzwandilep.bsky.social · Jun 11

Emerald Energy — the operator of the facility — says it followed all requirements, including open houses and newspaper notices. But residents say they never saw them — and Peel Public Health itself flagged gaps in communication and environmental equity. (3/3)

Mzwandile Poncana @mzwandilep.bsky.social · Jun 11

The expanded facility is expected to burn 5 times more garbage daily. Residents near the site — many of whom are racialized or low-income — worry about long-term health impacts, from respiratory issues to cancer. (2/3)

‘This is all very scary’: Brampton residents raise alarm over incinerator expansion

Mzwandile Poncana @mzwandilep.bsky.social · Jun 11

“I’m freaking out.”
Many Brampton residents living near the city’s waste incinerator say they were never told it would expand — and now fear for their health and families as air pollution could rise by over 200%. (1/3) www.bramptonguardian.com/news/this-is...

Residents near Brampton’s incinerator say they were not properly informed about expansion plans and fear its impact on health and democracy.

Sharp rise in homelessness, disproportionate impact on Black African asylum claimants sparks concern in Peel

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Mzwandile Poncana @mzwandilep.bsky.social · May 13

A new report from Peel Region shows asylum seekers now make up 37% of the region’s homeless population. Of those, 81% are Black Africans. www.bramptonguardian.com/news/sharp-r...

Peel’s point-in-time count shows asylum seekers make up 37 per cent of the region’s homeless. Of those, 81 per cent are Black African.

www.caledonenterprise.com

‘Still a struggle’: Peel region’s trans community faces deep health care gaps

Mzwandile Poncana @mzwandilep.bsky.social · Apr 30

Despite progress in visibility, accessing safe, affirming care in Peel region remains difficult for many trans and non-binary residents, according to service providers. www.mississauga.com/news/still-a...

Advocates say trans and non-binary people in Peel face major barriers to health-care access, with few affirming services and long waits forcing many to leave the region.

‘I never thought I’d have to fight like this’: Peel’s international students say immigration system is broken as election looms

Mzwandile Poncana @mzwandilep.bsky.social · Apr 23

As many international students in Peel face debt, joblessness, and potential life-altering deportation, students — alongside community orgs and settlement experts — are calling for a more stable, humane immigration system ahead of the federal election. www.bramptonguardian.com/politics/fed...

As federal immigration rules change, Peel’s international students call the system broken and demand better support ahead of the 2025 election.

Brampton supervised drug consumption site closure ‘a step backwards’ in helping those living with addiction, say staff

Mzwandile Poncana @mzwandilep.bsky.social · Mar 14

As Brampton’s supervised drug consumption site nears its March 31 closure, its frontline workers reflect on its impact. They say the site provided critical harm reduction services and support—and without it, a gap in life-saving care will remain.

www.bramptonguardian.com/news/brampto...

Workers at Brampton’s supervised drug-use site say its closure will put lives at risk and force drug use into unsafe spaces.

Brampton supervised drug consumption site’s scheduled closure pleases mayor, but concerns support workers and health officials

Mzwandile Poncana @mzwandilep.bsky.social · Mar 4

Peel’s only supervised drug consumption site is set to close on March 31 due to provincial legislation. At a recent council meeting, health officials and advocates warned of the risks of the closure, while Mayor Patrick Brown welcomed the decision. www.bramptonguardian.com/news/brampto...

At a Peel council meeting, officials and advocates raised concerns over the province’s decision to close the region’s only supervised drug-use site.

Ontario election parties pitch affordability plans as food insecurity rises in Peel Region

Mzwandile Poncana @mzwandilep.bsky.social · Feb 23

With nearly 1 in 4 Peel residents facing food insecurity and over 111,000 in the region living in poverty, Ontario parties pitch affordability plans ahead of the election. But are any of the promises enough? Read more below:

www.mississauga.com/politics/pro...

Ontario parties unveil affordability plans as food insecurity affects nearly one in four Peel residents.

Toronto Metropolitan University medical school hosts panel discussion urging Peel board students to break down barriers in medicine

Mzwandile Poncana @mzwandilep.bsky.social · Feb 14

TMU and Peel’s school board hosted a panel of Black health-care professionals at Mississauga Secondary School — the event addressed the historical lack of diversity in medicine and aimed to inspire future generations to pursue careers in the field.

www.mississauga.com/news/toronto...

Black health-care workers spoke to Peel students about breaking barriers in medicine at a TMU and Peel school board panel discussion.

Mississauga town hall hears concerns over missing Black boys in the GTA

Mzwandile Poncana @mzwandilep.bsky.social · Feb 14

A recent Mississauga town hall — led by the Find Ontario Missing Boys committee — aimed to spread awareness about missing Black boys in the GTA. Advocates called for police accountability and better media coverage of the issue. www.mississauga.com/news/mississ...

Community members gathered in Malton to discuss the number of missing Black boys in the GTA. Advocates are calling for action, police accountability, and greater media attention.

Food Banks Mississauga cuts staff, cancels programs amid financial strain

Mzwandile Poncana @mzwandilep.bsky.social · Feb 12

Food Banks Mississauga has laid off 16 per cent of its paid workforce and cancelled two programs in an effort to sustain operations as demand for emergency food assistance surges.

www.mississauga.com/news/food-ba...

Food Banks Mississauga is laying off staff and cutting programs as demand for food assistance surges, citing financial strain and government inaction.

Unifor accuses Walmart of violating labour laws, following historic vote to unionize

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Mzwandile Poncana @mzwandilep.bsky.social · Dec 23

After workers at a Mississauga distribution centre became the first Walmart staff in the country to unionize, the workers — and the union representing them — are now accusing the retail giant of violating multiple labor laws.

Read more here: www.mississauga.com/news/unifor-...

Unifor files complaints claiming Walmart’s wage freeze for unionized Mississauga workers breach labour laws and discourage unionization.