The 2026 municipal election is on Oct. 26 and there are nine candidates running for the city council seat in Brampton’s wards 1 and 5.
Voters will also choose one regional councillor — who also sits on city council — for wards 1 and 5.
All nine candidates running for city council in wards 1 and 5 were invited to answer a questionnaire. Candidate responses are listed in alphabetical order including basic biographical information such as occupation and how long they have lived in the city and/or wards in which they are seeking election.
Candidates who did not respond with their profile information by this article’s publication deadline are listed with the contact information provided on the city’s confirmed candidates list, which can be viewed here.
Gagandeep Singh Atwal is running for city councillor in wards 1 and 5 in the upcoming Oct. 26 Brampton municipal elections.
Gagandeep Singh Atwal
Contact information
How long have you lived in Brampton and do you live in wards 1 and 5?
Twenty-one years in Brampton. Yes I do live in Ward 1 and 5.
What is your previous political experience?
I was part of the student council of Humber College as vice-president campus life in year 2007-2008, also was part of a college student alliance in that term as a policy committee member.
Worked as volunteer with various political candidates in GTA in their campaigns from municipal to federal.
If elected, what are your priorities?
My priorities will be freezing property tax, parking issues and solutions in my ward, proper use of land available in my ward as its (a) mix of highrise and subdivisions. More police recruitment and patrols to fight crime and stunt driving in neighbourhoods.
Tajinder Singh Bhinder
Tajinder Singh Bhinder is running for city councillor in wards 1 and 5 in the upcoming Oct. 26 Brampton municipal elections.
Tajinder Singh Bhinder
Occupation
Business owner, renovation contractor and realtor.
Contact information
How long have you lived in Brampton and do you live in wards 1 and 5?
I came to Canada in since 2002 and have lived in Brampton since 2004. Brampton has been my home for more than 22 years. I am a father of four children — three sons and one daughter and I have built my family, businesses and community connections here.
Approximately 95 per cent of my professional work throughout my career has been in Brampton. As a renovation contractor, business owner and realtor, I have worked extensively with Brampton homeowners and have years of firsthand experience dealing with the city’s building and zoning departments, including permits, inspections, construction requirements and municipal approvals.
What is your previous political experience?
This is my first time running for elected office. My experience comes from decades of working in Brampton, operating businesses, dealing with municipal departments and helping residents navigate construction, housing and property-related matters.
During this campaign, I have been going directly to residents through door knocking, listening to their concerns and discussing practical solutions. I believe public service starts by listening to the people affected by city decisions.
If elected, what are your priorities?
Affordability will be a priority. Rising property taxes and municipal fees affect homeowners, businesses and tenants, because increasing ownership costs can also put pressure on rents. I will advocate for responsible spending, transparency, reasonable fees and better value for taxpayers.
I will support seniors, advocate for more child-care spaces and faster approvals, and work for safer roads, parks and neighbourhoods.
Our children deserve safe, high-quality learning environments. I will advocate with school boards and other governments on overcrowding and reliance on portables, school safety, vaping and drug-prevention education, appropriate security measures, sports and recreation opportunities, and programs that encourage academic, athletic and problem-solving skills.
I also want stronger relationships between city hall and residents. City government should listen, communicate clearly and solve problems.
My vision is a Brampton where families, neighbours, seniors and young people feel connected and respected. We should build stronger relationships between neighbours and bring our diverse communities together.
City hall should work with the people, not against the people.
Staceyann Brooks
Did not respond to request for information.
Contact information
Amit Dhutta
Amit Dutta is running for city councillor in wards 1 and 5 in the upcoming Oct. 26 Brampton municipal elections.
Amit Dutta
Occupation
Registered herbalist (RH) and Ayurveda oractitioner
Contact information
How long have you lived in Brampton and do you live in wards 1 or 5?
I have lived in Brampton for more than 10 years and currently reside in Ward 5. During that time, I have seen the city grow rapidly and have experienced many of the same concerns residents face, including rising costs, traffic congestion, public safety concerns and pressure on local services.
What is your previous political experience?
I have not previously held elected political office. My experience comes from community advocacy and from working directly with people through my professional and community involvement. I believe public service requires listening carefully to residents, being accessible and following through on the issues people raise.
If elected, what are your priorities?
My priorities are affordability, public safety, traffic, responsible growth and accountable government.
I will focus on responsible spending at city hall and greater transparency around how taxpayer money is used. With families already facing higher living costs, residents should not face unnecessary additional financial burdens, and every tax dollar should be spent carefully and wisely.
Public safety is a priority, including stronger action on speeding, dangerous driving, crime and neighbourhood safety.
I support strong enforcement against unsafe, illegal and overcrowded rental properties, while ensuring responsible landlords and tenants are treated fairly. The Residential Rental Licensing program should improve safety and property standards without placing unnecessary costs or burdens on residents who follow the rules.
Brampton’s roads, transit and infrastructure must keep pace with population growth, and development should be supported by the services communities need.
I also want city hall to be more accessible and accountable, with timely responses, clear information and meaningful opportunities for residents to be heard.
Tracy Ann Pepe
Tracy Ann Pepe is running for city councillor in wards 1 and 5 in the upcoming Oct. 26 Brampton municipal elections.
Tracy Ann Pepe
Occupation
Contact information
How long have you lived in Brampton and do you live in wards 1 or 5?
I have lived in Brampton for over 35 years and live in Ward 1, in downtown Brampton. I am a longtime entrepreneur, former owner of The Scented Lair at 29 Queen St. E., former CARP Brampton board director, and a Meals on Wheels volunteer for over 20 years. I own a current firm in AGEtech, two-times published author and TEDx speaker.
What is your previous political experience?
I previously ran for Brampton city council in 2022 and have remained actively involved in community advocacy and municipal issues.
If elected, what are your priorities?
If elected, my priorities for wards 1 and 5 are:
Infrastructure: Remove the concrete barriers on Vodden Street and review traffic flow, emergency access, road safety, snow clearing and infrastructure planning for all of the ward.
Bylaw enforcement and 311: Work to remove wards 1 and 5 from the Residential Rental Licensing (RRL) program, increase enforcement resources and overhaul the 311 process so complaints are properly tracked, escalated and resolved.
Social challenges: Bring together existing Region of Peel programs and community partners to address homelessness and complex social needs, while establishing clear warming and cooling procedures for extreme weather. Focus on better supports for the current social programs such as Regeneration.
Rowena Santos (incumbent)
Rowena Santos will be seeking a third term as city councillor in wards 1 and 5 in the upcoming Oct. 26 Brampton municipal elections.
Rowena Santos
Occupation
City councillor, Brampton Wards 1 & 5
Contact information
How long have you lived in Brampton and do you live in wards 1 and 5?
I am a lifelong Brampton resident, raised in this city and now raising my family here. I live in Wards 1 and 5, and my connection to Brampton — personally, professionally and through decades of community involvement — has shaped my approach to public service.
What is your previous political experience?
I was first elected to Brampton city council in 2018, serving residents of wards 1 and 5 for two terms, including as regional councillor.
Before being elected, I spent more than a decade working at the Ontario Legislature, gaining extensive experience in public policy, legislation, government and advocacy. I also held leadership roles across the corporate and non-profit sectors, giving me a broad perspective on how government, business and community organizations can work together to deliver results.
My political experience also extends nationally. I have served on the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) board representing over 2,000 municipalities across the country for six years, most recently appointed as chair of the Standing Committee on Community Safety and Crime Prevention. I have also been recognized as a Municipal World Woman of Influence and as an FCM Municipal Trailblazer.
If elected, what are your priorities?
With ongoing global economic uncertainty driven by the trade war and its impacts on Canadian businesses and investment, Brampton needs experienced, and stable leadership that can keep moving local priorities forward and attract new investment. Building on my professional experience and eight years of delivering progress as a councillor, I will continue working to make Brampton safer, improve health care, reduce commute times, expand attainable housing, create good jobs and ensure responsible spending.
I will keep pushing for faster police response, stronger action on break-ins and neighbourhood crime, safer roads, and effective bylaw enforcement.
I will continue advocating for the province to open Brampton’s second hospital and cancer care centre, expand primary care and build the recreation and infrastructure our growing city needs.
I will advance the downtown LRT and Queen Street BRT, improve local transit and traffic flow, and support expanded GO service.
I will keep taxes and spending responsible, secure Brampton’s fair share of government funding, protect established neighbourhoods, support housing people can afford, attract better-paying jobs and new investment, and back local businesses.
Most importantly, I will remain accessible, responsive and focused on practical solutions that get things done.
Romolo Tantalo
Romolo Tantalo is running for city councillor in wards 1 and 5 in the upcoming Oct. 26 Brampton municipal elections.
Steve Tsai
Occupation
Contact information
How long have you lived in Brampton and do you live in wards 1 and 5?
I currently live in wards 1 and 5 and have been here for 45 years.
What is your previous political experience?
If elected, what are your priorities?
If elected as city councillor for wards 1 and 5, my priority would be simple: make sure city hall is working for residents.
I would focus on properly funding core services, including Brampton Fire and Emergency Services, improving roads and transit, and making sure infrastructure keeps pace with our growth.
I would continue pushing for Brampton’s second full-service hospital while preparing for the future need for a third. I have also pledged to donate six months of my councillor salary toward the city’s share of the second hospital.
I also want to make sure Brampton is ready for the economic opportunities coming down the pipeline. With Canada’s new partnerships being formed and looking to expand access to its resources and world markets, Brampton needs to be ready to attract investment, support local businesses, and create good jobs here at home.
If I get pushback from council, I will use the resources of my office to research the issue, find solutions, and keep pushing to get things done.
I will question spending, look for waste, and remain accessible and accountable to residents.
Khimani Williams
Did not respond to request for information.
Contact information