Ahead of the Oct. 26 municipal election, CBC Peel asked the 12 candidates running for mayor of Brampton, Ont., to outline their key priorities and how they plan to address them.
Candidate responses are organized below in alphabetical order by last name — edited for spelling and grammar — accompanied by campaign-submitted photos or photos sourced from public social media profiles.
Candidates were asked to keep their responses to 100 words or fewer; answers that exceeded this have been trimmed. For candidates who did not return the questionnaire, profiles have been compiled using verified public records, campaign platforms, and debate appearances.
Jagruti Bhatt
(Submitted by Jagruti Bhatt)
Jagruti Bhatt said her background includes health care, seniors care, community service, real estate and business ownership.
Bhatt said she has called “Brampton home since coming to Canada in 2006”. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Bhatt said she “helped coordinate food support for thousands of families with hundreds of volunteers.”
“I am running because I believe Brampton needs practical leadership focused on residents, not political careers,” said Bhatt. “Our city has grown rapidly, but health care, infrastructure, public safety and basic services have not always kept pace. I want to bring a service-based approach to city hall: listen, identify the problem, establish responsibility, measure results and remain accountable.”
What are your top three priorities if elected?
Public safety and reliable basic city services.
Affordability, property-tax discipline and transparent city spending.
Infrastructure and health care capacity that keep pace with Brampton’s growth — focusing on seniors and youth.
How would you address those priorities?
I would strengthen 311 and bylaw accountability, advocate for policing resources based on crime and response data, and target auto theft and dangerous driving. I would review contracts, consultants, change orders and under-performing spending before asking taxpayers for more, while publishing major project costs and results. Growth must also be matched with roads, transit, employment and community infrastructure. Completing Brampton’s second hospital would remain a major advocacy priority, while planning ahead for future healthcare capacity. My approach is simple: fix basic services first, open the books, set measurable targets and publish progress.
Please let us know if you’ve used generative artificial intelligence tools in any way in your responses.
Yes. I have used generative AI as a drafting, research and editing tool to help organize and refine information and communications. The positions, priorities and policy direction are mine, and I review and approve the final responses before they are submitted or published.
Patrick Brown
(Submitted by Patrick Brown)
The incumbent mayor of Brampton since 2018, Patrick Brown previously served as leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party from 2015 to 2018 and as the federal MP for Barrie from 2006 to 2015.
Brown said he has “fought for Brampton getting our fair share after years of being ignored.” He said his councils have secured commitments from the province and federal government for projects like building of Brampton’s second hospital, a tunnelled LRT extension into downtown Brampton, and welcoming the Greater Toronto Area’s first new medical school in 100 years.
“I’m running for re-election to keep the momentum of the ‘Big Brampton Build’ going. I am laser-focused on making our community safer and delivering the health care, transit and infrastructure our growing city needs and deserves,” Brown said.
What are your top three priorities if elected?
Further strengthening public safety.
Expanding access to health care close to home.
Delivering essential infrastructure while keeping increases to the city portion of property taxes as low as possible.
How would you address those priorities?
I will continue to advocate for more front-line police officers, modern police facilities and taking stronger action against extortion, auto theft and repeat offenders. I will work with the province and [William] Osler [Health System] to see the completion of Brampton’s second hospital and advance plans for a comprehensive cancer care centre. I will also push to deliver the tunnelled LRT extension and for the completion of the many ongoing projects underway in Brampton. I will continue to work relentlessly to secure even more provincial and federal funding to reduce pressure on taxpayers and ensure our investments strategically keep pace with Brampton’s growth.
Please let us know if you’ve used generative AI tools in any way in your responses.
No.
Gurdeep Singh Dhothar
CBC Peel was unable to identify a campaign website or contact information for Dhothar’s prior to publication.
Vidya Sagar Gautam
(Sourced from social media)
Vidya Sagar Gautam did not respond to CBC Peel’s questionnaire prior to publication.
According to remarks made at a mayoral debate organized by the Brampton Board of Trade (BBOT) and Y Media, Gautam highlighted his professional background in engineering and business, and noted that he previously ran for mayor of Brampton in the 2022 municipal election.
Gautam said the city “deserves a mayor who builds foundations, not just the headlines,” adding, “my agenda is for fiscally responsible, community-driven, and focus on long-term prosperity for Brampton”.
Prabh Gill
Prabh Gill did not respond to CBC Peel’s questionnaire prior to publication.
During the BBOT Y Media debate, Gill pointed to his 20 years of experience as a human rights advocate affiliated with the United Nations Human Rights Council, as well as his background as a conflict resolution expert, youth mentor, and former community officer.
Gill said he is running to restore accountability, stating, “we want to put back the trust to the governance. We want people to trust the governance, we want to bring in a sense of belonging, sense of ownership, sense of pride”.
He added: “When people who care become leaders, the world changes. That’s the kind of leadership we want to bring to Brampton”.
Wesley Jackson
(Submitted by Wesley Jackson)
Wesley Jackson is a licensed lawyer and previously ran for mayor in 2018.
Jackson said he “grew up in Brampton, I’ve practised law here for 23 years, started my own law firm in 2009”. He said he has been involved in community and charitable work, including raising money for the Ride to Conquer Cancer for the last nine years.
“I’m running because the city has never addressed the problems that existed when I was a teenager: a lack of exciting options in careers, housing, entertainment,” Jackson said.
What are your top three priorities if elected?
Take control of taxes: controlling spending, eliminating waste and rebuilding trust through transparency and try independent oversight.
A city that works for you: we need to improve city services, including bylaw enforcement, 311, transit, roads and community safety.
Safeguarding the city against corruption: We cant rely on the honour system with $1.4 billion at stake at the city, and over $7 billion at stake at the Region of Peel.
How would you address those priorities?
We can control taxes by finding an annual recurring savings at city hall, controlling salaries, and reducing outside contracting and consulting costs. We can retain an auditor general and institute my anti-corruption policies to increase competition in procurement and lower the cost of running the city. We can complete my land value audit to lower operating expenses (insurance and maintenance costs) and divest ourselves of unnecessary real estate, helping us grow the tax base and rebuild our capital budgets without raising taxes.
We can improve bylaw services with my strategy to reduce and eliminate backlog, efficiently deploying resources.
Please let us know if you’ve used generative AI tools in any way in your responses.
No.
Najma Khurram
CBC Peel was unable to identify a campaign website or contact information for Khurram prior to publication.
Nathaniel Peart
Nathaniel Peart did not respond to CBC Peel’s questionnaire prior to publication.
According to his campaign website, Peart was born and raised in Brampton, describing himself as an entrepreneur, coach, artist, and community leader. His campaign focuses on ensuring that Brampton’s growth translates into a better quality of life for its residents.
Peart’s platform outlines six core priorities: affordability and responsible spending, including fighting unnecessary property tax increases; bringing more jobs to Brampton; creating safer neighbourhoods through community partnerships; supporting local businesses by reducing city hall red tape; investing in youth, sports, arts and culture; and improving infrastructure, including using vacant spaces for community benefit.
Prabhjot Kaur Sidhu
CBC Peel was unable to identify a campaign website or contact information for Sidhu prior to publication.
Sandeep Somal
(Submitted by Sandeep Somal)
Sandeep Somal is the founder of Project Skate Hockey Club, a community-driven hockey non-profit. He says his background spans human resources, health care, small business management, and community service.
Somal said he “was born and raised in Brampton, and I’ve watched our city grow while seeing many of the same challenges go unresolved.”
“I’m running because I believe Brampton deserves leadership that listens, takes accountability, and puts residents ahead of political interests. We need practical solutions, responsible spending, and a city hall that works for everyone, not just those with connections,” Somal said.
List your top three priorities if elected.
Fiscal responsibility and accountability: Eliminate wasteful spending, improve transparency, and protect taxpayers without cutting essential services or increasing property taxes.
Community safety and well-being: Strengthen emergency services, improve bylaw enforcement, and invest in prevention, mental health, and accessible community spaces.
Responsible growth and infrastructure: Improve public transit, address housing affordability, and ensure infrastructure, health care, and emergency services keep pace with Brampton’s growing population.
How would you address those priorities?
I’d establish an independent auditor general to review spending, identify waste, and improve accountability. Savings would be reinvested into essential services while keeping property taxes frozen.
For community safety, I’d strengthen fire services, improve bylaw enforcement with faster response times and greater transparency, and expand community-based mental health and crisis response programs.
For responsible growth, I’d support missing-middle housing, improve transit frequency and reliability, and ensure infrastructure and emergency services keep pace with population growth. I’d also prioritize better planning, responsible development, and protecting existing green spaces rather than continuing unchecked urban sprawl.
Please let us know if you’ve used generative AI tools in any way in your responses.
No.
Paul Tarriwal
Paul Tarriwal did not respond to CBC Peel’s questionnaire prior to publication.
According to remarks made at the BBOT Y Media debate, Tarriwal has lived in Brampton for over 40 years, attending school and raising his family in the city, and has worked in the construction and development sector for more than two decades.
Tarriwal said he was motivated to enter the race after becoming a father, explaining, “instead of running away from my city, I decided to fight. And that’s why I’m here today. If we can’t make the change for Brampton — and I mean a change, not just a new mayor, not just a new councillor, we need a new city hall”.
Gaurav Walia
(Submitted by Gaurav Walia)
Gaurav Walia is a computer engineer and said he has filed a patent application in telecommunications.
“Rising costs, taxes, traffic, safety concerns, and health-care challenges are making life increasingly difficult” in Brampton, Walia said.
“I believe residents deserve better. I want to bring financial responsibility and accountability to city hall. My focus is simple: to make Brampton more affordable, safer, cleaner and a better place to raise a family,” Walia said.
List your top three priorities if elected
Make life more affordable: Immediately reduce property taxes by up to 30 per cent, eliminate minor variance and rental licensing fees, provide free Brampton Transit for homeowners, and introduce up to $500 in annual grocery and cost-of-living relief to homeowners.
Make our communities safer: Work toward assigning dedicated police safety officers to schools, recruiting more police officers, and introducing a more reasonable approach to bylaw enforcement that focuses on education before heavy fines.
Deliver better health care: Push for the completion of Brampton’s second hospital with a fully operational 24/7 emergency department. Brampton families shouldn’t have to keep waiting for the health-care facilities our growing city needs.
How would you address those priorities?
I would begin by reviewing city spending, identifying efficiencies, and developing a financially responsible plan to reduce taxes, eliminate unnecessary fees, and introduce proposed household benefits. I would work with the city council and relevant agencies to assess funding and implementation.
For public safety, I would collaborate with Peel Regional Police and school boards to strengthen policing and school security while promoting education-first bylaw enforcement.
For healthcare, I would work closely with the provincial government and hospital partners to secure funding, establish clear timelines, and advocate for Brampton’s second hospital with a fully operational 24/7 emergency department.
Please let us know if you’ve used generative AI tools in any way in your responses.
My vision and priorities are my own, shaped by nearly two decades of living in Brampton and experiencing many of the same challenges as other residents. My vision is based on real-life experiences, not AI-generated ideas.