After months of back-and-forths with city staff, Brampton City Council is walking away from a pledge urging municipalities to denounce Israel’s actions in Gaza.

The Apartheid-Free Network pledge was first brought to council in October by Brampton City Coun. Gurpartap Singh Toor, calling for an end to “all military operations by Israel in Gaza and facilitating full, unfettered humanitarian aid access to the region.”

The push to take the pledge saw pushback from Jewish community groups, and the city now says it won’t be signing following a report that found the pledge could open Brampton up to “significant legal and financial risks.”

The report says signing onto the pledge is outside “the scope” delegated to municipalities by the province, and could put Brampton’s procurement policies in conflict with trade agreements, like the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).

Taking the pledge could also “create an expectation” that the city would have the authority to direct Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System investments.

“The Apartheid Free Communities Pledge raises significant legal and financial risks, particularly regarding the procurement of goods and services and the City’s legislative-mandated participation in the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS),” the report concludes.

Given the report’s findings, a city spokesperson tells INsauga.com that “Brampton will not be adopting the Apartheid Free Communities Pledge.”

The report was received on consent and was approved without debate or discussion by council on Wednesday.

A United Nations Commission has determined Israel has committed genocide in Gaza.

Last month, the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) said Brampton taking the pledge would promote “an international network of anti-Israel activist groups,” and would be a “serious and profoundly misguided mistake” that would “cause real harm to Jewish residents of Brampton.”

The group said Brampton councillors overreached on the issue by becoming involved with international affairs, an area in which they are not qualified or equipped to deal with.

“By inserting Brampton into an international political campaign explicitly targeting the world’s only Jewish state, the council has chosen symbolism over responsibility and division over leadership,” a letter from CAM to the city says. “Municipal governments exist to serve residents, maintain public safety, and foster inclusive communities. They are not foreign policy bodies.”


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