After months of back-and-forths with city staff, Brampton City Council is walking away from a pledge urging municipalities to denounce Israel\u2019s actions in Gaza.<\/p>\n
The Apartheid-Free Network pledge was first brought to council in October by Brampton City Coun. Gurpartap Singh Toor, calling for an end to \u201call military operations by Israel in Gaza and facilitating full, unfettered humanitarian aid access to the region.\u201d<\/p>\n
The push to take the pledge saw pushback from Jewish community groups, and the city now says it won\u2019t be signing following a report that found the pledge could open Brampton up to \u201csignificant legal and financial risks.\u201d<\/p>\n
The report says signing onto the pledge is outside \u201cthe scope\u201d delegated to municipalities by the province, and could put Brampton\u2019s procurement policies in conflict with trade agreements, like the Canada\u2013United States\u2013Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).<\/p>\n
Taking the pledge could also \u201ccreate an expectation\u201d that the city would have the authority to direct Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System investments.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Apartheid Free Communities Pledge raises significant legal and financial risks<\/a>, particularly regarding the procurement of goods and services and the City\u2019s legislative-mandated participation in the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS),\u201d the report concludes.<\/p>\n Given the report\u2019s findings, a city spokesperson tells INsauga.com that \u201cBrampton will not be adopting the Apartheid Free Communities Pledge.\u201d<\/p>\n The report was received on consent and was approved without debate or discussion by council on Wednesday.<\/p>\n A United Nations Commission has determined Israel has committed genocide in Gaza.<\/p>\n