"Brampton Approves Infrastructure, Wildlife Protections" - City Council - May 6, 2026

Brampton City Council approved permanent wildlife fencing and habitat restoration along Hart Lake Road, endorsed early procurement work for the downtown squares redevelopment, and heard a lengthy update from Integrity Commissioner Manza Shaffer about a disputed complaint withdrawal letter. The meeting also included proclamations, a park renaming, and a presentation from the Brampton Honey Badgers, whose CEO announced that Mark Cuban has joined the team’s ownership group.

Topics Discussed

INTEGRITY COMMISSIONER REPORT: Integrity Commissioner Manza Shaffer told council she could not reopen or alter a previously adopted report because a letter said to be from the complainant had not been authenticated. She said, “As an officer of the court and as an integrity commissioner, I have a legal obligation to do what is right and ethical,” and added that “absent confirmation from the complainant herself or counsel for the complainant that there was indeed an error or that she renegs on the allegations, I am unable to reopen the investigation or suggest anything with the report.” Shaffer also pushed back on public allegations about her handling of the matter, calling claims of collusion “inherently false” and “wildly offensive.”

HART LAKE ROAD WILDLIFE PROTECTION: Council approved permanent nature fencing and restoration of wildlife corridors along Hart Lake Road, a project tied to years of advocacy by David and Dale Lang. Council also approved naming the crossings in the family’s honour. Delegates said temporary fencing had already shown results, with one speaker telling council that during the pilot, “Death rates went down... Death rates plummeted.” The permanent work is intended to close gaps left by seasonal or temporary barriers and reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions.

DOWNTOWN SQUARES REDEVELOPMENT: Council approved procurement for early works construction services for the Ken Whillans Square and Gage Park redevelopment. Mayor Patrick Brown said the downtown redevelopment, especially the square, had been “probably one of the most consulted projects” of this term of council. Discussion focused in part on the Cenotaph relocation and memorial features. Staff said they had received written endorsement from the Legion in February, along with additional correspondence this week.

BRAMPTON HONEY BADGERS BASKETBALL: Honey Badgers CEO Al Whitley told council that “billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban is has joined our ownership group.” The team also outlined lower-cost ticket options for the 2026 season as it tries to expand its local audience. Councillor Rowena Santos thanked the organization for its community presence, and Councillor Gurpartap Singh Toor said he was excited to see the new season.

PARK RENAMING AND COMMUNITY RECOGNITION: Council approved the renaming of Central Public School Park to Zonta Community Park. Delegate Kathleen Douglas said, “A name that reflects the contributions of an organization working to improve the lives of women and girls sends a powerful message about who we are as a city.” Councillor Santos said the renaming recognized Zonta Club’s work supporting women and girls and addressing gender-based violence.

PROCLAMATIONS AND PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS: Council adopted several proclamations, including Emergency Preparedness Week, Economic Development Week, National Public Works Week, Victorian Order of Nurses Week, and Business Continuity and Resilience Awareness Week. In the Emergency Preparedness Week proclamation, Mayor Patrick Brown declared May 3 to 9, 2026 as Emergency Preparedness Week in Brampton. A public works proclamation noted that public works professionals maintain “the infrastructure, facilities, and essential services that form the foundation of sustainable and resilient communities.”

Motions

Passed: - Support for the Regional Police Road Safety Intelligence Platform grant application - Permanent nature fencing and restoration of nature corridors along Hart Lake Road - Naming of the Lang wildlife passages - Renaming of Central Public School Park to Zonta Community Park - Procurement for early works construction services for Ken Whillans Square and Gage Park redevelopment - Downtown squares redevelopment-related approvals, including memorial features - Proclamations for Emergency Preparedness Week, Economic Development Week, National Public Works Week, Victorian Order of Nurses Week, and Business Continuity and Resilience Awareness Week - Motion to adjourn

Attendees

• Mayor Patrick Brown
• Councillor Santos
• Councillor Power
• Councillor Keenan