January 24, 2025 – Mayor Brown’s leadership delivers historic LRT tunnel for Brampton
In 2018, when Patrick Brown ran for mayor, he made a bold campaign promise: to bring a tunneled Light Rail Transit (LRT) extension into downtown Brampton. At the time, many dismissed it as an impossible dream. It was a promise he made to the late Premier Bill Davis that he wouldn’t settle for a surface route which ignored the complications of downtown Brampton. Mayor Brown’s promise was ridiculed by many in the media as impossible. Yet today, Brampton is celebrating a $2.8 billion investment that makes this vision a reality—the largest public transit project in our city’s history.
This milestone is a testament to Mayor Brown’s determination and leadership. From the outset, he understood that a tunneled LRT would not only enhance connectivity but also preserve the charm and integrity of Brampton’s narrow downtown core. He faced skeptics who doubted it could be done and critics who said it would never gain the necessary support. But through tireless advocacy and collaboration with provincial leaders, Brown delivered on his signature promise. He has turned an issue which divided Brampton into one that has united the City.
The benefits of this project will be transformative, both for Brampton residents and the region as a whole. The tunneled LRT will connect Brampton to major transit systems across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA), providing seamless access to jobs, services, and opportunities. It will help ease congestion on some of the city’s busiest roads, improving commute times and quality of life for thousands of residents. Environmentally, the clean, electrically powered LRT vehicles will make a significant contribution to sustainability efforts, helping reduce emissions and Brampton’s carbon footprint. Moreover, the project will act as a catalyst for economic growth, creating 47,000 new housing units and 17,000 jobs during the course of its development.
This historic achievement also highlights the strength of partnership with the provincial government. Premier Doug Ford’s commitment to infrastructure investments has been pivotal, and Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Sarkaria’s leadership in advancing the project, including directing Metrolinx to develop the business case, proved instrumental. Sources at Queen’s Park confirm Minister Sarkaria was relentless in pushing this file. He clearly has never forgotten his home riding of Brampton South. The stars were aligned for Brampton when Premier Ford selected Sarkaria as Transportation Minister. This project will be an impressive legacy piece for Premier Ford. Together, the province and the city have brought to life a project that will transform transit in Brampton and set the city on a path to long-term growth.
Mayor Brown’s leadership on this issue has demonstrated what can be achieved when vision is paired with perseverance. His ability to deliver on what many thought was impossible speaks volumes about his commitment to Brampton and its residents.
The tunneled LRT extension into downtown Brampton isn’t just a transportation project—it’s a turning point. This investment will define the city’s future for decades, demonstrating that bold promises, when met with determined action, can lead to historic achievements. Brampton is on the move, and the benefits of this project will be felt for generations.