1. Candidate Bio:
I was born at the Peel Memorial Hospital in Ward 3 and attended Our Lady of Fatima Elementary School, Cardinal Leger and St. Augustine Secondary School. I am a husband and proud father of 2.
Volunteering with the community has always been an essential part of my upbringing. I am involved at my local church, the United Way, Brampton Soccer Clubs, and have been an active member of Brampton’s local YMCA since the age of 13.
After working with the United Nations, the European Commission, the Regional Government of Azores and the Government of Ontario, I returned to work directly with residents of Brampton and serve my community.
During my term of council, I have been a member of 20 committees at the City of Brampton and Region of Peel. As Chair of Human Services at the Region of Peel, I delivered Peel Region’s first 10-year Housing Strategy, led the initiative to open Brampton’s first Youth Homeless Shelter, and Affordable Transit Program. As Regional Councillor, I also supported the addition of 37 Peel Regional Police officers, and held numerous town halls on crime and safety.
It has been an honor to serve as your Regional Councillor for wards 3 and 4 for the City of Brampton and the Region of Peel for the last four years. An exciting and rewarding experience, I am privileged to have had the opportunity to speak with many of you who are passionate about the issues affecting Brampton. Thanks to your continuous support and dedication to move Brampton forward, I am pleased to run again as your Regional Councillor of Wards 3 & 4.
My top priority since my election in 2014 has been to fight for my residents and enable change at City Hall. I have championed many motions and want to continue to move Brampton forward.
As your Regional Councillor, I will continue to promote and support transparency and accountability so that your tax dollars are respected and spent wisely by taking the following steps:
- Create more jobs
- Improve transit
- Reduce crime and improve safety
- Invest in healthcare
I will also continue to advocate for local community groups and resident clubs and ensure the City of Brampton remains inclusive to all and is reflective of the values of its diverse, vibrant and multicultural community.
2. What are your three top priorities for Brampton?
My priorities for my residents of wards 3 & 4 will be to promote transparency and accountability at City Hall so your tax dollars are spent wisely.
I will focus on:
- Improving Transit
- Crime and Safety
- Attract Businesses, investment and jobs
3. What is one major council decision from the previous (2014-2018) term that you agree with?
To bring Brampton’s first university in its history
4. What is one major council decision from the previous (2014-2018) term that you disagree with?
Brampton will be more accessible than ever through the improvements made in our transit system and the oncoming of the LRT.
I voted in favor of bringing the LRT line down Hurontario/Main Street in Brampton, but council was split 6-5 and the motion failed despite $1.6 Million of funding from the province being on the table.
I am committed to exploring further ideas so as to finally bring the LRT into Brampton, which will ease congestion on our roads and connect our city to Mississauga and Toronto.
5. Are there any other ideas from other cities that you would like to see replicated in Brampton?
The City of Vaughan provides windrow-clearing service for all residential driveways. Windrow machines are designed to clear about 80 per cent of snow left by plows at the end of the driveway within four hours after the plow has passed. Due to the limited size and reach of the windrow clearing units, they can only clear a portion of the driveway entrance. The service does not clear windrows left by sidewalk plows, hardened snow, ice or the entire driveway.
6. What are your top transportation priorities to ease congestion and gridlock in the city of Brampton and connections to other communities?
My top priority to ease congestion is to explore routes to bring the LRT to Brampton. This will ease congestion in the city but also make for easier connection to Mississauga and Toronto. I have also supported the affordable transit initiative in Peel Region and will also continue to do so going forward.
7. What are your thoughts on the Brampton 2040 Vision and how should the city proceed with the vision?
I believe the vision provided the City and residents with a framework and a conceptual design that reflected extensive consultations with Brampton residents. I believe next term of Council scoping and developing implementation plans with clear timelines will help us bring the plan to life and give a clear sense of what can be accomplished and what the priorities will be. The plan will only be successful if council has the resolve and discipline to implement the vision considering the cost involved and in the next four years-priorities and budget needs to be established.
8. What is your position on the city’s finances and how would you tackle demands for services and infrastructure renewal?
The years of controversy and police investigations into previous Council regarding wasteful spending brought a decline in trust between residents and council members. As Regional Councillor, I have been vocal on the lack of discipline when it comes to respecting your hard-earned dollars. To rebuild the trust I called for more transparency and accountability and respect for taxpayer money with the following measures:
- I have been a vocal critic on wasteful spending at City Hall
- I requested the Peel Regional Police to investigate the unauthorized out of policy staff salary increases which amounted to $125 million
- Saved our taxpayers an estimated $2 million per year
- I supported the adoption of a gift and lobbyist registration to enhance transparency
- I ensured that all council votes be recorded and released to the general public.
The City of Brampton needs to focus on core business of delivering services and programs in an effective and cost-efficient manner. I will continue to challenge the bureaucracy to provide better customer service.
9. What are your thoughts on how the city/region should handle the alleged uptick of spontaneous youth violence and crime in the city?
Over the last few years Brampton has seen a rise in crime. As both a family-man and Regional Councillor, I understand the concern for safety and that we and our loved ones are safe in our city. I have built a strong relationship with the Peel Regional Police and supported addition of 37 Peel Regional police officers and am in favor of further investment in neighborhood watches and will continue to bring forth more safety measures and personnel for our communities. I will also continue to host Town Halls on crime and safety to bring awareness.
10. Why should voters vote for you?
My commitment has always been to move Brampton forward and this is why I am seeking re-election as Regional Councillor for Wards 3 & 4. We’ve made progress in my first term of council specifically on issues such as: fiscal responsibility, adding a shelter to Brampton and shedding light on concerns regarding wasteful spending at City Hall. There’s so much more to be done and I’d like to continue the good work we have started.
Candidate contact info:
Phone: 647-956-5319
Email: vote@martinmedeiros.ca
Website: Link here
