Stephen Dasko

Updated Model to Strengthen Collaboration and Create Greater Impact

BRAMPTON, ON (June 26, 2025) – Today, Peel Region Council endorsed a renewed, collaborative strategy that sets out how partners across different sectors can work together to make Peel a safe, more inclusive, and connected community where all residents thrive. The Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019, requires that Ontario municipalities review and, if appropriate, revise their CSWB Plans every four years. Community Safety and Well-being (CSWB) Plan — a renewed, collaborative strategy that sets out how partners across different sectors can work together to make Peel a safe, more inclusive, and connected community where all residents thrive. The Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019, requires that Ontario municipalities review and, if appropriate, revise their CSWB Plans every four years.

The updated CSWB Plan establishes a structured process for working collaboratively across systems that builds on the achievements of the 2020–2024 Plan and introduces an adaptive model focused on:

• Early identification of issues before they reach crisis levels.
• Timely action by leaders to inform responses.
• Stronger connections across community networks to amplify community voices and drive coordinated and inclusive action.
• Targeted and localized responses that meet the unique needs of Peel’s diverse communities.

This model ensures Peel is better equipped to anticipate, understand, and act on the risk and protective factors affecting community safety and well-being.

Focus areas such as family violence, mental health and addictions, systemic discrimination, international students, and youth violence prevention remain key priorities for the community. By addressing the root causes of these complex issues and promoting prevention and early intervention, the CSWB Plan not only builds a safer, more inclusive, and well-supported community — it also reduces long-term costs to systems like policing, healthcare, and social services.

Since the first CSWB Plan was developed in 2020, over 75 local partners—including police, education, and health and social service providers—have worked together on its implementation. Each focus area has accomplished goals related to creating connections across service systems, identifying key community needs, strategizing collective approaches, and implementing impactful initiatives such as:

• Launching the Peel Regional Police Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Unit at the Safe Centre of Peel to support survivors of IPV through a trauma-informed lens.
• Developing mental wellness supports such as cultural competency trainings for service providers to improve the mental wellness of newcomer youth and international students.
• Launching an interactive online forum to encourage discussions about anti-black racism, anti-Indigenous racism, and systemic discrimination.
• Engaging people with lived experience by hosting focus groups with international students to help shape Peel’s advocacy efforts and ensure student voices guide future actions.
• Funding community-based youth violence prevention programs through the Building Safer Communities Fund to support initiatives such as housing subsidies for vulnerable youth and after school sports and arts programming for black youth.

Implementation of the updated Plan will occur in a phased approach throughout 2025. The System Leadership Table—co-chaired by Peel Region and Peel Regional Police along with Regional Council representatives – Councillor Palleschi (Brampton), Councillor Russo (Caledon), and Councillor Reid (Mississauga) will continue to provide strategic direction and oversight as Peel works to embed this new model across systems and services. Recognizing the importance of long-term sustainability, Peel Region continues to advocate for base provincial funding to support the implementation and operation of CSWB Plans. Securing such funding will ensure community-led initiatives have the resources needed to deliver lasting change.

 

IDEA Mississauga and YSpace have teamed up to launch EmpowHER Tech Launchpad, a program designed to help women-led companies grow their business. Applications are now open.

June 26, 2025

IDEA Mississauga is calling on women entrepreneurs to take their product or technology to the next level through the EmpowHER Tech Launchpad. In partnership with YSpace, York University’s entrepreneurship and innovation hub, this 12-week accelerator program is designed to support women-led businesses that are ready to scale their existing product or technology-based businesses. It will also have a strong emphasis on helping newcomer women who are breaking barriers in the tech space. Through one-on-one mentorship, training to prepare for investors, and support to take businesses to the next level, EmpowHER Tech Launchpad helps participants innovate, expand their market reach and build sustainable, successful ventures.

Who should apply?

The program is open to registered Canadian incorporations that meet the following requirements:

• Minimum 51 per cent women-led business
• Must be past the product-launch stage
• Requires one co-founder to attend all programming in-person
• Ability to commit to the full duration of the program
• Located within the GTA

Preference will be provided to newcomer women founders. Applications will be open until July 11, 2025.

For detailed information, visit IDEA Mississauga’s EmpowHER Tech Launchpad webpage.

What successful participants can expect

EmpowHER Tech Launchpad offers women founders a unique opportunity to take the next step in their entrepreneurial journey with specialized tools, training and support. The 12-week hybrid program runs from September to December 2025. Founders will have access to up to $200,000 in business resources to scale their ventures, including expert-led workshops focused on key business aspects such as sales, fundraising and much more, along with personalized one-on-one mentorship from industry experts.

The program also includes regular office hours with program facilitators to ensure success, alongside many opportunities to connect with experienced women in tech. The program wraps up with a final showcase event, where participants will present their business to a community of experts, mentors, potential investors and clients.

Join a growing network of EmpowHER success stories!

The impact of EmpowHER goes beyond the 12-week program. Past participant, Zahra Qureshi, joined the program while growing her finance and accounting firm Optinum Corporation, and credits EmpowHER’s mentorship and coaching with helping her refine her strategy for growth. As a direct outcome of the EmpowHER program experience, Zahra successfully launched a B2B SaaS platform, scaled her revenue and expanded her team by hiring two full-time employees within six months.

Similarly, Hira Malik, Co-Founder of Food Mamba, gained valuable insights on scaling her technology across the GTA through the EmpowHER program. With support in financial modelling, sales strategy development, and exposure to investment review panels, she and her team were empowered to confidently pitch their business to investors. As a result, Food Mamba was accepted into multiple pitch competitions and successfully secured several contracts, marking key milestones in their growth journey. Building on this momentum, Food Mamba also joined IDEA Mississauga’s Step-Up Program, where they’ve continued to receive tailored support to accelerate their scale-up efforts and deepen their impact in the food tech space.

For more information, including 2025 application details, participant testimonials and more, visit IDEA Mississauga’s EmpowHER Tech Launchpad webpage.

BRAMPTON, ON (June 25, 2025) – Peel Region offices and non-emergency services will be closed for the Canada Day holiday on Tuesday, July 1, 2025.

The following non-emergency services are closed and will reopen on Wednesday, July 2, 2025:

• Service Peel Counters

• ServiceOntario Counter

• Early Years and Child Care Services

• Dental Services Contact Centre and Dental Clinics

• Family Health Call Centre

• Healthy Sexuality Clinics
• Peel Harm Reduction mobile vans

Human Services

Early Years and Child Care Services, including Child Care Subsidy, will be closed on Tuesday, July 1, for Canada Day and will reopen on Wednesday, July 2.

Housing Services, Client Services will be closed on Tuesday, July 1 (Canada Day) and will reopen on Wednesday, July 2.

Ontario Works will be closed on Tuesday, July 1 (Canada Day) and will reopen on Wednesday, July 2.

 

Emergency Shelter, Food, or Personal Support

For urgent homelessness supports, including food, supplies, referrals, and shelter, call the Street Helpline 24/7 at 1-877-848-8481. For information on emergency shelter, visit the emergency shelter webpage or call 905-450-1996.

 

Emergency Peel Living Maintenance Requests

For emergency Peel Living maintenance requests, contact the 24-hour request line at 905-790-7335.

 

Vaccination Clinics

Routine school immunization clinics will be closed on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. To check for available clinics and to book your appointment, visit routine school immunization.

 

TransHelp

All trips for Tuesday, July 1, and Wednesday, July 2, must be booked by 7 p.m. on Monday, June 30.

 

On Tuesday, July 1 (Canada Day): 

• Call us at 905-791-1015 if you need to cancel your trip.

• Same day trips are not available.

• TransHelp will operate from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m.

• The TransHelp office will be closed. Feedback and application, and payment processing will resume on Wednesday, July 2.

• Subscription trips will be cancelled, except for dialysis trips.

We offer bookings up to 7 days in advance. Consider booking your next trip early to ensure your holiday travel.

 

If you have any questions, email transhelp@peelregion.ca or call 905-791-1015.

 

Public Transit

Visit Brampton Transit and Mississauga Transit for holiday schedules.

 

Waste Collection 

On Tuesday, July 1, there will be no waste collection. Waste will be collected one day later that week. Check your collection calendar to find your pickup day or sign up to receive free waste collection reminders.

 

All Community Recycling Centres will be closed on Tuesday, July 1, and will reopen on Wednesday, July 2.

 

Adult Day Services

Adult Day Services at all 5 Peel Region Long Term Care centres and Virtual Adult Day Services will be closed on Tuesday, July 1 for Canada Day and will resume regular hours of operation on Wednesday, July 2.

 

Peel Art Gallery, Museum and Archives (PAMA)

PAMA will be closed on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. We welcome visitors to explore, create and connect at PAMA all summer long!