Issues

On June 10, Peel Regional Police (PRP) announced the results of Project Pelican, marking the largest drug seizure in our service’s history – with nearly $50 million worth of cocaine seized. In collaboration with national and international partners, PRP dismantled a transnational organized criminal network trafficking illicit drugs into the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

In June 2024, Peel Regional Police began investigating a cocaine smuggling operation using U.S.-Canada commercial trucking routes. By November, working with partners including the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and U.S. Homeland Security Investigations Border Enforcement Task Force in Detroit, multiple individuals, trucking companies, and storage sites linked to the operation were identified.

Over the course of the investigation, the following was seized:

• 479 kilograms of bricked cocaine, with an estimated street value of $47.9M
• Two illegal loaded semi-automatic handguns

As of June 6, nine individuals were arrested and charged in connection with the investigation, totalling 35 charges related to firearm and drug offences. The accused were held for a bail hearing at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton.

The successful completion of Project Pelican was made possible through funding provided by the Ontario Government, Ministry of the Solicitor General in which the Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario supported this investigation.

Please see PRP’s news release here: https://x.com/PeelPolice/status/1932431335806669128

(March 18, 2025) – Peel Public Health (PPH) is investigating a case of measles that was confirmed on March 14.

The public may have been exposed at the following locations:

• Hazel McCallion Central Library on March 7 between 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
  301 Burnhamthorpe Rd W, Mississauga

• Multi-Specialty Med Clinic between March 8 from 7:03 p.m. to March 9 at 1:00 a.m.
  21 Queensway W, Mississauga

• Aboud Health Group on March 10 between 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  422 Burnhamthorpe Rd W, Mississauga

• Credit Valley Hospital Emergency Room on March 11 between 10:30 a.m. to 7:55 p.m.
  2200 Eglinton Ave W, Mississauga

Peel Public Health directly contacts people who were at exposure sites if possible. PPH advises anyone who was at these sites or thinks they have been exposed to the measles virus to do the following:

• Check their immunization record to confirm they and their family members are up-to-date with their measles vaccinations (MMR or MMRV). Those who are unsure can check with their health care provider. Two doses are generally recommended for anyone born in or after 1970. In general, those born before 1970 are considered protected against measles.

• Anyone experiencing symptoms should contact their health care provider, or if not available, Peel Public Health as soon as possible to get advice. Do not attend work or school. Those concerned about symptoms should call their health care provider before going to see them to inform them they may have been in contact with someone who has measles.

Measles is a highly contagious disease that spreads easily to those who are not immunized or have not previously had measles. Infants under one year of age, unimmunized pregnant people, and people with weakened immune systems are at increased risk of complications.

Measles symptoms begin 7-21 days after infection and may include:

• High fever

• Cough

• Runny nose

• Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis, i.e. pink eye), sensitivity to light

• Red rash lasting 4 to 7 days

The situation in Peel 

• So far in 2025, there have been 4 confirmed cases of measles in Peel.

• In 2024, Peel had 3 confirmed cases of measles.

• Of Peel’s 4 cases, 2 were related to international travel, and 2 were from community spread. Peel’s cases are not known to be connected to the current multi-jurisdictional measles outbreak in Ontario.

• 2 of Peel’s 2025 cases resulted in hospitalizations both of which occurred in unvaccinated children. Vaccination is the best protection against the spread.

• Peel Public Health continues to monitor the situation and investigates every new case.

For questions, call Peel Public Health at 905-799-7700 / 1-888-919-7800 (toll-free). Phones are answered from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.

For more information about the measles situation across Ontario, please visit Measles Exposures in Ontario | Public Health Ontario.

BRAMPTON, ON (March 7, 2025) – Peel Public Health suspects cases of avian influenza in wild birds in Peel following the discovery of a large number of dead birds in the region recently. The Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative is currently testing the birds to determine the cause of death.

Avian influenza primarily infects wild birds but can be transmitted to poultry and other mammals. Rarely, avian influenza may also spread to people. The risk of bird-to-human transmission is low. There have been no human cases of avian influenza in Peel or Ontario.

If you find sick or dead wild birds, avoid handling them if possible, and contact your local municipal animal control department or the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative.

To limit the spread of avian influenza and protect the health and safety of residents and pets, Peel Public Health has the following advice:

• If handling dead birds or animals is necessary, wear gloves, place the dead bird or animal in a doubled plastic bag and tie it closed. Then, wash your hands thoroughly. They can be placed, double-bagged, in the garbage for disposal.
• Consider removing backyard bird feeders and bird baths. If they cannot be fully removed, place as far away from family pets as possible and clean with 10 per cent bleach at least once every two weeks.
• Keep family pets away from birds and fecal matter.
• Keep cats indoors and dogs on leash to limit the potential for an encounter with an infected bird.
• Do not feed family pets raw meat from game birds or poultry.
• Do not feed or otherwise interact with wild birds.
• Pet birds, if not normally kept indoors, should be restricted to the indoors.
• Residents who raise backyard chickens, own pet birds or maintain other flocks, should monitor them for signs of avian influenza and follow preventive actions recommended by the Province and Government of Canada.
• Do not attempt to retrieve or help birds from seemingly frozen bodies of water as ice and water conditions are unsafe.
• If you become ill with influenza (flu) symptoms (including fever, cough, difficulty breathing, muscle aches, headache and/or red watery eyes) within 10 days of handling wild birds or other wildlife, see your healthcare provider. Inform your healthcare provider that you have been in contact with wildlife.

The risk of avian influenza spreading to humans is extremely rare. There are no indicators of increasing risk to the general public at this time. Additional details will be provided as they become available. More information on avian influenza can be found on the Ministry of Health’s website.