Peel Region is located immediately west of Toronto. It is made up of the City of Mississauga, City of Brampton and Town of Caledon.
Peel Region is the second largest municipality in Ontario, with a population of more than 1.4 million people and 143,000 businesses in the cities of Brampton and Mississauga and the town of Caledon.
Peel Region has undergone a major transition during the past few decades. Rapid population growth and commercial development have transformed what was primarily a rural area of farms and villages into a dynamic blend of urban, industrial and residential areas. It is known for its large and vibrant newcomer community, with approximately half the residents being recent immigrants.
It has a good transportation infrastructure as it includes the Toronto Pearson International Airport and 7 major highways go through the region. There are colleges and a university in Peel Region.
According to the 2016 census, Peel's key highlights on Income, Immigration and Ethnic Diversity and Housing include:
• Peel's median household after-tax income was $75,667
• 51.5 percent of Peel's population are immigrants
• 73.3 percent of Brampton's population are visible minorities
• 35.5 percent of Peel's recent immigrants were born in India
• 31.8 percent of Peel households spend 30 percent or more of income on shelter
costs
• 13.9 percent of Peel's tenant households live in subsidized housing
• 12.6 percent of all dwellings built in Brampton were constructed between 2011
and 2016
• 65.3 percent of Peel's renters live in Mississauga
The 2 largest employers in Peel Region are the school boards: the Peel District School Board and the Dufferin-Peel Separate (Catholic) School Board. Each of these School Boards reports that it has approximately 10,000 employees employed across Peel. The top 5 businesses (measured by number of employees 1000+) in the City of Brampton and the Town of Caledon were Rogers Communication, Chrysler Canada, Loblaw Company Limited, Maple Lodge Farms and Canadian Tire Corporation distribution center. In Caledon, the top 1000+ employers were Husky Injection Molding Systems Limited followed by Mars Canada Inc. and Town of Caledon. It should be noted however, that many Peel Region residents work in other parts of the Greater Toronto Area.
Local cities and town
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Peel Region's 3 local municipalities are among the fastest growing communities in Ontario. Residents enjoy excellent education and health services, and a variety of cultural entertainment and recreation amenities. These safe, well-managed communities also offer a wide range of work and business opportunities. Visit the Peel Data Centre's website to get an overview of Peel, as well as, information on the demographics, language, housing, employment and income.
Mississauga
Mississauga is home to Toronto Pearson International Airport and the greatest concentration of major highways in the country, all of which position it well to serve local, national and international markets and travelers. With more than 56,000 businesses, Mississauga is a major employment centre within the Greater Toronto Area, providing residents with an opportunity to work close to home.
Mississauga is not only a focal point for commercial activity it is also rich in arts, cultural facilities, parks, entertainment, nightlife and world class sport and recreational facilities.
Learn more about City of Mississauga services, local attractions and community events.
Brampton
Once known as The Flower Town of Canada because of its large greenhouse industry, Brampton's major economic sectors now include: advanced manufacturing, retail administration and logistics, food and beverage, life sciences and business services. It is also home to the national headquarters of companies such as Loblaw Companies, HBC/Zellers, Bacardi, Brita and Clorox of Canada.
An echo of Brampton's past can be seen in its new "Flower City" logo; 4,000 acres of parkland and open space; and in award-winning private and public gardens. Brampton also boasts 3 live theatres and has several art galleries, including the Art Gallery of Peel.
Learn more about City of Brampton services, local attractions and community events.
Caledon
Caledon is located in the "Headwaters Tourism Area" the birthplace of 4 of Ontario's major river systems. Caledon places great importance on management and protection of its urban and rural environments, including more than 70 parks covering over 300 acres. Recognized as a youth-friendly environment by the provincial government, Caledon offers a range of family-focused amenities and facilities.
With a growing mix of agricultural, industrial and commercial businesses, Caledon is focused on expanding employment and business opportunities in the community.
Learn more about Town of Caledon services, local attractions and community events.
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Local government
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Peel region has 2 levels of local (municipal) government:
- The Regional municipality of Peel that provides services like: policing, waste management (garbage and recycling), paramedics, long-term care, water and sewage, human services (social housing, child care and social assistance), Public Health and transportation for people with disabilities.
- 3 local municipalities: City of Mississauga, City of Brampton and Town of Caledon that provide services like: fire fighting, parks, recreation, public transit, public libraries, snow removal, and other services.
Local municipal governments are run by mayors and councillors elected by their citizens every 4 years to form a city or town council.
Elected members from these local councils form a regional council composed of:
- A Regional Chair, elected by members of Regional Council
- The Mayors of Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon
- 21 Councillors representing different areas, called wards, in the 3 local municipalities
How does Council affect you?
Councils make decisions that impact the type, level and variety of services provided to you as a resident.
Municipal Elections
Municipal elections are held every 4 years. The next election date is Monday October 22, 2018. On this day Peel residents who are Canadian citizens elect their mayors, councillors and school board trustees.
Voting is a democratic right, as well as a responsibility for all Canadian citizens. By voting you get to exercise your right and show your support for candidates who share your vision for your community and neighbourhood.
Deciding who to vote for can be a hard decision. The key is to learn as much as you can about the people running for mayor, councillor, or school trustee in your area (also known as Ward). Read your local newspapers as the election approaches. You may find articles written about the candidates, and learn about the All-Candidates Meetings. These are public meetings where all of the candidates in your ward are invited to explain their policies and answer questions from the audience. Anyone can attend these meetings to ask questions, or just listen to the candidates talk.
Information on how and where to vote and details on the candidates in your ward is available on each of the city's website:
Who can vote in the elections?
You can vote in a municipal election if, on the day of the election, you are:
- A Canadian citizen
- At least 18 years old
- Live in the municipality, own or rent land in the municipality, or are married to someone who owns or rents land in the municipality
What if you are not a citizen yet?
Every resident is affected by the outcome of the municipal election, even those who can't vote. Newcomers who aren't eligible to vote this year can still get involved. For example, if you find a candidate you would like to support, you can campaign on their behalf. You could go door-to-door to raise awareness about the candidate, volunteer to work in their campaign office, or work to raise funds to help their campaign. You can also get more involved in the municipal elections by becoming an election worker.
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Canada is famous for its different weather patterns. There are 4 distinct seasons:
Spring
Starts in late March and runs until mid June. Spring is usually a rainy season and the temperatures are cool but sunny. Trees begin to bloom in spring and plants and flowers begin to grow.
Summer
Runs from mid June until late September. Summer weather starts off warm but gets very hot in July and August. By September, it starts to cool down.
Region of Peel has excellent information on being safe in Extreme Hot Weather and Sun Safety.
Fall
This is the shortest season, running from late September to late November. The weather starts to cool down and the leaves on the trees change colours to red, yellow and orange before they fall off the trees to prepare for winter.
Winter
The longest season of the year, winter runs from late November to late March. Winters are cold and snowy and it's important to get warm winter clothing to wear when you are outdoors. If you are driving in the winter, you must be extra careful because the roads can be icy and slippery.
Region of Peel has excellent information on being safe in Extreme Cold Weather.
Additional information
Environment Canada has a very useful website to help you understand the daily weather forecast and see the daily weather listings for:
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