By introducing new and innovative processes and tools, as well as allowing residents to participate in virtual engagement opportunities, the City continues to attract employment and investment and further create a municipality that is safe, sustainable and successful.
“As a well-run City, we have remained committed to moving business forward in Brampton while protecting the health and well-being of our community during COVID-19,” said Mayor Patrick Brown. “When the pandemic hit, we had to ‘re-invent many wheels’ in a very short period of time. By implementing innovative new processes and tools, we have been able to advance building, support our businesses and engage with residents, all while putting safety first. This speaks to the dedication of Council and staff, as well as the resolve of our great City.”
The City issued permits worth $1,370,611,819 in construction value in 2020 and performed 171,082 building inspections compared to 144,329 in 2019. Last year, the City issued 8,870 building permits, compared to 8,739 in 2019. The applications for second units have increased by 900 per cent since 2015. The City was able to achieve this despite challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic with new online tools introduced by the Planning, Building and Economic Development department.
“As the Chair of the Planning and Development Committee, I understood how important it was that the City be adaptable and meet the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic head on,” said Regional Councillor Martin Medeiros. “The City’s Planning, Building and Economic Development team has shown incredible commitment during this time of uncertainty, and thanks to the many new and innovative tools and processes we have put in place, the City has continued to attract investment in Brampton.”
With a focus on health and safety, the City also launched MOBI INSPECT, a digital tool for real-time inspection results. The City was one of the early adopters in Ontario of this new innovation and the first in the province to implement the remote video and collaboration portion of the application. MOBI INSPECT has proven to be an invaluable asset in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The City is also now using BramPlanOnline, a tool allowing developers to submit all planning and development applications and track application status updates virtually. Last year, the city processed 629 online applications, compared to 634 in 2019.
The Planning, Building and Economic Development department has also completed the following notable work in support of residents and businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last October, more than 800 participants attended
Unlocking Transit-Oriented Communities: How to Capture the Value of a “26-hour City”. The virtual event, hosted by the Urban Land Institute in collaboration with the City of Brampton, City of Helsinki, Greenberg Consultants and University of Toronto School of Cities, featured industry experts who discussed the exciting opportunity to transform Brampton’s Uptown Shoppers World site into a “20-minute walkable neighbourhood” with an urban community hub that is a high-density, mixed-use, family-friendly, healthy and walkable transit-oriented community.
In May, Brampton City Council approved
Brampton's Economic Recovery Strategy, which includes actions to support small businesses, restaurants and tourism. To date, the city has launched several new initiatives, including its Support Local Brampton campaign and Patio Brampton program. Where possible, residents are encouraged to shop, eat, gift and support local.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted our community. City staff have adapted to these circumstances and have continued to come up with innovative ways to deliver results for our residents. Despite the pandemic, Brampton remains open for business and staff remain committed to moving our city forward,” said David Barrick, Chief Administrative Officer of the City of Brampton.
