BRAMPTON, ON (March 25, 2020) – At its Special Council Meeting today, Brampton City Council ratified decisions on significant changes to services and programming in response to COVID-19.
Highlights of the meeting include: the City of Brampton declaring a State of Emergency, free Brampton Transit fares, a change to Brampton Transit service and new boarding and riding practices, the ability for residents to defer taxes without interest or late fees for five months, and a discussion on the importance of promoting social distancing city-wide.
State of EmergencyOn March 24, following consultation with City Council and on the recommendation of the City’s Emergency Management Team, Mayor Patrick Brown declared a State of Emergency in the City of Brampton in accordance with the City’s Emergency Management Plan.
This is a significant step in supporting the Province of Ontario’s and Region of Peel’s efforts to help contain the spread of COVID-19.
Declaring an emergency provides exceptional means to deal with extraordinary situations and may open the way to additional resources, including supplies and services. This declaration helps the City’s ongoing emergency response efforts by allowing more flexibility and speed as we take action to help prevent the impacts of COVID-19.
Brampton Transit UpdatesEffective Saturday, March 21, fare payment is not required and customers will only be able to board through the rear doors of buses until further notice. Customers with accessibility needs who require the use of the ramp may continue to use the front doors.
There will be enhanced Saturday Service Monday to Friday. Details can be found
here. Saturday and Sunday service will continue on their regular schedules. Brampton Transit administrative offices at 185 Clark Boulevard and 130 Sandalwood Parkway West are closed to the public.
A variety of additional safety measures were implemented March 23 to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the community. More on these measures can be found
here.
Property Tax DeferralThe City of Brampton has waived the interest and late fees on tax payments for the five-month period of March 18 to August 19, 2020 in response to COVID-19. This means that the City of Brampton allows residents the ability to choose to make the outstanding interim tax payments by August 19, 2020 without incurring penalty and interest.
Payments will continue to be accepted and processed by the City. Payments can be made at financial institutions, through online banking or dropped off at the drop box located at City Hall lobby adjacent to the parking garage elevator. For more information, read the
City’s Tax Payment FAQs.
Enforcing Social DistancingRecognizing the critical role that social distancing and physical separation plays in preventing the spread of COVID-19, Council requested that staff prepare regulation to support enforcement of social distancing and physical separation measures during the COVID-19 emergency.
New regulation being explored includes, but is not limited to: requiring a 2.0 metre separation distance between persons, other than immediate family members with whom a person resides; and limitations and/or restrictions on the use of public playgrounds.
Stay ConnectedThe City is committed to keeping Brampton residents informed and will continue to provide updates on the City’s response to COVID-19 as they become available. For more information on the above decisions and all of the City’s efforts to support the community in response to COVID-19, visit
www.brampton.ca/COVID19 or follow @CityBrampton on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
More Information•
City of Brampton COVID-19•
Peel Public Health – Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)•
Province of Ontario: Ministry of Health – Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)•
City of Brampton declares State of Emergency in response to COVID-19•
Brampton gives residents ability to defer taxes and waives all penalties for five months•
Brampton Transit to introduce free fares, rear boarding, half capacity buses, and more, effective March 21 and March 23 Quotes “As we navigate the coming months, the City will spare no measure in its efforts to help keep our community safe and prevent the spread of COVID-19. I would like to once again thanking Council, City staff, and our community for their continued support as we work through this together.”
-
Patrick Brown, Mayor, City of Brampton “Today’s Special Council meeting provided the opportunity for City Council to approve recent decisions regarding service changes in response to COVID-19. Council ratifying these decisions will allow our team to continue to be nimble in our response to help reduce the impacts of COVID-19 in Brampton.”
-
David Barrick, Chief Administrative Officer, City of Brampton