Brampton mayoral candidate Nikki Kaur hopes that her campaign pledges on crime and safety, as well as her critiques of incumbent Patrick Brown’s time in office, will help her at the municipal ballot box this October.
Kaur spoke with True North about her platform, as well as the controversies that have embroiled Brampton under its current mayor.
“Street crime has gone up, gun crime has gone up and our neighborhoods no longer feel safe,” said Kaur. “It’s not a safe place, that’s very difficult for people.”
Kaur added that she herself has been held up three times. It should be noted that data shows Brampton has one of the highest crime rates in the country.
Her crime and safety plan includes the immediate hiring of 100 new police officers, restoring a neighbourhood watch program, and tackling criminal gangs.
Kaur worked as a senior staff member at City of Brampton and made headlines after she was fired – then later re-hired by the city – all while making strong allegations against Mayor Brown and other staff members.
Kaur alleged, among other claims, that Brown was using City of Brampton resources – including employees – to help campaign for Peter MacKay during the 2020 Conservative party leadership race.
Kaur told True North that “last year when I came out as a whistleblower… we requested some investigations take place, and unfortunately, nothing’s ever seen through to the end.” She added: “There’s no transparency. That’s one of the biggest issues I feel.”
If elected, Kaur pledges to work to strengthen Brampton’s conflict of interest provisions. She also wants to see provincial auditors review the state of the city’s finances, in addition to the city having its own auditor-general.
Kaur also claimed that “Brampton is simply a debit card for [Brown] to use whenever he feels like it’s right to do so,” adding that the city is “not here for [Brown] to live (his) lavish lifestyle, give money to (his) friends and have no explanation.”
True North reached out to the Patrick Brown campaign for their response to these claims, but have yet to hear back. Brown was running for the leadership of the federal Conservative earlier this year, but after being disqualified from that race he pivoted to seeking re-election for his mayoralty.
Earlier this year, Brampton’s city council launched forensic investigations into Brown’s conduct, but they ended up being shut down by votes from Brown and others at a last minute council meeting.
Kaur’s platform also includes freezing property taxes, tackling housing affordability, supporting the building of Highway 413, and working to enhance post secondary education.
“We just want the taxpayers to know that there’s someone there for you that wants to work for you and that actually wants to bring proper leadership to the mayor’s office for transparency and accountability and give you the next four years, much better than the last four years that we’ve had,” said Kaur.
A recent poll commissioned by the Kaur campaign had her tied with Brown, who had a large lead a few weeks ago in other polls.
Kaur previously ran as a Conservative Party of Canada candidate in Hamilton East-Stoney Creek during the 2019 federal election.
Municipal elections in Ontario are being held on Oct. 24.
