Brampton council approves $3.7M to hire 40 new bylaw staff

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown supports the council’s decision to hire 40 new bylaw enforcement officers, despite an estimated $1.7 million annual net cost. The council approved $4.49 million for this expansion, which includes $3.77 million annually for personnel and $814,000 for trucks and equipment. This move aims to address staffing shortages and low morale identified in an external review by AtFocus, which highlighted the department’s inability to handle resident complaints. Mayor Brown believes the new positions will eventually pay for themselves through revenue from bylaw enforcement. However, city staff estimate a significant annual operating cost, even after expected revenue from fines.