This appointment recognizes Councillor Santos’ leadership and places Brampton at the national advocacy table on community safety
Brampton Regional Councillor Rowena Santos has been appointed by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) as Chair of the Standing Committee on Community Safety and Crime Prevention for the 2026-27 term.
“I humbly accept this appointment and thank FCM’s Board of Directors and my municipal colleagues for the opportunity to serve on such an important issue. Community safety is fundamental to the well-being of our residents, children and families. This role gives me the opportunity to bring Brampton’s perspective to the national table while working with municipalities across Canada on the challenges we share. I look forward to championing practical solutions, strengthening partnerships and advocating for the tools municipalities need to build safe and thriving communities.” – Rowena Santos, Regional Councillor, Wards 1 and 5, City of Brampton; Chair, Standing Committee on Community Safety and Crime Prevention and Board Member, Federation of Canadian Municipalities
Selected by municipal leaders from across Canada, Councillor Santos’ appointment reflects the confidence of her peers in her leadership and commitment to advancing safer communities. As Chair, Councillor Santos will lead national municipal discussions on policing, crime prevention, community corrections, emergency preparedness and emergency management. Her appointment gives Brampton a strong voice at the national level, bringing the priorities and experiences of one of Canada’s fastest-growing big cities directly to discussions that help shape municipal policy and advocacy.
Regional Councillor Santos’ leadership at FCM
Councillor Santos has served on FCM’s Board of Directors since 2020, bringing Brampton’s perspective to national municipal discussions. Her appointment as Chair of the Standing Committee on Community Safety and Crime Prevention builds on her leadership at FCM, including:
• Serving three terms as Chair of the Standing Committee on Municipal Finance, Infrastructure and Transportation, helping advance priorities related to infrastructure investment, public transit, transportation and municipal finance.
• Serving two terms as Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee on Anti-Racism and Equity.
• Serving as an active member of the Standing Committee on Increasing Women’s Participation in Municipal Government.
• Recognition by FCM as a Municipal Trailblazer for her leadership and contributions to municipal government.
Advancing Brampton’s community safety priorities
Community safety is a top priority in Brampton, and the City is committed to continued advocacy for the investments, policies and partnerships needed to protect residents, strengthen neighbourhoods and build a safer, more resilient community. Key priorities include:
• Improved public safety and border security: Increase federal investment to support Peel Regional Police in combatting organized crime, auto theft, firearms, drug trafficking and other transnational threats, including dedicated funding to fully cover airport-related policing costs.
• Preventing gender-based violence: Strengthen protections for victims of intimate partner violence and their families, address human sex trafficking and expand supports for survivors through stronger partnerships, prevention initiatives and public awareness.
• Countering hate, extremism and social polarization: Ensure municipalities have the resources and capacity to address hate, extremism and social polarization and support community-led partnerships that build resilience, strengthen social cohesion and help prevent harm.
• Cost-of-living relief and community well-being: Support families through affordable housing, food security, accessible public services and measures that provide financial relief to low- and middle-income households.
• Addressing homelessness and precarious immigration status: Strengthen federal-municipal coordination, data and supports to help municipalities respond to homelessness and encampments involving individuals with precarious immigration status.
FCM is the national voice of local government, representing 90 per cent of Canadians. Its Board of Directors establishes standing committees, working groups, caucuses and forums that bring together municipal elected officials from across Canada to examine priority policy and program issues and provide recommendations to the Board. Through Councillor Santos’ work with FCM, the City will continue to advocate for stronger community safety policies, resources and partnerships that protect residents, children and families and help build safer communities in Brampton and across Canada. Learn more about Brampton’s advocacy efforts at brampton.ca/partners.
Additional Quotes
“Regional Councillor Santos’ appointment strengthens Brampton’s voice at Canada’s national municipal advocacy table on an issue that is a priority for our residents. Being selected by municipal leadership peers from across the country to chair this important committee is a significant recognition of her leadership and commitment to building safer communities. Having a Brampton representative in this role helps ensure our residents’ needs are part of national discussions and strengthens our advocacy for the partnerships, resources and solutions needed to protect children and families and build safer neighbourhoods. I congratulate Rowena on this appointment and look forward to her continued advocacy for Brampton.”
– Patrick Brown, Mayor, City of Brampton
“Congratulations to Regional Councillor Rowena Santos on this important national appointment. Building safer communities requires strong collaboration across all levels of government, and municipal leaders bring an essential local perspective to that work. Councillor Santos has been a dedicated advocate for Brampton’s children and families, and her leadership as Chair will ensure Brampton has a strong voice in national conversations about community safety. I look forward to continuing to work together to advance solutions that help keep Brampton and communities across Canada safe.”
–The Honourable Ruby Sahota, Secretary of State for Combatting Crime, Member of Parliament for Brampton North – Caledon
“Community safety is one of the most important and complex challenges facing municipalities across Canada, and addressing it requires strong partnerships between police, governments and the communities we serve. Councillor Santos has been a consistent champion for community safety and prevention in Brampton and Peel, and I congratulate her on this important national leadership role. I look forward to working with her and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to advance practical, community-focused approaches that make our cities safer and stronger.”
–Chief Nishan Duraiappah, Peel Regional Police
“Municipalities are on the front lines of building safe, resilient communities, and strong municipal leadership is essential to advancing solutions that respond to the needs of residents across Canada. Councillor Santos brings extensive experience at FCM and a strong commitment to community safety, including road safety, crime prevention, finding solutions to end gender-based violence, and protecting families. On behalf of FCM, I congratulate her on her appointment as Chair and look forward to her leadership in bringing municipal voices together to advance practical solutions that help make communities across Canada safer.”
–Tim Tierney, President, Federation of Municipalities of Canada
Media Contact:
Rowena.Santos@brampton.ca
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