Today, at the Brampton Board of Trade’s annual State of the City event, a record number of business leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators gathered to celebrate the city’s economic achievements and discuss the challenges ahead. From homegrown startups to industry giants, Brampton continues to establish itself as a hub of Canadian made excellence.
With hundreds of business leaders in the room, Councillor Rowena Santos, Vice Chair of Economic Development, took the stage to recognize the success of the Brampton Board of Trade under the leadership of CEO Jaipaul Massey-Singh, Brampton businesses and address the impact of U.S. tariffs on Brampton’s economy.
“There is so much success to celebrate in Brampton, but we cannot brush off one of the biggest threats to our economy. While our collective push back against a bully has prompted a pause on tariffs, it’s like we’re riding a roller coaster without a seat belt, while holding a cat and the kid in front of us had too many hot dogs and cotton candy, and we don’t know when and what might hit us next,” said Santos.
“The economic roller coaster and sparring match we face with US President Donald Trump, poses a serious threat to you as businesses, our local jobs and economy, and affordability, especially here in Brampton. Let’s face it, if a plant shuts down or slows down in a town or city, regardless of which side of the border, local economies will feel it first and the most, But Brampton is resilient and our business community is committed. We are all on Team Canada, prepared to do what we must to protect our local economy and jobs,” added Santos while referring to a recent “Made in Canada” motion passed at Council.
Santos highlighted event sponsor CN, noting that CN’s intermodal hub in Brampton is a critical component of the city’s economic infrastructure, facilitating the movement of products manufactured in both Canada and the United States. She also pointed to Zochem, a Brampton based business and North America’s largest producer of zinc oxide a key ingredient found in countless everyday items, including toothpaste, tires, and vitamins. These examples in Brampton show the deep rooted global supply chains and industrial production which would be locally impacted in a trade war.
This year’s theme of “Think Big” was highlighted through Mayor Patrick Brown’s keynote address, emphasizing Brampton’s bold investments in healthcare, infrastructure, and economic growth. The city is set to break ground on the next phase of Peel Memorial Hospital, backed by a $125 million local share. A new cancer care center and Brampton’s first medical school, opening this fall, will support economic growth and attract top talent to our city. Transportation infrastructure remains key to Brampton’s growth with the city celebrating a recent commitment from the province to help advance a tunneled LRT to connect Brampton’s transit network.
Brown celebrated the city’s local economic growth which parallel to Brampton now being recognized as the second largest municipality in the GTHA. In his remarks he acknowledged five specific Brampton based businesses from different sectors, identified as top employers: MDA Space, Alectra, Loblaws, Dynacare and Medronic.
“Brampton businesses large and small and across a broad range of sectors are investing in our city. They ‘Think Big’ and believe in our people,” said Brown. “In partnership with the Brampton Board of Trade, our economic development team and planning department continues to make significant strides to support our local economy and job growth with policy incentives, innovation, and advocacy which makes Brampton the place to invest.”
As Brampton continues to expand its economic footprint and solidify its status as a major player in Canada’s business landscape, leaders at the event reaffirmed their commitment to thinking big. Despite uncertainties from global trade tensions, Brampton’s thriving business community, strengthened by strategic investments in healthcare, infrastructure, and innovation, is driving sustainable growth for the future.
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