Caledon seeks reimbursement from Province for dissolution-related expenses

By ZACHARY ROMAN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

While the Region of Peel is not being dissolved after all, the Town of Caledon is still dealing with the impacts of the process. 

At Caledon Council's February 25 meeting, Ward 3 Councillor Doug Maskell brought forward two motions relating to the dissolution process. 

In his first motion, Maskell asks that the Province reimburse Caledon for all expenses it incurred in relation to the potential dissolution of Peel.

“The Town had to allocate scarce resources from its reserves to deal with this situation,” said Maskell. 

Ward 5 Councillor Tony Rosa supported Maskell's motion.

“I don't believe that it should be the responsibility of the Caledon taxpayer…” said Rosa. “I think it's an extremely reasonable ask.”

Regional Councillor Mario Russo also shared words to back Maskell. 

“It's an important thing to be on the record to make sure that we're taking care of our taxpayers and making sure that this process that's been put forward on us, that's been mandated upon us, doesn't cost us any more than it should,” said Russo.

In Maskell's motion, he notes Caledon allocated just over $1.3 million in its 2025 budget to deal with anticipated costs associated with the downloading of services to the Town of Caledon from the Region of Peel.

Councillors unanimously supported Maskell's motion. 

Maskell's next motion asks the Province to reveal all confidential recommendations of the Peel Transition Board, the group assigned with researching and deciding if dissolving Peel was worthwhile. 

“Town of Caledon Councillors and Town staff have not seen the confidential recommendations of the Peel Transition Board that relate to the Town of Caledon… there has been neither any indication of the full financial impact of the downloading of roads, waste, water and wastewater to the residents of Peel Region nor the impact on the taxpayers of Caledon,” reads Maskell's motion.

Councillors unanimously supported this motion too. 

The Town of Caledon will now formally ask the Province to take action on these two items.