Mzwandile Poncana
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mzwandilep.bsky.social
Mzwandile Poncana
@mzwandilep.bsky.social
570 followers 180 following 32 posts
Community Impact Reporter at Mississauga News, Brampton Guardian and Caledon Enterprise | “the function of freedom is to free someone else” — Toni Morrison | https://www.mississauga.com/users/profile/mzwandile-poncana/
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Just a reminder that I still periodically update my Indie and Local CDN Journalists starter pack so if you’re Canadian and want to support some cool folks, here you go. #cdnpoli #cdn
New research shows Brampton had the GTA’s second-highest eviction filing rate during the pandemic. Studies and tenant data reveal racialized renters face disproportionate risks, with corporate landlords driving much of the increase in no-fault evictions.

www.bramptonguardian.com/news/brampto...
Brampton had second-highest eviction rate in GTA during pandemic, report finds
A new report finds Brampton renters faced the GTA’s second-highest eviction rate during COVID, with racialized households most at risk.
www.bramptonguardian.com
Compounding on this, the survey found that nearly half of complaints to 311 go unresolved, and 16 per cent of tenants feel threatened for making a complaint to landlords.
The report also found that 65 per cent of tenants pay between $1,501 and $2,500 monthly — considered unaffordable for most of these residents. Additionally, 80 per cent of units require repairs, and 36.6 per cent of tenants have received above-guideline rent increases.
In late July, Brampton moved to threaten legal action against a church and a homelessness program, citing ‘neighborhood safety concerns.’

Weeks later, the church and the program say they’re open to solutions — but have heard nothing from the City.

www.bramptonguardian.com/news/brampto...
Brampton church, outreach hub serving vulnerable downtown clients disappointed not to hear from city over threatened lawsuit
The Brampton church and outreach hub that serve vulnerable downtown clients are disappointed not to hear from the city over a threatened lawsuit.
www.bramptonguardian.com
Brampton is threatening legal action against a church & outreach program serving unhoused residents, citing 'safety concerns.'

But service providers say the city is scapegoating the unhoused for a homelessness crisis it is failing to address.

www.bramptonguardian.com/news/brampto...
Brampton threatens legal action against church and community outreach program
City cites public safety concerns at Grace United Church and Regeneration Outreach. Leaders say they weren’t warned and are already addressing issues.
www.bramptonguardian.com
Emerald Energy — the operator of the facility — says it followed all requirements, including open houses and newspaper notices. But residents say they never saw them — and Peel Public Health itself flagged gaps in communication and environmental equity. (3/3)
The expanded facility is expected to burn 5 times more garbage daily. Residents near the site — many of whom are racialized or low-income — worry about long-term health impacts, from respiratory issues to cancer. (2/3)
“I’m freaking out.”
Many Brampton residents living near the city’s waste incinerator say they were never told it would expand — and now fear for their health and families as air pollution could rise by over 200%. (1/3) www.bramptonguardian.com/news/this-is...
‘This is all very scary’: Brampton residents raise alarm over incinerator expansion
Residents near Brampton’s incinerator say they were not properly informed about expansion plans and fear its impact on health and democracy.
www.bramptonguardian.com
As many international students in Peel face debt, joblessness, and potential life-altering deportation, students — alongside community orgs and settlement experts — are calling for a more stable, humane immigration system ahead of the federal election. www.bramptonguardian.com/politics/fed...
‘I never thought I’d have to fight like this’: Peel’s international students say immigration system is broken as election looms
As federal immigration rules change, Peel’s international students call the system broken and demand better support ahead of the 2025 election.
www.bramptonguardian.com
As Brampton’s supervised drug consumption site nears its March 31 closure, its frontline workers reflect on its impact. They say the site provided critical harm reduction services and support—and without it, a gap in life-saving care will remain.

www.bramptonguardian.com/news/brampto...
Brampton supervised drug consumption site closure ‘a step backwards’ in helping those living with addiction, say staff
Workers at Brampton’s supervised drug-use site say its closure will put lives at risk and force drug use into unsafe spaces.
www.bramptonguardian.com
With nearly 1 in 4 Peel residents facing food insecurity and over 111,000 in the region living in poverty, Ontario parties pitch affordability plans ahead of the election. But are any of the promises enough? Read more below:

www.mississauga.com/politics/pro...
Ontario election parties pitch affordability plans as food insecurity rises in Peel Region
Ontario parties unveil affordability plans as food insecurity affects nearly one in four Peel residents.
www.mississauga.com
TMU and Peel’s school board hosted a panel of Black health-care professionals at Mississauga Secondary School — the event addressed the historical lack of diversity in medicine and aimed to inspire future generations to pursue careers in the field.

www.mississauga.com/news/toronto...
Toronto Metropolitan University medical school hosts panel discussion urging Peel board students to break down barriers in medicine
Black health-care workers spoke to Peel students about breaking barriers in medicine at a TMU and Peel school board panel discussion.
www.mississauga.com
A recent Mississauga town hall — led by the Find Ontario Missing Boys committee — aimed to spread awareness about missing Black boys in the GTA. Advocates called for police accountability and better media coverage of the issue. www.mississauga.com/news/mississ...
Mississauga town hall hears concerns over missing Black boys in the GTA
Community members gathered in Malton to discuss the number of missing Black boys in the GTA. Advocates are calling for action, police accountability, and greater media attention.
www.mississauga.com
After workers at a Mississauga distribution centre became the first Walmart staff in the country to unionize, the workers — and the union representing them — are now accusing the retail giant of violating multiple labor laws.

Read more here: www.mississauga.com/news/unifor-...
Unifor accuses Walmart of violating labour laws, following historic vote to unionize
Unifor files complaints claiming Walmart’s wage freeze for unionized Mississauga workers breach labour laws and discourage unionization.
www.mississauga.com