NEWS FOR NEWCOMERS

BRAMPTON HAS A PLAN TO KEEP STUDENTS SAFE

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown advocated for more support to protect international students in his city.

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown outlined actions aimed at tackling the exploitation and human trafficking of international students, recognizing the severe vulnerabilities many of these students face in a diverse, fast-growing city.

A resolution put forward by Community Services Chair Rowena Santos was approved and focuses on strengthening local protections, advocating for systemic change and creating community-driven solutions.

Brampton is home to thousands of international students, many of whom face financial challenges, housing insecurity and a lack of adequate institutional support, making them prime targets for exploitation and trafficking. In particular, female students have been exploited by predatory landlords and traffickers, leading to cases of unwanted pregnancies, mental health crises and even suicide.

City staff will explore improvements to the Residential Rental Licensing (RRL) program to better protect international students, raise awareness about human trafficking and address illegal practices within the rental market. Brampton will work with community partners to develop a culturally sensitive pilot program to provide wrap-around services, including housing assistance, mental health support, employment resources and anti-trafficking interventions. The City is calling on the federal government to fund this pilot program and to further enable local service groups to provide needed services.

Current visa restrictions on work hours force many students into unsafe employment, while conditions related to deportation are weaponized by traffickers. Brampton is calling for legislative changes, including increasing legal working hours, removing deportation conditions tied to “sex work” and expanding access to regional support programs for international students.