Foundation Hosts the Strong Cities Network Conference in Brampton, Ontario

On June 9 and 10, 2025, the Foundation for a Path Forward hosted municipal leaders, public safety officials, researchers, and civil society partners at Brampton, Ontario, for a landmark Strong Cities Network (SCN) Conference. Co-organized with the City of Brampton and the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, the two-day gathering focused on city-led responses to hate, polarization, and extremism across the Peel Region, offering a uniquely local lens on global challenges.

The event opened at Brampton Council Chambers with a Smudging Ceremony and land acknowledgment led by Regional Councillor Gurpartap Toor, reminding participants of the Indigenous foundations upon which discussions of equity and reconciliation must rest. Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown and Strong Cities Executive Director Eric Rosand delivered opening remarks, setting the tone for an urgent yet collaborative convening shaped by shared responsibility and hope.

In the opening panel, community safety practitioners and civic leaders explored the pressures facing Peel communities—from rising digital hate to the cascading effects of international conflicts. Speakers from Victim Services of Peel, CIVIX, and the City of Brampton unpacked how local polarization is often shaped by wider social and geopolitical dynamics, challenging cities to adopt agile, coordinated approaches rooted in care and accountability.

The following session brought together actors across government levels and sectors to examine whole-of-society strategies for prevention. Featuring voices from Peel Regional Police, Public Safety Canada, and the Canadian Centre for Safer Communities, the discussion reaffirmed the value of inter-agency coordination and community-based trust-building, especially during times of global uncertainty.

The day concluded with a vibrant networking reception in Brampton City Hall’s atrium and conservatory, where local organizations showcased their prevention work, and attendees made meaningful cross-sector connections.

The second day unfolded at Alderlea, a historic heritage venue in the heart of Brampton. Opening remarks by Marlon Kallideen, Eric Rosand, and Tariq Tyab, Co-Founder of the Foundation for a Path Forward, framed the day’s sessions around action, data, and local storytelling. Their remarks were followed by a keynote from Ontario Solicitor General Michael Kerzner, who emphasized the province’s commitment to community safety and hate prevention.

A compelling presentation by Councillor Rowena Santos highlighted Brampton’s diverse demographics and cultural richness, setting the stage for in-depth discussions on the city’s social fabric. This was followed by Caroline Wade of the Strong Cities Network, who offered an evidence-based overview of the digital hate landscape in Peel—one that increasingly blurs the boundaries between online incitement and offline harm.

One of the most powerful moments of the conference came during the panel on Understanding the On- and Offline Hate Landscape, moderated by Councillor Michael Palleschi. Panelists, including Dr. Barbara Perry, Abokar Mohammed, Feras Ismal of Peel Police, and Yusuf Siraj, Co-Founder of the Foundation, brought forward insights on how hate manifests, multiplies, and metastasizes across platforms and communities. They emphasized the need for tech literacy, cultural sensitivity, and trauma-informed support to guide local responses.

This momentum carried into a focused presentation from Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah and Councillor Toor, spotlighting regional anti-hate initiatives already underway. A subsequent panel discussion explored policy and programming innovations from across the region, featuring experts from Safe City Mississauga, the City of Brampton’s Equity Office, and the Interfaith Council of Peel.

Participants then engaged in breakout sessions designed to surface five concrete steps that could be taken to enhance Brampton’s anti-hate ecosystem—whether through policy, training, communications, or partnerships. The groups’ brief-backs highlighted the need for sustainable funding, clearer communication channels between communities and institutions, and improved data collection on hate incidents.

The day closed with reflections on next steps and a networking lunch, leaving space for both momentum and relationship-building. Through every session, the Foundation for a Path Forward played a central role in guiding discussions, anchoring them in local expertise and lived experience, and amplifying strategies that blend prevention with inclusion.

By hosting this important gathering, the Foundation helped solidify Brampton’s place as a national leader in municipal responses to hate and extremism. As Strong Cities continues to foster global partnerships and local resilience, the Foundation remains committed to supporting Canadian communities in building safer, more cohesive futures—one city at a time.