Brampton wants control of local museum as Mississauga attendance numbers drop

Peel Region’s local art gallery and museum could come under Brampton’s umbrella as data shows attendance from Mississauga residents is down.

Located in the old Peel County court house and jail in Brampton, the Peel Art Gallery Museum and Archives includes collections showcasing the history of Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon.

But a motion approved at Peel Regional Council on Thursday could see control of the art gallery and museum transferred to Brampton, while the archives will be maintained by the region.

The move was put forward by Brampton Coun. Rowena Santos and Mississauga Coun. Stephen Dasko, following a report that showed only 18 per cent of PAMA’s 2024 educational and program attendees came from Mississauga.

Some 2 per cent were from Caledon, while 80 per cent were Brampton residents.

PAMA’s 2025 operating budget of $5.9 million comes from a tax levy, with Mississauga paying $3.4 million compared to Brampton’s $2.1 million and Caledon’s $400,000.

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And with Mississauga paying the lion’s share of PAMA’s operating costs, handing over control of PAMA to Brampton could free up funds to support other arts initiatives in the city, Dasko says.

“We’re looking to not take away funds, but… maximize the investment that we have (in Mississauga). I don’t say the ‘spend’ or the ‘cost,’ I say ‘investment’ because that’s what I firmly believe we are doing with the arts – we are investing in growing up our city,” Dasko said on Thursday.

If approved, the plan could see Brampton work with Mississauga and Caledon “to finalize ownership and interests relating to the property, building and artifacts,”  with ownership of any property, art or artifacts “shared amongst the three lower-tier municipalities,” the motion reads.

Costs related to the regional archives will “continue to be funded through the existing funding model,” while each of the three municipalities “assess their individual tax levy requirements to support Arts, Culture and Heritage” starting in 2027 “through their respective mayoral budget processes.”

The motion passed on Thursday will lead regional staff to report back to council with a feasibility plan for the transfer in early 2026. Staff will work with stakeholders to come up with a process that could see the transfer of PAMA to City of Brampton control could happen in 2027.