Peel Region police say they're providing protection to Brampton mayor and former Barrie-area politician Patrick Brown after he and his family were allegedly threatened.
Speaking at an unrelated press conference, Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich says the force is providing Brown with security "out of an abundance of caution."
Milinovich says the alleged threats came from within Canada, but declined to provide further details, citing the ongoing investigation.
He says it's not uncommon for police to provide protection to elected officials amid threats, calling it "an unfortunate reality."
Brown says he has "great confidence" in Peel police as they investigate.
He says it's not the first time he has been threatened, and expects it won't be the last.
Brown says the threats will not impact his work.
"I certainly want my family to be safe, and believe they are, but it won't change my approach to being outspoken about public safety and to do my job accordingly," Brown said.
Brown was first elected to Barrie city council in 2000 and left partway through his second term in 2006 to become the federal MP for Barrie. He had failed to win the seat in his first attempt in 2004, losing to Liberal incumbent Aileen Carroll.
He remained the area’s MP until 2015 when he took over the leadership of the Ontario PC Party, replacing Tim Hudak. That July, Simcoe North MPP Garfield Dunlop gave up his seat, allowing Brown to run in a byelection, which he won.
Brown resigned as leader in January 2018 following the sexual misconduct allegation and was forced out of the PC caucus the next month. That fall, he successfully made a bid to become the mayor of Brampton, defeating incumbent Linda Jeffrey.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 15, 2025.
The Canadian Press, with files from BarrieToday
