Brampton mayoral candidate Nikki Kaur says she's been 'terminated' from city job after losing race

A Brampton mayoral candidate who lost to Patrick Brown in the municipal election on Monday says she has been "terminated" from her job with the City of Brampton.

In a statement on Tuesday evening, Nikki Kaur confirmed that she is no longer working for the city as the director of strategic projects, planning, building and economic development. She was on a leave of absence from her job to run for mayor.

"I ran a strong campaign for mayor of Brampton to restore integrity and honesty at city hall. Last night, I finished second to Patrick Brown in the election. This afternoon, without explanation or notice, I was terminated from my employment at the City of Brampton," she said in the statement.

"I will not be silenced and will never stop standing up for what is right. I have retained legal counsel and will fight this injustice."

Kaur's mayoral campaign focused on Brown, saying she was "the change Brampton needs." She alleged there were financial irregularities and scandal under his leadership.

In an email on Tuesday, Paul Morrison, interim chief administrative officer for Brampton, told members of council that Kaur is no longer working for the city.

"We thank Gurdeep (Nikki Kaur) for her service at the city and wish her well in her future endeavours," Morrison wrote.

Brown won easily on Monday night, securing 59.65 per cent of the vote, according to unofficial results provided by the city on its website. Kaur came in second with 25.55 per cent of the vote.

"This is a win against the politics of negativity," Brown said in his victory speech on Monday evening to a room full of cheering supporters.

"We ran a positive campaign. We refused to engage in the ugly side of politics and focused on what we achieved in Brampton in the last four years, and what we hope to achieve in the next four."

The city declined to comment on Kaur's assertion she was terminated.

"The city does not comment on individual personnel matters," Megan Ball, spokesperson for the City of Brampton, said in an email on Tuesday.

Kaur, who is a lawyer and who calls herself a "daughter of Brampton," said any further comment on the issue will be made through her lawyers.

A September 28, 2021 report by Deliotte LLP into allegations made against the City of Brampton regarding administrative misconduct found little evidence to support the accusations.

Brampton city council authorized the investigation by Deliotte after it received a complaint letter on April 22, 2021.

"The majority of the allegations investigated by Deloitte were not substantiated," the report reads, although it adds that it found two instances of non-compliance with city policies and procedures.

According to the city on its website, Brampton is is home to 700,000 people and 75,000 businesses.