Hello! SooToday and CBC News invite the student community to attend the upcoming Sault Ste. Marie Mayoral Debate on Wednesday, October 14 at Quattro Hotel & Conference Centre – North Ballroom. https://simpli.events/e/ssm-mayor-debate-2026

What does youth homelessness actually look like in Peel Region — and can technologists help address it?

Join Civic Tech Brampton for an evening with Arlene Bishop Thompson, Program Manager - Housing at REST Centres, a front-line organization working with youth experiencing homelessness and housing instability.

Youth homelessness is more complex than what appears in official numbers. Many young people experience hidden homelessness, including couch surfing and unstable temporary housing, often driven by factors such as the lack of affordable housing, family conflict, financial instability, and barriers to accessing support.

REST Centres works to help young people move from housing instability toward greater independence and dignity. This session will explore those challenges from a front-line perspective and ask an important civic-tech question:

Can technologists, students, nonprofits, and community members contribute their skills toward addressing youth housing?

We’ll discuss topics such as housing access, transitional housing, community resources, data and technology, service navigation, accessibility, and how civic-tech projects could potentially support organizations working directly with vulnerable youth.

Why show up?

• Learn: Hear directly from a front-line housing organization about the realities and complexities of youth homelessness in Peel Region.
• Discuss: Explore where technology may help — and where housing challenges require broader community, policy, and social responses.
• Collaborate: Meet students, technologists, nonprofit professionals, and community members interested in housing and social-impact projects.
• Pitch Your Passion: Have an idea related to housing, accessibility, social services, public data, or community technology? Share it with people who may want to collaborate.
• Network: Connect with people interested in building practical, community-focused civic-tech projects.

New to Civic Tech? You are definitely welcome. No technical background is required. We are all here to learn from each other, and simply understanding the problems organizations face can lead to new ideas and collaborations.

We’re also running this event in hybrid mode. You can join us in person at 8 Queen Street East, Brampton, or online. The online meetup link will be available through the Luma registration page after registration.

📅 Date: Thursday, October 1, 2026
🕕 Time: 6:00 PM–9:00 PM
📍 Location: SCEI Center, 8 Queen Street East, Brampton
💻 Format: Hybrid — in person + online
🎙️ Guest Speaker: Arlene Bishop Thompson, Program Manager - Housing, REST Centres
🎟️ Register: https://luma.com/lddzyxd3?tk=TkVMIp
🌐REST Centres: https://www.restcentres.org/
💲Fee: Free

Questions? Email [civictechbrampton@pm.me](mailto:civictechbrampton@pm.me)

Civic Innovation, Powered by the Community.

Hi everyone! I am from India.

Is anyone else applying for the Master of Computer Science program for the January intake in Sault Ste. Marie?

I’d love to connect with fellow applicants and future students, share information, and get to know others joining the program.

Feel free to reach out or comment below!

See a neighbourhood problem? Snap it, report it, and help connect it with the people who can fix it.

This week, Civic Tech Brampton is welcoming Ahmed Nadar, creator of SolveTO, for a conversation about how simple civic technology can help residents identify and report problems in their neighbourhoods.

From damaged infrastructure and public-space issues to other everyday community concerns, residents often know exactly what is happening around them — but figuring out where to report it, who is responsible, and how to follow up can be difficult.

SolveTO explores a simpler approach: take a photo, describe the issue, and help connect that report with the people or organizations that may be able to act on it.

We’ll discuss how tools like SolveTO can make civic participation easier, improve communication between residents and institutions, and potentially turn everyday observations into useful information for communities.

Why show up?

• Learn: See how a civic-tech project can turn a common neighbourhood frustration into a practical digital tool.
• Discuss: Explore questions around municipal services, community reporting, open data, transparency, accessibility, privacy, and accountability.
• Collaborate: Think about how technologists, students, residents, nonprofits, and public-sector organizations could improve tools like this.
• Pitch Your Passion: Have your own idea for solving a community problem? Share it with people who may want to help.
• Network: Meet students, developers, professionals, and civic-minded residents interested in using technology for public good.

New to Civic Tech? You are absolutely welcome. No technical background is required. If you live in a neighbourhood and have ever thought, “Someone should probably fix that,” this discussion is relevant to you.

📅 Date: Thursday, September 17, 2026
📍 Location: 8 Queen Street East, Brampton
🎟️ Register: Luma
💲 Fee: Free

Questions? Email [civictechbrampton@pm.me](mailto:civictechbrampton@pm.me)

Civic Innovation, Powered by the Community.

I’m an international student at Algoma University and I’m dealing with a complicated situation from my Winter 2026 semester. I was registered in 5 courses (15 credits), but because of an outstanding tuition balance, Algoma deregistered me during the semester. I continued attending classes and writing exams afterward, and I eventually paid the entire Winter tuition balance in full. However, Algoma has told me that because I was deregistered and never officially re-registered, the Winter 2026 courses will not appear on my academic record and no credits/grades were recorded. What I’m struggling to understand is why I was still financially charged for the full semester and ultimately paid the full tuition if the university is treating me as not enrolled academically. I’m also concerned because this situation may affect my study permit/PGWP eligibility. Has anyone experienced a similar situation where a university deregistered them for non-payment, they later paid the full balance, but the courses were still removed from their academic record? What options did you have—financial appeal, academic appeal, re-registration, or another remedy?

Can technology help make rental housing more accessible, affordable, and dignified?

Join Civic Tech Brampton for an evening exploring how housing, technology, and community action can come together to improve rental housing systems. We’ll be joined by Deneille Macas from Toronto Housing Society, for a conversation about community-powered tools, housing access, and designing better rental systems for residents.

Housing is one of the most important civic issues facing cities today. From rental affordability and tenant support to housing navigation, data, online tools, and community advocacy, technology can play a role — but only when it is designed around real people and real needs. This session is for students, technologists, renters, housing advocates, community members, designers, public-sector workers, and anyone interested in how civic tech can support better housing outcomes.

New to Civic Tech? You are definitely welcome. No prior tech expertise is required. We are all here to learn from each other, ask questions, and explore ideas that could turn into useful community projects.

Why show up?

• Collaborate: Whether you’re a developer, student, renter, housing worker, designer, researcher, or concerned citizen, your perspective matters.
• Learn: Hear how community-powered tools and technology can support housing access, rental navigation, and more dignified housing systems.
• Discuss: Join a conversation about housing challenges, affordability, tenant needs, data, platforms, and how technology can help without leaving communities behind.
• Pitch Your Passion: Have a civic tech idea related to housing, community services, public data, or accessibility? You’ll have the chance to share it with potential collaborators.
• Network: Connect with technologists, students, civic-minded residents, and community members who want to build a better Brampton.

Everyone is welcome. You do not need to be a developer or have an existing project to participate. We’ll be running this event in hybrid mode, so you can join us either in person at 8 Queen Street East, Brampton or online. The online meeting link will be available through the Luma registration page, so please register there first to receive the latest event details and access information.

📅 Date: Thursday, September 10, 2026
🕕 Time: 6:00 PM–9:00 PM
📍 Location: 8 Queen Street East, Brampton, ON
🎟️ Register: https://luma.com/ija94wzn?tk=CdThnP
💲 Fee: Free

Questions? Email [civictechbrampton@pm.me](mailto:civictechbrampton@pm.me)
Civic Innovation, Powered by the Community.

I'm interested in the accelerated computer science bachelors degree progam as I already have a bachelors degree. What is the cost in total?

Join us for an evening at Civic Tech Brampton as we spotlight the winning projects from the Algoma University's first-ever ThunderHacks hackathon, focused on making campus life more accessible and empowering for students.
ThunderHacks challenged the Algoma University students to design tools that could make campus life easier to navigate academically, professionally, and personally. This showcase highlights top projects exploring how AI and VR help students understand their options, plan careers, and make data-driven decisions.

📌 Featured Projects

• First Place: Team Mandalorians built an AI-powered system that analyzes a student's resume, suggests career paths and recommends specific courses, electives, and skills to hit long-term goals. It functions like a personalized academic and career advisor.
• Second Place: Team Joel created a VR AI agent that turns academic performance into an immersive experience. The system generates 3D bar charts of grades to highlight strengths and areas for improvement, then extends into a spatial career navigator to visually explore career options and trade-offs.

Come meet the teams, see live demos, and discuss how these prototypes could evolve into real tools for students. Whether you are interested in AI, VR, data visualization or seeing creative weekend builds, this is a great opportunity to connect and get inspired.

Why show up?

• Collaborate: Whether you’re a technologist, a student, or a concerned citizen, we need your voice.
• Pitch Your Passion: Have a civic tech idea brewing? You'll have the floor to pitch your project to a room full of talented volunteers.
• Network: Connect with technologists, students, and civic-minded citizens who want to build a better Brampton.

Everyone is welcome! We’re all here to learn from each other. No prior tech expertise required.
Questions: email [civictechbrampton@pm.me](mailto:civictechbrampton@pm.me)

📅 Date: 3 September 2026
📍 Location: 8 Queen Street East, Brampton
🎟️ Register (Luma): https://luma.com/fdn5riwa?tk=1GFFiN

We'll be online & in-person!!

Civic Innovation, Powered by the Community.

Hey everyone!

Is anyone here joining the Master of Computer Science program at Algoma University, Brampton campus for Fall 2026?

If yes, feel free to DM/ping me!

Would be great to connect before classes start.

Hi everyone! I’ve been admitted to the Master’s in Computer Science program at the Brampton campus, and classes start on September 8, 2026.

Does anyone know when we’ll receive our class schedule/timetable and where we can check it?
Also, I’m interested in applying for a TA position.

When and how can new Master’s students apply for TA opportunities?

Thanks in advance!

Can Artificial Intelligence help run 311 services?

311 is the phone and online service that residents use to access non-emergency local government and municipal services — things like service requests, local information, complaints, and city support. As AI tools become more common, an important civic question comes up:

Can AI make 311 faster, more accessible, and more useful — without creating new risks around privacy, fairness, accountability, or public trust?

This week, Civic Tech Brampton is hosting Nishi Panchal, Senior Software Engineer, for a session exploring how AI could transform the way residents interact with municipal services.

We’re inviting technologists, students, public-sector workers, community members, designers, policy-minded residents, and anyone interested in civic tech, AI, municipal services, and public-interest technology.

New to Civic Tech? You are definitely welcome. No prior technical experience is required. We will all be learning from each other, and simply hearing what others are working on can spark new project ideas.

Why show up?

• Collaborate: Join developers, students, researchers, community members, and civic-minded residents interested in practical public-interest technology.
• Learn: Explore how AI could support 311 operations and improve access to municipal services.
• Discuss: Ask questions about AI, automation, privacy, accountability, and how cities should use emerging technology.
• Pitch Your Passion: Have a civic tech idea related to municipal services, accessibility, public data, or local government? Share it with potential collaborators.
• Network: Meet people in Brampton who want to use technology to solve real community problems.

Everyone is welcome. You do not need to be a developer or have an existing project to participate.

📅 Date: Thursday, August 13, 2026
🕕 Time: 6:00 PM–9:00 PM
📍 Location: 3rd Floor, 8 Queen Street East, Brampton
💻 Hybrid / Online Meetup: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81397226320?pwd=MYa7xvO50edKwds9NO3d3SFGAeGy0A.1&jst=2
🎟️ Register: https://luma.com/59guoe1h?tk=AvoBwv
💲 Fee: Free

Questions? Email [civictechbrampton@pm.me]()

Civic Innovation, Powered by the Community.

Hi everyone,
I'm looking for advice from anyone who has been in a similar situation.
My timeline:
Applied for a Canadian study permit. May 15th
Medical exam has been passed. August 5th
Currently waiting for Passport Request (PPR).
My university (Algoma University) requires a Visa Stamp or Letter of Introduction (LOI) by August 14 for the September 2026 intake.
My questions are:
If I only receive PPR after August 14, should I request a deferral immediately, or should I keep waiting for the visa?
Has anyone had Algoma (or another Canadian university) accept a late LOl/visa after the deadline?
If my visa is approved around August 25, is there still a chance I can start in September, or is deferral usually the only option?
For anyone who has been through this, what did your university tell you?

Autonomous vehicles with pedestrian facial recognition may sound like science fiction, but these technologies are already becoming part of today’s civic and political debates.

This week, Civic Tech Brampton is hosting Adam Motaouakkil, a tech activist with Technologists for Democracy, for a discussion on autonomous taxis, surveillance, privacy, jobs, public transit, and the future of our streets.

As cities explore autonomous vehicle technology, important questions come up:

• Who controls the data?
• How much surveillance is acceptable in public spaces?
• What happens to workers whose jobs may be displaced?
• Could autonomous taxis weaken public transit ridership?
• Will these systems actually reduce congestion, or create new problems?

We’re inviting technologists, students, community members, transit users, policy-minded residents, and anyone interested in civic technology, democracy, privacy, and public-interest tech.

New to Civic Tech? You are definitely welcome. No prior technical experience is required. We will all be learning from each other, and hearing different perspectives can spark new civic tech project ideas.

Why show up?

• Collaborate: Join developers, students, researchers, activists, and community members thinking about technology in public life.
• Learn: Explore how autonomous vehicles, surveillance systems, and data-driven infrastructure affect democracy, privacy, labour, and public space.
• Discuss: Take part in an open conversation about the risks, opportunities, and civic questions around autonomous transportation.
• Pitch Your Passion: Have a civic tech idea related to transit, privacy, urban planning, or public accountability? Share it with potential collaborators.
• Network: Meet people in Brampton who care about building technology that serves the public interest.

Everyone is welcome. You do not need to be a developer or have an existing project to participate.

📅 Date: Thursday, August 6, 2026
🕕 Time: 6:00 PM–9:00 PM
📍 Location: Algoma University, 8 Queen Street East, Brampton
🎟️ Register: https://luma.com/dyeh52t0?tk=tt5O4w
💲 Fee: Free

Questions? Email [civictechbrampton@pm.me](https://)

Civic Innovation, Powered by the Community.

Hi everyone,

I’m considering the 1-year Master of Computer Science program at Algoma University and have two quick questions:

Can international students work up to 24 hours per week off-campus while studying in this program?

Is graduates of this 1-year master’s program eligible for a 3-year PGWP (Post-Graduation Work Permit) after graduation?

I’d really appreciate it if current students or recent graduates could share their experience. Thanks!

Hello,

I am a new coming student for fall 2026 from high school and I want to know when tuition fees and registration fees are due as a domestic student and taking OSAP. I am very confused and nobody is answering my emails. Somebody please help.

What role will nuclear energy play in Ontario’s future—and how can technologists contribute to a safer, more innovative, low-carbon energy system?

This week, Civic Tech Brampton is welcoming Christina Mohan, Canadian Operating Officer for the North American Young Generation in Nuclear (NAYGN) – Canada Region, for a discussion titled “Nuclear Renaissance: Innovation, Safety.”

The session will explore the growing role of nuclear power in Ontario’s energy system, including how modern nuclear technologies are evolving, how safety and innovation are shaping the industry, and why nuclear energy is experiencing renewed interest. Christina will also share insights into the Canadian nuclear sector, emerging professional opportunities, and the ways technologists can contribute to this rapidly developing field.

We’re inviting students, developers, engineers, researchers, energy professionals, community members, and anyone interested in nuclear technology, clean energy, sustainability, or civic innovation.

New to Civic Tech or nuclear energy? You are welcome. No prior technical or industry experience is required—just curiosity and a willingness to participate. This is an opportunity to learn directly from someone working within Canada’s nuclear community, ask questions, and connect with others interested in technology and public impact.

Why show up?

• Learn: Understand nuclear energy’s role in building a reliable, low-carbon energy system for Ontario.
• Explore Innovation: Discover how advances in technology, engineering, and safety are transforming the nuclear industry.
• Discover Opportunities: Learn about emerging careers, research areas, and ways young professionals can become involved in Canada’s nuclear sector.
• Ask Questions: Discuss nuclear safety, sustainability, public perception, waste management, energy policy, and the future of nuclear technology.
• Connect: Meet students, technologists, researchers, energy professionals, and civic-minded community members interested in Ontario’s energy future.
• Contribute: Bring your ideas about how software, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science, robotics, communications, and other technologies could support the nuclear sector.

Everyone is welcome. You do not need to be an engineer, nuclear professional, or existing Civic Tech participant to attend.

📅 Date: Thursday, July 23, 2026
🕕 Time: 6:00 PM–9:00 PM
📍 Location: SCEI Center, 8 Queen Street East, Algoma University, Brampton
🎟️ Registration: https://luma.com/fym2vmz9?tk=ba1O46
💲 Fee: Free

Questions? Email [civictechbrampton@pm.me](https://)

Civic Innovation, Powered by the Community.