After losing a crucial vote on a downtown light rail transit line last year, Mayor Linda Jeffrey can’t afford to falter on Brampton’s bid for a university.

So say some city hall watchers concerned about Brampton’s chances of landing a post secondary institution ahead of Ontario’s formal call for bids.

“We fear losing this university due to lack of vision of Brampton council and the mayor,” said resident Jotvinder Sodhi, who is circulating a petition in a bid to drum up support for Brampton.

Some 500 people have so far signed the petition, which Sodhi said he plans to present to council.