The sudden closure of Rogers TV community operations has city leaders wondering what the move will mean for coverage of local government.

“We are disappointed and saddened at the decision,” said Brampton Mayor Linda Jeffrey during committee of council Wednesday, reacting to news that Rogers TV Peel ceased its community operations less than a day earlier and plans to be off the air completely Aug. 31.

Fifteen full-time positions were affected at Rogers TV Peel as a result of the continued financial downturn in the media industry.

Rogers broadcasts Brampton, Mississauga and Peel Regional councils, as well as Peel Regional Police Board meetings. It is one of the few media outlets locally covering one of Canada's fastest growing urban centres.

Jeffrey asked Wednesday what the city plans to do about television coverage of municipal government once Rogers stops broadcasting live.

She also asked about archival footage of thousands of hours of council meetings that Rogers is in possession of.

Rogers now has an archive going back to 2012 for council meetings only.

City Clerk Peter Fay said staff will report back to council with an update and game plan.

In the meantime, the city “will be working with them (Rogers) to assess how we could obtain that archive” as well as “how to move forward to continue to make that information available to the public.”

As for broadcasting council meetings, the clerk said one option for the city would be to stream meetings on its website.