“This is an issue that really concerns me,” said Miles, referring to a growing trend where converted properties “have three and more dwellings within their homes.”

Medeiros called expanded powers intrusive and heavy-handed and raised concerns about an undercurrent driving the discussion locally. In addition to investigative powers, special telephone “hotlines” where neighbours can report suspected illegal units is among the ideas being touted. It's unclear if some of the proposed ideas to crackdown on abusers are even legal under various provincial laws governing right of access, privacy and housing regulations.

“I recognize that not all secondary units are safe," Medeiros said. "There has to be regulations around it and it’s important that we do that. I do disagree with some of the rhetoric that I hear from some of my colleagues in terms of legislating greater investigative powers.”

Medeiros acknowledges that basement apartments are a difficult issue.

“Many lived in basement apartments. My parents did that. Newer community groups predominantly rely on secondary units.”

Warning against setting a bad precedent, Medeiros said expanded powers to seek out suspected rule breakers is “insensitive to folks that come from lower incomes or who are new Canadians.”

It is estimated there are 30,000 illegal basement apartments in Brampton.

Ontario’s mandate requiring municipalities to regulate secondary suites was met with massive resistance locally. At the height of the debate, residents voiced concerns about street parking and overcrowded schools, among a host of other issues.

Sukhjot Naroo, part of the advisory committee that helped craft the regulations, said bringing more unregistered units into the fold is crucial because money for programs funneled down from upper-tier governments is based on population numbers.

Naroo figures as many as 100,000 people living in this city are unaccounted for.

However, Naroo took aim at current regulations stating guidelines and costs associated with legalizing units “penalize” property owners who, in many cases, decide to rent out their basements in order to help cover monthly mortgage payments.

“Let’s try to help people instead of penalizing them,” said Naroo, adding suggestions on easing requirements put forward during deliberations were turned down.

For many in the community, stricter enforcement of the rules is about ensuring community safety and fair taxation.

Chris Bejnar, co-chair of Citizens for a Better Brampton (CFBB), argued Brampton’s bylaws don’t go far enough.

The CFBB wants government to place the onus on investors and landlords to prove registered secondary units are in compliance of all bylaws and fire codes, “not for the city to have to prove its case against the landlord or investor.”

Bejnar reiterated concerns on secondary and tertiary units, focusing on community safety and the burden they potentially pose on the tax base.

He argued the influx of new residents isn’t paying their fair share toward publicly funded programs and infrastructure maintained primarily through property taxes.

“What we need is more taxpayers, not just residents,” said Bejnar. He advocated for a number of measures the city could take to curb the practice of creating unsafe, unregulated units, including establishing a hotline where residents can report suspected illegal units and renovations.

He also talked of lobbying the province for greater municipal access to investigate illegal basement apartments and rooming houses “so that there is better compliance to fire codes and legal registration.”

At 600,000 people, Brampton is experiencing a major cultural shift driven by the new demographic trends. Some officials say greater education is needed about poverty issues and access to housing as well as the impact of a shift in cultural dynamics that see multiple generations of family members living together.

Medeiros said traditionally that’s what happens when new Canadians come to settle in Brampton, from certain parts of the world. "That seems to be the first option of affordable housing.”

Mayor Linda Jeffrey agrees, pointing out that it's often not just cultural dynamics, but sometimes economic realities that create demand.

"When my family arrived in Canada my parents and I lived in a basement apartment and when I first got married my husband and I lived in an apartment in someone's attic," she said. "Second units wherever they are located in Canada provide an affordable housing option. As a Council, I believe we value this additional housing option in helping us tackle our affordable housing crisis in Brampton."