research, and benchmarking of other municipalities around the world. Its goal was to “identify areas for improvement in Brampton’s cultural environment.” After delivering a report in May 2017, which included the development of a Culture Master Plan, the suggestion was made that the panel be dissolved.

The development and implementation of the Culture Master Plan is being led by a core team that includes the City of Brampton’s Economic Development and Culture Department staff along with consulting groups Lord Cultural Resources and Nordicity. A Steering Committee composed of leaders in Brampton’s arts, culture, heritage and creative entrepreneurial communities is assisting the core team.

Bringing Back the Brampton Arts Council

The Arts and Culture Panel report indicated the City of Brampton should take on a facilitator role in arts and culture. TheClashes broke out early Monday in northern Iraq as Iraqi forces moved to recapture Kurdish-held oil fields and a military base near the city of Kirkuk, setting the stage for a battle between two U.S. allies.

After a three-day standoff, Iraqi forces advanced into the contested province with the goal of returning to positions they held before 2014, when they fled in the face of an Islamic State push. The positions have since been taken over by Kurdish troops.

The conflict between Kurdi­stan and the Iraqi government over land and oil is decades old, but a Kurdish referendum for independence last month inflamed the tensions. The Iraqi government, as well as the United States, Turkey and Iran all opposed the vote.

The flare-up presents an awkward dilemma for the United States,