The competition for the top position at City Hall is intensifying in Mississauga, with two prominent candidates officially launching their campaigns on Sunday, setting the stage for a showdown between the current mayor and her predecessor.
Carolyn Parrish, the incumbent mayor of Mississauga, is aiming to secure her first full term in office in the upcoming municipal election. She initially took over in a by-election in 2024 when Bonnie Crombie resigned to pursue leadership in the Ontario Liberal Party. However, following an unsuccessful bid for a provincial seat, Crombie has returned to municipal politics to reclaim her former role.
The rivalry between Parrish and Crombie was evident during their respective campaign kickoffs on Sunday. Parrish expressed her commitment to continuing the work she started as mayor, while Crombie emphasized her experience and dedication to making the city more affordable for its residents.
Recent polls indicate that Parrish and Crombie are neck and neck, each garnering around 35% support among decided voters.
In addition to the mayoral race between Parrish and Crombie, two other city councillors, Alvin Tedjo and Dipika Damerla, have also entered the mayoral race. Tedjo, representing Ward 2, aims to address issues of affordability and safety while planning for the city’s future challenges. Damerla, who represents Ward 7 and previously served as a Liberal MPP, highlights her past advocacy and commitment to key issues in her campaign.
Mississauga residents will have the chance to evaluate the candidates in a mayoral debate scheduled for October 1 on CityNews 24/7. The debate, moderated by Mark McAllister, will feature questions from community organizations like Food Banks Mississauga and the Metamorphosis Network.
