Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish has expressed her eagerness for a debate with Bonnie Crombie.
It seems more likely she’ll get that opportunity as the city’s former mayor, who stepped down in early 2024 to lead the Ontario Liberals, has reportedly hinted – once again – at a possible return to the mayoral race in 2026 in Canada’s seventh-largest city.
Crombie, whose Liberal party faced a significant defeat against Premier Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservatives in February 2025, first mentioned the possibility of running for mayor again late last year when she stated she wouldn’t dismiss another attempt for the position.
The ex-mayor of Mississauga, who held office from 2014 to 2024 after succeeding Hazel Mc Callion, announced her resignation as leader of Ontario’s Liberal Party earlier this year on January 14.
If she officially decides to run again, Crombie would be up against seven other candidates – as of June 17 – including Parrish, who won the mayoral byelection in 2024 following Crombie’s departure. Current Mississauga city councillors Alvin Tedjo (Ward 2) and Dipika Damerla (Ward 7) are also in the mix.
Former mayor of Mississauga Bonnie Crombie.
Although she hasn’t formally registered yet, Crombie mentioned on Wednesday that she’s weighing her options, according to both CP24 and .
Tedjo wasted no time sharing his views on a potential Crombie candidacy for the upcoming municipal election in Mississauga.
The first-term councillor, who finished second to Parrish in the recent byelection (with Damerla taking third), told Newstalk 1010 radio on Wednesday morning that he believes “residents deserve better” than someone who seeks the top post as a fallback option.
“Didn’t she already quit this job? … She had this job for several years and then left,” Tedjo remarked. “Now she’s looking to come back and it raises many questions. She left because she aimed higher. I understand that she thought there was something greater out there. She resigned to pursue another path and now it feels like she’s treating this city like a backup plan. Honestly, I think residents deserve better.”
Parrish is an experienced politician with over 13 years on Mississauga city council plus an equal amount serving as an MP in Ottawa. She won the mayoral byelection in June 2024 after succeeding Crombie.
Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish.
In an interview late last year with INsauga. com, Parrish stated her intention was to serve no more than one additional term as mayor.
She also commented back then that if Crombie were considering returning to the office – based on her own statements – it wouldn’t bother her at all.
She said she’d see such a scenario as “a fabulous challenge,” adding “I’d love it. We don’t think alike.”
“… I would look forward to a debate with Bonnie Crombie.”
Damerla shared her thoughts via social media on Wednesday afternoon and welcomed “anyone who wants to contribute ideas and solutions for the future of Mississauga” into the race for mayor.
The Ward 7 councillor, previously an MPP elected to council in 2018, noted her focus is “on building the next chapter of our city through practical leadership that delivers results for residents.”
Premier weighs in on potential Crombie candidacy
If his earlier comments hold true, Ontario’s premier will line up against Crombie – albeit indirectly – should she decide to enter this upcoming race.
While attending a housing announcement event in Mississauga last March, Ford indicated that although he generally avoids involvement in municipal elections-particularly those for mayors-he’d make an exception if former Mayor Crombie decided to run again.
A reporter asked him towards the end of a lengthy press conference about his thoughts regarding what could be a clash between political heavyweights during Mississauga’s upcoming election.
“You know something, I never get involved in municipal elections but I will send an army down here to make sure I support Mayor Parrish,” Ford responded at that time.
Mississauga Ward2 Coun. Alvin Tedjoisrunningformayor.
In January , Crombiesaidinawrittenstatementtothemedia, shewouldbe“lookingforwardto spendingmoretimewithmyfamily, includ ing welcomingmyfirstgrandchild , whilegivingthepartythespaceitneedstomove forwardwithnewleadership.”
However, basedontheoutcomeofapollconductedlast October, Crombiestatedshewouldnotruledoutanotherrunfor Mayorofthecity. She succeeded Mc Callion, thecity’ s longtimeofficeholder, in2014andwon reelectiontwicebeforeleavingthepositionin January2024to assumeleadershipofthe Ontario Liberal Party.
Though Crombiesubmittedherresignationasleaderofthe Liberalsin January, shelaterdecidedlast Septemberto stepdownafterreceivingjust57percent supportinaleadershipvotefortheparty’s annualgeneralmeeting.
Mississaugaward7Coun. Dipikadamerlaisrunningformayor.
Asidefrom Parrish, Tedjoand Damerla, fourothercandidatesasof June17areofficiallyenteredinthecompetitiontobecomemayorof Canada’sseventh-largestcity.
David Shaw, Mike Matulewicz, Rahul Mehtaand Olivia Gannonarealsoontheballot. Shawraninboththe2024mayoralbyelectionandthe2022municipalelection.
Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish.
In an interview late last year with INsauga. com, Parrish stated her intention was to serve no more than one additional term as mayor.
She also commented back then that if Crombie were considering returning to the office – based on her own statements – it wouldn’t bother her at all.
She said she’d see such a scenario as “a fabulous challenge,” adding “I’d love it. We don’t think alike.”
“… I would look forward to a debate with Bonnie Crombie.”
Damerla shared her thoughts via social media on Wednesday afternoon and welcomed “anyone who wants to contribute ideas and solutions for the future of Mississauga” into the race for mayor.
The Ward 7 councillor, previously an MPP elected to council in 2018, noted her focus is “on building the next chapter of our city through practical leadership that delivers results for residents.”
Premier weighs in on potential Crombie candidacy
If his earlier comments hold true, Ontario’s premier will line up against Crombie – albeit indirectly – should she decide to enter this upcoming race.
While attending a housing announcement event in Mississauga last March, Ford indicated that although he generally avoids involvement in municipal elections-particularly those for mayors-he’d make an exception if former Mayor Crombie decided to run again.
A reporter asked him towards the end of a lengthy press conference about his thoughts regarding what could be a clash between political heavyweights during Mississauga’s upcoming election.“You know something, I never get involved in municipal elections but I will send an army down here to make sure I support Mayor Parrish,” Ford responded at that time.
Mississauga Ward2 Coun. Alvin Tedjoisrunningformayor.
In January , Crombiesaidinawrittenstatementtothemedia, shewouldbe“lookingforwardto spendingmoretimewithmyfamily, includ ing welcomingmyfirstgrandchild , whilegivingthepartythespaceitneedstomove forwardwithnewleadership.”
However, basedontheoutcomeofapollconductedlast October, Crombiestatedshewouldnotruledoutanotherrunfor Mayorofthecity. She succeeded Mc Callion, thecity’ s longtimeofficeholder, in2014andwon reelectiontwicebeforeleavingthepositionin January2024to assumeleadershipofthe Ontario Liberal Party.
Though Crombiesubmittedherresignationasleaderofthe Liberalsin January, shelaterdecidedlast Septemberto stepdownafterreceivingjust57percent supportinaleadershipvotefortheparty’s annualgeneralmeeting.Mehta, runningfor Ward8seatoncouncilin2022, and Matulewiczwasamongthe20candidatesto competeinthecity’smayoralbyelectiontwo yearsago.
The2026municipalelectionwilltakeplaceon Oct26. Candidatenominationsopened May1and continueuntil Aug21at2pm.
Formoreinformationonwho’srunning , howtobecomeacandidateandtheelectioningeneral , visitthecity’ selectionpageonline.
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