The competition for the next mayor of Mississauga is heating up, with only five points between the leading candidates among voters who have made up their minds, according to a recent poll.
The latest survey from Canada Pulse Insights for City News reveals that among decided voters, 30 per cent favor incumbent Carolyn Parrish, while 26 per cent support Alvin Tedjo, the Ward 2 councillor. Former Mayor Bonnie Crombie trails closely with 25 per cent. Dipika Damerla is in fourth place with 12 per cent backing her, and eight per cent are choosing other candidates.
Looking at all voters, Parrish garners 24 per cent support, followed by Tedjo with 20 per cent and Crombie at 19 per cent. Damerla holds nine percent of the vote as she represents Ward 7 – Cooksville and previously served as an MPP for Mississauga East-Cooksville. Eighteen percent of voters in Mississauga remain undecided.
Nearly two-thirds of participants believe it’s time for a new mayor, whereas 36 per cent think Parrish should be re-elected. Among those still undecided, just 30 per cent feel she deserves another term while a significant majority of 70 per cent want change.
Of those seeking change, 28 per cent plan to vote for Tedjo. Crombie has captured support from 22 percent after stepping down as mayor post-2022 election to become the Ontario Liberal leader.
Twenty percent remain unsure about their choice while seven percent would still select Parrish.
Pollster John Wright mentioned that Tedjo is one candidate to keep an eye on as the campaign progresses since Parrish and Crombie are already familiar figures among voters.
“I think what’s happening here is that Alvin Tedjo is wedging up in between. He’s got a different personality. He has a different message. It is more pragmatic in terms of what he’s offering,” said Wright. “He is a more moderate influence, and I think that’s what’s attracting that group on the sidelines.”
As debates approach, he advised both Parrish and Crombie to concentrate on key issues instead of solely targeting Tedjo. “They’re going to have to focus on what they have always done in office, and that is to say, I have a plan for the people as opposed to simply attacking [Tedjo].”
“They are already established candidates with personalities, and as a result of that, people are used to the combative style of both of them. I think it’s also going to be hard for them if they both try to light up Alvin Tedjo in the middle here because that will shine through.”
Tedjo reacted positively to the poll results by saying he feels voter demand for change contributes significantly to his campaign’s growing traction.
“This is by no means over; we still have a long way to go. We are encouraged by these numbers but anyone who is thinking that we do need change in the city are gravitating towards us,” said Tedjo.
Incumbent Parrish expressed satisfaction upon seeing her approval rating at 57 percent along with city council’s approval at 61 percent from Wednesday’s poll results-calling it pretty good amid challenging times for the city.
“I’m happy I’m still ahead in the poll as far as the election is concerned and we’ll just keep working as hard as I can to keep moving further ahead,” said Parrish.
A representative from Crombie’s campaign stated they were “confident in Bonnie’s growing momentum as the race enters the home stretch and we continue to share her positive plan to deliver a future you can afford backed by experience you can trust.”
Damerla mentioned that only election day matters when it comes down to polling results. “My campaign and I, we are focused on Oct. 26. We have a message we believe in and it’s resonating at the doors so that’s what I’m focused on.”
City News plans to host a debate featuring Mississauga mayoral candidates including Parrish, Tedjo, Crombie, and Damerla on Thursday Oct. 1. Mark Mc Allister will moderate this live-streamed event starting at 7 p. m. on City News 24/7.
The municipal election date is set for Oct. 26; voters can expect their voting cards arriving soon via mailboxes shortly thereafter. Ahead voting opportunities will take place from Tuesday Oct.6 through Sunday Oct.11.
This survey was conducted among514 adult residents (399 decided)of Mississaugain Ontarioby Canada Pulse Insightsbetween September14and25 ,2026throughanonlinepanelplatformmanagedby Sago. Themarginoferrorforaprobability-basedsampleofthissizeis±4.3percentagepoints ,19timesoutof20. p>Composite photo shows four leading candidates racingfor Mississaugamayor.(L-R)Alvin Tedjo , Bonnie Crombie, Dipika Demerla , Carolyn Parrish. CITYNEWS Keepit Factual
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