Former Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie has officially re-entered the race to reclaim her former position.
Crombie left the mayor’s office in 2024 to take on the role of leader of the Ontario Liberal Party. She ran in the 2025 provincial election for Mississauga East-Cooksville but was not successful, and she stepped down as Liberal leader in January 2026.
Now she’s back. “I’m staying, and I will see it through. This is the job that I chose over any other, and I’m going to complete it. And I have something to prove,” Crombie said shortly after registering as a candidate for the upcoming municipal election in October.
She mentioned that during her time away pursuing provincial politics, she realized that “everything I care about is right here.”
When asked what sets this campaign apart from her previous one, Crombie emphasized that she’s focused on moving forward rather than dwelling on the past.
“I know that last time I ran here in Mississauga for mayor, I received 78 per cent of the vote. I know that I’m not the incumbent. I know that I’m not the front runner. But what I do know is that I have the experience and the leadership, and I’m going to work very hard to earn people’s trust,” Crombie shared.
Crombie served as Mississauga’s mayor from 2014 until 2024, succeeding Hazel Mc Callion, who was known as the city’s longest-serving mayor.
Carolyn Parrish won a byelection to fill Crombie’s seat in 2024 and is now running for reelection.
Since Crombie’s announcement, Parrish has released a video showing Crombie from election night stating she would be “a formidable mayor.”
“Bonnie Crombie announced today at a community BBQ, that Mississauga needs stable leadership. I agree! In fact we have that now! No aspirations to other levels of government. Total dedication to our city,” Parrish wrote on X.
In reply, the former mayor expressed hope for her successor at first but noted disappointment: “You want to set up your successor for success, but unfortunately, the city has been adrift and lacking in direction since that time,” said Crombie.
Crombie also addressed her relationship with Premier Doug Ford after their contentious exchanges during Ontario’s elections; she stated they share common goals.
“The premier and I have had our differences in the past, but we have also proven that we can work very collaboratively together,” said Crombie. “I want a strong, prosperous, affordable Mississauga, and he wants the same for the province of Ontario; so we have aligned interests.”
The race will also feature Ward 7 Councillor Dipika Damerla and Ward 2 Councillor Alvin Tedjo alongside Parrish and Crombie.
The municipal election is set for October 26.
Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie speaks at the Ontario Liberal Party’s 2019 AGM in Toronto on Friday June 7, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS Keep it Factual
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