Almost three years after the Ontario government canceled plans to grant Mississauga independence from Peel Region, three of the city’s leading mayoral candidates stated this week that they still back such a separation.
During a “yes or no” question at Monday night’s mayoral debate at City Hall regarding whether Mississauga should stay part of Peel, former mayor Bonnie Crombie and city councillors Alvin Tedjo and Dipika Damerla quickly affirmed that Canada’s seventh-largest city shouldn’t remain associated with Brampton and Caledon.
Incumbent Mayor Carolyn Parrish was not present on stage for the debate, but she has also mentioned several times her support for Mississauga standing alone. In June 2025, amid ongoing tensions between Mississauga councillors and their regional counterparts in Brampton and Caledon, Parrish indicated that there was enough reason for the provincial government to reconsider the idea of a split.
Province initially agreed to split Peel
The three municipalities in Peel are currently working on a new plan to provide various public works services in the region (like waste collection, roads, etc.).
The provincial government shifted to that approach shortly after informing Mississauga officials in December 2023 that it had changed its earlier decision about allowing the city to operate independently.
After over 30 years of advocating for a political separation from Peel, it seemed like Mississauga officials were finally getting their wish when Ontario Premier Doug Ford communicated this in mid-2023.
We pulled out the paddles during last night’s Mississauga mayoral debate, posing quick yes-or-no questions to the candidates.
Simple enough – or so I thought. pic. twitter. com/CYh1V4d J1D
– Ahmad Elbayoumi (@ahmadelbayoumi) October 6, 2026
For a brief period following that announcement, Mississauga was on an expedited path toward severing political ties with Brampton and Caledon as well as with the overarching Peel municipality. It would have been an ideal way to celebrate Mississauga’s upcoming 50th anniversary as a city throughout 2024.
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However, unexpectedly, Ford and the province reversed their commitment in December 2023.
If the plan had remained intact, Peel would have been divided starting January 2025
If that plan had gone through as outlined in the Hazel Mc Callion Act of 2023 – which legally set forth (at least temporarily) that Peel’s dissolution would happen – it would have taken place on Jan. 1, 2025.
This reversal by the province became official in February 2024 when Ontario’s legislature reconvened and repealed the Hazel Mc Callion Act.
Crombie was mayor at late-2023 when she learned about cancellation plans for Peel’s dissolution; she promptly accused Queen’s Park of succumbing to “scare tactics and fear mongering” from Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown.
Crombie believed then that Brown’s repeated claims about costs linked to a breakup – claiming it could cost taxpayers $1.3 billion over ten years – influenced why the province backed away from proceeding with dissolving Peel.
No matter what caused Ford and his government to rethink their previous stance, Mississauga’s aspirations for independence faced another setback.
A few weeks until election day
Candidates including Parrish, Crombie, Tedjo, Damerla along with ten others are competing for the position of next mayor of Mississauga. Voters will cast their ballots on Oct. 26 – although many might consider taking advantage of advance voting which started Tuesday.
Parrish won a byelection in June 2024 succeeding Crombie; both have engaged actively throughout this heated municipal campaign leading up to elections this year. Back in September 2011 byelection for Ward 5 council seat saw Crombie narrowly defeat Parrish (2,479 votes against Parrish’s tally of 2,239).
Crombie stepped down from her role as mayor early January after taking charge back in May where she transitioned into becoming leader of Ontario Liberal Party hoping to unseat Premier Ford later on!
The other ten candidates running for mayor include: David Shaw – previously ran during both Mayoral byelection & municipal election. Mike Matulewicz – ran during recent byelection. Amjad Jilani – registered July. Frank Fang – competed recently & aimed at council seat before. Fadi Naami – signed up July. Karam Ahmed – entry noted August. Aamir Bhatti – registered August too! Gord Elliott – entered race beginning August! Mohsin Khan- confirmed registration around August! Ana Luisa Vasquez De Espinal-registered mid-August!
Source linkFor more details about who’s participating & general election information check out city election page online! INsauga’s Editorial Standards and Policies
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