As the four leading candidates for mayor in Mississauga gear up for their first debate this Friday afternoon, three of them are criticizing the current mayor for skipping another debate that’s set for early October.
Carolyn Parrish, who is looking to keep her position while facing challenges from former mayor Bonnie Crombie and city councillors Alvin Tedjo and Dipika Damerla, mentioned to INsauga. com back in late July that she would only participate in three debates before the municipal election on October 26.
The first debate is happening today at the Sheridan College Hazel Mc Callion Campus downtown from 1:30-4:30 p. m., where the top four candidates will share their strategies on important issues affecting the city’s business community.
The main opponents will meet again next week
After today’s event hosted by the Mississauga Board of Trade, the four mayoral candidates will come together on stage once more next Thursday night.
The October 1 debate is being co-hosted by Food Banks Mississauga and the Metamorphosis Network.
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The last debate that Parrish intends to attend is scheduled for October 15 at Christ First United Church on Lakeshore Road West. This event is organized by several local groups including the Town of Port Credit Association, Lakeview Ratepayers Association, Port Credit Legion, and Port Credit Community Foundation.
The other three major candidates are also confirmed to be present at this debate.
Crombie, Tedjo, and Damerla are also slated to join an October 5 mayoral candidates’ discussion at Mississauga City Hall hosted by Policorner, an organization covering political news around Queen’s Park.
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Mississauga Ward 7 Coun. Dipika Damerla, who’s running for mayor, says all main candidates should show up for every debate.
The choice made by Parrish to skip out on the October 5 discussion drew criticism from her three leading opponents early Friday morning.
Crombie took to X to challenge Parrish to take part in all debates.
“Will Carolyn Parrish show up – or chicken out again? Last election she backed out after making several mistakes,” Crombie wrote in a post Friday morning. “Avoiding debates disrespects voters. They deserve answers. I’m ready to defend my record and discuss my plans. Carolyn, if you want this job, show up for your interview.”
Parrish told INsauga. com she had no comment regarding Crombie’s remarks.
Tedjo and Damerla also expressed their disappointment over Parrish limiting her participation in debates to just three events.
“It’s disappointing that Carolyn Parrish has chosen once again not to join another mayoral debate. Leadership starts with showing up when your city needs you most,” Tedjo wrote in a post on X. “It means answering tough questions and being accountable to residents while making your case for what lies ahead. Mississauga deserves leaders who engage rather than hide when things get difficult.”
Mayoral candidate and Ward 2 Coun. Alvin Tedjo believes it’s essential for candidates to show up during debates so they can tackle “the tough questions.”
Damerla commented via social media:
“Mississauga deserves a mayor who participates actively. It’s disappointing but not surprising that Carolyn Parrish declined another opportunity to discuss our city’s future. I’ll be there ready to answer difficult questions.”
This afternoon’s debate will cover critical topics like economic growth, leadership quality, investments needed, infrastructure improvements, and planning Mississauga’s future according to organizers.
This event is only open physically to members of the Mississauga Board of Trade; however it will also be available via live stream.
You can check online for further details about today’s Mayoral Debate regarding Mississauga’s future in 2026.
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Parrish won’t be attending a fourth debate Organizers have stated that this public event will feature a “90-minute discussion about the future of Ontario’s fourth-largest city.” Parrish informed INsauga. com that she can’t attend this particular debate because of prior commitments. “I announced at the start of the campaign that I would do three debates. Policorner knew that; they said they’d work on one but then I didn’t hear anything from them,” Parrish told INsauga. com Friday morning. “I accepted invitations from those who provided dates and times first. There’s nothing more to it than that.”
Mississauga Ward 7 Coun. Dipika Damerla, who’s running for mayor, says all main candidates should show up for every debate.
The choice made by Parrish to skip out on the October 5 discussion drew criticism from her three leading opponents early Friday morning.
Crombie took to X to challenge Parrish to take part in all debates.
“Will Carolyn Parrish show up – or chicken out again? Last election she backed out after making several mistakes,” Crombie wrote in a post Friday morning. “Avoiding debates disrespects voters. They deserve answers. I’m ready to defend my record and discuss my plans. Carolyn, if you want this job, show up for your interview.”
Parrish told INsauga. com she had no comment regarding Crombie’s remarks.
Tedjo and Damerla also expressed their disappointment over Parrish limiting her participation in debates to just three events.
“It’s disappointing that Carolyn Parrish has chosen once again not to join another mayoral debate. Leadership starts with showing up when your city needs you most,” Tedjo wrote in a post on X. “It means answering tough questions and being accountable to residents while making your case for what lies ahead. Mississauga deserves leaders who engage rather than hide when things get difficult.”
Mayoral candidate and Ward 2 Coun. Alvin Tedjo believes it’s essential for candidates to show up during debates so they can tackle “the tough questions.”
Damerla commented via social media:
“Mississauga deserves a mayor who participates actively. It’s disappointing but not surprising that Carolyn Parrish declined another opportunity to discuss our city’s future. I’ll be there ready to answer difficult questions.”
This afternoon’s debate will cover critical topics like economic growth, leadership quality, investments needed, infrastructure improvements, and planning Mississauga’s future according to organizers.
This event is only open physically to members of the Mississauga Board of Trade; however it will also be available via live stream.
You can check online for further details about today’s Mayoral Debate regarding Mississauga’s future in 2026.
Source link
