As Mississauga voters prepare to cast ballots on Oct. 26, the four leading mayoral candidates have presented competing approaches to several local flashpoints, with Ridgeway Plaza emerging as a focal point alongside affordability, policing and transit.
Campaign contrasts on Ridgeway Plaza and city finances
At a debate earlier this month in Port Credit and in subsequent interviews with CBC Peel, incumbent mayor Carolyn Parrish, former mayor Bonnie Crombie and city councillors Dipika Damerla and Alvin Tedjo described distinct routes to address neighbourhood concerns and long-term fiscal pressures.
Parrish said she would pursue cost-savings by changing how some services are delivered, pointing to an anticipated $45 million in annual savings if regional road maintenance and waste collection are transferred to the city — with the full impact expected by 2028. Her pitch to voters centred on keeping tax increases aligned with inflation.
“keep property tax increases close to the rate of inflation”
Crombie advanced a platform of targeted tax relief and regulatory changes tied to development. She pledged to hold city tax increases at or below inflation, cancel the proposed $2.5‑billion city centre redevelopment plan and expand property tax rebates for eligible low-income seniors to $1,000. For small businesses, she promised a faster municipal approval process — 90-day turnaround for qualifying permits and payment from city hall within 15 days.
Damerla said she would freeze the city-controlled portion of residential property taxes in 2027 (excluding costs transferred from regional services) and cap future increases, framing the measure as a way to protect homeowners while the city adapts to new service responsibilities. Tedjo, campaigning as well, addressed many of the same themes of affordability and local planning, offering alternative approaches to growth and neighbourhood protection.
What the candidates say about Ridgeway Plaza
Ridgeway Plaza — a busy, sometimes controversial commercial area that has attracted local attention — has become a campaign symbol for differing approaches to planning, safety and business support. Candidates offered policy ideas reflecting a balance between redevelopment oversight and business stability, but they diverged on the degree of city intervention and the speed of any changes.
- Parrish: Emphasizes municipal control over services and fiscal changes to limit tax pressures.
- Crombie: Proposes cancelling the large city-centre redevelopment, boosting low-income seniors rebates and speeding approvals for businesses.
- Damerla: Focuses on a tax freeze and caps for homeowners while negotiating transferred regional costs.
- Tedjo: Positions include local planning and public safety measures tailored to neighbourhoods like those around Ridgeway Plaza.
Implications for Mississauga residents
The candidates’ proposals have immediate and long-term implications for households and businesses across Mississauga. A transfer of regional services to municipal control, if achieved, would change how services are delivered and funded; during the transition period residents could see adjustments in budgeting, service schedules and tax statements. Cancelling the city-centre redevelopment would reshape downtown growth plans and may affect future housing and commercial opportunities.
For small businesses near Ridgeway Plaza and in other commercial strips, Crombie’s promise of accelerated permit timelines and faster payment from city hall aims to ease cashflow and reduce administrative delays. Conversely, proposals to increase municipal oversight of redevelopment could mean stricter planning reviews and more conditions placed on approvals.
| Issue | Parrish | Crombie | Damerla |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property tax approach | Keep increases near inflation | At or below inflation; rebates for seniors | Freeze city-controlled portion in 2027; cap increases |
| Major project | Not specified | Scrap $2.5‑billion city centre redevelopment | Not specified |
| Small business supports | Not specified | 90‑day permits; payment within 15 days | Not specified |
With the Oct. 26 vote approaching, the debate over Ridgeway Plaza is likely to remain a neighbourhood-level test of how each candidate balances business vitality, public safety and community character. Voters will be weighing which combination of fiscal direction, service delivery and local planning best serves their priorities.
Reporting for this article relied on coverage and interviews from CBC Peel, including debate reporting from Port Credit. The next municipal election developments and any official changes to regional service responsibilities would be announced by city hall and the Region of Peel.
Election day is Oct. 26; voters in Mississauga are advised to check the city’s official website for polling locations and candidate information.
