Mississauga mayoral candidates look to shore up support on eve of hotly contested race

The intense mayoral race in Mississauga is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing in the province. With polls indicating a close contest, any of the leading candidates – Alvin Tedjo, Carolyn Parrish, or Bonnie Crombie – could emerge victorious on Monday. Bonnie Crombie, who briefly stepped down as mayor in 2024 to run for Ontario Liberal Party leadership, seems to have an edge in recent polls.

"I’m quietly confident, looking forward to [Monday]. I have worked so hard these past couple of months," she said. Meanwhile, incumbent Carolyn Parrish remains optimistic, emphasizing her grassroots outreach efforts, "I feel fantastic. We’ve got over 2,500 signs and they’re on lawns and properties, not scattered all over. And if I can take that as support, I’m very thrilled," she expressed.

Alvin Tedjo, a city councillor, has gained significant traction and suggests the city is yearning for a fresh perspective. "They’re really desperate for change. People are sick and tired of the politicians of the past, especially when they’re fighting each other more than fighting for us, and right now people are looking for something new, something different," Tedjo argued.

While property taxes and transit are key concerns for voters, transit emerges as a top priority, with Crombie proposing an ambitious subway plan. "Subway, subway, subway," she declared, aiming for premier funding for Mississauga’s transit system. Tedjo counters this vision, presenting a more pragmatic plan with five new rapid transit bus lines, asserting his team's capability to initiate these projects immediately.

Mississauga residents have already cast their votes in advance polls at a record rate, with a 57% increase compared to 2022, with voting commencing at 9 a.m. on election day.