Peel Regional Police say they’re investigating an alleged threat made against former Mississauga mayor Bonnie Crombie, who’s running to reclaim the office in a contentious 2026 mayoral campaign.

Police told INSAUGA Canada on Friday that Crombie contacted them on Sept. 21 “making a complaint of threats received on social media. Peel police have initiated an investigation, which is ongoing at this time.”

Police wouldn’t reveal any more details about the specific nature of the alleged threat or threats, or their probe.

Crombie told INSAUGA Canada in an interview on Friday she was contacted and “told to withdraw” from an Oct. 5 mayoral debate slated to take place at Mississauga City Hall “or face serious consequences.”

Crombie said “I know the individual,” but she didn’t reveal the person’s identity.

She added she’s learned more recently that the debate itself may be targeted by efforts to have it cancelled.

The Oct. 5 debate, to begin at 7 p.m., is being hosted by Policorner, an organization that reports on politics and related happenings at Queen’s Park.

Crombie and Mississauga city councillors Alvin Tedjo and Dipika Damerla have confirmed their participation while Mayor Carolyn Parrish turned down the invitation, citing other commitments.

Parrish’s decision to pass on Monday’s debate brought about criticism from her three main rivals last week.

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The City of Mississauga, meanwhile, confirmed to INSAUGA Canada that it received on Oct. 1 “an unfiled Notice of Motion in respect of the Mississauga mayoral debate scheduled for Oct. 5.”

A city spokesperson wouldn’t provide specifics related to the notice of motion, saying only that “no court date has been set, but if this motion proceeds before the court, the city intends to defend the matter.”

The City of Mississauga spokesperson added that “the city is not responsible for scheduling the Oct. 5 debate, but is not aware of any changes to it proceeding.”

The city also would not reveal any details about the source of the notice of motion.

“The city cannot provide any personal or possible identifying information about the potential applicant at this time. If and when the motion materials are filed with the court, they will be made publicly available,” the spokesperson said.

One more 4-candidate debate scheduled 

The four main mayoral candidates — Parrish, Crombie, Tedjo and Damerla — have squared off in two debates to date as election night on Oct. 26 approaches.

Last night’s debate, co-hosted by Food Banks Mississauga and the Metamorphosis Network, was a particularly contentious affair as main rivals Parrish and Crombie engaged in a number of personal attacks.

The third and final debate in which Parrish plans to participate takes place on Oct. 15 at Christ First United Church on Lakeshore Road West. It’s organized by the Town of Port Credit Association, Lakeview Ratepayers Association, Port Credit Legion and Port Credit Community Foundation.

The other three main candidates are also confirmed for that debate.

Parrish, who won a mayoral byelection in June 2024 to succeed Crombie, and her predecessor have gone head-to-head in a heated municipal election campaign prior to 2026. Crombie defeated Parrish (2,479 votes to 2,239 votes) in a September 2011 byelection for the Ward 5 council seat.

After a decade on the job, Crombie left the mayor’s post in Mississauga in January 2024 to become leader of the Ontario Liberal Party and take a shot at unseating Ontario Premier Doug Ford.

The other 10 candidates for mayor of Mississauga are:

David Shaw — ran in both the 2024 mayoral byelection and 2022 municipal election for mayor. Registered to run May 1
Mike Matulewicz — ran in the 2024 mayoral byelection. Registered to run May 5
Amjad Jilani — registered to run July 14
Frank Fang — ran in the 2024 mayoral byelection and competed for the Ward 9 council seat in the 2022 municipal election. Registered to run July 15
Fadi Naami — registered to run July 20
Karam Ahmed — registered to run Aug. 20
Aamir Bhatti — registered to run Aug. 21
Gord Elliott — registered to run Aug. 21
Mohsin Khan — registered to run Aug. 18
Ana Luisa Vasquez De Espinal — registered to run Aug. 11

For more information on who’s running and the election in general, visit the city’s election page online.


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