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During his first visit to Queen’s Park since being elected mayor of Mississauga, Alvin Tedjo said he pushed for more financial support from the province to help him address some key priorities.
Tedjo, the mayor-elect of Mississauga, spent Wednesday morning in Toronto, a little more than one week after his decisive victory in October’s election. His highest-profile meeting was with Rob Flack, the minister of municipal affairs and housing, and he’s set to meet with the premier later this month.
“I think we want to hit the ground running and we want to get off on the right foot with this government,” Tedjo told reporters after his meeting with Flack.
Tedjo says he remains committed to a two-year property tax freeze on the city’s portion of those bills, one of his signature campaign promises. He says the province has tools available that he is hoping to gain access to as he pushes for additional provincial funding for Mississauga.
Mississauga-Streetsville MPP Nina Tangri, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Rob Flack, Mississauga mayor-elect Alvin Tedjo and Mississauga Centre MPP Natalia Kusendova-Bashta are seen at Queen’s Park on Wednesday. (@ninatangri/X)
“We have one of the largest populations; we have the second largest economy in Ontario,” Tedjo said. “I think it’s entirely appropriate that Mississauga has a deal with the province that accurately reflects that.”
Plans to address funding for Peel police
Tedjo told reporters another one of his priorities related to affordability is addressing the funding formula with Peel Regional Police.
That formula was a key issue throughout Mississauga’s mayoral race, with multiple candidates including Tedjo raising their concerns over the city’s taxpayers paying more than 60 per cent of the bill for Peel Regional Police, far more than neighbouring Brampton.
“Minister Flack understands the challenge that municipalities like Mississauga are facing and he wants to help,” Tedjo said Wednesday regarding the police funding formula.
Tedjo’s election sent shockwaves through political circles after he defeated incumbent mayor Carolyn Parrish and former mayor Bonnie Crombie with nearly 40 per cent of the vote.
During the campaign, Parrish claimed Premier Doug Ford had pledged to her to address the issue of the funding formula after the election.
“I don’t think it’s about pitting Mississauga against Brampton,” Tedjo said. “I think it’s about making sure taxpayers are paying the appropriate share for the services they get.”
Tedjo plans to meet with premier later this month
Tedjo said he did not meet with Ford on Wednesday. The mayor-elect said he has spoken with the premier numerous times since his election, including shortly after the results were released and later that week when Ford helped open a new grocery store in Mississauga.
The incoming mayor said the two have a meeting scheduled for after his inauguration later this month.
Tedjo was also asked for his stance on the province’s plan to appoint chairs for eight regional governments, including Peel Region.
“I don’t think it’s a good way to govern. It is their decision ultimately. I would prefer an election at large or the opportunity for councils to elect.”