{"id":930690,"date":"2026-10-12T21:23:26","date_gmt":"2026-10-12T21:23:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/930690\/"},"modified":"2026-10-12T21:23:26","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T21:23:26","slug":"mississauga-mayoral-candidates-to-face-off-in-citynews-debate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/930690\/","title":{"rendered":"Mississauga mayoral candidates to face off in CityNews debate"},"content":{"rendered":"

With less than a month until voters choose Mississauga\u2019s next mayor<\/a>, four of the city\u2019s leading candidates have taken centre stage Thursday night for a highly anticipated debate that could help shape the outcome of one of Ontario\u2019s most closely watched municipal races.<\/p>\n

The Food Banks Mississauga and Metamorphosis Network mayoral debate, moderated by CityNews Toronto\u2019s Mark McAllister, comes as the campaign enters a critical phase ahead of election day on Oct. 26.<\/p>\n

The race has attracted attention largely because it pits incumbent Carolyn Parrish against former three-term mayor Bonnie Crombie, while councillors Dipika Damerla and Alvin Tedjo continue to position themselves as alternatives to what they describe as the city\u2019s political establishment.<\/p>\n

Fourteen candidates are officially running for mayor, though recent polling has suggested the contest is largely focused on Parrish, Crombie and Tedjo, with Damerla remaining in the mix and a sizable number of undecided voters still up for grabs.<\/p>\n

Transit, taxes and accountability expected to dominate<\/p>\n

One of the key themes expected to emerge Thursday is transportation.<\/p>\n

Crombie recently unveiled<\/a> a transit-focused platform that includes a proposal to extend Toronto\u2019s Line 2 Bloor-Danforth subway west into Mississauga through Sherway Gardens and ultimately toward the city centre, arguing residents spend too much time stuck in traffic. She has also called for stronger commitments from Metrolinx and the province to complete the Hazel McCallion LRT.<\/p>\n

Damerla has centred much of her campaign<\/a> on fiscal accountability and government oversight. Earlier this week, she renewed calls for Mississauga to establish an independent auditor general, saying the city needs stronger mechanisms to scrutinize spending and investigate complaints.<\/p>\n

Tedjo has continued to focus heavily on affordability, recently unveiling a platform that includes a two-year freeze on Mississauga\u2019s share of residential property taxes and a proposal to permanently freeze municipal property tax increases for qualifying seniors. He says the plan would also give residents more time to pay property taxes without interest penalties, return city budget savings to taxpayers through credits, and reduce costs for families accessing city programs.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Parrish has highlighted actions taken during her tenure, including housing initiatives, expanded transit service and programs aimed at supporting seniors.<\/p>\n

High-stakes debate as voters weigh experience versus change<\/p>\n

Housing affordability is also expected to be a major topic.<\/p>\n

The candidates have offered differing approaches to increasing housing supply, with proposals ranging from accelerating apartment construction and supporting affordable housing projects to encouraging more townhomes and other housing forms in established neighbourhoods.<\/p>\n

The contest has largely been framed around experience versus change.<\/p>\n

Parrish, who won the 2024 mayoral by-election following Crombie\u2019s departure, is seeking her first full mandate as mayor. Crombie is attempting a political comeback after leaving city hall to lead the Ontario Liberal Party before resigning, while Tedjo and Damerla have both argued voters are looking for a fresh direction at city hall.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tMississauga Mayoral Debate October 1 on CityNews 24\/7 <\/p>\n

\t\tKeep it Factual<\/p>\n

Add CityNews Toronto as a trusted source on Google to see more local stories from us.<\/p>\n

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