In Mississauga, the upcoming municipal election is not your typical race. Incumbent Mayor Carolyn Parrish is set to face off against former mayor Bonnie Crombie, who left the position just two years ago. Joining them in the mayoral race are top-polling councillors Alvin Tedjo and Dipika Damerla, alongside 10 other contenders vying for the city’s top leadership role.
The campaign is marked by a crowded field and a high-profile showdown at the forefront, prompting the crucial question of whether the heightened drama will translate into increased voter turnout. Political science expert Randy Besco from the University of Toronto Mississauga emphasizes that competitive elections tend to draw more voters, as multiple candidates strive to mobilize their supporters, making each vote more impactful.
Historically, Mississauga has grappled with low voter engagement, with only a 21.84% turnout in the 2022 municipal election. The subsequent 2024 mayoral byelection saw a slight increase to 25.7%. Now, all eyes are on whether this year’s much-publicized rematch will further boost voter participation.
The ongoing rivalry between Crombie and Parrish dates back to 2011 when Crombie narrowly defeated Parrish in a council seat byelection by 241 votes. This initial clash marked the beginning of a decade-long political overlap at city hall. Following this, Hazel McCallion, the city’s longest-serving mayor, opted not to run in the 2014 municipal election and endorsed Crombie, who assumed the mayoral seat while Parrish secured victory in Ward 5.
Crombie’s departure in 2024 to lead the Ontario Liberal Party led to a mayoral byelection, which Parrish won. A notable moment during the election night was when Crombie commended Parrish as a “formidable leader for the city’s future.” This sentiment resurfaced during the current campaign, with Parrish sharing the clip online. Despite Crombie’s efforts to regain official party status for the Liberals, she did not secure a seat and subsequently resigned as leader in January, announcing her bid to reclaim her former mayoral position in July, setting the stage for a long-awaited rematch.
Campaign tactics have intensified since Crombie’s announcement, with online exchanges and attack-style videos between the two contenders. These efforts culminated in heated exchanges during recent debates, where personal remarks and criticisms were exchanged. However, experts caution that while these campaign theatrics may generate buzz on social media, their impact on actual voter behavior is limited.
A recent poll indicated a tie between Crombie and Parrish at 26% each, with Damerla at 13% and Tedjo at 9%. Tedjo’s endorsement from the Peel Regional Police Association, a first in Mississauga mayoral endorsements, could potentially bolster his standing in the race. With the election day approaching, there is speculation about the possibility of a candidate other than Crombie or Parrish gaining momentum, especially with the vote potentially split among multiple contenders.
Advance polling for Mississauga residents is scheduled from Oct. 6 to 11 in select areas, leading up to the election day on Monday, Oct. 26.