Mississauga mayoral candidates pitch tax freezes as key election promise

MISSISSAUGA · Four front-running candidates are pitching contrasting plans to control property taxes as a key issue in Mississauga's mayoral race. The next mayor will lead a city of more than 800,000 residents where affordability, housing, crime and transportation are top concerns. The candidates include current Mayor Carolyn Parrish, former mayor and Ontario Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie, and councillors Alvin Tedjo and Dipika Damerla. Public polls in late September showed a tight race with Crombie holding a narrow lead.

During recent debates, property taxes emerged as a defining issue. Alvin Tedjo has promised to freeze the City portion of property taxes for two years. "I’m committed to freezing property taxes for every single family in this city for the next two years to make sure that people have the ability to live in their homes with dignity and not have to make the choice between groceries or taxes," Tedjo said during a Food Banks debate. He described the property tax rate as the single biggest tool the City of Mississauga has at its disposal.

Critics argue such freezes can lead to deferred costs and service cuts. Tedjo also promised a program allowing eligible senior homeowners to defer property tax payments until they sell their homes. His proposal faced immediate scrutiny from other candidates and residents at debates. "The problem, Alvin, is that your plan still has no details," Dipika Damerla said during one debate, questioning how the program would work and who would qualify.

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Damerla suggested other homeowners would end up subsidizing the plan. Her comment received thunderous applause from senior residents in attendance who shared similar concerns. Tedjo's campaign website states eligibility for a tax freeze would be tied to residents who are 65 or older, own only one property and have lived in the residence for at least 20 years. He did not provide further clarity on the deferral program's mechanics during the debate.

Damerla has pushed for financial accountability at City Hall, including an independent auditor general role, a motion that was shot down by Parrish and Tedjo earlier this year. All four candidates recognize affordability, housing, crime and transportation as critical issues for voters deciding who will get their vote on October 26. They are proposing different solutions to confront these pressing problems. Bonnie Crombie is running again after taking over the leadership of the Ontario Liberals following just over nine years as Mississauga’s mayor. Carolyn Parrish was victorious in the 2024 mayoral by-election and is now seeking re-election after serving as mayor for two years. Tedjo has almost four years of experience as a councillor, while Damerla has been on council for almost eight years and served as an MPP representing Mississauga for seven years prior. The candidates' proposed solutions offer voters contrasting visions for how to manage the city's challenges, from creating affordable housing to confronting crime and managing major transit projects. The election will be held on October 26.

With files from The Pointer