Premier Doug Ford supports Mississauga’s independence from Peel Region
Published May 15, 2023 at 10:58 am
Ontario Premier Doug Ford stated he supports Mississauga’s separation from Brampton and Caledon.
Mississauga’s split from the Region of Peel has been discussed for many years with former Mayor Hazel McCallion long advocating for an independent city.
But the discussions came to the forefront after the province announced they were looking into reducing “municipal duplication” in several two-tier municipalities including the Region of Peel, last November.
Reducing duplication could mean many things including a split into independent municipalities, removing duplication from the Region of Peel, or creating a mega Peel City.
Last week, Ford said a decision would be coming soon on the Region of Peel.
Today (May 15), after a funding announcement for firefighter training in Mississauga, Ford was questioned on the province’s upcoming decision and how Mayor Bonnie Crombie’s possible move into provincial politics could impact that decision.
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“I’ve always been for an independent Mississauga,” Ford said. “You can’t have a city the size of Mississauga, close to 800,000 people and it’s continuing to grow, being tied into other jurisdictions.”
Ford added that the Progressive Conservatives hold all the seats in Mississauga.
“We’re going to continue supporting Mississauga,” he said. “It’s my job, and I know it’s the mayor’s, to make sure that the people in Mississauga get the best services.”
Crombie hasn’t publicly stated if she is considering a run for the leader of the provincial Liberals and didn’t address the topic at today’s press conference. But she was happy about Ford’s support for independence.
“I’m delighted that the Premier has publicly stated that he’s on the way to separating Peel, it gives me great, great pleasure,” Crombie said. “I know he’s fulfilling a promise to former Mayor Hazel McCallion and myself.”
Crombie, who has long advocated for an independent Mississauga, said it would save Mississauga taxpayers money.
“This makes great sense that we go our separate ways,” she said. “It’s more cost-effective, allows us both to build great cities…and allows my taxpayers to invest their tax dollars back into our city rather than to support the growth of the other municipalities and continue to support their growth as they have for the past 50 years.”
This statement seems to be a jab at Brampton and Caledon.
Last week, Mayor Patrick Brown warned Brampton residents would be livid if Mississauga took more than its share during a split.
“And if the Mayor of Mississauga thinks she can leave and not pay her bill, the citizens of Brampton would be outraged,” Brown said.
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