A message from the Mayor
MISSISSAUGA MATTERS: A CALL FOR PROVINCIAL ACTION
February 3, 2025
Mississauga is not just one of Ontario’s most dynamic and fastest-growing cities; it is a cornerstone of our province’s economy, contributing more than $60 billion annually to Ontario’s GDP. We are a city built on innovation, hard work, and a shared belief in opportunity for all our residents.
But for too many families and young people, the dream of building a secure and prosperous future is slipping out of reach. Our residents deserve a city where housing is affordable, and essential services continue to be reliable. We must deliver for them, and we are doing our part as a city. Our City Council, unanimously passed motions last month informed by my Mayor’s Housing Task Force, implementing some of the most transformative reforms to city fees, charges, and processes to accelerate housing development and create lasting affordability.
Yet, as costs rise and critical needs grow, Mississauga is being asked to do more with less. This is a burden we cannot shoulder alone; now more than ever our city requires the province’s support. When Mississauga thrives, Ontario thrives.
For over 20 years, we have maintained a AAA credit rating, a testament to our strong financial management and commitment to being a well-run and inclusive city for families, young people, seniors, and businesses. However, rising costs and critical needs are putting significant strain on local governments like ours, and growing demands are becoming unsustainable. Mississauga is ready to continue leading, but we need the province to stand with us.
The time to invest in our residents, our infrastructure, and our shared future is now. Together, we can ensure that our city and our province remain a place where opportunity is not just a promise but a reality for everyone.
WHY MISSISSAUGA MATTERS
As a significant contributor to Ontario’s economy, the success of Mississauga directly fuels the success of Ontario. But the critical issues we face today—housing affordability, transit investment, and social infrastructure gaps—are simply too great to be resolved without provincial support.
For example, Trillium Health Partners has requested $450 million in local contributions for the new Mississauga Hospital. While this is a critical investment in our community’s health, healthcare funding should not fall to property taxpayers. Property tax was never meant to carry the burden of healthcare infrastructure, and we simply do not have the revenues for it to do so.
Similarly, skyrocketing police budgets and a reinstated cap on GTAA PILT (Payments in Lieu of Taxes) are driving property tax increases for Mississauga residents.
For years, Mississauga has shouldered a disproportionate share of the Peel Police budget, currently split at 62% for Mississauga and 38% for Brampton, despite the cities having comparable policing and service needs. Now that Brampton’s population has surpassed Mississauga’s, it is neither fair nor sustainable for Mississauga residents to continue carrying the burden of increasing police budgets through their property taxes. We call for a reallocation of the budget that reflects these shifting demographics and ensures a fairer distribution of policing resources.
On top of this, the operating costs for the Hazel McCallion LRT will exceed $65 million annually, further adding to our financial pressures in the near future. Finally, Peel Region also faces a $868 million annual funding gap, compared to other regions, resulting in underfunding of $575 per person.
As a city, we will continue to do our part with strategic investments in transit, infrastructure, and services. However, Canadians currently find themselves in an affordability crisis, unfortunately Mississauga is not an exception. We must ensure that we are not burdening our residents and businesses with escalating tax increases and fees that they cannot afford.
KEEPING MISSISSAUGA AFFORDABLE
Mississauga needs a new deal from the province—one similar to those established for Toronto and Ottawa—that ensures our city receives its fair share of funding. We cannot continue to be treated as a secondary priority when Mississauga’s economy, infrastructure, and population play a central role in Ontario’s prosperity.
As we approach the provincial election, we urge all parties and candidates to recognize that Mississauga Matters. The decisions made in Queen’s Park have a profound impact on our ability to deliver affordable housing, reliable transit, and critical services. We need strong provincial leadership to ensure Mississauga continues to thrive.
Mississauga’s success is Ontario’s success. Let’s work together to ensure a brighter future for our residents.
Sincerely,
Carolyn Parrish, Mayor of Mississauga