Mississauga held a mayoral by‑election in June 2024 after former mayor Bonnie Crombie stepped down, and city councillor Carolyn Parrish emerged as the winner, becoming the new mayor of Canada’s seventh‑largest city.
At the victory ceremony, Crombie publicly congratulated Parrish, expressing pride and enthusiasm for the election result.
Crombie had won the 2022 municipal election with 78.47% of the vote before leaving the mayor’s office in January 2024 to lead the Ontario Liberal Party. After resigning from that role, she announced on July 11 her intention to seek the mayoralty again.
Parrish responded on social media, questioning Crombie’s claim that the city needed stable leadership and suggesting that Crombie had no aspirations beyond municipal office.
During a campaign speech, Crombie criticized the current administration for lacking direction, and later accused Parrish of resigning from the Peel Police Services Board in November 2024, calling the move “a huff” and labeling it poor leadership.
Former councilor Dipika Damerla, who placed third in the by‑election, used a sports‑themed video to highlight infrastructure problems such as broken traffic lights, potholes and illegal dumping, urging a “red card” for the city’s recent performance.
Alvin Tedjo, the runner‑up, argued that Mississauga has been led by the same political figures since the late 1970s, noting rising property taxes and housing‑affordability challenges, and called for new leadership and fresh ideas.
Tedjo emphasized that the election should focus on future solutions rather than past figures, pledging to stay in the race because of his commitment to the city and belief in better days ahead.
