Perspective: November 2026
By Jane Moore
Mississauga - Do We Care?
Be sure to Vote October 26
As the old saw says, “all politics are local”. Mississauga and cities across Ontario will hold municipal elections October 26.
Municipal elections matter because local governments make many decisions that directly affect our everyday life, often more immediately and directly than federal or provincial governments. Municipal politics has also been a successful arena for women as well. Think Hazel!
We like to bemoan our property taxes, development/redevelopment or services that are not meeting our expectations. Let’s look at what our city does for us.
Housing and Development: zoning, new housing, neighbourhood planning and redevelopment;
Public Services: garbage, water, parks, libraries, recreation centres, emergency services, traffic lights and transit;
Local Accountability: local community groups and ratepayers have the ability to influence their local government at a grass roots level. City Councillors often host meetings related to issues in their ward.
Many of us have been involved in our city through community and ratepayer groups. It was an activist group that worked with the city and other community groups to save and create Mississauga’s jewel, the Rattray Marsh. Some of our members have been instrumental in creating the Museums of Mississauga. Our members support many community organizations as well.
Through activism and our votes, Mississauga has benefited. We are now asked to vote for the next council. Municipal elections have different voting patterns and lower turnouts. In the last municipal election in 2022, voter turnout was 21.84%, while the mayoral by-election in 2024 was slightly higher at 25.7%. That means each individual vote can represent a relatively larger share of the participating electorate. That also means that a relatively small portion of the population determines how our city is run.
This election is not just for Mayor but City Councillors and School Trustees, and it’s important. New proposals for revamping our downtown core, how services will be downloaded or shared within the Region of Peel, densification, homelessness, public and traffic safety are just some of the critical issues facing the next City Council.
Look at the candidates, what they propose, what is their background /record and how does that fit with your ideas for Mississauga. What issues matter to you most. Encourage your family members, neighbours and friends to get out and…VOTE!!