Mississauga mayoral debate: 3 candidates battle over bike lanes
Dipika Damerla, Stephen Dasko and Alvin Tedjo took the debate stage
Three Mississauga mayoral candidates sparred over bike lanes but were united in their hope for the city's future at a Thursday night debate run by CBC News.
David Common hosted the debate, which featured Dipika Damerla, Stephen Dasko and Alvin Tedjo — all three of whom are current city councillors looking to take over the city's top job after the departure of Bonnie Crombie — now leader of the Ontario Liberals.
- You can watch the full debate at the bottom of this story, and please feel free to share it with anyone who missed the event.
There are 20 candidates running to become Mississauga's next mayor on June 10. You can find out who they are and what they're pitching here.
In her closing remarks, Damerla argued it's a close election between her and Carolyn Parrish — an experienced politician who stepped down as Ward 5 councillor to run for mayor in mid-March, and who is not taking part in debates during the campaign — and that she's the real alternative to those who don't want Parrish to win.
"I believe that the greatest cities are those where everyday people have the faith that if they work hard, they can build a better life for themselves and their kids," Damerla told the audience at the Living Arts Centre.
Alvin Tedjo shot back at Damerla's argument, saying: "People do have a real choice in this election."
Tedjo has launched a robust platform that features a two-year property tax freeze. He said Mississauga needs to believe in itself and not live in Toronto's shadow. "We can have nice things and we should get them," he said in his closing remarks.
You can compare the platforms of four of the top candidates using this tool from CBC News:
Stephen Dasko pitched himself as the visionary leader who can set Mississauga on the right course for the next 50 years. "We have greatness in us," he told voters.
He was also involved in one of the sharpest exchanges of the evening after criticizing Damerla's plan to cancel the city's planned redesign of Bloor Street, which would see a car lane removed and bike lanes installed.
"I don't think she has a friend on council right now," Dasko said of Damerla.
Damerla shot back that she was showing leadership and that even though council approved the plan, as mayor she would have the "guts" to scrap it.
Dasko, for his part, has said he would review the plans.
WATCH | How the candidates plan to handle Mississauga's housing crisis:
Candidates promise to hold down or freeze property tax
The debate opened with a talk about taxes because while politicians can and do promise all sorts of things, what matters most, especially at the municipal level, is how they'll pay for them.
Dasko said he plans to hold property tax increases below the rate of inflation, but that the city wouldn't sacrifice services to do that.
Alvin Tedjo promised a property tax freeze for the next two years, saying it's "exactly" what Mississauga needs to do right now as people struggle with affordability issues. He's said he'd do that by using some of the city's reserve funds and implementing a vacant home tax.
Damerla, however, said it's "responsible" not to freeze taxes but hold them at the rate of inflation. She's said she's a "hard no" on new taxes, and claimed Parrish (who declined to join tonight's debate) is planning to implement a land transfer tax.
That's not in Parrish's platform. CBC News will be following up to seek clarity on Damerla's claim.
Parrish told CBC News she was unavailable for the debate, and was set to attend a meet and greet in the community at the same time.
WATCH: The candidates were also asked how they would handle polarization in the community, especially with what's happening in the Middle East. Here's how they responded:
Should Mississauga leave Peel Region?
While "Mexit," or, Mississauga leaving Peel Region to become a standalone municipality, was eventually blocked by Premier Doug Ford's government, it was still on the minds of the candidates.
Dasko said the city could have gone out on its own, but the timeline did present concerns. He said he's pleased with the increased planning power the city is getting as a result of the strife.
Tedjo said he still thinks Mississauga should separate. "I think it's unfortunate that the premier reversed his decision," he said.
Damerla said the province's move has left the city feeling like it's in a "partial divorce" from Peel.
"Absolutely, we should be able to stand on our own two feet," she said.
On a lighter note
It wasn't all taxes and policy at the debate, because we know lots of voters like to get to know candidates as people.
Common led a round of "What's your favourite Mississauga..."
Apparently, all the candidates agree their favourite Mississauga mall is Square One.
Damerla said Snug Harbour (the site of her and her husband's first date) is her favourite local restaurant, Dasko couldn't pick a favourite but apparently keeps a top five, and Tedjo recommended Capra's Kitchen.
Other must-know facts
- There are 20 candidates running for the mayoral job, and while we won't feature them all in the debate, you can read about their campaign promises here.
- There's a second weekend of advance voting taking place this weekend. You can find out more about that on the City of Mississauga's election site.
- Election day itself is June 10, and yes, we'll have special coverage that night as well.
You can watch the full debate in the player below
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