Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish is voicing strong concerns over Ontario’s proposed Peel Transition Implementation Act (Bill 240), which she claims unfairly places a disproportionate financial burden on her city while failing to improve its fiscal standing.
In a letter sent to Ontario Municipal Affairs Minister Paul Calandra before Christmas, Parrish detailed how the proposed legislation would weaken Mississauga’s ability to meet key priorities, such as affordable housing development.
“This plan unfairly keeps our city on the hook as the financial cash cow for Brampton and Caledon — as we have been for 50 years,” Parrish wrote.
The mayor highlighted specific financial concerns, including:
- Peel Regional Police Budget: Mississauga taxpayers contribute 62% of the police budget, despite Brampton having a comparable population. For 2025, the budget is projected to rise by $144 million, or 23.3%.
- Affordable Housing: Parrish argued that financial constraints hinder Mississauga’s ability to provide incentives for new housing projects, impeding its progress on provincial housing targets.
- Infrastructure Costs: The downloading of regional responsibilities for roads and stormwater infrastructure adds another burden to the city’s budget.
Minister Calandra, in a January 14 letter, acknowledged Parrish’s concerns, assuring her that a provincial land and development facilitator would help manage service transfers, assets, and liabilities. However, the letter lacked specific details, prompting Parrish to call for amendments to the legislation.
The financial strain on Mississauga comes as the city grapples with ambitious housing targets. Ontario’s More Homes Built Faster Act sets a goal of 113,000 new homes for Brampton, Mississauga, and Caledon over the next decade.
Parrish stressed the importance of financial strength to support housing development:
“We have consulted with top developers to streamline planning approvals, expand our Official Plan by 110,000 units, and create incentives to address a severe housing shortage. To do this, we need to be strong financially.”
If passed, Bill 240 would transfer several regional services to Mississauga by July 1, 2026, including:
- Solid waste collection, including the Battleford and Fewster Community Recycling Centres.
- Regional roads and stormwater infrastructure, affecting major arteries such as Airport Road, Derry Road, and Winston Churchill Boulevard.
The proposed legislation marks a shift from the full political split of Peel Region that Premier Doug Ford promised in 2023. Mississauga officials believed independence was imminent, but the revised plan, announced in December 2023, offers partial jurisdiction over services instead of a complete separation.
The Peel Transition Implementation Act will be debated when the Ontario Legislature reconvenes in March. Meanwhile, Parrish has offered to meet with Minister Calandra to discuss amendments, emphasizing the need for fairness and financial balance in the proposed deal.