Former Mississauga Mayor and former Ontario Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie has officially announced her return to municipal politics, setting the stage for one of the most closely watched mayoral contests in Ontario. Crombie will register as a candidate on Tuesday for Mississauga’s municipal election scheduled for October 26, aiming to reclaim the office she left in early 2024.
The announcement marks a significant political comeback for the 66-year-old leader, who resigned as mayor after serving nearly a decade to pursue provincial politics as Leader of the Ontario Liberal Party. Less than three years later, she is seeking to return to City Hall in a race expected to attract province-wide attention.
In a message to supporters, Crombie invited residents to attend her official nomination filing.
“Please join me as I officially register as a candidate. I’d love to have you there as we mark this exciting moment together,” she said.
Her candidacy immediately transforms the mayoral election into a high-profile contest. Crombie will challenge incumbent Mayor Carolyn Parrish, who won the 2024 by-election following Crombie’s resignation, along with Mississauga City Councillors Alvin Tedjo and Dipika Damerla, both of whom have also entered the race. While several other candidates have registered, political observers expect the campaign to focus primarily on these four experienced contenders.
Crombie first became Mayor of Mississauga in 2014 after succeeding the legendary Hazel McCallion, who led the city for 36 years. During her tenure, Crombie won three consecutive mayoral elections, including a decisive victory in 2022, and became one of Mississauga’s most recognizable political figures.
Before entering municipal politics, Crombie built a successful corporate career. She later served as Mississauga City Councillor and was elected as the Liberal Member of Parliament for Mississauga–Streetsville from 2008 to 2011 before returning to municipal government.
Her decision to leave City Hall midway through her third term remains one of the defining moments of her political career. After winning the Ontario Liberal leadership in late 2023, she resigned as mayor to rebuild the provincial Liberal Party.
Although Crombie succeeded in restoring the Ontario Liberals to official party status in the 2025 provincial election, the party fell well short of forming government. She also suffered a personal setback by losing her own bid for the Mississauga–Cooksville seat to Progressive Conservative candidate Silvia Gualtieri, leaving her without a seat in the Ontario Legislature. Earlier this year, following only modest support in a leadership review, Crombie stepped down as party leader.
Her return to municipal politics has already sparked debate about leadership and commitment. Responding to reports of Crombie’s candidacy, Mayor Carolyn Parrish took to social media, emphasizing the importance of stability at City Hall.
“I agree. Mississauga needs stable leadership. I believe we have that now—no aspirations to other levels of government. Total dedication to our city,” Parrish wrote.
Parrish also shared a video from the 2024 by-election night, when Crombie congratulated her victory and described Parrish as a “formidable mayor.”
The exchange signals what is expected to become one of the campaign’s central issues. Parrish is likely to argue that she offers continuity and stability after Crombie left office, while Crombie will seek to convince voters that her experience and leadership make her the best choice to guide Canada’s seventh-largest city into the future.
The election is also expected to draw significant provincial attention. Premier Doug Ford has previously indicated his support for Parrish and has publicly stated that he would “send an army” to help defeat Crombie should she run for mayor. As a result, provincial political dynamics may play an unusually prominent role in what is traditionally a municipal election.
Crombie has not yet unveiled her campaign platform, indicating that more details will be released after her official nomination.
With incumbent Mayor Carolyn Parrish seeking re-election, experienced councillors Alvin Tedjo and Dipika Damerla offering alternative visions, and Bonnie Crombie attempting a remarkable political comeback, Mississauga voters are preparing for what promises to be one of the most competitive and closely watched municipal elections in the city’s history.