Ontario Premier Doug Ford criticized Bonnie Crombie, leader of the Ontario Liberal Party and former mayor of Mississauga, for what he called “poor leadership” during her time in office. Ford made the comments during a press conference in Brampton alongside Mayor Patrick Brown, where he was discussing the province’s housing challenges.
Ford pointed out Mississauga’s population decline under Crombie’s leadership, saying, “Mississauga actually shrunk… during a population boom,” and he criticized her for raising taxes to record levels. “It was poor leadership,” Ford added, contrasting Crombie’s tenure with the work being done by current Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish and Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown, whom he praised for their proactive approach to development.
Crombie quickly responded to Ford’s remarks, asserting that the premier “doesn’t know what he’s talking about.” She highlighted her record as mayor, noting her administration’s efforts to build new neighborhoods, expand transit, and keep taxes low, despite Ford’s cuts to healthcare and other services. Crombie accused Ford of prioritizing his “rich insiders” over the needs of everyday Ontarians.
Mississauga’s population did experience a slight decline from 721,599 in 2016 to 717,961 in 2021, according to Statistics Canada, though it had previously increased from 713,443 in 2011.
Crombie was elected mayor in 2014 and stepped down earlier this year to lead the Ontario Liberal Party.