Mississauga Councillors Push Back Against Brampton Mayor’s Misinformation on Peel’s Dissolution

Mississauga City councillors have pledged to intensify their efforts in countering what they perceive as misinformation spread by Brampton’s mayor regarding the dissolution of the Region of Peel and the separation of its three member municipalities. They argue that Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown’s repeated claims that Mississauga owes his city a significant amount of money in a separation deal are false.

According to Brown and the City of Brampton, Brampton deserves compensation from Mississauga for supporting its growth over the decades. However, frustrated Mississauga councillors and Mayor Bonnie Crombie assert that Brown’s assertions are baseless and that Mississauga funded its own development.

Ward 5 Councillor Carolyn Parrish expressed her frustration, stating that Brown wasn’t even born when Mississauga was building its infrastructure, and the city accomplished it through its own development charges. Parrish, supported by fellow councillors and Mayor Crombie, is calling on City staff to provide accurate information directly to Mississauga residents, dispelling the claims made by Brown and Brampton, which are based on a flawed 2019 financial report commissioned by the Region of Peel. They argue that a subsequent report, prepared for Mississauga, demonstrates that the Peel split will save Mississauga taxpayers $1 billion over a decade and is a more credible document.

Parrish emphasizes the need to communicate a clear position to Mississauga taxpayers, regardless of Brampton’s stance. She asserts that Mississauga built the city using its own funds and development charges, receiving minimal assistance from Brampton. The objective is to ensure that residents do not feel burdened by a debt they don’t owe.

Mayor Crombie supports Parrish’s comments, criticizing the 2019 report commissioned by Deloitte for the Region of Peel, which she deems unfair, biased, and inadequately conducted. Crombie highlights the Ernst and Young report as the only fair assessment of the situation.

Brown has been particularly vocal since the introduction of Bill 112, also known as the Hazel McCallion Act, which calls for the dissolution of Peel. The bill quickly passed through the Ontario Legislature, receiving Royal Assent, and paving the way for the Peel split by January 1, 2025.