Mississauga’s 2025 Budget: Balancing Growth, Affordability, and Safety Amid Rising Costs

Despite mounting financial pressures, the City of Mississauga has approved its 2025 Budget, prioritizing investments in public transit, community safety, affordable housing, and infrastructure while grappling with a significant increase in the Peel Police budget and a funding shortfall from higher levels of government.

“As your Mayor, I am committed to delivering a budget that balances the needs of our residents while managing taxpayer dollars responsibly,” said Mayor Carolyn Parrish. “Despite financial pressures, I’m proud of the investments we’re making—from free transit for seniors and children to expanded snow clearing and affordable housing initiatives.”

Mississauga’s 2025 Budget underscores the city’s commitment to long-term growth, sustainability, and fiscal responsibility. However, ongoing funding challenges remain a pressing issue, and city officials are actively working to secure a fairer share of regional and provincial resources to support Mississauga’s future.

Mississauga is making major strides in public transit accessibility, allocating funds to expand MiWay services by 120,000 hours to meet the city’s growing demand. In a move that will save families and seniors hundreds of dollars annually, free transit fares will be introduced for seniors (65+) and children (6-12) starting July 1, 2025.

Public safety remains a top priority, with the city boosting its by-law enforcement team and launching new proactive apartment rental inspections. Additionally, the long-awaited Fire Station 124 will open its doors, accompanied by an increase in Communications Operators, Vehicle Technicians, and Training Officers, ensuring faster response times and improved emergency services.

Winter services are also receiving a much-needed upgrade. The city is expanding its snow-clearing program for the 2025-26 winter season, introducing secondary sidewalk and bike lane clearing for safer pedestrian and cyclist access. In a move particularly beneficial for seniors and those with mobility challenges, the budget also includes windrow clearing, reducing the risk of injuries from snow buildup at driveway ends.

Investments in public spaces and recreational facilities aim to enhance the quality of life for Mississauga residents. Key projects include:

• Huron Park Recreation Centre Renewal – Modernizing this vital community hub.

• Glenforest Youth Hub Construction – A dedicated space for youth engagement and programming.

• Cooksville Parkland and Nine Creeks Trail Development – Expanding outdoor spaces for recreation and environmental sustainability.

The city is also reinforcing its infrastructure, with projects such as the design and construction of a net-zero Fire Station 123 and renovations for Fire Stations 110 & 107, reflecting Mississauga’s commitment to modernizing essential services.

Addressing the ongoing housing crisis, Mississauga is investing $44 million from the Housing Accelerator Fund into its Community Improvement Plan, a strategy designed to increase affordable and below-market rental housing. This initiative aims to support multi-unit residential developments and encourage the construction of rental units in lower-density areas.

Additionally, homeowners affected by severe weather events can benefit from financial relief programs. The Basement Flooding Prevention Rebate Program offers rebates of up to $6,800 for eligible homeowners, while the Residential Compassionate Flood Relief Grant Program provides a one-time $1,000 payment to those impacted by extreme weather in 2024.

With 57% of Mississauga’s revenue coming from property taxes, residents will see a 3.3% tax increase for residential properties and a 2.2% increase for commercial/industrial properties in 2025. However, a major concern for city officials is the 9.2% overall tax hike, largely driven by a staggering 23% increase in the Peel Police budget—a cost that will add more than $400 to the average homeowner’s bill.

Mayor Carolyn Parrish has been vocal in opposing the police budget hike, calling for a more balanced approach. “I voted against this year’s police budget at Regional Council and instead proposed a responsible 14% increase, which would have added 150 new officers without putting an excessive strain on taxpayers,” she stated.

Mississauga currently contributes 62% of the Peel Police budget, despite Brampton having a larger population. Parrish has pledged to work with the provincial government to address funding inequities, ensuring Mississauga receives a fair share of regional funding.

Mississauga is facing a $90 million infrastructure deficit, highlighting the challenge of maintaining roads, transit, and public facilities with limited resources. The city owns two-thirds of Canada’s infrastructure but receives only 10 cents of every tax dollar collected, putting immense financial strain on municipal operations.

“Mississauga receives $575 less per person in provincial funding compared to other Ontario municipalities,” Parrish noted. “This gap affects everything from infrastructure improvements to public services, and we need more reliable, predictable funding from higher levels of government.”

Geoff Wright, City Manager and Chief Administrative Officer, emphasized the importance of the city’s long-term financial planning. “Our goal is to provide high-quality public services while being mindful of budget constraints. Mississauga is growing rapidly, and we must ensure our infrastructure, public safety, and transit systems keep pace with demand.”

For more details on the City’s 2025–2028 Business Plan & Budget, visit mississauga.ca/budget.