Bill that gives Mississauga its independence from Peel Region passes

The dissolution of Region of Peel government–and resulting political independence Mississauga has been seeking for decades–was made almost official this afternoon (June 6) with the passing of the Hazel McCallion Act by the provincial government at Queen’s Park in Toronto.

The act, which was introduced on May 18, was fast-tracked through the Ontario Legislature and passed third reading on Tuesday. It now must receive Royal Assent in order to make it law, which is expected to happen later this week.

Being put on the government’s fast track meant the Hazel McCallion Act, also known as Bill 112, avoided a public consultation phase that could have delayed a third reading vote until sometime in the fall.

Moving forward, the provincial government will set up a transition board of as many as five members that will oversee the changes to come in Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon–Peel’s three member municipalities that will go their separate ways as of Jan. 1, 2025.

The board will help officials in the three municipalities deal with matters including governance, finance and shared core services as things progress with the political divorce.

While the provincial government has not yet provided a timeline for formation of the transition board, Mississauga councillors are urging Queen’s Park to get things moving on that front as soon as possible.

Mississauga City council adopted a motion last week to give the provincial government an official “push” to get things moving quickly with formation of the transition board.

Moving forward “with all urgency” is critical, Mississauga councillors say, largely to let the 5,063 full-time Region of Peel employees whose jobs are up in the air know sooner rather than later what the future holds for them.

That group of Peel employees does not include Peel Regional Police.

Ward 5 Councillor Carolyn Parrish, who introduced the motion, said in it that “the unknown is incredibly stressful for current staff employed by the  Region of Peel as well as their families.”

So, she urged, the mandated transition board should be set up by the province as soon as possible and it should then “make obvious decisions quickly” to ease concerns for Region of Peel staffers.

The resolution also pushes for the transition board to make it a priority to help Region of Peel employees with future employment, potentially in roles that will become necessary as Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon sever ties and proceed as independent municipalities.