Mississauga vows to continue the fight to leave behind Brampton and Caledon in Peel Region

Mississauga’s desire to break away from Brampton and Caledon and leave Peel Region behind is still very much on the table.

Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie says even though 2020 has been spent battling COVID-19, that City still wants to go it alone.

The idea to separate from Peel is a long-standing one for Mississauga, with the plan originating during Hazel McCallion’s tenure as the mayor.

Mississauga believes operating as a single-tiered municipality would give it financial benefits and greater awards. Essentially, Mississauga politicians believe they pay more into Peel than the services received.

Historically, Brampton and Caledon have argued to keep Regional government intact believing that a separation would be a financial disaster as well as to cause major disruptions to joint services.

Ultimately, the decision to allow Mississauga to leave rests in the hands of the Provincial government which as recently as last year decided to keep the current system in place.

“I have talked to the Premier (Doug Ford) about it and he is supportive of the concept,” Mayor Crombie told insauga.com. “But it is hard to implement ever, and certainly not right now.”

But Crombie insisted the issue isn’t going away and that Mississauga will “absolutely” be pushing for independence once government focus turns from that of the coronavirus.

The mayor said she has had continuing discussions with Ford, adding that former mayor McCallion has also raised the issue with the Premier.