Calls for Mississauga police force
Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish distributed a letter in the mail at the end of May to homes across the city in an attempt to explain the current financial situation of City Hall.
“I fully recognize the frustration caused by the 6.3 per cent commercial tax increase, especially during an affordability crisis and uncertainties,” Mayor Parrish writes. “Right now, Mississauga taxpayers are footing the bill for services in Brampton and Caledon.”
In the widely distributed letter, the Mayor calculates that Mississauga tax dollars contribute $30 million for regional road services throughout Peel Region and $90 million goes to Brampton for policing.
A contentious matter in this year’s budget debates was the increase in the police budget. The eventual increase was for 23%, however Mayor Parrish had pushed for a lower increase of only 14%.
“While this motion was supported by most Mississauga councillors, it was outvoted by Brampton and Caledon. Mississauga taxpayers contribute 62 per cent of the Peel Police budget, despite a smaller population than Brampton, who pays 38 per cent.”
Mayor Parrish writes that “taxpayers can’t continue bearing this disproportionate burden” and that she advocates for a “fairer system”.
While she doesn’t say in the letter what a fairer system would be, the Mayor did respond to a question from one social media user about her thoughts for next steps.
Hafeez Hussain, on X, asked the Mayor: “Can Mississauga be like Guelph or Brantford and have its own force and fund it itself, if Brampton is not paying their fair share?”
Mayor Parrish, who regularly engages with constituents on X, responds: “Good question. Working on it.”
The division of regional services is something Mississauga Council and Mayor Parrish have been lobbying for — which includes breaking away from Peel Region police and creating a separate police service for the City of Mississauga.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Should a Mississauga police force be created in place of Peel Region police? Do you think this would save you tax dollars and make your city safer? Let us know and we will share your thoughts in an upcoming edition: info@mpulse.ca
