Former Ontario Liberal leader Bonnie Crombie reacts to hearing supporters chant her name after she registered to run for mayor in Mississauga, on Tuesday.Keito Newman/The Globe and Mail
Bonnie Crombie says she’s dedicated to representing Mississauga again as mayor after she quit the job more than two years ago to take over the helm of the Ontario Liberal Party, as her main rival in the municipal race accused her of opportunism.
Ms. Crombie formally registered on Tuesday to run for mayor of the suburban city west of Toronto, a post she previously held from 2014 to 2024.
Her re-entry into municipal politics has shaken the race to lead Ontario’s third-largest city, a crucial electoral battleground that is represented by the Progressive Conservatives at the provincial level and the Liberals at the federal level.
Affordability, crime and government spending are expected to take centre stage in the contest. Voters head to the polls on Oct. 26.
Ms. Crombie, 66, is returning to municipal politics after she resigned as mayor in early 2024 upon winning the Ontario Liberal leadership race.
Ms. Crombie greets supporters at the elections office. The former Ontario Liberal leader is facing accusations from critics that she is returning to Mississauga because her other plans did not work out.Keito Newman/The Globe and Mail
But her quest to lead the province was foiled after a disappointing result in the 2025 Ontario election, which saw Premier Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservatives elected to a third majority government. While the Ontario Liberals regained party status by winning 14 seats, Ms. Crombie failed in her own bid to win a riding in Mississauga. After a lukewarm leadership review among her own party members, she formally resigned as leader earlier this year.
Standing outside of Mississauga’s municipal elections office in the sweltering heat on Tuesday, Ms. Crombie acknowledged that her provincial political career did not go as planned.
“Yes, I left to fight for Mississauga at Queen’s Park. And I lost. But what I learned is that everything I care about is right here,” said Ms. Crombie, surrounded by her family and a small group of supporters who chanted her name.
“So, today I’m asking for this job to be mayor of Mississauga, and I’m staying, and I will see it through.”
The focus of her budding campaign, she said, is strong fiscal management, as well as transit and crime. Ms. Crombie is pitching herself as a trusted leader with the vision and energy to make life more affordable for the city’s more than 750,000 residents.
“I have the experience to do so, and I want to earn back their trust,” she said.
Bonnie Crombie resigns as Ontario Liberal Leader
She accused the current mayor, Carolyn Parrish, of spending irresponsibly and being “nowhere to be seen” over the past two-and-a-half years, including at events, big city mayors’ meetings and trade missions.
In an interview, Ms. Parrish, a former Liberal MP and longtime city councillor who was elected as mayor in a June, 2024, byelection, accused Ms. Crombie of returning to municipal politics only as a last resort.
“Obviously, she’s been pushing her resume around town. She didn’t get any bites, I guess,” Ms. Parrish said.
“I think she tried hard to find some appointment, didn’t come through, so this is her fallback position.”
Ms. Parrish, who described her relationship with Ms. Crombie as “testy,” defended her record. She said she is particularly proud of a new youth hub, as well as building more homes and increasing benefits for seniors. Her next plan, she said, is to rebuild the city’s performing arts centre and revitalize the downtown core.
She acknowledged taxes have increased, but said that is due to an unfair regional spending formula that sees Mississauga subsidize services such as policing for neighbouring Brampton. She said she’s working with the Ford government to download costs, and that tens of millions will be returned to the city’s coffers in the coming years.
Ms. Parrish said she still has plans for the city and is prepared to take on Ms. Crombie.
“I don’t plan to retire, so she’s going to get a fight,” Ms. Parrish said.
Ms. Crombie was mayor of Mississauga from 2014 to 2024.Keito Newman/The Globe and Mail
In an interview with The Globe and Mail, Ms. Crombie brushed off accusations that she is returning to Mississauga because her other plans did not work out.
“I had plenty of offers from the private sector and elsewhere,” she said. “I wanted to come back to make a difference for the people of Mississauga.”
What’s more, Ms. Crombie, who was previously at odds with Mr. Ford, says she’s willing to work with anyone for the betterment of the city. She said the Premier collaborates with others at the municipal level, including Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow; Steven Del Duca, the former Ontario Liberal leader who is now the Vaughan Mayor; and former Ontario NDP leader Andrea Horwath, who is now the Hamilton Mayor.
In March, the Ontario Premier told reporters that Ms. Crombie was an “absolute disaster” as mayor and he would “send an army” to help Ms. Parrish defeat the former Ontario Liberal leader if Ms. Crombie were to enter the race.
Mr. Ford’s office said Tuesday he will be staying out of the contest.
“As the Premier has said before, he will work with anyone, no matter their political stripe,” said Hannah Jensen, a spokeswoman for the Premier’s Office.
Alvin Tedjo, a Mississauga councillor who is also running for mayor, said in an interview the city needs fresh leadership and a change from both Ms. Crombie and Ms. Parrish.
“Residents deserve someone who’s focused on the city and not their own careers,” he said.
Another mayoral candidate, councillor Dipika Damerla, said: “Residents are looking for a mayor that puts Mississauga first. That’s what I’m focused on.”
