NEWS / THE 2026 ELECTION
Crombie leads. Tedjo is climbing. Time for a closer look.
New Mainstreet polling puts Bonnie Crombie in front and Alvin Tedjo in second, ahead of the sitting mayor. With one week to go, the candidate gaining ground deserves a careful look at what he is promising and what he has done.
Mainstreet Research for Y Media, October 17–18, 2026. Graphic: Mississauga Accountability and Transparency Coalition.
Crombie in front, with a tight race behind her.
Mainstreet Research’s October 19 release, based on a survey for Y Media, puts Crombie first at 33.6%, with Tedjo a close second at 28.4%, incumbent Mayor Carolyn Parrish third at 26.2% and Dipika Damerla at 4.5%. These figures are among decided voters. Mainstreet Research
Crombie’s lead is about five points, which Mainstreet calls narrow. Tedjo and Parrish are separated by just over two points, within the margin of error. Mainstreet’s president says Crombie’s stronger support among older voters should give her the advantage on election day, while still calling the race too close to call. Mainstreet Research
Many voters are still deciding. Among all respondents, 18.5% were undecided; after undecided voters were asked which way they were leaning, 13.1% still had no preference. Many others are already locked in: 20.9% said they had already voted, and 70.3% said they were certain to vote. Public polling report
The survey was conducted by interactive voice response on October 17 and 18 among 942 Mississauga adults, with a margin of error of ±3.2%, 19 times out of 20. Public polling report
Momentum invites scrutiny.
A candidate who moves past a sitting mayor in the final week should expect harder questions. Three deserve answers from Tedjo before October 26.
Taxes. In April, Tedjo brought a property tax holiday motion to Council. It failed on a 6–6 vote, and Mayor Parrish called it a “pre-election gimmick.” What would a tax holiday cost? Which reserves or services would cover it? Would he bring it back as mayor? CP24
Policing. The Peel Regional Police Association endorsed Tedjo in September, citing his plan to tackle auto theft and violent crime, modernize enforcement tools and secure Mississauga’s fair share of policing resources. What is the price tag? Which parts depend on the Peel Police Services Board, Peel Region or the province rather than City Council? CP24
Record. In 2019, as an Ontario Liberal leadership candidate, Tedjo proposed merging the province’s public and Catholic systems into secular English and French boards. School boards are not a municipal responsibility. Voters weighing his record may still fairly ask where he stands today. Peterborough Examiner
Start with the issues that affect your life.
Affordability is the top issue at 37.1%, followed by crime and safety at 14.2% and city services for seniors at 13.6%. Only 5.8% said their top issue had improved over the past two years, while 46.2% said it had worsened. Public polling report
These concerns deserve specific answers. How would a tax proposal affect your household? What would a public-safety commitment cost? Which services would change, and when?
A useful platform explains what a candidate intends to do, how it would be funded and which decisions depend on Council or another government.
Put the promises beside the record.
Candidates’ histories matter alongside their current platforms. Previous votes, decisions in office, public statements and earlier commitments help residents assess judgment and follow-through.
Has the candidate supported this position before? What have they delivered? If their position has changed, have they explained why?
That standard applies to every candidate, including the front-runner. Crombie’s decade as mayor, from succeeding Hazel McCallion in 2014 until leaving in January 2024 to lead the Ontario Liberals, is part of the public record too. Check the original statement, the date and the context. insauga
This is why we’re here.
The Mississauga Accountability and Transparency Coalition connects residents’ questions with research and the public record.
At OurMississauga.ca, residents can explore candidate priorities, read articles on local election issues and follow links to original sources. The aim is to make it easier to understand what is being promised, what has already been decided and what still needs an answer.
Before casting your ballot, take a closer look. Compare the positions. Examine the records. Bring forward a question or a source that deserves attention.