'An independent Mississauga:' Doug Ford teases possible changes to Peel Region
Premier Doug Ford is throwing his support behind an “independent Mississauga” amid an ongoing provincial review of Peel Region’s governance.
Ford made the comment during a press conference in the city on Monday morning, where he announced a $700,000 investment in firefighter training programs.
“I've always been for an independent Mississauga. You can't have a city the size of Mississauga, close to 800,000 people and it's continuing to grow, being tied into other jurisdictions,” he said. “So we're going to continue supporting Mississauga. My job is to make sure the people in Mississauga get the best services that they have and that we continue to enhance the services.”
In November, the Ford government appointed facilitators to asses the regional governments in Durham, Halton, Niagara, Peel, Waterloo and York and determine “the best mix of roles and responsibilities between the upper and lower-tier municipalities in those regions.”
That review remains ongoing, however Ford told reporters last week that a decision on the future of the cities that make up Peel Region (Brampton, Mississauga and Caledon) could be coming “very, very soon.”
Speaking with reporters at Monday’s press conference, Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie welcomed Ford’s apparent support for her city’s independence.
Crombie has been calling for Mississauga’s separation for years and has argued that doing so would save taxpayers $1 billion over the next decade as a result.
“I'm delighted that the premier has publicly stated that he's on the way to separating Peel It gives me great, great pleasure,” Crombie said. “I know he's fulfilling a promise to former mayor Hazel McCallion and myself and of course this makes great sense that we go our separate ways. It's more cost effective, allows us both to build great cities and allows my taxpayers to invest their tax dollars back into our city rather than to support the growth of the other municipalities, as they have for the past 50 years.”
Brampton Mayor has previously said that he welcomes efforts to remove duplication in local government in Peel Region but he has stated that his city would have to be “made whole” for the infrastructure its residents have helped fund in Mississauga.
Ford, for his part, has insisted that Brampton “will not be shafted by Mississauga, or any anyone else” if changes are indeed made to Peel Region’s governance.
"I'm going to make sure they're always whole and they're always protected, all three regions," he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates: Category 4 Hurricane Milton approaches Florida coast
Hurricane Milton is a Category 4 storm forecast to bring extreme flooding, high winds and heavy rain to the central west coast of Florida.
Hundreds of thousands of popular vehicles recalled in Canada over steering issue
Hundreds of thousands of vehicles are being recalled in Canada due to a steering-related issue that could increase a driver's risk of crash.
What women should know about their breasts, according to a doctor
One in eight women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in their lifetimes, according to the American Cancer Society. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death for women in the United States, with 42,000 women dying every year from this cancer.
New actions announced to encourage building of secondary suites, more homes in Canada
The federal government introduced a number of measures related to housing on Tuesday, which include measures for homeowners wanting to add a secondary suite, taxing vacant land and building homes in place of underused federal properties.
WATCH Passengers fleeing Hurricane Milton rescued after private plane crashes into sea
A group of people and a dog fleeing Hurricane Milton had to be rescued near St. Petersburg, Fla., on Tuesday after a private plane crashed into the sea.
'A cause for concern': Canadian universities slip down world ranking list
An organization that ranks the best universities across the globe says its latest report shows a concerning trend that several of Canada’s institutions are slipping down its list.
Las Vegas says goodbye to the Tropicana with a flashy casino implosion
Sin City blew a kiss goodbye to the Tropicana before first light Wednesday in an elaborate implosion that reduced to rubble the last true mob building on the Las Vegas Strip.
A rare comet brightens the night skies in October
The space rock is slinging toward Earth from the outer reaches of the solar system and will make its closest pass on Saturday. It should be visible through the end of October, clear skies permitting.
COVID-19 may increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes and deaths for three years after an infection, study suggests
COVID-19 could be a powerful risk factor for heart attacks and strokes for as long as three years after an infection, a large new study suggests.