Former Mississauga mayor Bonnie Crombie says she’s weighing her options amid speculation she could run to lead the city again.
“We are considering options,” Crombie told CP24 Wednesday when asked specifically about whether she planned to run in Mississauga’s upcoming municipal election.
Crombie was mayor of the city for a decade, from 2014 to 2024, succeeding longtime mayor Hazel McCallion. She stepped down from the job and entered provincial politics after winning the Ontario Liberal Party leadership race in 2023.
Crombie’s possible return to municipal politics comes less than a year after she stepped down as Liberal leader following an election loss to Doug Ford in February 2025 and a weak leadership review from her party in September.
Crombie said she’ll have “more to say in the coming weeks” about her future plans.
But her rivals had plenty to say Wednesday.
Ward 2 Coun. Alvin Tedjo, who is running for mayor himself, slammed Crombie in an interview on Newstalk1010.
“She left because she wanted to be premier. I get that she thought there was something better, but she quit to do something else, and she’s currently treating the city like a backup plan and a consolation prize, and honestly, I think residents deserve better,” Tedjo said.
He said both Crombie and Mayor Carolyn Parish and are “more of the same.”
For her part, Parrish said she wouldn’t participate in a “flurry of publicity” around Crombie and that she’d reserve comment until she actually registers to run.
Coun. Dipika Damerla is also running for mayor. In a statement, Damerla said she welcomes anyone to the race who wants to contribute ideas about Mississauga’s future.
“My focus is on building the next chapter of our city through practical leadership that delivers results for residents. Mississauga is looking ahead, and so am I,” Damerla said.
If Crombie does jump in the municipal race, she would likely still have Premier Doug Ford as an adversary as well.
Asked back in March about the possibility of Crombie running for mayor again, Ford said he would “send an army” down to Mississauga if that happened.
“I never get involved in municipal elections, but I will send an army down here to make sure I support Mayor Parrish,” Ford said.
When Crombie was mayor, she and Ford frequently traded barbs over development charges and other issues.
Ford has since said he’d “work with anyone” when asked about the municipal elections.
If Crombie does run, she would enter a crowded race. Seven candidates are already registered to run for mayor in Mississauga, including Parrish, Tedjo and Damerla.
Voters are set to head to the polls on Oct. 26.
With files from CP24’s Beatrice Vaisman and Newstalk1010
