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Voting Guide: Everything You Need for Election Day

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 22:55:34 GMT

Everything You Need to Vote in Ward 2

As Election Day approaches this Monday, October 26, 2026 , having quick access to reliable voting information makes casting your ballot simple. Whether you live in Lorne Park, Clarkson, or Sheridan, here is a compilation of key information to help you prepare to vote.

WARD 2 VOTING LOCATIONS

Ward 2 residents must vote at any location in Ward 2.

St. Luke Catholic Elementary School

1280 Cobalt Street, Mississauga, ON L5H 4L8

Lorne Park Public School

1325 Indian Road, Mississauga, ON L5H 1S3

Green Glade Sr. Public School

1550 Green Glade, Mississauga, ON L5J 1B5

Clarkson Public School

888 Clarkson Rd S, Mississauga, ON L5J 2V3

VOTING HOURS: 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM

You will vote to elect the Mayor, Ward 2 Councillor and School Board Trustees for the City of Mississauga for the 2026 to 2030 term of office.

IMPORTANT LINKS

All details above can be found at the City links here:

BRING IDENTIFICATION

You must bring one of the following acceptable forms of identification (ID) with you to the voting location:

Ontario driver’s licence
Ontario photo card
Cancelled personalized cheque
Insurance policy or statement
Any other document included on the voter identification list

Sheridan Park Public School

2280 Perran Dr, Mississauga, ON L5K 1M1

Clarkson Community Centre

2475 Truscott Dr, Mississauga, ON L5J 2B5

St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Elementary School

2480 Thorn Lodge Dr, Mississauga, ON L5K 1K5

Lorne Park Secondary School

1324 Lorne Park Rd, Mississauga, ON L5H 3B1

St. Helen Separate School

1325 Bodley Rd, Mississauga, ON L5J 3X1

LORNE PARK

CLARKSON

SHERIDAN HOMELANDS

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Small Business & Youth: Behind the Glass Podcast Guest Appearance

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 16:11:40 GMT

A Conversation with Young Entrepreneur Vince Capano

I recently sat down as a guest on Behind the Glass, a local podcast hosted by Ward 2’s own Vince Capano.

Many in our community know Vince as a former AAA/AA goaltender and founder of Vince Capano Goaltending, serving youth netminders across Peel and Halton. With a Bachelor's degree and a Master's in Sport Management from Brock University, Vince combines technical coaching, mental performance, and character-building to help young athletes succeed on and off the ice.

Beyond coaching, Vince has developed valuable experience across the sports industry through roles in sales with the Winnipeg Jets, event coordination with the Toronto Blue Jays, and community programming with Play On! Canada.

As a youth goalie coach working with dozens of local athletes, Vince’s day-to-day work focuses on getting young people active and building positive habits. During the episode, we dove into a challenge that almost every parent in Ward 2 brings up on the doorstep: screen time and social media pressure.

Having raised my two daughters right here in Ward 2, I remember what life was like before social media became a constant presence. Kids today face intense online pressures, and we need to give them real, positive reasons to connect in person—whether playing street hockey or joining local clubs.

The City of Mississauga plays a vital role here. We need to expand local, accessible opportunities for youth, whether through:

Athletic programming and local sports leagues
Academic and hobby clubs
Community arts and theatre initiatives (where I've spent 8 years as a local community theatre president)

Providing engaging, offline spaces helps young people build confidence, form real-world friendships, and develop a strong sense of belonging.

1. Championing Local Entrepreneurs & Small Businesses

Key Highlights & Topics Covered

Taking the leap to build a local business takes real grit and dedication. Seeing Vince’s commitment to youth sports and his drive as a young entrepreneur made it an honour to join him for a wide-ranging conversation about Ward 2, local enterprise, youth engagement, and reachable community leadership. Catch our conversation below:

As someone who has run my own business for over 34 years, I will always have a special place in my heart for entrepreneurs. Starting something from scratch takes real guts—whether it's managing late-night client demands or balancing a budget, you quickly learn that every single dollar counts.

During our sit-down, Vince and I talked about the real-world pressures facing small business owners today, from inflation to rising overhead:

Keeping Property Taxes in Check: Commercial rents often rise automatically when municipal property taxes go up due to net lease structures. Fiscal discipline at City Hall is essential to protect local shops from rent hikes.
Cutting Red Tape & Streamlining Approvals: Streamline municipal licensing, trim administrative fees, and simplify paperwork so owners can focus on serving customers rather than waiting on City approvals.
Supporting Main Streets & BIA Marketing: Working closely with local Business Improvement Areas (BIAs), like the Clarkson Village BIA, on joint marketing, street activations, and driving foot traffic so our local main streets can thrive.

If the City can foster entrepreneurship, especially for young people looking to build their future right here in Mississauga, I am 100% all in.

2. Getting Youth Active and Off Their Screens

One of my favourite moments in our discussion was reflecting on what first inspired my involvement in community leadership and my core belief that "Community isn't something you wait for; it's something you build."

When I first moved to Ward 2 over two decades ago, one of the first things I did was walk around and meet my neighbours just to say hello. I’ve always believed in the old saying, "Know Your Neighbour." Knowing who lives on your street isn't just about friendliness—it is the absolute foundation of neighbourhood safety and security.

Having served 17 years as a residents' association president, I know that real community strength comes from the ground up. For me, leadership means being reachable—adhering to a 24-hour response rule, meeting residents face-to-face over coffee, and making sure neighbourhood voices are heard loud and clear at City Hall.

3. "Know Your Neighbour" & Reachable Leadership

LOOKING AHEAD

Running for City Councillor isn't a political stepping stone for me; it is my destination. Getting things done at City Hall requires reachable, hands-on leadership, practical problem-solving, and a commitment to being available for residents.

I want to extend a huge thank you to Vince Capano for hosting me on Behind the Glass and for creating a platform to discuss the issues that matter most to Ward 2. Be sure to check out Vince's work at Vince Capano Goaltending and subscribe to his podcast channel!

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Supporting Small Business Across Ward 2

Sun, 18 Oct 2026 00:18:29 GMT

My Responses to the Clarkson Village BIA Candidate Questionnaire

As a local small business owner for 34 years, I know firsthand that local businesses are vital to our ward. When commercial districts like Clarkson Village thrive, all of Ward 2 benefits. A strong local business sector expands our commercial tax base, eases property tax pressure on residential homeowners, keeps local dollars circulating in our community, and provides essential services close to home.

The Clarkson Village BIA recently surveyed local candidates to identify key priorities, challenges, and opportunities along Lakeshore Road West. I was pleased to submit my complete responses to their questionnaire.

Below is my full response outlining how I will advocate for local business owners, stretch tax dollars, and keep our main streets accessible, clean, and practical for everyone.

Question 1: How would you support Mississauga’s small businesses and help address the increasing costs of doing business?

As a local small business owner for over 34 years, I wear many of the same hats our Clarkson business owners wear every day: handling sales and customer service, managing day-to-day operations, and overseeing marketing. I get how quickly rising overhead and small cost increases add up. If elected, I will advocate for treating taxpayers' money with the same care I use in my own business budget:

Managing Property Tax Impact: I will actively participate in city budget discussions to keep property tax growth in check, which directly helps protect local businesses from commercial rent increases.
Cutting Red Tape & Fees: I will push to trim unnecessary administrative fees and simplify municipal approval processes so local owners spend less time on city paperwork and more time serving customers.
Practical Municipal Support: I will support practical city levers like streamlined patio and event permits and direct access to small-business grant opportunities to help ease operational burdens for main-street shops.

Question 2: How would you support initiatives that increase customer and visitor traffic to established commercial areas such as Clarkson Village?

The BIA survey makes it clear that getting more foot traffic and improving visibility are top priorities for our Clarkson businesses. Drawing on my professional background in marketing and media, I will bring that practical experience to the table to help drive desired results:

Year-Round Tourism Integration: While Tourism Mississauga currently promotes seasonal events like Taste of Clarkson, I will advocate integrating Clarkson Village into broader, year-round city promotional campaigns. This will highlight our unique dining, retail, and health spaces to draw regional visitors outside peak event weeks.
Community Events & Main Street Support: I support working closely with the BIA to help secure municipal matching grants and streamline approvals for seasonal sidewalk markets, outdoor patio programs, and local community activations that bring residents out and encourage visitors to stay longer.
Physical & Digital Visibility: I will push for clear, practical street signage along Lakeshore Road West so drivers and pedestrians do not miss our plaza shops and side-street businesses. At the same time, I will support BIA-led learning sessions where local owners can share best practices on digital marketing, local search, and online visibility.

Question 3: What opportunities do you see for City investment and grants in main street streetscapes, infrastructure, accessibility and public spaces?

Good streetscapes bring people in and keep them around longer. City investment in Clarkson Village needs to be practical, clean, and directly useful to shoppers and businesses:

Matching Grants That Work: Keep local improvement grants simple so shop owners can easily use them to upgrade storefronts, build patios, or make shop entrances accessible without getting stuck in paperwork.
Prioritizing Essential Upgrades: During municipal budget discussions, I will advocate for basic streetscape priorities that make an immediate, visible difference: cleaner sidewalks, comfortable benches, proper lighting, clear signage, and garbage bins that are emptied regularly.
Safe, Easy Access: I will push for targeted repairs to broken curbs, uneven sidewalks, and crosswalks so seniors, parents with strollers, and customers of all mobility levels can walk the strip safely.
Better Maintenance Timing: Maintenance like snow clearing or emergency repairs cannot always be avoided, but I will work with city staff to help mitigate disruptions to retail traffic by pushing for advance notice and better coordination around peak shopping hours and BIA events.

Question 4: How would you support business retention while encouraging a diverse mix of new businesses in established commercial districts?

Keeping our current shops open and bringing in great new ones comes down to direct communication and cutting unnecessary delays:

No Construction Surprises: When the city plans roadwork or sidewalk repairs, business owners need clear, advance notice, not a surprise barricade in front of their door. As your representative, I will help ensure the city coordinates with local owners early to protect customer access and foot traffic.
Filling Empty Storefronts: Vacant shops hurt the whole street. I support working with the BIA and local property owners to help recruit the kinds of independent shops, cafes, and services that fill local gaps and bring new shoppers to Clarkson.
Faster City Permits: Opening or expanding a business shouldn't mean waiting months for city paperwork. If elected, I will push for ways to speed up municipal permits and signage approvals so new owners can open their doors and start doing business without costly delays.

Question 5: How would you strengthen the City-BIA partnership, including potentially exploring a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)?

City Hall and the Clarkson BIA need a clear, practical working relationship that directly supports street-level store owners. An MOU makes sense if it keeps things simple, clarifies roles, and prevents unnecessary delays:

Clear Service Boundaries: Establish clear guidelines so business owners know the City's and the BIA's specific roles and responsibilities.
Direct Operational Access: Strengthen existing lines of communication between BIA leadership and city departments so routine service issues are resolved quickly without administrative delay.
Simpler Permits: Work with city staff to streamline approvals for local events, seasonal lights, and banners so businesses can attract foot traffic without getting buried in paperwork.
A Dedicated Champion at City Hal l: If elected, I will serve as an accessible point of contact for escalating issues, amplifying the BIA's unified voice, and advocating for small business interests when municipal policies and budgets are decided.

Question 6: Would you support exploring municipal purchasing and economies-of-scale opportunities to help BIAs maximize levy dollars?

Yes. Local businesses expect every dollar to deliver real value, and tapping into the City's buying power is a common-sense way to stretch BIA budgets:

Bulk Buying for Street Improvements : I will support allowing the BIA to opt into City purchasing deals for physical items (benches, waste bins, planters, and seasonal lights) to secure lower bulk prices that a single BIA cannot get alone.
Shared Maintenance Contracts : I will explore options to include the BIA in larger City service contracts (street washing, lighting repairs, or holiday setups) so local businesses benefit from lower group rates.
Joint Marketing & Tourism Promotion: I will support connecting BIA campaigns with Tourism Mississauga and City Economic Development initiatives to help amplify local promotion through established City channels and stretch marketing dollars.
Protecting BIA Autonomy: I will advocate for keeping shared programs voluntary so the Clarkson BIA retains control over its budget priorities, marketing direction, and local programming.
Cutting Red Tape at City Hall: If elected, I will work with City staff and BIA leadership to make these cost-saving opportunities simple and straightforward for the BIA to use.

Question 7: If elected, how would you engage with Clarkson Village BIA and our businesses to ensure the local business voice is considered in municipal decision-making?

Strong representation starts with active listening, availability, and clear communication. As a big fan of entrepreneurship, I believe it is vital to meet with BIA leadership regularly so local business owners don't have to chase City Hall to stay informed:

Regular Meetings & Follow-Through: I will meet regularly with BIA leadership to review upcoming municipal items, discuss local priorities, and address operational concerns before Council votes. I will also keep the BIA updated on Council outcomes.
Proactive Policy Updates: I will share early notifications with the BIA board whenever upcoming city policies, zoning changes, or budget decisions impact local commercial operations.
I n-Person Business Check-Ins: Connecting face-to-face is my favourite part of the job. I look forward to regular in-person check-ins across Clarkson Village to meet business owners directly in their own spaces.
Responsive Troubleshooting & Escalation: I enjoy hands-on troubleshooting and will serve as a direct point of contact when routine municipal service requests stall, advocating on your behalf to move issues through city channels.
Championing Shop Local Initiatives: I will bring the BIA's unified perspective directly to municipal discussions, supporting Shop Local efforts and championing local entrepreneurs when city budgets and policies are decided.

�� Are you a local business owner or Ward 2 resident? I'd love to hear your thoughts on these main-street priorities. Feel free to reach out directly at alex@alex4ward2.ca or call me at 905-891-6234.

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Standing Up for Mississauga: My Pledges

Mon, 12 Oct 2026 23:40:06 GMT

�� environment: Ontario Greenbelt Alliance

Protecting the Greenbelt goes hand in hand with safeguarding our local wildlife. As a lifelong animal lover and strong advocate for wildlife preservation, I believe protecting our finite green spaces, natural habitats, and ecological corridors is vital for both our environment and our community.

In Ward 2, regional protections directly safeguard our local natural treasures, from Rattray Marsh to our waterfront parks and trails. Preserving these green corridors helps protect our local ecosystems and wildlife.

Throughout this campaign, I am proud to sign candidate pledges that align with these core values, starting with the Ontario Greenbelt Alliance pledge.

My Pledge to the Ontario Greenbelt Alliance

Ontario’s Greenbelt protects what communities need to thrive: clean water, local food, farmland, natural heritage, rural communities, responsible growth, and a more climate-resilient future. Because these shared foundations do not stop at municipal boundaries; communities within, beside, and beyond the Greenbelt all have a stake in protecting them.

If elected to municipal office, I pledge to support Council decisions and policies that protect and strengthen farmland, water systems, natural heritage, and complete communities. I will do this to protect my community and its future. In areas where Greenbelt policies apply, I will uphold the Greenbelt legacy and the values, vision, and objectives reflected in Ontario’s Greenbelt Act and Greenbelt Plan, including the protection of the Greenbelt as a connected system that includes the Oak Ridges Moraine and the Niagara Escarpment. Finally, I will maintain my independence and ability to act in the public interest, making decisions based on the needs of my community rather than the financial interests of campaign contributors.

This commitment is grounded in the Greenbelt’s proven public benefits:

Water : The Greenbelt provides clean drinking water for over 7 million Ontarians.
Economy: Greenbelt-connected economic activity contributes $17 billion to Ontario’s GDP and supports more than 247,000 full-time jobs.
Farms and food: The Greenbelt protects 750,000 acres of some of Canada’s most productive farmland and is home to more than 4,000 operating farms.
Climate and resilience: The Greenbelt’s natural systems provide nearly three times the ecological benefit per hectare as the rest of Ontario, making these protected landscapes among Ontario’s most effective natural assets for reducing flood risk, absorbing carbon, protecting water, and strengthening climate resilience.
Biodiversity: The Greenbelt is home to 121 species at risk, representing 42% of all species at risk in Ontario.
Recreation and tourism: The Greenbelt supports trails, cycling routes, river corridors, green spaces, rural destinations, local food, tourism, and recreation.

My Pledge for a Stronger, Safer Mississauga Transit System

Prioritize Transit Operator Safety: Support meaningful measures to protect MiWay Transit Operators from violence, harassment, and workplace hazards, and promote a safe and respectful environment for employees and passengers.
Invest Funding in Reliable Public Transit : Support adequate, sustainable, and long-term funding and financial investment in MiWay service, staffing, vehicles, facilities, and infrastructure so residents can depend on safe, accessible, and reliable public transportation.
Support Fair and Respectful Working Condition s: Recognize Transit Operators as essential frontline public-service workers and support fair treatment, reasonable working conditions, adequate staffing, and meaningful consultation with workers and their representatives.
Give Frontline Transit Workers a Voice: Support meaningful and ongoing representation of frontline transit workers in municipal discussions and decision-making affecting public transit, including opportunities for ATU Local 1572 to have representation on advisory bodies like the City of Mississauga Transit Advisory Committee.
Keep Mississauga's Public Transit Public: Recognize MiWay as an essential municipal public service, support keeping it publicly owned, operated, and accountable as part of the City of Mississauga, and oppose the privatization or for-profit transfer of transit operations.
Build a Transit-Friendly Mississauga: Support policies and infrastructure that improve transit reliability, accessibility, and connectivity while recognizing the key role transit employees play in the city's quality of life.

MiWay transit has always been important to my family. I relied on it in my youth, my 91-year-old dad relies on it daily, and my late mother was an avid rider too. I will advocate for operator safety, reliable service, and keeping transit public.

That is why I signed ATU Local 1572's pledge. Supporting our frontline operators, protecting reliable service, and keeping public transit publicly owned are essential commitments for a strong, connected Mississauga.

�� Public transit: amalgamated transit union

�� Community services: Metamorphosis Network

My Pledge to The Metamorphosis Network

Recognize Provincial Underfunding: Recognize that Community Services in Peel Region have been underfunded by the Province, putting pressure on municipal service providers, non-profit organizations, and people across our community who rely on these services.
Protect Local Ratepayers & Support Growth : Share the concerns of business leaders and residents that gaps in provincial funding for affordable housing, childcare, elder care, and mental health care hamper economic growth and place an unfair financial burden on municipal finances and local property taxpayers.
Support Non-Profit Advocacy : Support Peel Regional Council continuing its full financial and moral support for non-profit advocacy on provincial underfunding.
Advocate at Queen's Park: Join non-profit leaders in going to Queen's Park to raise this funding gap directly with MPPs and relevant Ministers.

As a longtime non-profit volunteer, I know that community services and non-profit organizations are the backbone of Peel Region, supporting our seniors, families, and most vulnerable neighbours.

Caring for my 91-year-old father and having experienced the challenges in long-term care when my late mother suffered from dementia at Sheridan Villa (where caregivers were stretched to a 7-to-1 resident ratio during the day, and even higher overnight), I know firsthand how essential proper funding for community care is for our families.

When provincial and federal funding falls short, the burden falls on municipal finances and local property taxpayers [cite: 3]. That is why I signed the Metamorphosis Network Candidate Pledge to stand up for fair funding and strong community services in Peel.

Local leadership is about showing up, listening, and taking accountable action on the issues that affect our daily lives: from protecting our green spaces to ensuring our transit services and community programs remain safe, reliable, and publicly supported.

Looking ahead

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�� Quiet Streets & Traffic Safety: No More Noise

During canvassing across Ward 2, residents shared their concerns about increasing traffic and loud, modified exhausts from cars and motorcycles that disrupt neighbourhood quality of life. I strongly support No More Noise's proposed initiatives to address these issues.

My Pledge to No More Noise

Automated Noise Enforcement Pilots: Advocating for provincial Highway Traffic Act amendments to allow municipal automated noise enforcement pilots.
Modernizing Noise Bylaws: Updating municipal definitions from "unwanted sound" to "unwanted and/or harmful sound" to enable proactive, health-focused enforcement.
Section 82 Vehicle Safety Inspections: Shifting enforcement against loud vehicles from court-administered fines to mandatory Section 82 Notice to Inspect safety re-inspections for illegal muffler modifications.
Traffic-Calming Street Design: Implementing practical street designs on existing and new roads to naturally reduce vehicle speeds, traffic volume, and noise.

My Mississauga News Q&A

Fri, 09 Oct 2026 03:38:57 GMT

Question and Answers for the Mississauga News

Toward the end of last month, the Mississauga News reached out to me for a set of election-related questions, but unfortunately, my answers didn't make it into the final published article. Rather than let them gather dust in a file on my computer, I'm sharing them here. After all, they were intended for the residents of Ward 2!

As a 34-year local business owner and 22-year Ward 2 resident, I bring financial accountability experience and a caregiver's heart to City Hall. Housing affordability means helping people enter the market while helping existing residents stay in their homes. My platform focuses on protecting Ward 2's character and addressing rising property taxes:

Fiscal Responsibility: Rising property taxes are concerning. As a steward of municipal spending, I will review ways to curb increases. The Region’s newly hired auditor will help identify waste and protect services without duplicating City Hall costs.

Community Safety : I am grateful for our Peel Police officers. To protect local resources, I support fixing the outdated funding formula that costs our taxpayers an unfair $86 (to over $100) million annual subsidy. I advocate for strict bail enforcement, am open to discussing public security cameras, and support empowering neighbours and residents' associations with more tools.

Infrastructure & Roads: Based on resident discussions, I support alternatives like radar-activated flashing lights and lane-narrowing markers, while advocating for coordinated construction scheduling and synchronized signals to ease gridlock.

Responsible Development : Because Ward 2 is largely built out, new growth must prevent taxing local infrastructure. I lean towards gentle density like townhomes and duplexes, and supporting the repurposing of under-utilized commercial spaces to prevent residential street congestion.

Transit & Community Mobility: I support the Cycling Master Plan goals without removing driving lanes. Future expansions should focus on multi-use paths within wide boulevards to protect vehicle flow on narrow streets while enhancing safety for cyclists and joggers. I also support expanding MiWay and better lining up schedules with Clarkson GO Station.

PRIORITIES

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q1 Public safety & police funding: Mississauga residents have raised growing concerns about auto thefts, porch pirates and robberies, while reporting a lack of visible enforcement. At the same time, the Peel Regional Police budget has continued to grow. As a councillor, you would have a direct vote on the police budget. What specific steps would you take to address public safety concerns? 1a. How will you ensure residents see value from police funding/spending?

Today, Mississauga taxpayers face a frustrating financial mismatch: the regional police budget escalates to keep pace with population growth largely happening outside our borders, yet the bill is split based on property values.

Because Mississauga has higher real estate assessments, our property owners cover 62% of the police bill, amounting to roughly $519 million annually, effectively subsidizing growth elsewhere.

My focus will be on a few practical, neighbourhood-first steps:

Pursue Funding Parity: I will support City Council in its ongoing efforts to modernize our outdated, 52-year-old funding system so our local tax dollars stop disproportionately subsidizing regional growth and align with actual service usage.
Empower Local Residents: While we spend over half a billion dollars on policing, Safe City Mississauga handles vital prevention on under $400,000. In our neighbourhood, we've seen great success using WhatsApp to report suspicious activities, an initiative born out of a desire by residents to do more. Bringing my web technology experience to the table, I want to open discussions about developing a secure app customized for safety, giving our active residents' associations the framework to scale this model safely to all neighbours.
Advocate for Rigid Bail Accountability: Peel Police do a fantastic job apprehending criminals, but at the five-yard line, the system drops the ball. Repeat offenders are routinely released the same day, sometimes committing crimes hours later. I will support Council's advocacy alongside the federal Bail and Sentencing Reform Act to ensure courts prioritize community safety over immediate release.

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Q2. Road safety: Following the province's ban on automated speed enforcement cameras in November 2025, Mississauga has been installing replacement road safety measures, some of which city staff acknowledge have limited data to show their effectiveness. Residents also raise concerns about road rage and deteriorating driving conditions. What would you do as a councillor to improve road safety in Mississauga?

The provincial ban on speed cameras means we need new ways to address speeding, but filling our streets with unproven signs and markers isn't the answer. We need visible, practical tools that actually change driver behaviour without turning our daily commutes into an obstacle course.

I would look at these:

Deploy Radar-Activated Alerts: During canvassing, residents noted that flashing safety lights, like those in school zones, are known to be effective. I would support installing flashing lights and radar-activated speed boards on major cut-throughs to trigger a vital cognitive break, forcing drivers to snap out of autopilot and slow down.
Optimize Traffic Signal Flow: Aggressive road rage and deteriorating driving conditions are heavily concentrated at intersections due to prolonged gridlock. With massive new housing developments coming, our constrained, single-lane bottlenecks face immense pressure. As a resident and local business owner looking for efficient solutions, I want to explore data-driven efforts to better synchronize traffic signals along major corridors to reduce intersection friction.
Synchronize Infrastructure Projects: As a long-time resident, I notice a clear gap in coordination when multiple construction projects hit different local roads at the same time. I will push for tighter synchronization and coordination between provincial, regional, and municipal projects to reduce gridlock and ensure overlapping detours don't excessively funnel heavy traffic onto quiet residential side streets.
Smart Design Over Speed Bumps: Because traditional speed bumps are not viable on major arterial roads or transit corridors, we should review traffic studies on alternative calming measures. Research shows modern road-narrowing visual markers and prominent intersection paint can guide drivers to slow down naturally.

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Q3. E-scooters: E-scooter injuries in Mississauga have risen more than 113 percent between 2023 and 2025, according to Trillium Health Partners data. Municipalities have authority under Ontario's e-scooter pilot program to set bylaws governing where e-scooters operate, where they park, and whether operators need a licence or insurance. However, under the Highway Traffic Act, enforcement of moving violations can only be carried out by police. What specific steps would you take as a councillor to address e-scooter safety?

The recent rise in local hospital injuries shows that we need a realistic approach to managing e-scooters on our streets. The framework is clear: riders must be at least 16 years old, speeds are capped at 24 km/h, and operation is restricted to roads under 50 km/h. Since the city cannot directly enforce moving traffic violations, we should focus on clearer local restrictions and parental accountability.

I would look at these:

Consider Restricting Operation: Mixing scooters with regular traffic creates immense anxiety for local drivers who fear a rider suddenly swerving in front of their car. I want to explore updating our by-law to restrict e-scooters strictly to roads with designated bike lanes, or quiet side streets capped at 40 km/h. This keeps operators off busy corridors like Lakeshore Road West.
Address Parental Awareness: A massive 65% of e-scooter emergency room visits at our local hospitals involve underage riders. Many families remain genuinely unaware that it is completely illegal for children under 16 to operate these devices. I want the city to partner with school boards, local media, and targeted awareness campaigns to share clear safety reminders with families, with fines considered only as a last resort if metrics do not improve.
Enforce Rental Account Accountability: While data shows personal scooters drive most injuries, we must still secure the rental side where underage riders bypass rules using a parent's credit card. I want to open discussions on ways to prevent underage riders from using scooters.

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Q4. Bike lanes & cycling infrastructure: Mississauga's Cycling Master Plan proposes 175.8 kilometres of new and upgraded cycling infrastructure at an estimated cost of $97.5 million over five years. Recently, cycling infrastructure was removed from Aquitaine Avenue, and a similar change is planned for Argentia Road. Do you support the current Cycling Master Plan as proposed? 4a. How would you ensure cycling infrastructure spending delivers value for taxpayers?

I support the safety goals of the Cycling Master Plan, but taking away driving lanes on our already narrow roads solves one problem and creates another. The recent pilot project on Aquitaine Avenue did its job by providing real-world data, proving that reducing vehicle capacity leads to unacceptable gridlock.

I would support these steps:

Prioritize Boulevard Multi-Use Paths: Most of our major corridors feature wide boulevards. Instead of squeezing vehicle traffic, we should focus funding primarily on off-road paths within these existing green spaces. This creates a safe, dedicated zone for bikes, e-scooters, and joggers, keeping them physically separated from vehicles while keeping driving lanes completely intact.
Focus on Network Connections: Instead of building disconnected lanes just to hit a generic kilometre target, spending should focus strictly on connecting existing network gaps to major destinations, like the Clarkson GO Station, the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail bypass corridors, and outer boundary pathways along Winston Churchill Boulevard.
Evaluate Usage Data Before Construction: To ensure spending delivers true value for taxpayers, we must evaluate baseline ridership potential and community feedback before launching permanent infrastructure installations. This data-driven approach ensures we invest in infrastructure that works for the community from day one.

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Q5. Public transit: Mississauga remains one of Canada's most car-dependent cities, with ongoing coverage gaps and service frequency concerns on MiWay. What would you do as a councillor to improve transit access and reliability? 5a. Do you support expanding the MiWay network?

While most Ward 2 residents choose to drive, I support the MiWay network because it is a lifeline for our community. In fact, my 91-year-old father relies on it daily. Transit improvements should focus on smart, localized upgrades that ensure reliability for our seniors while easing traffic pressure for drivers.

I would support these:

Synchronize Local Feeders with GO Transit: Our neighbourhood routes work best when they connect smoothly with regional hubs. I would explore better alignment between MiWay bus schedules and train arrivals at the Clarkson GO Station, helping to minimize transfer wait times and make connecting transit a predictable, seamless option.
Address Growth on Major Corridors: With massive new housing developments coming to our area, our existing infrastructure faces mounting pressure. We must prioritize adjusting service frequencies along key corridors like Lakeshore Road West, Southdown Road, Dundas Street West, and Winston Churchill Boulevard to comfortably keep pace with this community growth.
Evaluate Real-World Ridership Data: To ensure our transit investments deliver true value, network adjustments must be guided by clear ridership metrics and resident feedback. Looking into flexible, right-sized shuttle options for quieter residential pockets can help bridge the final mile to main transit hubs efficiently.

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Q6. Affordable housing: Mississauga is facing a housing affordability crisis, with average rents significantly above what many moderate-income residents can afford. What specific steps would you take as a councillor to push for affordable housing supply, not just market-rate housing, in Mississauga?

A6: We need more affordable housing options, but simply building rows of condo towers isn't solving the problem. Right now, many standard condos sit empty, and a tough financing market has put many builds on hold. Since Ward 2 is largely built out and lacks open land for new subdivisions, forcing massive buildings onto our narrow streets creates extra gridlock. I believe we must focus on smart development that brings housing to Mississauga responsibly, ensuring we have the infrastructure to actually support it while protecting our neighbourhood character.

I would look at these:

Put Infrastructure First: New projects should match up with road and transit upgrades. We need to look at traffic flow, signal timing, and local bus connections before buildings open so our daily commutes stay smooth.
Encourage Gentle Density: Instead of focusing only on high-rises, we should welcome options like townhomes and low-rise duplexes. This adds attainable housing that fits naturally into established neighbourhoods without overwhelming local streets.
Repurpose Commercial Spaces: We should look at transforming underutilized strip malls or empty offices into mixed-use housing. Placing new units along major boundaries like Dundas Street West keeps traffic on existing main roads and protects our quiet side streets from traffic spillover.

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Q7. Property standards: Property standards complaints have been rising citywide. A pilot enforcement program launched in Ward 5 in 2025 generated more than 22,000 parking tickets, yet residents say they have not seen noticeable changes in their neighbourhoods. How would you address property standards issues across the city? 7a. What would effective city-wide enforcement look like if you were elected?

The Ward 5 pilot project generated a lot of data through parking tickets, but it also highlights an opportunity to review the property standards systems already working across Mississauga. While parking management supports traffic flow, neighbourhood standards focus on property upkeep, and our city framework is built on a cooperative approach designed to help residents rather than simply issue fines.

Based on my research and understanding, the city already uses these practical tools to keep our streets looking their best:

Clear Reminders First: For everyday things like cutting long grass or storing garbage cans properly, the city’s standard process is to send a friendly reminder notice first. This gives busy families a fair, reasonable timeframe to handle the issue cooperatively.
Inspections for Rental Housing: For rental properties, the city maintains specific maintenance and safety standards. This allows inspectors to review building safety and essential services and address issues before they affect the surrounding neighbourhood.
Direct Cleanup Options: For cases where a property is completely neglected, or notices are missed, the city can step in to tidy the space and add the cost straight to the owner's property tax bill, keeping our communities welcoming.

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Q8. Property taxes: Mississauga property taxes have continued to rise, placing increasing financial pressure on residents during an affordability crisis. What specific steps will you take as a councillor to ensure taxpayers receive value for their money? 8a. How will you approach future budget decisions?

Property taxes need to reflect what our families are actually going through, and making sure taxpayers get real value means looking at the budget through a practical lens. We all have our own household budgets to figure out, and running my own business means I wear a lot of hats, including handling the accounting. The city is a corporation where the Mayor is the CEO, Councillors are the Board of Directors, and our Residents are both the clients and the shareholders. As a councillor, I welcome the task of being one of the steady stewards of city spending, advocating to reduce wasteful spending while providing maximum value to our residents.

That is why I was okay with Council's recent decision not to hire a separate auditor general for Mississauga right now. The Region of Peel has hired an Auditor General's office with a $2.15 million budget. Since Mississauga taxpayers fund the biggest chunk of that bill, any efficiencies they find will naturally help us out. It is much smarter to review those regional results first before adding another layer of cost at City Hall.

I would look at these:

Review the Budget Cycle Closely: We need to use our council budget reviews to examine existing municipal spending and ensure every dollar is used wisely before considering changes to the base tax rate.
Use Outside Grants: We should maximize provincial and federal infrastructure grants to fix our roads and water systems without stretching household budgets thin.
Protect Frontline Services: Our spending priorities should stay focused on keeping our neighbourhoods clean, maintaining our roads, and keeping public transit completely reliable.

What 8 Years in Theatre Leadership Taught Me About Governance

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 16:15:35 GMT

Community Leadership in Action: How non-profit stewardship, grant management, and legislative experience translate to City Hall.

Volunteering and giving back to our community have always been central to my life.

Since I began volunteering in local community theatre in 2007, I have had the privilege of serving for over 8 years as President of The Oakville Players, one of the region’s longest-running community theatre groups (est. 1962). While many people see the end result under the stage lights, leading a community non-profit behind the scenes requires real-world governance: managing tight budgets, applying for grants, navigating government bureaucracy, and bringing diverse groups of people together around a shared vision.

As a candidate for Ward 2 City Councillor in Mississauga, I've been asked how my volunteer background translates to City Hall. The answer is simple: managing a non-profit organization requires the exact same principles of stewardship, accountability, and persistence that voters expect from their local elected representatives.

Managing Grants and Fiscal Accountability

Non-profit organizations operate in an environment where every dollar must be accounted for and maximized. During my tenure as President, I spearheaded the acquisition and management of over $90,000 in grant funding for our organization.

Securing grant funding is only the first step. Managing those funds requires setting clear project goals, maintaining rigorous financial records, ensuring strict compliance with funding bodies, and delivering transparent reports. Guiding our group through the economic uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic reinforced the importance of fiscal discipline, prudent reserve management, and creative problem-solving.

At City Hall, where property tax dollars must be managed with care, I will bring that same watchful eye to municipal spending.

Navigating Legislation and Complex Systems

One of the most complex governance challenges I undertook with The Oakville Players involved working directly with provincial officials to pass a Private Bill through Queen's Park.

Navigating the legislative process in government required patience, meticulous attention to detail, and persistent follow-through. It involved communicating directly with provincial officials, understanding regulatory frameworks, and systematically working through administrative steps until the job was done. Whether advocating at the Regional table for fair police funding or reviewing municipal planning by-laws, direct experience working through government systems is a vital asset for an incoming councillor.

Collaboration and Bringing People Together

Community organizations thrive on people power. Right now, even amidst a busy election campaign, I am co-producing our upcoming autumn production of A Few Good Men alongside an extraordinary team of nearly 40 local cast and crew members.

Bringing together volunteers, artists, and technical crew members to deliver a polished production is a constant reminder of what local collaboration can achieve.

Effective representation on City Council is no different. A councillor cannot deliver results alone; it takes listening to residents, collaborating with council colleagues, and building consensus across neighbourhoods like Clarkson, Lorne Park, and Sheridan Homelands.

Ready to Serve Ward 2

Effective representation takes business experience and governance skills, but above all, it takes genuinely caring for the people and creative spirit of our community.

Whether managing non-profit grant budgets, passing legislation at Queen's Park, or running my own business for 34 years, I have always believed in showing up, doing the homework, and delivering practical results.

I am ready to bring that proven track record, financial discipline, and caregiver's heart to Mississauga City Hall for Ward 2.

Supporting Local Arts & Getting Involved:

See the show: If you are interested in seeing A Few Good Men, tickets are on sale now at oakvilleplayers.ca.

Help introduce me to your neighbours by requesting a free lawn sign

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Here is a quick time-lapse video of a move into the Living Arts Centre in 2015, installing the set, working through lighting, and running our final dress rehearsal.

Connecting with Sheridan Homelands

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 19:54:50 GMT

SHORA Candidate Night Recap

A special thank you to Sue Prior Chiarot and the entire executive team at the Sheridan Homelands Ratepayers Association (SHORA) for inviting me and organizing such a well-run Meet the Candidates night at Thornlodge Park!

Having served as President of my local residents' association for 17 years, I am a huge advocate for ratepayer groups like SHORA. When neighbours organize together, they have real power to stand up for their community and protect their neighbourhood.

I was especially grateful to have my family in attendance to capture a few snapshots from the evening, and it was a wonderful surprise to reconnect with a high school classmate from Philip Pocock whom I hadn't seen in a long time!

If you missed the event, you can read my full message below. (In between speeches, candidates were asked rapid-fire Yes/No questions, many drawn directly from Vote Compass. To see where I stand on those propositions, check out my responses to the Vote Compass Questionnaire .

Good evening, everyone, and thank you, SHORA, for hosting us tonight.

Mississauga isn’t just a place I live; it’s my hometown. I’ve lived in Mississauga for 48 years, and in Ward 2 for 22. Over those decades, I’ve watched this city grow and evolve from childhood to adulthood.

This is where my daughters grew up, where I spent 9 years serving on Parent Council, and as an empty nester, I now have the time, energy, and focus to dedicate myself fully to our community.

I am also the proud son of immigrants from the 1960s. Because of the language barrier back then, my parents relied on me to help connect with our community. That experience taught me early on that community isn't something you wait for; it's something you build. That’s where my belief in "Know Your Neighbour" comes from.

And fun fact: my family doctor growing up was actually Mississauga’s very first Mayor, and yes, before anyone asks, there was a mayor before Hazel!

If you'd like to help introduce your neighbours to my campaign, consider requesting a lawn sign!

Full Message to Sheridan Homelands Residents

Introduction & Hometown Roots

Community Leadership & Business Experience

In 2005, I helped establish the Watercolours Residents Association and served as President for 17 years. I am a huge advocate for residents' associations because when neighbours organize, they actually have the power to stand up for their community, like fighting off unwanted overhead power lines, for example (ask me about this later). Serving our community taught me that real leadership isn't sitting behind a desk. I am a hands-on troubleshooter who isn't afraid to get my hands dirty to solve problems.

For 34 years, I’ve run my own business serving small businesses, non-profits, and national and international clients. When costs go up in business or at home, you tighten your belt, cut waste, and postpone spending. I view City Hall through that same practical lens: before asking for higher property taxes, Council needs to show that same discipline first, without cutting essential services.

Caregiving & Senior Dignity

Caregiving has also shaped my life. My 91-year-old father still lives independently and relies on MiWay bus service daily, while losing my mother to dementia at Sheridan Villa showed me firsthand why we must advocate at the Region for senior dignity, proper care staffing, and the supports needed so our seniors can age in place.

While getting results at City Hall requires building a majority vote, I can promise you this: I will be reachable. You can call, email, or, even better, let's get together for coffee and talk.

A Few Key Priorities for Ward 2

Given our time tonight, I’ll just touch on a few key priorities:

Community Safety

Traffic & Active Transportation

Development & Finances

I am grateful for our Peel Police officers, but taxpayers deserve fairness. I support fixing the outdated funding formula that charges us by property value rather than, say, population, leaving Mississauga paying 62% of the bill and costing over $100 million a year. Locally, I want to empower residents' associations like SHORA to strengthen Neighbourhood Watch by equipping our communities with real-time tools beyond underused portals or informal WhatsApp chats.

On our streets, I will look closely at practical solutions suggested to me during canvassing, like better synchronizing traffic lights along major corridors, installing more flashing speed signs, and coordinating construction detours so traffic doesn't flood quiet streets. I also support expanding off-road, multi-use boulevard paths to keep cyclists and joggers safe without taking away lanes from drivers.

On development and finances, I will champion sensible growth, support repurposing underutilized plazas, ensure infrastructure is ready before new developments open, and push for audits of City Hall spending to keep property taxes under control

This role is not a stepping stone for me; it is my destination. I welcome the opportunity to represent you at City Hall. Thank you, SHORA, and thank you to everyone here tonight.

Closing Commitment

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Vote Compass: 30 Propositions, 30 Responses

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 01:10:24 GMT

My full ratings and commentary for Ward 2 voters

Vote Compass asked candidates to rate local policy propositions on a simple four-point scale: Strongly Agree, Somewhat Agree, Somewhat Disagree, and Strongly Disagree.

While those ratings give a general sense of where someone sits on a proposition, they don't tell the whole story. Without commentary, a rating misses the practical context, fiscal realities, and local nuances that Ward 2 residents care about.

To give you the full picture, I’ve published my ratings alongside supporting commentary for all 30 Vote Compass propositions below.

1. Mississauga should offer businesses tax incentives to attract investment

Strongly agree: From running a business for 34 years, I look at this from a practical standpoint. When we use targeted incentives to attract new companies to Mississauga, it expands our commercial tax base and creates local jobs right here in our community. Having a healthy mix of business investment simply helps share the local tax load so it does not fall so heavily on homeowners.

2. Mississauga should do more to combat climate change.

Strongly agree: At the city level, environmental work comes down to smart infrastructure. Mississauga can get real results by protecting our green spaces, expanding the tree canopy to absorb heavy rainfall and prevent local flooding, and synchronizing traffic signals so idling cars don't sit in gridlock. It is about sensible local maintenance.

3. Municipal workers are paid too much.

Somewhat disagree: Beyond broad studies that include all levels of government and the raw numbers disclosed in the Sunshine List (about 30% of Mississauga's workforce), I am not aware of any specific studies that compare Mississauga’s payroll directly with the private sector or other cities. It would not be appropriate to take a position on this. Budget oversight could focus on reviewing overall staffing levels and headcount growth to make sure taxpayers receive maximum value.

4. Private contractors are more efficient than municipal workers at delivering most municipal services.

Somewhat disagree: This blanket proposition doesn't easily apply across the board. Efficiency depends entirely on each project's specific scope of work. In some cases, private contractors provide specialized services or skills that city workers don't have. Every service should be looked at individually so we can compare the actual costs and choose whatever delivers the best value for taxpayers.

5. The mayor should never overturn council decisions.

Somewhat agree: This power exists under provincial law for a reason, but using it breaks down the teamwork and cooperation needed to run a city. Local government works best when there is mutual respect. A mayor should think carefully before going against elected ward councillors who know their neighbourhoods best, and use these tools only in rare situations.

6. Municipal buildings in Mississauga should fly the Pride flag during Pride month.

Strongly agree: It is 2026, people. Flying the Pride flag is a standard, well-established practice across Canada that shows our city is welcoming to everyone. There is no need to overcomplicate this or turn it into a political debate. It is simply a matter of basic respect for everyone in our community.

Strongly agree: The original intention behind raising these flags was to celebrate Mississauga's many vibrant cultures. However, I completely understand and support the council's decision to end the practice after it began causing friction and division in our community. Our civic flagpoles should bring people together, so it makes sense to keep them focused on our shared Canadian, provincial, and city symbols.

7. Municipal buildings in Mississauga should not fly foreign national flags.

8. Every municipal council meeting should begin with an acknowledgement of Indigenous people's ties to the land.

Strongly agree: I support the meaning behind these statements, but when a statement becomes an automatic script, doesn't it begin to lose its meaning? Respect should also come from active, ongoing collaboration with the Indigenous community on reconciliation initiatives.

9. Mississauga should keep historic street names and statues, even if they commemorate people who some would consider racist by today's standards.

Somewhat agree: In line with the current council's decision not to change Dundas Street, my main concern is the massive cost to local taxpayers. Renaming a single major thoroughfare in Mississauga can cost millions of dollars in sign replacements, map updates, and disruptions to local businesses, which makes no sense when families are already feeling the financial pinch. A practical solution is to stop naming public streets after people altogether.

10. Mississauga should ban residents from setting off fireworks.

Strongly agree: I fully support a ban, largely because of the terrible impact fireworks have on neighbourhood safety, pets, and wildlife. I know firsthand the immense stress it caused my own dog, Chloe (recently passed away). On top of that, enforcing temporary by-laws in the middle of the night is incredibly difficult and drains city resources. We really need to look at better, safer ways to celebrate our holidays as a community, like organized laser light or drone shows.

11. Mississauga should try to keep property taxes low, even if it means fewer services for residents.

Somewhat agree: Holding the line on property taxes is a top priority, but we don't need to chop the frontline services families rely on daily. Running a business for 34 years taught me that when costs go up, you look inside for waste first. We can protect tax bills by cutting City Hall administrative waste and fixing the regional funding split, so Mississauga gets its fair share. We don't have to accept higher taxes or worse services if we bring real business discipline to local government.

12. Mississauga should rely more on fees for specific services rather than raising taxes to pay for them.

Strongly disagree: Shifting costs to user fees is a shell game because, at the end of the day, it still hits the same residents' wallets. If we push fees too high, we risk pricing local families and seniors on fixed incomes right out of our community pools, transit, and recreation programs. Public spaces should never become luxuries. We need to find real savings inside City Hall by cutting waste and overhead, instead of just changing the line item on how residents are billed.

13. Mississauga should apply an additional tax to vacant homes.

Somewhat disagree: In an established community like Ward 2, temporary vacancies are likely normal life transitions, such as estate probates, home renovations, or tenant turnover, rather than empty speculative properties. Creating a costly new administrative procedure to monitor and audit homeowners won't meaningfully address the housing crisis and adds unnecessary overhead.

15. Mississauga should protect existing green space, even if doing so limits new housing development.

29. Mississauga should allocate more of its budget to improving roads, even if it means less funding for other core services.

30. Mississauga should spend more to develop its downtown core.

26. Mississauga should spend more on public libraries.

27. Mississauga should spend more on social housing, even if it means tax increases or cuts to other services.

28. Mississauga should spend more to improve its public transit service, even if doing so leads to higher fares.

25. Mississauga should add more traffic-calming measures to slow down drivers on residential streets.

24. Property developers should pay a greater share of the cost of road, water, and energy infrastructure needed to support new housing construction.

23. Mississauga should strictly enforce safety rules for rental housing, even if this means some units can no longer be rented out.

22. Mississauga should do more to prevent landlords from evicting tenants in order to raise rents.

21. People experiencing homelessness should be prevented from setting up encampments in public spaces.

20 Mississauga should spend more money to provide shelter spaces for people experiencing homelessness.

19. Mississauga should respond to public drug use with support services rather than police enforcement.

18. How much should Mississauga spend on policing?

14. Mississauga should encourage more multi-unit housing in neighbourhoods that are currently made up mostly of single-family home.

Somewhat agree: We are in a housing crisis, and we need to make sure the next generation can afford to live in Mississauga. I support gentle density, such as basement suites and townhomes that naturally fit into our existing neighbourhoods, like Ward 2. However, this housing growth has to be managed responsibly. It cannot overwhelm our local streets with traffic, crowd our schools or tax our infrastructure, and it must respect the character of our established community.

Strongly agree: Protecting our green spaces and parks is incredibly important to our community. Ward 2 is already largely built out, which means our remaining natural areas are finite and precious. In addition, as a strong advocate for our local wildlife, I believe we must protect their habitats.

16. Mississauga should cover the cost of programs for low-income residents, even if this means other residents pay more.

Strongly disagree: We need to support our most vulnerable neighbours, but local property taxpayers shouldn't bear this burden alone when everyone is already feeling the pressure of higher taxes. Provincial and federal governments are better suited to handle these social assistance programs, since they have the tax structures to fund them. Mississauga needs to lean on those higher levels of government instead of continuously asking our local residents to pay more.

17. Mississauga should install more bike lanes.

Somewhat agree: I support our city's 5-year plan to expand the cycling network, but we must learn from the Aquitaine Ave. pilot project and avoid removing existing driving lanes. Choking car traffic just causes gridlock. Let's focus on keeping the existing street lanes and building multi-use boulevard trails completely separated from traffic, so new routes can seamlessly connect with existing trails like the one along Lake Ontario. This keeps our commuters moving smoothly while giving cyclists, joggers, and walkers a safe place to share.

About the same: I am incredibly grateful for our police services and the vital work our officers do to keep our community safe. While police budgets rise automatically due to legislated costs, my main concern is the funding disparity that exists now. We pay 62% of the budget compared to 38% for Brampton, yet Brampton's population is about the same, and the number of reported incidents is similar. Is it fair for Mississauga to be paying disproportionately more?

Somewhat disagree: This shouldn't be an either-or choice. I really think we need a balanced approach. I support expanding the partnerships we already have, pairing police officers directly with mental health professionals to handle these situations. This will help address addiction challenges by offering compassionate healthcare while still keeping the police enforcement we need to make sure our parks and streets stay safe for everyone.

Somewhat agree: We absolutely need to support people who are homeless, especially during freezing winter months. Our shelter system is currently completely overwhelmed and running at 290% capacity. Since our city council also sits at the Peel Regional table, we have a say in these budgets. We need to use our voice there to secure funding from the provincial and federal governments to expand these spaces, instead of automatically hiking taxes on our residents.

Somewhat agree: I support Mississauga/Peel Region's current program (Coordinated Homeless Encampment Response), which outlines a human rights-based, balanced approach and keeps tents away from sensitive areas like playgrounds, splash pads, and busy transit hubs. While a city-wide ban would be ideal, it won't work as long as the emergency shelter system is over capacity. We have to address root causes like the lack of affordable housing, but the immediate solution is to expand shelter space.

Somewhat agree: I support the city's recent passing of the Rental Repairs and Renovations Licensing By-law that targets bad actors who use minor repairs as a loophole to force tenants out. At the same time, it protects the rights of honest property owners. Good landlords must be allowed to maintain and upgrade their buildings responsibly without being choked by unnecessary red tape. Enforcement should focus on stopping bad-faith evictions while still supporting a fair rental market for everyone.

Strongly agree: Basic fire and safety rules are non-negotiable because tenant safety comes first. No one should live in a dangerous unit. But we also have to handle enforcement practically so we do not force families onto the streets overnight during a housing crisis. We should crack down on unsafe living conditions while providing a straightforward path for property owners to bring their units up to code.

Somewhat agree: Hazel McCallion built Mississauga on the rule that growth must pay for growth, and I agree developers should pay their fair share so taxpayers aren't left holding the bill. But when you pile extra fees onto new housing, developers pass them straight down to the buyer. We need to rely on provincial and federal grants (like our recent $401.4M infrastructure deal) to protect home affordability for the next generation.

Somewhat agree: Based on conversations with residents, I see the benefit of tools like flashing safety lights, radar-activated speed boards and road markers on neighbourhood streets to help drivers snap out of autopilot and slow down naturally. Deploying these cost-effective visual markers and road-narrowing designs focuses safety where speeding is a proven issue.

Strongly disagree: Our public libraries provide vital learning spaces, but with 18 branches operating across our city, isn't Mississauga already very well served? Before taking a position on spending more, I want to see the financial impact and understand how it affects our residents' tax bills. The city only has 37 cents of every property tax dollar collected to fund over 200 local services.

Strongly disagree: We definitely need to expand subsidized housing options, but why should tax hikes or service cuts be the answer? The province downloaded the financial responsibility for these housing programs onto Peel Region decades ago. Since our city council also sits at the Peel Regional table, we have a say in these budgets. I would advocate pulling in funding from the upper levels of government instead of just passing the bill down to our local homeowners

Strongly disagree: I support improving our MiWay network because it is a lifeline for seniors, including my 91-year-old father who relies on transit daily to get around. Instead of making transit less affordable for residents who depend on it, we should focus on the city's current push toward electric and hybrid fleets to cut down on long-term maintenance and fuel costs as a way to improve our service.

Somewhat disagree: We definitely need to fund road maintenance. In my research, I found that our city did the opposite last year, taking over $15 million from our Roadway Rehabilitation Program to fund curb and sidewalk modifications for our new winter plowing program. This, in part, delayed rehabilitation work for the next 10 years. Why should other core services take a secondary hit?

Strongly disagree: Our downtown core is already growing rapidly, and Council recently endorsed a multi-billion-dollar vision to redevelop the Living Arts Centre site into a massive convention centre and music hub. Downtown is well on its way. We simply cannot afford to funnel even more tax dollars into the core if our local neighbourhoods get overlooked. Residents across Ward 2 pay their fair share of property taxes and deserve to see those dollars reinvested directly into maintaining their local roads, parks and community infrastructure.

Help introduce me to your neighbours and request a lawn sign!

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Addressing Mississauga’s Housing Crisis: Dialogue, Learning, and Action

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 15:52:02 GMT

Housing Solutions and the Municipal Election: An Evening with Garth Brown

Housing affordability and homelessness continue to be critical issues facing Mississauga. When addressing complex community challenges like these, I value the opportunity to learn directly from experts and ground our local discussions in practical experience.

That is why I welcomed the invitation to attend an upcoming community discussion featuring Garth Brown of the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness and a dedicated affordable-housing advocate.

I've learned that Garth has played a central role in creating practical housing options across Halton Region and brings hands-on, real-world experience to this discussion. The event, Housing Solutions and the Municipal Election , will highlight local challenges, examine successful housing models, such as legal secondary suites and supportive housing like Lakeshore Lofts by Indwell (425 Lakeshore Rd. E. in Mississauga) and consider viable solutions for our city.

EVENT DATE: Wednesday, October 14, 2026
TIME: 7:30 - 9:30 PM
LOCATION: Unitarian Congregation in Mississauga (UCM Great Hall, 84 South Service Rd., Mississauga)
TICKETS: Advance tickets for $ 2.00 available on Eventbrite or by contacting johnrowelll99@gmail.com

If you plan to attend, please feel free to say hello to me afterward. I would welcome the opportunity to chat with you and hear your views.

Resources for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 04:55:57 GMT

September 30th marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It is a day to honour Residential School Survivors, their families, and the children who never returned home.

Here are key resources to listen, learn, and reflect today:

Access historical archives, educational materials, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action.

Educational background on the history and legacy of residential schools in Ontario.

Information on local observances, including events at the Bradley Museum, flag raisings, and community programming across Mississauga.

National Indian Residential School Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419 (Available 24/7 for support).

Advance Voting Information

Sun, 27 Sep 2026 16:20:34 GMT

Advance VOTING October 6-11, 2026

Election Day is October 26, 2026, but if you can't make it to the polls that day, you can vote early. Advance polling locations will open Tuesday, October 6, and remain open until Sunday, October 11, 2026. Hours: 9:00 - 6:00 pm

Advance Poll Days 1-2

Tuesday, October 6 (Mississauga Civic Centre Only - H )
Wednesday, October 7 (Mississauga Civic Centre Only - H )

Advance Poll Days 3-6

Thursday, October 8
Friday, October 9
Saturday, October 10
Sunday, October 11

You can vote at any advance polling location.

Locations in or near Ward 2 are:

Bradley Museum transforms into a War of 1812 Encampment

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 00:10:08 GMT

Step back in time this weekend at Ward 2's Bradley Museum

The Engagement at Bradley 2026 is happening on

Saturday, September 19, 2026. + Sunday, September 20 , 2026 ( 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM)

Organized by Heritage Mississauga and the 2nd Regiment of York Militia , this incredible living history weekend brings the War of 1812 right to life in Mississauga!

What to expect:

�� Action-packed battle reenactments and tactical military drills (Saturday at 12:00 PM & 4:00 PM, Sunday at 12:00 PM & 3:30 PM)
⛺ Authentic encampments to meet historical soldiers, camp followers, and surgeons
�� Live traditional folk music and Crown Forces drum lines
��️ Sutlers’ Row featuring unique, handcrafted goods from period merchants
��️‍♂️ Family fun including a "Find the Spy" challenge, scavenger hunts, and kid-friendly Mini-Militia drills

Where: Bradley Museum , 1620 Orr Road, Mississauga

Admission: $5 for adults, and children under 12 are FREE! Visit the link below for full details.

900 Lakeshore Road West: Why Mississauga Council Deferred the 9-Storey Proposal

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 20:05:59 GMT

Following this week's Mississauga Planning and Development Committee meeting, I visited Richard's Memorial Park to share my thoughts on the 900 Lakeshore Road West proposal. One of the items on the agenda was the development proposal at 900 Lakeshore Road West, just west of this park and north of Lorne Park Estates.

The 900 Lakeshore Road West Proposal

The developer proposed a 9-storey, 161-unit building on a site that currently holds a single-family home and a neglected in-ground pool.

I attended this meeting with an open mind. On paper, it sounded like the proposal checked all the boxes. City Staff presented their recommendation to approve the project, noting that required studies on shadows, property lines, wind turbulence, water runoff, and traffic configuration all officially came back as technically acceptable. Historically, Mississauga Council aligns with staff recommendations, meaning if the discussion had ended right there, the project would have likely faced a swift approval.

But then we heard from a dedicated delegation of concerned Ward 2 residents who mobilized to oppose this project—and let me tell you, I was incredibly impressed. As president of my residents’ association, I know firsthand how vital it is for neighbours to rally together and make their voices heard.

Why the Community Mobilized Against It

About a half-dozen resident speakers came forward to systematically highlight concerns in the studies submitted by the developer. They brought forward critical arguments that gave me pause.

Some of the items included concerns about the banks and slope on the south side of the property, discrepancies with the site survey, tree ownership, failed wind reports, the overall climate of the condo market, and the necessary easements required for construction.

But the point that garnered the most attention was water runoff and flooding risks. The property is currently grass and gravel, allowing rain to be naturally absorbed. A large building and paving shift that dynamic entirely. Given the severe storms and local flooding we witnessed earlier this month, residents strongly questioned whether proposed site measures are truly enough to protect the delicate hydrology of Lorne Park Estates and the nearby park.

The delegation's legal counsel also suggested that developers ought to consider a lower-story building as an alternative. At the end of the day, no one is opposed to developing this land—it's more about how.

By the end of the presentations, Council was left with questions. Rather than forcing a rushed vote to approve or reject it, they opted to unilaterally decide to defer the decision instead.

I think they made the right call in this case.

What Happens Next: The 120-Day OLT Clock

Now, because of the timeline and the fact that the review window has extended past the statutory 120-day limit, the developer is legally within their right to file a Non-Decision Appeal with the Ontario Land Tribunal, effectively taking the decision away from the City.

Hopefully, they’ll choose cooperation over litigation and come back to satisfy the community's concerns instead.

I want to congratulate the delegation of residents for presenting a strong, organized argument, and Council for listening carefully to everyone speak and considering everything before making their move.

Stay Informed on THE FUTURE OF Ward 2

We all recognize the critical importance of building new housing in Mississauga, but it must be balanced responsibly with environmental preservation. As a candidate for City Councillor, I am committed to a collaborative approach. One that is willing to listen to residents, respect local expertise, and ensure our neighbourhood's voice is genuinely reflected at City Hall.

Alex Ragozzino's Campaign Website Is Now Live

Fri, 04 Sep 2026 20:34:23 GMT

Mississauga's Ward 2 deserves strong, accountable representation. This is where you can find out why I'm the right choice.

I'm excited to announce the launch of my campaign website. It's the online hub for my Ward 2 City Councillor candidacy in Mississauga.

Here you can learn about my background and some of my priorities for Ward 2: community safety, infrastructure and roads, responsible development, parks and green spaces, community services, and accountability and affordability. You'll also find a Ward 2 snapshot with local facts and statistics to help you understand the community we share.

If you would like to get involved, you can volunteer, donate, or request a lawn sign. Sign up for updates to stay in the loop as the campaign moves forward.

Your voice is the most important part of this campaign, so if there's something on your mind, share your concerns. I want to hear from you.

Don't forget to follow along on social media and share the site with your neighbours — every bit of exposure helps.

It will be an honour and privilege to serve and represent you at City Hall — I welcome the opportunity.

Voter Registration Portal Open

Wed, 12 Aug 2026 22:02:38 GMT

Are You Ready To Vote?

The City of Mississauga Voter Registration Portal is open for the 2026 Municipal Election. Please take a moment to check, update or add your personal information so you are ready to vote on October 16, 2026