My Mississauga News Q&A

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Pursue Funding Parity: I will support City Council in its ongoing efforts to modernize our outdated, 52-year-old funding system so our local tax dollars stop disproportionately subsidizing regional growth and align with actual service usage.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.

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.

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