Newly-elected leader Bonnie Crombie poses for a photo at the Queens Park Legislature in Toronto on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press)
In a statement later, Crombie said the process is “already well underway and working,” and will enable local government to run more efficiently.
“What we need to do is focus on the task at hand, roll up our sleeves and ensure we deliver the best deal for all our taxpayers,” she said.
“Dissolving Peel Region and eliminating an additional layer of government would allow Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon to become more efficient, reduce confusion amongst residents, streamline the delivery of services, and ultimately save residents and businesses time and money.”
Legislation set to dissolve Peel in January 2025
Ford announced in May that Peel Region would be dissolved in January 2025 through the Hazel McCallion Act, after the former mayor who served Mississauga for 36 years. McCallion died in January at the age of 101.
Crombie said proceeding with dissolution would honour McCallion because the late mayor wanted it to happen.
“The Premier promised Hazel he’d get it done, and he did, passing the Hazel McCallion Act, 2023 in her honour earlier this year,” Crombie said. “Let’s honour Hazel’s legacy by finishing what we’ve set out to do.”
The legislation would enable the province to dissolve the region, turning the cities of Mississauga and Brampton and the town of Caledon into independent municipalities.
The transition board, made up of five people, was appointed to make recommendations to the Ontario ministry of municipal affairs and housing. The board was expected to recommend how to proceed with services currently provided by the regional government.
Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles said on Tuesday that she has heard the report that the government might rethink its dissolution plans.
“This makes me happy,” Stiles told reporters. “I think it’s a bad deal. I think it’s a bad deal that was hatched behind closed doors between Bonnie Crombie and Doug Ford and a lot of people’s concerns were left out.”
Stiles said the province might back away because it’s becoming clearer that dissolution might lead to massive tax increases while municipal services might be lost, adding that she hopes the province will reverse its course now.
Minister won’t confirm government’s next steps
Paul Calandra, Ontario minister of municipal affairs and housing, was asked about the possible impact of the dissolution on Brampton’s taxes during question period at Queen’s Park on Tuesday.
“I can say this: The government is continuously focused on reducing taxes, building more homes. It has been at the core of what we have been doing since 2018. We will certainly never allow a community to raise taxes so that the people in that community can’t afford to live there,” Calandra said.