Mississauga mayoral debate: 3 candidates battle over bike lanes
CBC
Three Mississauga mayoral candidates sparred over bike lanes but were united in their hope for the city's future at a Thursday night debate run by CBC News.
David Common hosted the debate, which featured Dipika Damerla, Stephen Dasko and Alvin Tedjo — all three of whom are current city councillors looking to take over the city's top job after the departure of Bonnie Crombie — now leader of the Ontario Liberals.
There are 20 candidates running to become Mississauga's next mayor on June 10. You can find out who they are and what they're pitching here.
In her closing remarks, Damerla argued it's a close election between her and Carolyn Parrish – another current councillor and experienced politician who is not taking part in debates during the campaign – and that she's the real alternative to those who don't want Parrish to win.
"I believe that the greatest cities are those where everyday people have the faith that if they work hard, they can build a better life for themselves and their kids," Damerla told the audience at the Living Arts Centre.
Alvin Tedjo shot back at Damerla's argument, saying: "People do have a real choice in this election."
Tedjo has launched a robust platform that features a two-year property tax freeze. He said Mississauga needs to believe in itself and not live in Toronto's shadow. "We can have nice things and we should get them," he said in his closing remarks.
You can compare the platforms of four of the top candidates using this tool from CBC News:
Stephen Dasko pitched himself as the visionary leader who can set Mississauga on the right course for the next 50 years. "We have greatness in us," he told voters.
He was also involved in one of the sharpest exchanges of the evening after criticizing Damerla's plan to cancel the city's planned redesign of Bloor Street, which would see a car lane removed and bike lanes installed.
"I don't think she has a friend on council right now," Dasko said of Damerla.
Damerla shot back that she was showing leadership and that even though council approved the plan, as mayor she would have the "guts" to scrap it.
Dasko, for his part, has said he would review the plans.
WATCH | How the candidates plan to handle Mississauga's housing crisis:
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