Updated December 13th, 2023

With current-for-now Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie recently winning the leadership role for the Ontario Liberal Party, she’s confirmed to be stepping down in January, 2024, once her current commitments are met, specifically the city budget.
This causes a vacant Mayor position, which results in a by-election for Mississauga.
Here’s what you need to know about Mississauga’s 2024 Mayoral by-election.

What is a municipal by-election?

A by-election is an election that happens during the council or school board term. It may occur because:

A seat becomes vacant on a council or school board (by-election for office)

If the elected person resigns, loses their eligibility (for example, by moving away) or dies during the term, their seat becomes vacant.

Who is eligible to run in a Mississaugal by-election?

Anyone who is a resident of Mississauga. You do not need to own property; only be a resident.

Will the Mississauga mayoral by election be similar to the recent Toronto by-election process-wise?

It will be similar but certainly not the same, with the key difference being election signs.

Mississauga only allows election signs on private property, with residential and or commercial properties with permission. That means you won't see public property littered with these signs. There will still be debates, advance voting and an election day voting process.

What is the cost of a mayoral by-election?

The City of Mississauga has estimated the approximate cost of a Mayoral by-election to be $3.5 (three point five) million dollars paid by taxpayers/ City of Mississauga.

What is the approximate cost of a ward by-election?

The City of Mississauga has estimated the approximate cost of a ward election to be $500,000 (five hundred thousand dollars) paid by taxpayers/ City of Mississauga.

However, however, however…
There’s a chance that figure can be drastically reduced.
If a current Ward Councillor decides to run for Mayor and resign their ward seat to match the timeline for a ward by-election, it could (if voted on and agreed by council) occur on the same timeline as the mayoral race, and potentially saving quite a bit of taxpayer money.

Will the 2026 Mississauga election proceed as scheduled with a by-election happening in 2024?

The 2024 by-election will have no impact on any 2026 timelines.

What is the timeline of the 2024 Mississauga Mayoral by-election?

The timeline from resignation to voting day is up to the City Clerk and is typically 60 (sixty) to 90 (ninety) days.
On December 13th, 2023, Mayor Bonnie Crombie officially tendered her resignation, effective January 12th, 2024.

When the Mayor officially resigns, Council must declare the seat vacant at the next possible Council meeting after receiving the resignation.

From there, Council has 60 (sixty) days to pass a by-law requiring a by-election for the vacant seat. Staff would prepare a report outlining the specific timing for this by-election.

If a current Ward Councillor wants to run for mayor, do they have to resign their seat to run in the Mayoral by-election?

A current ward councillor does not have to resign their seat to run in the by-election. They will only be required to resign if they win. This is unique to a by-election in that a councillor would not be able to run for a ward and mayor at the same time.

What's the process if a current Ward Councillor becomes Mayor?

If a sitting Councillor is elected as Mayor and a Council seat consequently becomes vacant, within 60 (sixty) days Council must:

(a) fill the vacancy by appointing a person who has consented to accept the office if appointed; or

(b) require a by-election to be held to fill the vacancy in accordance with the Municipal Elections Act, 1996. 2001, c. 25, s. 263 (1).

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What You Need to Know About Mississauga's 2024 Mayoral By-Election