How the City of Mississauga Was Born

City Celebration Days ad from Mississauga Times, January 2, 1974.

The City of Mississauga officially came to be on January 1, 1974 – 50 years ago this year. We know Mississauga today as a city of many historic villages born through amalgamation. Out of many, eventually one city came to be.

But the road to becoming a city was a long and winding one, which started many years before 1974. The concept of a singular municipality coming to be out of historic Toronto Township was not a sure thing. There were other options on the table. The decision on the fates of the towns of Mississauga, Streetsville and Port Credit were tied into the Provincial decision to adopt a two-tiered government model with the creation of the Region of Peel.

Mississauga Times banner, January 24, 1973

Scrolling through historic newspapers (primarily the Mississauga Times), highlights how tumultuous a year 1973 was for the burgeoning municipality. The early weeks of 1973 brought waiting on the official Provincial decision that would create the Region of Peel out of historic Peel County, and with that the formal adoption of 3 municipalities within the new region. Waiting for the Provincial decision caused a great deal of uncertainty and confusion over the path forward – perhaps not unlike the challenges and concerns that we have seen recently relating to the proposed (and now withdrawn) dissolution of the Region of Peel.

Clearly outlined in the newspapers was Streetsville’s pushback against the Province’s regional plan and amalgamation into the proposed new city. Streetsville had its own plan to grow, but ultimately the Province refused to hear Streetsville’s arguments. Port Credit and Streetsville would become new wards within the new city.

Mayor Martin Dobkin, from front page, Mississauga Times, January 2, 1974

But 1973 was a year rife with change and some conflicts – with a new Council election, the opening of Square One, concerns over rapid development, irate council deputations from resident groups, insufficient transportation corridors (more people, more care and more accidents were highlighted, as well as the need for broader policing in the growing town), and several high-profile crimes that carried the newspaper headlines (for example the Demeter case and the Erindale Campus murders). There was a lot of resident pushback at Town Council against urban and higher-density developments. Many of the newspaper headlines from 1973 draw direct parallels with some of our leading stories 50 years later. How does that saying go – the more things change, the more they stay the same. Perhaps.

Ballot 73 - Birth of a City logo from the Mississauga Times

It is fascinating to look back at 1973 and the road to the birth of the city and follow the civic conversation. Mayor Chic Murray would be defeated in the October election by Dr. Martin Dobkin, who would serve as the first mayor of the City of Mississauga. That was not the only change, as several long-serving community leaders stepped aside in the 1973 elections, bringing new voices and leadership to the new city.

Ward Election Boundaries, from Mississauga Times, September 17, 1973

Outside of the official birth of the city on January 1, 1974, one of the highlights of this new chapter in our story may have been “City Celebration Days” at the newly opened Square One shopping centre from January 7 to 12, 1974, which featured displays, exhibits and performances from over 25 community groups in honour of the city coming to be.

We will explore different components of our city’s story from over the last 50 years in this series and in other 50th anniversary programming here at Heritage Mississauga. Stay tuned!

We would also like to hear from you! Please share your own milestone memories from the last 50 years here in Mississauga! Please connect with us at history@heritagemississauga.org

Also, throughout 2024 there will be events and programs that connect with the City’s 50th anniversary. One exciting program is History Hunt! In honour of the City’s milestone, the Museums of Mississauga have hidden 50 virtual artifacts as part of a city-wide scavenger hunt. Explore greenspaces, trails and parks, public art installations and learn some history along the way. Did you know Colonel Saunders used to live in Applewood? Or that a Grand Duchess lived on Camilla Road? Or that a Mississauga inventor created the first rigid hockey helmet?

The Mississauga History Hunt features ten tours, each with five stops to explore. Complete each tour and collect badges and enter to win monthly contest draws throughout 2024 courtesy of Tourism Mississauga and the Friends of the Museums. At each stop, there is a clue to find the next marker. Happy hunting!

Participate in the scavenger hunt by scanning the QR codes on the signs located across Mississauga, or by downloading the STQRY app (Android / iOS) onto your device.

The History Hunt is a self-guided scavenger hunt, where you will not only unlock exclusive stories about the history of the city, but also earn virtual badges for a chance to win prizes throughout the year. Prizes include gift cards to local restaurants and experiences, and tickets to local shows and sports games.

https://mississauga.ca/anniversary/mississauga-turns-50/participate/join-the-history-hunt/

https://heritagemississauga.stqry.app/en/tour/22039

For more information on 50th Anniversary events and celebrations in the City of Mississauga, please visit: https://www.mississauga.ca/anniversary/mississauga-turns-50/events/