Ward 5 By-Election: September 19, 2011

WARD 5 MUNICIPAL BY-ELECTION:  September 19, 2011.  The City issued a Press Release announcing the date for this by-election (and advance polls) to fill the vacant Ward 5 Councillor seat on Mississauga Council.  The nomination period is now closed. 

► Voting information is on the City's Vote 2011 website.
 ► Click for the City's MAP of the Ward 5 boundaries (image).
► Click for the Results of the 2010 Municipal Election in Ward 5.
► Click for the 2011 Candidates, their Platforms and Websites.
► See the MIRANET article: Municipal Election: October 25, 2010.

** BY-ELECTION RESULTS **  Results for Mississauga's Ward 5 Councillor by-election are posted on the City's VOTE 2011 Ward 5 By-election Results webpage.  The new Councillor will be Bonnie Crombie, who will be officially sworn in on Wed. Sept. 28.
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WIKIPEDIA ARTICLE:  Ward 5 (Mississauga).
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► As stated in our Terms of Reference (section 10): "MIRANET is a non-partisan organization, and does not endorse any specific candidate seeking public office, nor any political party."
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TELEVISED WARD 5 ALL-CANDIDATES FORUM:  MIRANET and The Mississauga News co-sponsored a Ward 5 All-Candidates Forum on Monday, August 29, 2011 @ 7:30 - 10:30 p.m. at Malton Community Centre.  The Forum was broadcast LIVE by Rogers TV (Cable 10).  Click for POLICIES AND RULES established for the Forum.  NOTE: THIS WAS NOT A PUBLIC MEETING.  In the interests of fairness, each Candidate was invited to bring up to five (5) Supporters to comprise the audience -- 21 candidates participated.

 

 

 

 

We worked with Rogers TV production staff to establish the timing and pacing for the program based on the confirmed number of candidates participating (21) and the resultant production requirements.  Photo below: The 21 candidates seated at the Forum.  Bonnie Crombie, 4th from left, won the election.

We provided a Moderated Format to allow for discussion on key themes affecting the future of Ward 5 and the broader City.  MIRANET reps collaborated with several community liaisons in Ward 5 and editors/reporters from The Mississauga News on the format and the QUESTIONS to be asked of the candidates. 

Candidates had the option to send (maximum 500-word) PLATFORM STATEMENTS for posting on the MIRANET website (below). 

REBROADCAST SCHEDULE: All participating candidates pre-taped their Opening Statements, which will be re-broadcast on Rogers Cable 10 along with the debate Forum several times during the campaign period.

Opening Statements - 1 hour program
All-Candidates Forum (debate) - 3 hour program

DISCLAIMER:  MIRANET is a non-partisan organization.  The Mississauga News will be endorsing a candidate before the by-election takes place on September 19, but per agreement with MIRANET maintained an editorially neutral stance until after the televised A-C Forum was first aired live.  Both parties were committed to providing a fair and informative A-C Forum for the benefit of both the candidates and the citizens in Ward 5.  MIRANET in no way endorses any editorial policy or position The Mississauga News may take in its coverage of the candidates and the by-election.

POLICIES AND RULES FOR THE A-C FORUM:  On August 23, 2011 the document: Policies and Rules for Candidates was forwarded for acceptance by the participating Ward 5 Candidates. 

FORUM QUESTIONS:  The following 27 questions were asked alternately by The Mississauga News and MIRANET, of a rotating sub-group of candiates.  The final five (5) questions were directed to all candidates, who answered in a 'lightning round' format.  How did the CANDIDATES answer?  See the Rogers TV re-broadcast SCHEDULE for upcoming viewing times.

1.  We're sitting in the very community centre where less than 14 months ago, a teenaged boy was fatally gunned down while playing basketball.  Violent crime is a major concern for residents in this ward, and Peel Regional Police statistics show residents should indeed be worried.  Five of the last ten murders in Mississauga have been right here in Ward 5.  What are you going to do as councillor, to combat these concerns?  (The News)

2.  Why do you believe there are no Resident Association groups in Ward 5?  What would you do to encourage the development of Resident Associations to represent the interests of the Malton and Britannia neighbourhoods?  (MIRANET)

3.  How will you deal with the Goreway Drive railway/grade separation issue?  (The News)

4.  A rezoning application is before City Hall for a CREMATORIUM within a residential neighbourhood.  Many Ward 5 residents are concerned about this issue, including Delores Parker, who states that research has clearly shown that this could have serious implications for Ward 5 residents due to the hazardous emissions.  What is your position on this issue?   (MIRANET)

5.  Which party should Ward 5 residents support in next month's provincial election and why?  (The News)

6.  The City will shortly have to issue debt to meet operational costs and continue to move forward with its Strategic Plan.  Do you believe the City should go into debt?  (MIRANET)

7.  Whether it's actually true or not, there's a somewhat negative perception about Malton across Mississauga.  How will you make Malton's profile in the city more positive?  (The News)

8.  Residents of Ward 5, like Laura Delcardo and Paul Yash Sharma, have raised concerns about the maintenance of Property Standards, litter control and the need for beautification in their neighbourhoods (which would include improving pavements in Malton).  What is your response?  (MIRANET)

9.  The public's perception is that the last four years on Council have proven to be, at times, divisive and contentious, with certain groups and camps forming, showing they can't work together.  What solutions will you bring to this if you were elected?  (The News)

10.  How do you plan to advocate for Ward 5 and ensure that it gets its fair share of the City’s Budget resources?  (MIRANET)

11.  Noise from Pearson International Airport is a constant concern for some of the ward's residents.  While the airport is federally regulated, what would you do as a councillor to address these complaints now and in the face of any future expansion?  (The News)

12.  This past June Council unanimously passed a resolution calling for the abolition of the OMB (Ontario Municipal Board).  Had you been on Council how would you have voted and why?  (MIRANET)

13.  Our long-time Mayor Hazel McCallion is known for her ability to influence and isn't afraid to be hands-on.  There may be times when you as councillor don't see eye to eye with her.  Ward 5 constituents want to know will you, as their councillor, stand up to the mayor when push comes to shove on an Ward 5 issue?  (The News)

14.  Should Candidates running for Council be allowed to accept donations from developers?  How do you feel about this and even more importantly, how can you justify this to your constituents?  (MIRANET)

15.  Is the ward properly served by public transit?  If not, how will you ensure it is?  (The News)

16.  Ringed by 4 major highways, host to an International Airport, as well as home to local industry, Ward 5 has serious air quality concerns.  As the Ward 5 councillor what will you do to monitor emissions and improve the air quality in Ward 5?  (MIRANET)

17.  What is the crown jewel of Ward 5, in your opinion?  (The News)

18.  As the new Ward 5 councillor you will have to hit the ground running.  What would be your first initiative on Council?  (MIRANET)

19.  What's best for the ward -- a seasoned politician or someone new to politics?  Which are you and why is that a benefit to the ward's residents?  (The News)

20.  The City has implemented a Strategic Plan in 2009.  Are you happy with its progress and how do you see Ward 5 being part of its Vision?  (MIRANET)

21.  Video Question from a resident:  a) Do you live in Ward 5?  b) How can you assure us that you are not just an opportunist who is running to satisfy your own personal interests or needs?  c) How can we know that we count on you to build Ward 5 into a more vibrant and sustainable community?

22.  Currently not one Mississauga councillor is a visible minority.  Ward 5 is arguably the city's most diverse and multicultural ward.  How important is it to have a visible minority representing Ward 5 constituents at City Hall?  (The News)

23.  One Ward 5 candidate has offered to donate his Councillor salary to charity.  Would you do this?  (MIRANET)

24.  If you were sitting as the Ward 5 councillor when the Mississauga Judicial Inquiry was called, how would you have voted -- in support of the inquiry or against it -- and why?  (The News)

25.  Should the Judicial Inquiry report be released before the Ward 5 by-election or not?  (MIRANET)

26.  In a word or a short phrase, what is the most important issue in the Ward 5 by-election?  (The News)

27.  The City's new Official Plan is about to be approved by the Region of Peel after a long public consultation process.  Do you feel that Ward 5 is sufficiently supported by the Official Plan?  (MIRANET)

WARD 5 CANDIDATES:  The following 27 candidates are registered in the Ward 5 by-election.  Candidates who accepted the invitation to tape Opening Remarks and participate in the All-Candidates Forum are marked with *.  Click to view the candidates' Websites and/or Platform Statements.

Shirley Abraham

* Peter Adams

* Mobeen Ali | Website | Platform Statement  (Did not attend the Forum)

* Glenn Barnes | Website | Platform Statement

* Steve Bator | Website | Platform Statement

* Vlado Bertic | Website

* Mark Cashin | Website | Platform Statement

* Bonnie Crombie | Website

* Kulvinder Bobbie Daid | Website

* Jake Dheer | Website | Platform Statement

* Jamie Dookie | Website | Platform Statement

* Dianne Douglas | Website

* Jimmy Ghimery | Website

* Grant Isaac | Website | Platform Statement

* Simmer Kaur | Website

Paul Keselman | Website

Mo Khan

* Carolyn Parrish | Website

* Sandeep Patara | Platform Statement

Frank Perrotta

Cheryl Rodricks | Platform Statement

* Waqar Siddiqui | Platform Statement

* Catherine Soplet | Website | Platform Statement

* Olive Rose Steele | Platform Statement

* Barbara Hazel Tabuno | Website

* Rick Williams | Website

* Cecil Young | Website | Platform Statement


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2010 OFFICIAL ELECTION RESULTS:  Results for Mississauga's Ward 5 Trustee, Councillor and Mayoral contests are posted on the City's VOTE 2010 Ward 5 Election Results webpage. Click for the Detailed Poll by Poll Results Report including Ward 5 (54p PDF).