The importance of municipal elections

Mississauga’s next election happens on Monday, October 24th, 2022 and while previous voter turnouts have been low, here’s why elections at this level are important.
Municipal elections in the city have seen the following voter turnouts over the past four elections:
2006: 24.7%, 2010: 34.3%, 2014: 36.57% and 2018: 27%

Federal and provincial elections are more widely covered and see candidates with higher profiles but it’s at the municipal level where the key changes take places for voters.
What exactly does Mississauga’s City Council do?
Well, they represent and serve the people of Mississauga. They follow rules set by the Ontario Government called the Municipal Act.

With 11 wards in our city, your specific ward Councillor represents you in Council.
Part of their job in serving the community is that they can and should be contacted for City related problems, ideas and or feedback. (Suggestion….”Of course if you have an immediate need the best course of action is to call 311.)
They also make crucial decisions on several aspects of the City, pass by-laws (which are local laws only for Mississauga), create policies, approve budgets and provide programs and services with the aim of making Mississauga residents lives better.

Simply put, there’s a plethora of important decisions made about the city by these 11 Councillors and Mayor.
So how exactly do they make these decisions and why is it important to have the right people on council?

Mississauga’s City Council both receives requests and recommendations for new by-laws, projects, services or programs from members of Council and then create reports submitted by advisory committees, Mississauga city staff or citizens who speak at Council meetings during a deputation or public question period .
Every time a request is received, Council will thoroughly discuss it and make a decision or ask for more information to make the best decision possible.

Beyond that, each Councillor and the Mayor are automatically a member of Peel Regional Council, where a similar process of committee’s and consultation happens on regional issues. Making sure that these decisions are influenced by Mississauga’s concerns is a critical part of their role at the region.
So far, so good - we know what they do and that the majority of their job is to make decisions.
Here’s the crucial part - their decisions reflect Mississauga, where you live.

Why should you care?
Because councillors make decisions on such items as animal control, litter, noise, fences, parking, property standards, bike lanes, zoning for all buildings, parks, community centres and even trees. Regionally there are even more reasons to care, with Public Health, housing and waste management. Of course you can’t overlook potholes on both Regional & City roads. 

These are things that can/do impact your daily life and things that the Provincial and Federal governments don’t handle.

If you want change at a local level, want to have your voice and ideas heard and to impact your community, it comes primarily through connecting with your members of council in Mississauga.
You can also become a member of some of Mississauga’s various committees that get feedback from the public on key issues. Recommendations made by committees are presented to City Council to discuss and take a decision.

Citizen members on committees have the same four-year term as the Mayor and Councillors, so think carefully before committing. 
Change happens at the ground level for communities and with municipal elections happening every four years, it’s paramount to ensure your voice is heard and that you’re aware of who could be representing you at City Hall as your ward councillor.
We’ve got a wealth of information in our pockets via smartphones, accessibility to candidates and the ability to research and verify information that no other generation has experienced.
I implore you to understand what’s happening in both today’s and tomorrow’s world within our community and to have your voice and ideas heard.