Carolyn Parrish uses strong mayor powers to fire top bureaucrat
Some concerned about chilling effect after Mississauga's new mayor uses powers
- UPDATE: The city posted a seventh strong mayor directive to its website this week. The decision, to appoint two individuals to official city roles, took effect June 28. The appointments are for interim commissioners of transportation and works as well as infrastructure, planning and engineering.
Mississauga's new mayor, Carolyn Parrish, has already used strong mayor powers half a dozen times in her first week on the job, despite saying on the campaign trail that she would aim to avoid using them.
On May 7, before becoming mayor, Parrish told CBC News: "I would try not to use strong mayor powers. I think the power of persuasion and general good solid policy is much stronger."
However, the new mayor has already used the powers for a number of moves, including to replace the city's chief administrative officer (CAO).
Shari Lichterman was the city's manager and CAO until last week.
But on June 25, the day after the new mayor was sworn in, Parrish asked to meet with her, Litcherman told CBC News. Litcherman said Parrish told her at the meeting that her job was being terminated immediately without cause.
The city's website confirms Parrish used her provincially granted strong mayor powers — which allow her to act without the majority of council to override bylaws and hire and fire department heads — to replace Lichterman with Geoff Wright as the interim city manager and CAO effective immediately until the end of the year.
"I was hoping to be given an opportunity to work with her," said Litcherman. "But clearly, she had already made a decision."
Parrish did not respond to a request from CBC News to speak about the decision.
Among half a dozen mayoral directives so far, Parrish has rescinded Mayor Crombie's decision to delegate the powers to hire and dismiss certain city officials to the city manager, appointed an interim city solicitor, created a deputy mayor position, appointed various chair and vice chairs and changed the nature of the budget committee.
The slew of unilateral decisions just days into her term is raising concerns from some political experts that the mayor's choice to repeatedly use strong mayor powers could have a chilling effect among councillors and staff.
No opportunity for council to decide together
The role of the city manager and CAO is to make sure the municipality functions well and can deliver services like public transit or recreation programs well to the public.
Council first met with Parrish as its mayor on June 26 — after Lichterman was let go — leaving no opportunity to form a decision together about the future of the role.
Shari
Lichterman, who was the city manager and chief administrative officer
at the city of Mississauga, was terminated by the mayor on June 25. (Talia Ricci/CBC)
Lichterman said she worked with Parrish while the new mayor was still a councillor and the two never had a negative relationship.
In a news release June 26, Parrish thanked Lichterman for her contributions, but did not say why she was replacing her with a new CAO.
"I want to thank Shari for her years of service to the organization and our residents, as well as her contributions to moving Mississauga forward," Parrish said. "I wish her well in her future endeavours."
Lichterman said some of her former colleagues were left "a bit shaken" by her dismissal and that she's worried the move "risks politicizing the bureaucracy." However, she said she trusts her former colleague, Wright, will do a good job leading staff through the situation and wished the best for the city.
The new CAO and city manager told CBC News in a statement: "I think our role as staff has not changed at all... providing that independent advice and recommendations to council, so we will continue to do that as an organization."
'Sledgehammer has come out pretty quickly': professor
Myer Siemiatycki, professor emeritus of political science at Toronto Metropolitan University, said Parrish's directive to hire and fire certain staff is a political decision rather than a bureaucratic one and signals she's going to be in charge and running the show.
"The sledgehammer has come out pretty quickly in Mississauga, it seems," said Siemiatycki.
"It's worse than a chill. It signals to those senior civil service staff that their recommendations to council had better align with the mayor's preferences, or their jobs are in jeopardy," he said.
That, he said, is "dangerous to good governance."
Myer
Siemiatycki, professor emeritus at Toronto Metropolitan University,
says it is 'dangerous to good governance' that the new Mississauga mayor
has used strong mayor powers multiple times in her first week on the
job. (CBC)
Stephen Adler, senior public affairs director at National Public Relations, says Parrish's timing is surprising but likely wise.
"If you are going to go in with a hammer, it's better to go in with a hammer on day one," he said.
Adler said he thinks Parrish will continue to work well with other council colleagues.
Several directives well-received: councillor
CBC News reached out to multiple council members to discuss Parrish's early use of the powers.
Many were unwilling to comment on whether using them was justified.
Ward 1 Coun. Stephen Dasko, who also ran for mayor, said it was a "different" approach to what his own might be, but one Parrish is allowed to pursue.
Coun.
Stephen Dasko says he would take a different approach to using strong
mayor powers than Parrish, but added she is allowed to make her own
choices. (Clara Pasieka/CBC)
Ward 11 Coun. Brad Butt, said he did not want to comment on the new mayor's decisions, but that he has always been against the powers.
"Where the mayor wants to be collaborative, as an example on the budget process, I think that's great and I'm delighted to work with my colleagues," said Butt, who was appointed chair of the new budget committee through one of the mayoral directives.
He says several directives, like creating a deputy mayor, were well-received by council.
"I think Mayor Parrish has done a good job reaching out and consulting with members of council, regardless of strong mayor powers," he said.
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Carolyn Parrish wins Mississauga mayoral byelection
Parrish will become only 3rd politician to hold post since 1978
Carolyn Parrish called it a "victory" for Mississauga after she was elected the city's next mayor in a byelection that saw just over a quarter of eligible voters cast a ballot.
The former city councillor and federal member of Parliament consistently led opinion polls conducted during the campaign despite declining most debates and media appearances — something her rivals criticized her for.
A large crowd of supporters at the Mississauga Convention Centre cheered Monday night as CBC News projected Parrish would beat out her nearest rival, Alvin Tedjo.
"Today we celebrate not just a victory at the polls but a victory for the future of our city," Parrish told her supporters during her winning speech.
"This victory is your victory."
Parrish, who has been in politics for 35 years, has vowed to help those struggling with the increasing cost of living by constraining the city budget — although she didn't set hard targets or release a costed platform. Voters indicated housing and affordability concerns were among the top issues at stake during a time of expansion that has seen Mississauga grow into the third-largest city in Ontario and the seventh-largest in Canada.
Tedjo said he messaged Parrish to congratulate her on her win, and to wish her well in her new role. He told supporters that they came close, noting polls showed his support six months ago was at just four per cent.
"She is now the leader of all of us and it is in our interest to work together to make sure that we have the best city," he said.
"She has spent her life fighting for our community and I look forward to continuing to work with her on council."
The City of Mississauga said 25.71 per cent of eligible voters cast a ballot, up from more than 21 per cent who got involved in the city's 2022 municipal election.
Parrish had 43,494 votes, while Tedjo came runner-up with 35,005 votes, according to the city's unofficial results. Dipika Damerla came third place with 27,119 votes and Stephen Dasko was in fourth with 22,340 votes.
Tedjo, Damerla and Dasko are set to return to their jobs as city councillors.
Twenty candidates were in the running for the city's top job, which was triggered when former mayor Bonnie Crombie resigned in January to lead the Ontario Liberal Party.
Parrish will become only the third politician to hold the post since 1978, after Crombie and long-serving former mayor Hazel McCallion.
Shortly after launching into her prepared victory speech, Parrish abandoned it and declared the region will be stronger because there will be "three mayors that actually get along.
"And we will be formidable when we go to Queen's Park or to Ottawa to tell them we need our fair share of funding," Parrish told supporters.
"We're going to mix charm and force and we're going to take over the world!"
The byelection winner will serve as mayor for the remainder of the 2022-2026 term.
Following Parrish's win, Ontario Premier Doug Ford congratulated the mayor-elect on her victory.
"I'm looking forward to working with you as we build a stronger Mississauga and a stronger Ontario," Ford said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown also took to social media to congratulate the new mayor-elect.
"I have been encouraged, the way her campaign has spoken about public safety, infrastructure investments, housing and working collaboratively," he posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
"[Parrish] has an impressive record in public service, and I have enjoyed working with her at the Region of Peel over the last 6 years."
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow also reacted to Parrish's win.
"I look forward working with you on the issues that affect our region," Chow said in a post on X.
Dipika Damerla was in third place with more than 99 per cent of polls reporting. (Derick Deonarain/CBC)
What is Parrish promising to do as mayor?
On taxes: Parrish's campaign didn't release a fully-costed platform, but she has promised to constrain the city's budget in order to hold property tax rates "close to the rate of inflation."
On housing: Parrish said she'll use a "wide range of solutions" to address the housing affordability crisis, including supporting "gentle infill" and pushing the owners of aging malls to convert them into residential sites — something mall owners across North America have been doing in recent years.
On livability: Expect Parrish to also try to line up more public-private partnerships, which she said could lead to more community centres for youth and an expansion of the city's arts programs.
On public safety: Parrish has also said she's closely monitoring the ratio between police officers and residents as crime becomes a "growing concern" in Mississauga. Policing in the city is run through the region, so it's unclear how many tax dollars Parrish would be willing to spend on increasing Peel Regional Police's ranks.
On transit: Parrish didn't present a transit expansion map during her campaign, unlike her top rivals. Instead, she said an east-west connector to the Hurontario LRT, which is set to open in September, will be "essential," as is all-day two-way GO Train service on the Milton line. "Funding from senior levels of government will be a priority," she said.
Natalie Hart wins Ward 5 council spot
Natalie Hart, who scored a key endorsement from Crombie, will be the next councillor for Ward 5, according to the City of Mississauga's unofficial election results.
Hart faced a stiff challenge from Danny Singh.
There were 15 candidates in the race to represent the ward, which includes the Malton community and also houses Toronto Pearson International Airport.
Past Ward 5 councillors have gone on to hold other political roles, including Crombie and her predecessor Eve Adams, who went on to become an MP.
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With files from Ryan Patrick Jones, John Rieti, Madi Wong, Julia Whalen and The Canadian Press
Ontario’s Big City Mayors (OBCM)
Ontario’s Big City Mayors (OBCM) is comprised of mayors of Ontario cities with populations of 100,000 or more. Collectively, Ontario’s Big City Mayors represent nearly 70% of Ontario’s population.
OBCM provides a voice for big city mayors in policy debates that impact Ontario cities. Through policy development, advocacy, discussion and partnerships, Ontario’s Big City Mayors support strong and effective cities.
OBCM achieves this by:
- Forging relationships with the federal and provincial governments, municipal organizations such as the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, and other stakeholders
- Meeting with government ministers and representatives to voice the perspective of big cities and work together to achieve shared goals
- Taking public positions on key issues and opportunities that affect big cities
- Sharing information, data, research, and resources among members and with other governments, stakeholders, and organizations
- Participating in government policy consultation processes as the voice of Ontario’s big cities
Mayor Marianne Meed Ward, City of Burlington is the current Chair and Mayor Josh Morgan, City of London is the Vice-Chair
Executive Committee
Mayor Shaun Collier
Mayor Alex Nuttall
Mayor Patrick Brown
Mayor Kevin Davis
Mayor Jan Ligget
Mayor Darrin Canniff
Deputy Mayor Willie Woo
Mayor Andrea Horwath
Mayor Berry Vrbanovic
Mayor Frank Scarpitti
Mayor Gordon Krantz
Mayor Carolyn Parrish
Mayor Dan Carter
Mayor Mark Sutcliffe
Mayor Kevin Ashe
Mayor David West
Mayor Mat Siscoe
Mayor Paul Lefebvre
Mayor Ken Boshcoff
Mayor Olivia Chow
Mayor Steven Del Duca
Mayor Dorothy McCabe
Mayor Elizabeth Roy
Mayor Drew Dilkens
List of Member Municipalities
Mailing address
6-2400 Dundas St W
Mississauga, ON
L5K 2R8
Phone
647-308-6602
General Contact
Role of the Integrity Commissioner
The role of the Integrity Commissioner is to:
Advise
The Integrity Commissioner gives advice to members of Council if requested about their duty and responsibilities under the Code of Conduct. Advice can be given confidentially to a member of Council or in a general way to all members of Council.
- Council Code of Conduct
- Local Boards Code of Conduct. There are two types of local boards, each with their own code of conduct. These include adjudicative boards, which make decisions about how the City runs, and non-adjudicative boards, which make recommendations to Council about specific issues.
Investigate complaints
If the Integrity Commissioner receives a request to investigate a complaint they will first assess the validity of the complaint. If the complaint is valid, the Integrity Commissioner will report the reason for the investigation, estimated time and expected cost to conduct the investigation to Council.
The Integrity Commissioner also investigates concerns about the behaviour of a member of a local board or committee if it conflicts with the code of conduct for local boards.
Train and educate
The Integrity Commissioner gives training and reference material about its role, responsibilities of Council under the Council code of conduct, such as how to disclose gifts and any other procedures, rules or policies covered by the rules in the code of conduct.
Request clarification
The Integrity Commissioner can ask a member of Council to clarify their request before starting an investigation. If the member of Council believes the result of any action taken by the Integrity Commissioner is not what was intended, the Member of Council can provide clarification to the Integrity Commissioner or may even withdraw their request.
Report
The Integrity Commissioner submits an annual report to Council about any recommendations or investigations made in the previous year, as well as any significant developments or recommendations about their role as the City’s Integrity Commissioner.
How to contact the Integrity Commissioner
If you have concerns regarding the behaviour of a member of Council or a member of a local board that you believe is in conflict with the Local Boards Code of Conduct, you can Request an Inquiry
Submit your request by mail, email or in person to:
Principles Integrity
Integrity Commissioner
Phone: 647-259-8697
Email: postoffice@principlesintegrity.org
Carolyn Parrish
Carolyn Parrish | |
|---|---|
 Parrish in 2007 | |
| 7th Mayor of Mississauga | |
| Assumed office June 24, 2024 | |
| Deputy | Matt Mahoney[1] |
| Preceded by | Bonnie Crombie |
| Mississauga City Councillor | |
| In office December 1, 2014 – March 15, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Bonnie Crombie |
| Succeeded by | Natalie Hart |
| Constituency | Ward 5 (Britannia Woods-Malton) |
| In office November 14, 2006 – January 1, 2010 | |
| Preceded by | George Carlson |
| Succeeded by | Ron Starr |
| Constituency | Ward 6 (Erindale) |
| Member of Parliament for Mississauga—Erindale | |
| In office June 28, 2004 – January 22, 2006 | |
| Preceded by | Riding established |
| Succeeded by | Omar Alghabra |
| Member of Parliament for Mississauga Centre | |
| In office June 2, 1997 – June 27, 2004 | |
| Preceded by | Riding established |
| Succeeded by | Riding dissolved |
| Member of Parliament for Mississauga West | |
| In office October 25, 1993 – June 1, 1997 | |
| Preceded by | Bob Horner |
| Succeeded by | Steve Mahoney |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Karolina Janoszewska October 3, 1946 Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Political party | Independent |
| Other political affiliations | Liberal (1993–2004) |
| Relatives | Marsha Canham (sister) |
| Profession | Teacher, writer |
Carolyn Parrish (born Karolina Janoszewska; October 3, 1946) is a Canadian politician who has served as the mayor of Mississauga since June 24, 2024.[2][3] She was a member of the House of Commons from 1993 to 2006 representing ridings in Mississauga, Ontario; initially as a Liberal Party MP, and then as an independent MP from 2004 to 2006 following her removal from the party. She became a city councillor for Mississauga City Council in 2006, and remained there until 2010, when she was defeated by Ron Starr. After a brief retirement from politics,[4] Parrish contested and won the position of Councillor for Ward 5 in the 2014 municipal election.[5] She resigned on March 15, 2024 to successfully contest the 2024 Mississauga mayoral by-election and took office on June 24.[6]
Background
Parrish was born as Karolina Janoszewska and is of Polish heritage.[7] Her sister is romance novelist Marsha Canham.[8] Parrish studied at the University of Toronto, St. Michael's College, graduating in 1969, and became a high school teacher. She served as a Trustee on the Peel Board of Education from 1985 to 1990, and was chairperson from 1988 to 1990. She was first elected to the House of Commons as a Liberal in the 1993 election and was re-elected in the three subsequent general elections of 1997, 2000 and 2004. She ended her federal career representing the Mississauga, Ontarioriding of Mississauga—Erindale as an independent Member of Parliament.[9]
Federal politics
Criticism of U.S. President George W. Bush
Never promoted from the parliamentary backbench, Parrish was largely unknown nationally until the eve of the U.S.-led Invasion of Iraq in 2003. On her way out of a meeting on February 26, 2003, in a media scrum Parrish was overheard on a boom mike saying, "Damn Americans, I hate those bastards!"[10] She later told the media that her comments were directed towards George W. Bush and his administration and not the American people as a whole. Members of the opposition Canadian Alliance party called for her to be punished by then Liberal leader and Prime MinisterJean Chrétien, but no disciplinary action occurred.
After the widespread media attention on her "America-bashing" incident, she remained popular in her home riding. After electoral redistribution leading up to the 2004 election, she faced fellow Liberal MPSteve Mahoney in a nomination battle and narrowly won.[11] She was re-elected with 54% of the vote in the general election, against 32% for her Conservative opponent.
In August 2004, Parrish again created controversy by referring to those supporting the North American missile defence proposal as "a coalition of the idiots," mocking the phrase "coalition of the willing" used by Bush describing the American-led alliance in the invasion of Iraq. Paul Martin, who had succeeded Chrétien as Prime Minister, asked her to use more tact and discretion when sharing her opinions about such subjects but stopped short of asking her to apologize. She responded by saying, "I was elected by thousands of people in my riding. They have known me for years. I think they like my style."[12]
Following the November U.S. election, she expressed shock at the re-election of George W. Bush. She said that "America is completely out of touch with the rest of the free world" and blamed this on collective "profound psychological damage" due to the September 11, 2001 attacks.[13] She was also quoted as saying, "I wouldn't guess what's next on his agenda, but it's probably not peace and love."[14] When Conservative Party members called on her to apologize for these remarks she said that such comments "are in the best traditions of free speech and independence of thought." These comments came just hours after Paul Martin warned his MPs in a private caucus meeting not to make incendiary comments in the wake of the U.S. election.[15] Parrish explained that she wasn't at the meeting, but that even if she had been, it wouldn't have stopped her from speaking her mind.
In October 2004, at the annual Parliamentary Press Gallery dinner in Ottawa, Martin joked about meeting with Bush and discussing the possibility of a crewed mission to Mars. "I thought to myself, wouldn't it be great if we could get a Canadian on board? If a Canadian could be sent tens of millions of miles into the dark void of space. And as we all as a nation watch on television and together say aloud, `Bon voyage, Carolyn Parrish!'"[16]
This Hour Has 22 Minutes incident and departure from caucus
On November 17, 2004, clips of a skit for the CBC Television comedy series This Hour Has 22 Minutes were released, in which she stomped on a Bush doll and performed voodoo on its head, where she said "it would do the least damage." The full version was to air on November 19. The sketch caused outrage from Conservative members and prompted Martin to ask for a meeting with her.[17]
On November 18, a Canadian Press story quoted her as saying Martin, and those around him, could "go to hell" if they wanted her to stop making similar comments. She went on to say that she had no loyalty towards the Liberal Party and that if it were defeated in the next election, she "would not shed a tear," as she had felt betrayed by Martin's lack of help for her during her nomination and election campaigns.[18] In response to these comments, Martin, with the support of National Liberal Caucus chairAndy Savoy, expelled her from caucus, saying, "I told her that, while I have defended her right to express her views frankly, I cannot, as leader of our party and the government caucus, tolerate behaviour that demeans and disrespects others."[19]
On November 19, Parrish spoke to the press about her expulsion from caucus. She said that had she been in Martin's place, she would have done the same. She went on to say, however, that the party under Martin had fallen into disarray and that Martin and his inner circle ran the party using guerrilla warfare tactics. She said she would still vote with the Liberals on the vast majority of legislation, but would now be free to express her views without fear of reprisal.[20]
Though excluded from caucus, Parrish initially still sat as a Liberal in the House of Commons but became an independent on November 21 so that the speaker would give her time in member's statements and question period without the notice of the Liberal whip.
On November 30, 2004, Parrish appeared on CNN in an interview with Wolf Blitzer and Tucker Carlson, defending her position against Bush and her recent actions that led to ousting from the Liberal party. She also defended the overall Canadian stance regarding the Iraq War and the National Missile Defence program.[21] Several days later Martin appeared on Late Edition, with Blitzer hosting. Blitzer talked about several MPs attacking Bush and Martin replied that only Parrish had made attacks and that they had been condemned throughout Parliament.[22]
Independent MP and retirement from federal politics
Parrish announced in December 2004 that she would oppose the Martin government's proposed legislation to legally establish same-sex marriage in Canada. A surprise to the Prime Minister, Parrish claimed that, although she personally supports same-sex marriage, her constituents were generally opposed to it.[23]
On May 19, 2005, Paul Martin's Liberal government faced two votes of confidence on its 2005-06 budget legislation. In the days leading up to the vote, Parrish said that she would support the government despite her difficulties with Martin's administration. Her support was critical to the government's survival, given the even division in the house. On the morning of the vote, Parrish informed a media representative that she was suffering from severe pain due to a medical ailment. She attended the vote, which the government won by one vote.
In July 2005, Parrish chastised Chief of Defence Staff General Rick Hillier as being "dangerous" and a "testosterone-filled general" after he made comments stating that a soldier's purpose was "to be able to kill people" such as terrorists whom he described as "murderers and scumbags."[24]
Although Parrish indicated that she was considering returning to the Liberal Caucus and remains to date a card-carrying member of the Liberal Party, an aide to the Prime Minister stated on July 29, 2005, that "he's not even entertaining the thought of welcoming Carolyn Parrish back to caucus." Parrish was the only one of four Independent MPs in the House to vote with the government against the successful November 28, 2005 motion of non-confidence that brought down the Liberal government.[25]
On October 13, 2005, Parrish's spokeswoman announced that the MP had sent a letter to her constituents stating that she would not stand for re-election.[25] She publicly supported the Liberal candidate, Omar Alghabra, ahead of the 2006 election.
Municipal politics
Mississauga City Councillor
In the 2006 municipal election, Parrish was elected to Ward 6 by 1,400 votes. In 2009, she raised concerns on council regarding the possible conflict of interest of McCallion's son's company in a failed land deal involving the council, and McCallion herself in promoting it. In particular, she claimed that he personally stood to gain $10 million. An inquiry led by Douglas Cunningham was ultimately called to investigate the allegations. However, at the 2010 municipal election, Parrish lost to McCallion ally Ron Starr by 1,889 votes. She subsequently announced her retirement from political life, although has left the way open for re-entering at some point.[26][8] She contested a by-election in neighbouring Ward 5 on September 19, 2011, losing to Bonnie Crombie by 241 votes.[27] Shortly after the election, Cunningham's report was released, including a finding that McCallion had a "conflict of interest, both real and apparent" in the land deal. Parrish told media that she felt the election result would have been different had this been known.[28]
Parrish was the councillor for Ward 5 in Mississauga City Council, after winning the seat in the 2014 municipal election.[5] She has stated that she believes non-citizen permanent residents should have the right to sit on municipal committees, though not on the city council itself.[29]
On February 20, 2024, Parrish sent a letter to the Mississauga ward 5 constituents informing them that she would be resigning her councillor's seat effective March 15, 2024, in order to run for the mayor's seat in a citywide by-election to be held June 10, 2024, to replace former mayor Bonnie Crombie. She was elected as the 7th mayor of Mississauga was succeeded as councillor by Natalie Hart.