First real mayor's race in five decades

Twenty candidates registered to run as of Friday deadline

- NOOR JAVED

Voters will head to the polls June 10 to pick the next mayor of Mississauga and a Ward 5 councillor.

A record number of candidates have put their name in the race to be Mississauga’s next mayor — including four current councillors, the ex-husband of the former mayor and a failed wannabe from last year’s Toronto mayoral election.

The mayoral byelection, taking place on June 10, is the first time in decades there seems to be a race with several strong candidates in the running — and no one with an incumbent advantage.

Although the number of candidates registered to run is the highest according to records on the city’s website — 20 when the nomination period officially closed Friday afternoon — it’s too early to say if that larger number alone will translate into a higher voter turnout, according to experts.

“We see more of a correlation between voter turnout and if there are quality candidates,” said Zachary Spicer, a professor in York University’s School of Public Policy and Administration. “And I think you will see a higher voter turnout because there is a high number of quality candidates, and also not a lot of certainty about who is the front-runner.”

For the past 46 years, the mayoral seat in Mississauga has been held by either Hazel McCallion, who was at the helm for 36 years, or Bonnie Crombie, who stepped down from the mayoral role in January after becoming provincial Liberal leader. The last time voter turnout saw a boost was in 2014, when Crombie ran for the first time, when 36 per cent of eligible voters cast their ballots.