Mississauga’s new mayor, Carolyn Parrish, has made use of her extensive strong mayor powers multiple times within her first week in office, despite initially indicating during her campaign that she aimed to minimize their use. Before assuming office, Parrish had stated to CBC News on May 7 that she preferred to rely on persuasion and solid policy rather than strong mayor powers.

However, shortly after taking office, Parrish employed these powers to effect several significant changes, including the dismissal of Shari Lichterman, who served as the city’s manager and chief administrative officer (CAO). Lichterman reported that she was informed of her termination immediately after Parrish’s inauguration meeting on June 25, without cause cited.

Parrish utilized her authority to appoint Geoff Wright as the interim city manager and CAO, effective immediately until the year’s end, bypassing the usual council decision-making process. This action, among others, such as rescinding previous mayoral delegations and creating new positions, has sparked concerns among political experts about potential implications for council dynamics and bureaucratic independence.

The abrupt use of strong mayor powers has drawn varying reactions from council members, with some expressing reservations about the implications for governance and others acknowledging certain directives positively. Despite criticism and concerns about potential politicization of municipal operations, Parrish’s early decisions have set a decisive tone for her mayoralty in Mississauga.