Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish resigns from Peel Police Service Board in light of 21.3% budget increase
CBC
Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish has resigned from the Peel Police Service Board.
In a letter dated Friday, Parrish said staying on as a member would require supporting a 21.3 per cent budget increase for Peel Regional Police this year. Her resignation is effective immediately.
Parrish said the increase comes at a time of constrained financial circumstances for Mississauga residents. In resigning, she said she will instead concentrate on their needs.
"I cannot wear two hats," Parrish said in the letter.
"My responsibility as mayor is to all of the citizens of Mississauga including preparing budgets at both the city and regional levels and being constantly aware of the impact those budgets will have on the taxes paid by all our residents," Parrish said.
"We are in very difficult times with housing costs escalating, an unprecedented food insecurity crisis that sees one in 13 of our residents forced to use food banks, seniors struggling to stay in their homes as property taxes rise and encampments for those who can't find space in our shelters."
To keep her seat on the board, Parrish would be required to comply with board decisions, she said, including supporting the budget increase.
The board is "totally and completely" responsible for the police budget, under the Community Safety and Policing Act, and Peel regional council cannot challenge it, she added.
Parrish said the board has to create a budget that ensures Peel receives adequate and effective policing.
"The members of the board take that responsibility very seriously and have diligently worked toward fulfilling their mandate.
"Their objective is to improve safety and police services for all our residents and to focus on police services only."
Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah presented the 2025 budget during Friday's Peel Police Service Board meeting.
Parrish abstained from voting on the budget, according to meeting minutes. The board includes Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown, as well as the regional chair, one citizen appointed by regional council and three provincial appointees.
A spokesperson for Brown's office said Parrish resigned from the board on Friday morning.
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