Mississauga: Hazel's Legacy Divides Generations
In a campaign debating experience versus change, Hazel McCallion's legacy matters far more to older residents. Most say a candidate claiming to have learned from her makes no difference.
October 8, 2026 (Toronto, ON) - A new Liaison Strategies Mississauga survey finds Hazel McCallion's legacy matters to 75% of residents aged 65 and older when choosing a mayor, compared with 29% of those aged 18 to 34. As incumbent Carolyn Parrish and former mayor Bonnie Crombie defend their records against councillors Alvin Tedjo and Dipika Damerla, the findings suggest a connection to the city's past carries very different weight across generations. Overall, 49% say McCallion's legacy is important, but 52% say a candidate claiming to have learned from her makes no difference to their support.
Liaison surveyed a random sample of 1,000 Mississauga residents from October 2 to October 4, 2026, using Interactive Voice Recording (IVR) technology. Participants were reached through random digit dialling (RDD) across both landline and cellular phone networks. The resulting data was weighted to match targets based on the 2021 Census. For the total sample, the margin of error is +/- 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, and is higher for subsamples. Results may not add to 100% due to rounding.
Liaison Strategies is one of the most accurate polling firms in Canada. It ranked #1 in accuracy in the 2025 Ontario election and #2 nationally in the 2025 federal election. Liaison is a member of the Canadian Research Insights Council.
David Valentin, Principal at Liaison Strategies, said:
"This campaign has become an argument about who can best lead the city: the current mayor, a returning former mayor, or a councillor promising change. The Hazel numbers add an important qualification to the experience argument. Her legacy matters to three-quarters of residents aged 65 and older, but fewer than three in ten younger adults."
"Across the city, 25% say McCallion's legacy is very important in choosing a mayor and 24% say it is somewhat important. Twenty-six per cent say it is not very important, 14% say it is not at all important, and 11% are unsure. Nearly half still attach importance to it, but candidates cannot assume that every resident uses it as a test."
"The generational divide is striking. Importance rises from 29% among those aged 18 to 34, to 38% among those aged 35 to 49, 59% among those aged 50 to 64, and 75% among those 65 and older. Half of seniors call her legacy very important, compared with just 7% of the youngest adults."
"Crombie succeeded McCallion as mayor, and her return makes experience a central part of the contest. But valuing Hazel's legacy does not necessarily mean looking for her approval of today's candidates. Only 29% say it is important to believe McCallion would have approved of their choice. Fifty-eight per cent say that is not important, and 13% are unsure."
"The claim that a candidate learned from Hazel has limits. Twenty-eight per cent say it would make them more likely to support that candidate, 10% say less likely, and 52% say it makes no difference. Eleven per cent are unsure."
"Even among seniors, 49% say a candidate claiming to have learned from McCallion makes no difference, while 35% say it makes them more likely to offer support. Respect for her legacy does not automatically transfer to someone else's candidacy."
"Nor does that legacy belong to one campaign's supporters. It matters to 49% of respondents who initially chose Parrish, 48% who chose Crombie, and 50% who chose Tedjo. It also matters to 52% of initially undecided respondents. Those figures describe an audience several candidates can reach, not one a single campaign can take for granted."
"The debates have put today's taxes, housing, policing and transit choices front and centre. Candidates still need answers to those questions. Hazel's name can carry weight, particularly with older residents. It cannot do the work of a platform."
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About Liaison Strategies
Liaison Strategies is a national public opinion research firm. With 13 years of experience in Canadian polling, David Valentin, principal, has fielded hundreds of projects at the municipal, provincial and federal levels and appeared across Canadian media to discuss insights. Liaison is a member of the Canadian Research Insights Council (CRIC), Canada's voice of the research, analytics, and insights profession both domestically and globally.