2026 Mississauga Election Candidate Profile: Ward 1 - Stephen Dasko

With the upcoming 2026 Municipal elections happening on Monday, October 26th, Modern Mississauga Media has reached out to all candidates inviting them to answer the same questions so voters can familiarize themselves with them.

With the 2022 Mississauga election having a paltry 21.84% voter turnout, this series is to educate the community and hopefully increase voter turnout for 2026.
Low voter turnout means that the voices of a few make decisions for all.

Candidate’s were also asked to provide at least four images and their answers are unedited.

Click here to read all candidate profiles and check back often as responses will be posted within 72 hours of receipt.

Click here to learn how to vote in the 2026 Mississauga Election.

1. Why are you running for Ward 1 Councillor?
The reason I am running for re-election as Ward 1 Councillor is because I am very passionate about serving our community and continuing the work we have started together. I have lived my whole life here, and having served Ward 1 for the past consecutive eight years, I have built strong relationships with residents, community organizations, businesses and stakeholders. I want to continue delivering the projects already underway while planning thoughtfully for the future and ensuring Ward 1 remains a safe, connected and vibrant community. 

2. What makes you stand out over other candidates?
Experience matters! After eight years representing Ward 1, I understand our community’s history, challenges and opportunities and have a proven record of getting things done. I bring a collaborative, common sense focus to City Hall, with transparency, open dialogue and a strong customer service approach. Whether working with residents, ratepayer groups, City staff, businesses, community organizations or other levels of government, I believe the best results come from listening, working together and finding practical solutions.

3. What are your key campaign priorities?
My priorities are fiscal accountability, community leadership, safety, and ensuring Mississauga receives its fair share.

Residents expect their tax dollars to be managed responsibly, and I believe we must continue to deliver balanced budgets, protect core services and make smart, strategic investments in the infrastructure our growing city needs. Fiscal responsibility means making sure we are getting the best value for every tax dollar while keeping property tax increases affordable and, where possible, below the rate of inflation.

Safety is also a top priority. That means continuing to invest in police and fire services, neighbourhood safety, traffic calming, pedestrian infrastructure and other measures that help residents feel safe in their homes and communities. As a member of Council, I have worked to bring a new fire hall to Dixie Road, secure a new police station for Ward 1 and advance many neighbourhood and road-safety improvements.

Mississauga must receive its fair share of funding, services and infrastructure from the provincial and federal governments. As one of Canada’s largest and fastest-growing cities, we need to ensure that growth is matched with the investments required to support it. I will continue to advocate strongly for Mississauga and Ward 1, working collaboratively while also standing up for our taxpayers when our community is not receiving the resources it deserves.

4. What budget item is the most important for Mississauga?
The most important priority is maintaining a balanced and fiscally responsible budget, that property tax increases be kept below the rate of inflation whenever possible. We need to carefully examine spending, prioritize core services and ensure that every tax dollar is delivering value for residents. I have not given my support during the budget deliberations a number of times and I am on record.  Fiscal responsibility does not mean standing still, it means making smart investments in infrastructure, safety and services while protecting taxpayers from unnecessary increases. 

5. What are your three favourite aspects of Mississauga?
The three things I value most about Mississauga are our people, our waterfront and our parks. 

Our people - we are so fortunate to have a wonderful diverse community and I am proud of how the Ward has highlighted many aspects of diversity, especially working with indigenous groups.  

Our waterfront – We are unique in Mississauga in that we have the pleasure of enjoying OUR Lake Ontario, which borders the southern end of Ward 1. From Port Credit to Lakeview, our waterfront is an incredible natural asset. It is something we should be proud of and continue to protect, enhance and make accessible for future generations. With our parks, trails, conservation areas and waterfront projects, we have an opportunity to create one of the most vibrant waterfront communities in the country, while preserving the character and natural beauty that make Ward 1 so special.

Our parks  -  we have over 40 parks in Ward 1 and I have worked with the staff at the city, and with residents to improve our parks including installing new athletic courts, chess tables, safe and economic lighting standards, as well as enhanced walking trails with great success and enthusiasm.  I will continue working to protect and enhance these spaces while ensuring they remain accessible for generations to come.

6. How will you be actively supporting our locally owned businesses if elected?
SHOP LOCAL has always been my motto!  For those receiving my regular e-newsletter (over 4,000 participants), you will always see my Shop Local section listed. Supporting local businesses is something I have been doing from day one. I have consistently promoted local businesses, attended and supported community events, and worked collaboratively with the City’s Economic Development Office, Tourism Mississauga and the Port Credit BIA along with other stakeholders. That collaborative approach has a proven track record of success. Strong local businesses create jobs, strengthen our neighbourhoods and contribute to the character that makes communities like Lakeview, Orchard Heights, Applewood Acres, Sherway, Indian Heights, Cranberry Cove, Mineola and Port Credit unique.

7. What does Mississauga currently excel at?
Mississauga has an incredibly strong arts and cultural community. I am particularly proud of the work I have done as Chair of the Mayor’s Arts and Museum Advisory Committee and through my support for the Creative Advantage Arts Plan, local cultural initiatives and community events. From our museums and performing arts to local artists and festivals, the arts help define Mississauga’s identity and bring people together. I have worked on bringing life back to the Adamson’s Estate, Derry House and Cawthra Elliott Estate; three historic landmarks we are fortunate to have in the Ward that are now being enjoyed by communities with a cultural flare!

8. How would you communicate with residents and what communication standards will you be setting and following?
Communication has been a priority since I was first elected. To date, I have hosted hundreds of public and community meetings, giving residents the opportunity to raise concerns, ask questions and work directly with myself and City staff. I have established a robust approach to engaging residents that includes regular newsletters and e-newsletters, social media, talk radio, local print media and, most importantly, direct community meetings. I believe communication should be timely, transparent and flow both ways. Residents should not simply be informed about decisions; they should have opportunities to help shape them.  My door has always been open to anyone anytime and my track record for meetings throughout the week averages eight + a day, indicating how accessible I make myself.

9. How do you plan to actively involve and include residents in decisions?
I will continue making resident engagements a fundamental part of the Ward 1 office. Since being elected in 2018, I have worked closely with residents, ratepayer groups, businesses, community organizations and local stakeholders to listen, problem-solve and advocate for our community. In the time I have served the Ward, I have had hundreds of community meetings and will continue holding community meetings creating opportunities for residents to raise concerns, ask questions, share ideas and work directly with me on issues that matter to their neighbourhoods.

I believe effective representation means being accessible, listening before making decisions and ensuring residents understand how and why decisions are being made. Residents should never feel that decisions are being made without them. The hundreds of meetings I have held since first being elected are a reflection of that commitment, and I intend to build on that record in the years ahead.

As Ward 1 continues to grow and evolve, residents need to know that their voices matter, particularly when it comes to development. I support thoughtful development that focuses on the City’s Official Plan and respects the character and needs of existing neighbourhoods while planning for future growth. Growth needs to be supported by the infrastructure, transportation, parks, schools and other services that residents need. 

I also believe strong relationships and respectful engagement with Indigenous groups and all community groups are important as they play a huge role in responsible municipal leadership. Building those relationships, listening to perspectives and working collaboratively helps us make better decisions for the future of our Ward and our city.

10. Please provide your campaign website.
reelectdasko.ca