Sometimes it’s hard to know just who Mississauga’s mayor is — Hazel McCallion or Carolyn Parrish.
Less than two years after she showed up at City Hall, Parrish is acting more and more like the City’s top honcho. In fact, the press often turns first to the latter when in need of a pithy Mississauga source. But McCallion isn’t about to yield her crown just yet. And certainly not without a fight. Take, for example, the latest foofaraw over Enersource. At last week’s Council meeting, Parrish moved a motion to direct the City Manager to “begin the process” of potentially selling off the hydro utility, which is 90 per cent owned by the City of Mississauga. Now, it’s no secret the City has been mulling over what to do with Enersource, especially since it’s up against an Oct. 31 deadline, imposed by Queen’s Park, to sell the company and benefit from a “transfer tax holiday.” Parrish’s motion was strictly pro forma, and supported by all councillors on hand. But The Toronto Star, on what must have been a slow news day, splashed the “news” on its front page. One can only surmise what went through McCallion’s mind when she alighted from her 18-hour plane ride from the Far East, where she was on a trade mission, to be greeted by a screaming “Mississauga to sell utility” headline. She immediately accused Parrish of once again stirring up trouble — a palace coup, if you will, in her (McCallion’s) absence. “Enersource seems to be a problem with councillor Parrish,” McCallion grumped, alluding to the salary controversy that consumed an inordinate amount of Council time last year. Sparked by Parrish soon after she was elected, the controversy led to McCallion “voluntarily” opting to forego her $32,000 salary for sitting on the Enersource board. Now that’s a nice piece of change, and it’s understandable the mayor might hold a mild grudge against the newbie councillor.
It didn’t take a genius to predict the two would not be the best of friends when Parrish took her seat at City Hall after wearing out her welcome in Ottawa. Parrish was instantly deemed mayor-in-waiting by all — despite her protestations she wasn’t after the job, and despite McCallion’s attempt to cut her off at the pass by proclaiming she’ll hold on as long as her health holds up (and judging by her lack of jet lag after crossing the international date line a few times, that could be a long wait).
In her short time on Council, Parrish has morphed into a one-man McCallion opposition. The two frequently butt heads, though one suspects McCallion respects the work ethic of her younger colleague. Still, sometimes Parrish can be her own worst enemy. Like paying short shrift to decorum. Like speaking out of turn. Like bad timing in penning a lengthy column in Tuesday’s Toronto Star staking out her position on Enersource: Sell the darn thing!
Now, you’d think that speaking for Mississauga on such an important issue would be McCallion’s job. But that’s something the two will have to sort out themselves.
Meanwhile, we’ll stand on the sidelines and enjoy the spectacle. As the Laugh-In character used to say, it’s gonna be “v-e-r-y interesting.”
Joseph Chin is the News’ City Hall reporter.