Mayoral candidates square off in debate hosted by community groups

October 2, 2026 · 0 Comments

By Kathryn Fraser

On September 24, the Caledon Public Library, Caledon Chamber of Commerce, and Metamorphosis Network hosted their first All Candidates Meeting ahead of the October 26 municipal election.

This is the first of three debates that will be held and focused specifically on those running to be Caledon’s next mayor.

The event was hosted at Caledon East Community Centre and ran from 7 – 9 p.m. where candidates were able to answer several questions that had been submitted by residents prior to the meeting.

Mayoral candidates Christina Early, Alan Hart, Mario Russo, Jagdeep Sacha, and Manjit Bhondhi Saini where all in attendance for this meeting.

The banquet hall was filled with hundreds of residents who had gathered to hear from the candidates.

Sean Meagher led the meeting as moderator, asking various questions to the candidates where they were each given 90 seconds to answer.

To make sure that each candidate followed the allotted time per question, the timekeeper flashed a yellow sign to state that the speaker had 30 seconds left and a red sign once they had reached that 90 second point.

Throughout the meeting, the candidates discussed a variety of topics from Illegal truckyards to safe transportation systems, policing and working with Queen’s Park.

One main question that stood out during the session was the topic of Strong Mayor Powers.

All mayoral candidates expressed that they oppose the use of Strong Mayor Powers and that they all believe in listening to their Councillors and residents and working together instead of apart.

After answering a few further questions, Meagher began a Rapid-Fire Question round where candidates were asked three short questions and had to answer each with a short reply.

When asked about data centres and if they were in favour of building, rejecting or pausing them, candidates offered a mixed perspective.

Candidates Hart, Sacha and Saini were in favour of building them. Candidate Early was in favour of rejecting them, while Candidate Russo was in favour of pausing them.

The next rapid-fire question was what the top issue in Caledon is and what has each candidate done to address it.

Candidate Russo spoke about road safety and trucks and his work in bringing forward a motion to start the work on Mayfield Road and Highway 50.

Candidate Sacha spoke about working towards multiple issues including having more doctors for seniors, better schools for kids, safer roads and the importance of bringing in the proper technology and development to Caledon

Candidate Hart spoke about his work in presenting the Town with a list of signatures regarding the trucks and heavy volume of traffic on the roads as well as his work informing the Town about a tractor trailer that was illegally dumped in his area.

Candidate Saini spoke about the issue of illegal zoning and building of illegal properties and his goal to work towards stopping them.

Candidate Early spoke about her work in truck traffic and traffic calming where she worked with the Region of Peel to get a time prohibition on trucks for both Bolton and Caledon East, as well as her work with the Ward 1 and Ward 2 Councillors to find significant calming measures for the Forks of the Credit Road.

After the rapid-fire question period and the prepared questions were completed, those in attendance were giving the opportunity to ask the candidates some questions. Each candidate had 60 seconds to respond to the audience questions.

One issue that came forward was development, with the question: “When it comes to new development in Caledon, are you prepared as Mayor to work with the developers to secure land, infrastructure contributions and other appropriate community benefits to help deliver the parks, recreation centers, libraries, fire and emergency services that growing communities will require?”

Candidate Sacha said he was definitely ready as these are essential and necessities for residents to have. He went on to speak about the importance of having the basics in place, but also making sure to keep development balanced and that green spaces are not impacted.

“Without proper infrastructure, it is like walking with crutches; we need to have these things in place as they are the basics…for the safety and benefit of the people,” said Sacha.

Candidate Russo said that he would absolutely be prepared to work with developers and that it is essential. He expressed that people have to work through legislation as well to not have any aspects of incentivization that is contrary. Russo focused as well on the importance of the community working together and recognized community members that have given access to the Town and that by working together, the community will prosper.

“With the development community and the community at large, wherever there are benefits to be seen we should be focused in on that,” said Russo.

Candidate Hart also expressed that he would be ready and that developers support the Town. He said he would work to make sure that they stick to their contracts and get developers to chip in with infrastructure costs.

“Working with the developers we keep the farmers with their farmlands and make sure that developers are accountable in what they are developing,” said Hart

Candidate Early explained in a short and enthusiastic way, “Yes, 100% per cent”.

Candidate Saini explained that before making any plans he will make sure that what is needed is there including schools and care for seniors. Infrastructure, he added, should be fulfilled before approving any development plan.

Those looking to watch the full meeting can do so by going to https://www.youtube.com/live/EkYITODIHX4.

The next meeting will be held on October 1 at the Caledon Public Library’s Albion Branch at 150 Queen Street South Bolton and will feature local Councillor Candidates for Ward 4. 5 and 6.