Mayor Parrish must apologize or be censured

We are calling on the Mississauga community and allies to reach out urgently to their Mississauga City Councillor and demand accountability for Mayor Carolyn Parrish’s divisive actions and statements. At a recent City Council meeting, Mayor Parrish drew a deeply offensive comparison between Yahya Sinwar, the former Hamas terrorist leader responsible for the October 7 terrorist attacks and countless innocent lives lost, and Nelson Mandela, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate known worldwide for his fight for human rights and peace. That comparison was both despicable and telling.

We have since discovered that Mayor Parrish has a history – going back at least to 2012 when she served as a Mississauga City Councillor – of issuing highly offensive anti-Zionist tweets, including one stating that she “does not get into discussions with Zionists”...finding it a “fruitless exercise.” Mayor Parrish has displayed behaviour that is especially concerning for an elected leader, and her bias against the Jewish community can no longer be ignored.

Despite multiple Councillors opposing the use of city property to host a vigil honouring Yahya Sinwar, the terrorist responsible for masterminding the massacres in Israel on October 7, Mayor Parrish insisted on allowing the event to proceed. Organized by Canadian Defenders 4 Human Rights (CD4HR), the vigil was intended to take place on November 26 at Celebration Square and to memorialize a terrorist who died as an active Hamas operative.

While it now appears the vigil may not go forward, Mayor Parrish has neither apologized for her offensive remarks nor acknowledged the hurtful, divisive nature of the vigil itself. With her comments last week when she stated “one’s view of terrorist may not be the same as another’s” the mayor’s bias against the Jewish community has, once again, become evident. Her role as mayor is to foster inclusivity. To exacerbate divisions and insert her own geopolitical views is dangerous and irresponsible.

CIJA and the Jewish community have been advocating for Mayor Parrish to issue an unequivocal apology for her offensive remarks and her dismissive attitude toward the concerns of the Jewish community regarding the vigil. Her behaviour not only contradicts our city's values but also tarnishes Mississauga's reputation. Mayor Parrish must be held responsible for ensuring the needs and interests of all citizens are met. Given the divisive nature of her comments, and her lack of interest in engaging with the community, and that the Mayor has not apologized, e believe Mississauga City Council should put forward a motion to censure the mayor until she recognizes the impacts of her words. This will ensure she understands that hate is not tolerated in Mississauga. This is not acceptable governance of a city, and she must apologize.

Here is what we ask you to do to make our voices heard.

1. If you reside in Mississauga: Contact your Mississauga City Councillor by using this link. If you do not reside in Mississauga, call one or more Mississauga City Councillors as a community member in support of others living there.
   
   
2. Tell them you support the City Council members who oppose this vigil and demand that, if the Mayor does not apologize unreservedly by Friday, November 22, Mayor Parrish be censured by City Council for her offensive remarks and mishandling of the vigil. You will find points to consider when drafting your message here. 
   
   
3. Request that the Integrity Commissioner conduct an inquiry as to whether the Mayor contravened Rules 9 and 12 of the Mississauga Code of Conduct by filling out this form and email it to [email protected].
   
   
4. Forward this message to others concerned about our community’s values and safety.

Let’s ensure that Mississauga remains a city that stands against hate and intolerance. Together, we can make a difference.