My Priorities

Ward 2 is a great place to call home, and Michelle Baker is focused on keeping it that way while making it even better. Her priorities are shaped by what she hears from residents every day: safer neighbourhoods, more affordable living, responsible growth and protecting the parks and green spaces that make our community special. Michelle will bring practical, community-focused leadership to City Hall and make sure Ward 2 always has a strong voice at the table.

Safer, Stronger Neighbourhoods

Safer streets, home and vehicle security, and neighbourhoods where families can thrive and feel safe.

Affordable Living

Responsible taxes without losing services you rely on.

A Greener, Brighter Ward 2

Protecting our green spaces and parks while planning responsibly for the future.

  • Residents deserve to feel safe at home, on their streets, and in their neighbourhoods. I will work with Peel Regional Police, Mississauga By-law, Safe City Mississauga, Rate Payers Associations and Residents to address auto theft, break-ins, porch theft and other local safety concerns, and advocate on behalf of Ward 2 for visible, targeted, enforcement measures where residents identify persistent issues. We also need clearer reporting on results of these measures, including crime trends, that are updated and reviewed regularly.


  • I support police, fire and paramedics having the resources they need to protect, keep safe and help our residents. I also support clear, standardized reporting on response times, resource utilization, and the results of new investments. Any discussion on further police investment needs to include how we work with the region and the provincial government to end the inequitable cost-sharing split of Mississauga paying 62% of police costs and Brampton only 38%.  

  • New transportation such as E scooters and E Bikes, options can help residents make short trips and connect to transit, but they must operate safely. I will request a review of permitted routes, speeds, parking and sidewalk impacts, supported by injury data and resident feedback. I will advocate for clear, age-appropriate education on rider requirements, helmets, visibility, safe battery storage and the different rules that apply to different devices. We need to find a way to ramp up enforcement and focus it on dangerous behaviour and persistent misuse, alongside education where appropriate. Pedestrians and people using mobility aids must be able to use sidewalks without obstruction or conflict.

  • Speeding, aggressive driving and unsafe school routes are concerns I hear regularly at the door. I will push for neighbourhood-specific solutions, including safer crossings, appropriate traffic calming, crossing guards and targeted enforcement. Traffic studies should take place when residents report regularly experiencing the problem. Residents should also be consulted on placement and potential impacts before measures are installed. Understanding that different communities will require different solutions, I will work with City Staff to find effective, evidence-based solutions and request follow-up reviews of speeds, collisions and traffic displacement so we can adjust measures that are not delivering results.

  • Residents deserve clear rules and consistent enforcement. I will push for straightforward information on property standards and parking responsibilities (including clarity on boulevard parking), clear complaint response timelines and better coordination when a problem involves several departments. Persistent issues and repeat offenders should receive focused follow-up. Success should be measured by compliance, resolved complaints and improvements residents can see. I will seek regular reporting on response times, outstanding cases and recurring problems, rather than treating the number of tickets issued as proof that an issue has been solved.

  • A housing shortage cannot justify unsafe rental conditions. I support consistent enforcement of reasonable safety standards to protect tenants and neighbours. Where serious deficiencies are identified, the focus should be prompt correction and appropriate enforcement. If a unit must close, I will advocate for coordination with the relevant housing and support agencies to help affected tenants find safe alternatives. We need more rental housing, especially for families, and residents must be able to trust that it is safe.

  • People experiencing homelessness are members of our community and deserve dignity and appropriate supports. I support investment in shelter capacity, social and supportive housing, and pathways into stable homes. Emergency shelter is important, but so are longer-term solutions that secures stable, independent housing and when ready, include personalized physical health, mental health, and employment supports. I will work with regional and community partners and advocate for provincial and federal funding so property taxpayers are not left to carry the burden alone. Funding decisions should consider both the cost of action and the pressures that unmet housing needs place on other services.

  • Simply moving people from an encampment does not resolve homelessness. I support a response that begins with outreach, identifies health and safety needs, and connects people with appropriate shelter, housing and support. Public spaces must also remain safe and accessible for everyone. I will advocate for coordinated responses that address immediate risks and provide realistic pathways to stability, rather than relying on repeated displacement without housing solutions.

  • Public drug use requires a response that recognises health needs and protects the community. I support outreach, treatment access and mental health and addiction services as the primary response to people in crisis, with police involvement where immediate safety risks or other offences require it. I support the goals of Ontario’s Big City Mayors’ Solve the Crisis campaign and will advocate for timely treatment, supportive housing and stronger provincial coordination and funding. Municipal services cannot replace a properly functioning health and housing system.

  • Strong neighbourhoods give residents places to gather and reasons to connect. I will support community events, local markets, festivals and neighbourhood activities that reflect Ward 2’s communities. A vibrant downtown matters, but investment in public spaces, cultural opportunities and local amenities should reach neighbourhoods across Mississauga. I will assess proposals against community need, access and long-term value, so residents can see meaningful investment close to home.

Safer, Stronger Neighbourhoods

Affordable Living

  • Mississauga has a long-term plan for improving its public transit services, however many of the initiatives are planned too far into the future to make the difference residents need now such as more frequent and reliable service, better evening and weekend coverage, convenient connections to GO stations and other neighbourhood destinations. I support expanding service where gaps and demand justify it, including in major growth areas where expectations are less cars and more transit. I will explore “last mile” options with city staff including on-demand options, with accessible booking alternatives for residents who cannot use an app. There are too many households that are too far from a transit stop for it to be a viable means of transport, this must change. I support investing in better transit while protecting affordability.

  • Safe, well-maintained roads are essential, and I am committed to making sure that requests from Ward 2 are taken seriously. I will work with city staff to understand how they assess maintenance needs, ensure our community’s concerns are heard, and communicate with residents on what is taking place and when.  

  • City Hall must respect what residents can afford. Keeping taxes affordable matters but cutting services should not be the first response. Before approving additional spending, I will ask whether existing programs are delivering results, whether duplication can be removed and whether better purchasing or service arrangements could save money. Every new proposal should include maintenance, staffing and long-term operating costs as well as program details. I will also explore with staff shared procurement with other municipalities and advocate for stronger provincial and federal investment strategies. Residents deserve meaningful budget consultation and clear explanations of what spending achieves, what it costs, and why I voted as I did.

    Over the past few months, I have encountered a small number of long-term Ward 2 residents who are choosing between food and paying their property taxes. I will explore what a Mississauga short-term property tax relief program could look like for low-income or financially distressed homeowners that is means tested could include flexible payment mechanisms and/or tax deferrals to prevent housing displacement.

  • Ward 2 needs housing choices that allow young families, workers and seniors to remain in the community. I will support partnerships with non-profit and co-operative housing providers and consider incentives tied to clear affordability commitments. We should assess whether proposals deliver rents or prices residents can actually afford, suitable family homes, accessible units and options for downsizing. I will use my experience working across governments to advocate for the investment needed to deliver affordable housing and the infrastructure that supports it.

  • Renters deserve stable homes and fair treatment. I support efforts to prevent tenants from being displaced simply to secure higher rents. I will seek advice on the tools available to the City, support clear information and referrals for tenants, and advocate to the Province for effective protections and enforcement. Where redevelopment affects rental housing, I will seek appropriate measures within the City’s authority to protect tenants and reduce displacement.

  • New development should contribute an appropriate share of the infrastructure it requires. I support removing unnecessary delays while ensuring growth-related costs are allocated fairly. Provincial and federal governments must also help fund major housing-enabling infrastructure. I will scrutinise proposals that shift costs onto existing taxpayers and seek clear explanations of who pays, what is being funded and how any incentives advance housing goals.

  • A strong local economy helps residents find work and supports the services we share. I support attracting investment and helping existing businesses grow. Tax incentives should be targeted, transparent and tied to measurable public benefits, with their costs clearly explained. I will also push for clearer permit requirements, predictable service timelines and fewer unnecessary delays. Improving City processes should make it easier for residents and businesses to get answers while maintaining important safety, environmental and planning standards.

A Greener, Brighter
Ward 2

  • I support a safer, connected cycling network and the direction of the Cycling Master Plan, with individual projects assessed for safety, community need and value. In Ward 2, I will advocate for more signage reminding both cyclists and drivers of how to safely share the roadways, and better enforcement for unsafe behaviour.  I will also investigate the feasibility of a safe walking and cycling connection across the QEW to link the two parts of the ward so both communities can easily access the parks, trails, waterfront, restaurants, businesses, Clarkson GO and other services without requiring a vehicle. It will require a feasibility review, coordination with the relevant partners and a funding plan. Overall, I will prioritize projects that close real gaps, improve separation where appropriate and help residents reach everyday destinations safely.

  • I support thoughtful growth, including appropriate multi-unit housing, with infrastructure and services planned alongside it. Traffic, parking, water, drainage, transit, parks, emergency services and school capacity should be considered with the responsible partners. Residents deserve early information and meaningful opportunities to provide feedback on proposals. Work must be done to assess how developments fit their surroundings, address affordability and contribute to complete neighbourhoods, while pushing for infrastructure plans that account for existing pressures and cumulative growth.

  • Air quality is a serious concern in Ward 2. Residents deserve clear information and meaningful input on industrial proposals that may affect local air quality. I support efforts to reduce emissions, with strong evidence and transparent monitoring of local impacts. I will bring community concerns to Council, work with residents and community organizations, and advocate to the Province and relevant regulators for rigorous review and accountability. Changes involving alternative fuels should be assessed for their actual effects on surrounding communities, alongside their intended environmental benefits.

  • I will work to protect and improve parks, splash pads, accessible play spaces and dog parks, with activities for different ages and abilities – including exploring the creation of a Splashpad at Thornlodge Park. To do so I will work with residents to help identify the improvements their neighbourhoods need most. I will explore suitable underused spaces, including hydro corridors where agreements and site conditions allow, for gardens, walking routes and community uses. I will also look into improvements to these spaces such as better garbage and recycling options as well as washrooms, in public spaces.

  • Our waterfront, Rattray Marsh, parks and natural areas are central to Ward 2’s quality of life. I support protecting existing green space and sensitive habitats as the city grows. These places support recreation, absorb stormwater and provide habitat for wildlife. I will support responsible tree replacement and canopy growth, with appropriate species and maintenance, and action on invasive species and pests. I will also work improve signage in these areas, with more bylaw oversight. Improvements should allow residents to enjoy these spaces while protecting the natural features that make them special.

  • Flooding, extreme heat and severe weather affect homes, infrastructure and the cost of city services. I support practical climate action, including resilient drainage and infrastructure, flood-risk reduction, tree protection and strong green building approaches within the City’s authority. Growth decisions should account for infrastructure capacity and future weather risks. I will advocate for provincial and federal support and prioritise investments that reduce damage, protect residents and avoid higher costs later.

  • I fully support Mississauga City Council’s one-year Interim Control By-law placing a temporary freeze on new, large-scale data centre developments in order to establish clear planning rules before additional large-scale AI and hyperscale data centre projects proceed. I will seek advice on available planning tools and any lawful pause while those rules are developed. The review should address electricity and water demand, noise, land use, infrastructure costs and neighbourhood impacts. Residents deserve early information and a clear assessment of local benefits and costs. Major projects should be considered within a responsible framework that protects the community and its infrastructure.

Michelle is ready to build on what makes our community strong, tackle the challenges residents are facing and fight for a safer, more affordable and better-connected Ward 2.