Carolyn Parrish
Carolyn Parrish | |
---|---|
![]() Parrish in 2007 | |
7th Mayor of Mississauga | |
Assumed office June 24, 2024 | |
Deputy | Matt Mahoney[1] |
Preceded by | Bonnie Crombie |
Mississauga City Councillor | |
In office December 1, 2014 – March 15, 2024 | |
Preceded by | Bonnie Crombie |
Succeeded by | Natalie Hart |
Constituency | Ward 5 (Britannia Woods-Malton) |
In office November 14, 2006 – January 1, 2010 | |
Preceded by | George Carlson |
Succeeded by | Ron Starr |
Constituency | Ward 6 (Erindale) |
Member of Parliament for Mississauga—Erindale (Mississauga Centre; 1997–2004) (Mississauga West; 1993–1997) | |
In office October 25, 1993 – January 22, 2006 | |
Preceded by | Bob Horner |
Succeeded by | Omar Alghabra |
Personal details | |
Born | Karolina Janozeski October 3, 1946 Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
Political party | Independent |
Other political affiliations | Liberal (1993–2004) |
Relatives | Marsha Canham (sister) |
Profession | Teacher, writer |
Carolyn Parrish (born Karolina Janozeski; October 3, 1946) is a Canadian politician who has served as the mayor of Mississauga since June 24, 2024.[2][3] She was a member of the House of Commons from 1993 to 2006 representing ridings in Mississauga, Ontario; initially as a Liberal Party MP, and then as an independent MP from 2004 to 2006 following her removal from the party. She became a city councillor for Mississauga City Council in 2006, and remained there until 2010, when she was defeated by Ron Starr. After a brief retirement from politics,[4] Parrish contested and won the position of Councillor for Ward 5 in the 2014 municipal election.[5] She resigned on March 15, 2024 to successfully contest the 2024 Mississauga mayoral by-election and took office on June 24.[6]
Background
[edit]Parrish was born as Karolina Janozeski and is of Polish heritage.[7] Her sister is romance novelist Marsha Canham.[8] Parrish studied at the University of Toronto, St. Michael's College, graduating in 1969, and became a high school teacher. She served as a Trustee on the Peel Board of Education from 1985 to 1990, and was chairperson from 1988 to 1990. She was first elected to the House of Commons as a Liberal in the 1993 election and was re-elected in the three subsequent general elections of 1997, 2000 and 2004. She ended her federal career representing the Mississauga, Ontario riding of Mississauga—Erindale as an independent Member of Parliament.[9]
Federal politics
[edit]Criticism of U.S. President George W. Bush
[edit]Never promoted from the parliamentary backbench, Parrish was largely unknown nationally until the eve of the U.S.-led Invasion of Iraq in 2003. On her way out of a meeting on February 26, 2003, in a media scrum Parrish was overheard on a boom mike saying, "Damn Americans, I hate those bastards!"[10] She later told the media that her comments were directed towards George W. Bush and his administration and not the American people as a whole. Members of the opposition Canadian Alliance party called for her to be punished by then Liberal leader and Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, but no disciplinary action occurred.
After the widespread media attention on her "America-bashing" incident, she remained popular in her home riding. After electoral redistribution leading up to the 2004 election, she faced fellow Liberal MP Steve Mahoney in a nomination battle and narrowly won.[11] She was re-elected with 54% of the vote in the general election, against 32% for her Conservative opponent.
In August 2004, Parrish again created controversy by referring to those supporting the North American missile defence proposal as "a coalition of the idiots," mocking the phrase "coalition of the willing" used by Bush describing the American-led alliance in the invasion of Iraq. Paul Martin, who had succeeded Chrétien as Prime Minister, asked her to use more tact and discretion when sharing her opinions about such subjects but stopped short of asking her to apologize. She responded by saying, "I was elected by thousands of people in my riding. They have known me for years. I think they like my style."[12]
Following the November U.S. election, she expressed shock at the re-election of George W. Bush. She said that "America is completely out of touch with the rest of the free world" and blamed this on collective "profound psychological damage" due to the September 11, 2001 attacks.[13] She was also quoted as saying, "I wouldn't guess what's next on his agenda, but it's probably not peace and love."[14] When Conservative Party members called on her to apologize for these remarks she said that such comments "are in the best traditions of free speech and independence of thought." These comments came just hours after Paul Martin warned his MPs in a private caucus meeting not to make incendiary comments in the wake of the U.S. election.[15] Parrish explained that she wasn't at the meeting, but that even if she had been, it wouldn't have stopped her from speaking her mind.
In October 2004, at the annual Parliamentary Press Gallery dinner in Ottawa, Martin joked about meeting with Bush and discussing the possibility of a crewed mission to Mars. "I thought to myself, wouldn't it be great if we could get a Canadian on board? If a Canadian could be sent tens of millions of miles into the dark void of space. And as we all as a nation watch on television and together say aloud, `Bon voyage, Carolyn Parrish!'"[16]
This Hour Has 22 Minutes incident and departure from caucus
[edit]On November 17, 2004, clips of a skit for the CBC Television comedy series This Hour Has 22 Minutes were released, in which she stomped on a Bush doll and performed voodoo on its head, where she said "it would do the least damage." The full version was to air on November 19. The sketch caused outrage from Conservative members and prompted Martin to ask for a meeting with her.[17]
On November 18, a Canadian Press story quoted her as saying Martin, and those around him, could "go to hell" if they wanted her to stop making similar comments. She went on to say that she had no loyalty towards the Liberal Party and that if it were defeated in the next election, she "would not shed a tear," as she had felt betrayed by Martin's lack of help for her during her nomination and election campaigns.[18] In response to these comments, Martin, with the support of National Liberal Caucus chair Andy Savoy, expelled her from caucus, saying, "I told her that, while I have defended her right to express her views frankly, I cannot, as leader of our party and the government caucus, tolerate behaviour that demeans and disrespects others."[19]
On November 19, Parrish spoke to the press about her expulsion from caucus. She said that had she been in Martin's place, she would have done the same. She went on to say, however, that the party under Martin had fallen into disarray and that Martin and his inner circle ran the party using guerrilla warfare tactics. She said she would still vote with the Liberals on the vast majority of legislation, but would now be free to express her views without fear of reprisal.[20]
Though excluded from caucus, Parrish initially still sat as a Liberal in the House of Commons but became an independent on November 21 so that the speaker would give her time in member's statements and question period without the notice of the Liberal whip.
On November 30, 2004, Parrish appeared on CNN in an interview with Wolf Blitzer and Tucker Carlson, defending her position against Bush and her recent actions that led to ousting from the Liberal party. She also defended the overall Canadian stance regarding the Iraq War and the National Missile Defence program.[21] Several days later Martin appeared on Late Edition, with Blitzer hosting. Blitzer talked about several MPs attacking Bush and Martin replied that only Parrish had made attacks and that they had been condemned throughout Parliament.[22]
Independent MP and retirement from federal politics
[edit]Parrish announced in December 2004 that she would oppose the Martin government's proposed legislation to legally establish same-sex marriage in Canada. A surprise to the Prime Minister, Parrish claimed that, although she personally supports same-sex marriage, her constituents were generally opposed to it.[23]
On May 19, 2005, Paul Martin's Liberal government faced two votes of confidence on its 2005-06 budget legislation. In the days leading up to the vote, Parrish said that she would support the government despite her difficulties with Martin's administration. Her support was critical to the government's survival, given the even division in the house. On the morning of the vote, Parrish informed a media representative that she was suffering from severe pain due to a medical ailment. She attended the vote, which the government won by one vote.
In July 2005, Parrish chastised Chief of Defence Staff General Rick Hillier as being "dangerous" and a "testosterone-filled general" after he made comments stating that a soldier's purpose was "to be able to kill people" such as terrorists whom he described as "murderers and scumbags."[24]
Although Parrish indicated that she was considering returning to the Liberal Caucus and remains to date a card-carrying member of the Liberal Party, an aide to the Prime Minister stated on July 29, 2005, that "he's not even entertaining the thought of welcoming Carolyn Parrish back to caucus." Parrish was the only one of four Independent MPs in the House to vote with the government against the successful November 28, 2005 motion of non-confidence that brought down the Liberal government.[25]
On October 13, 2005, Parrish's spokeswoman announced that the MP had sent a letter to her constituents stating that she would not stand for re-election.[25] She publicly supported the Liberal candidate, Omar Alghabra, ahead of the 2006 election.
Municipal politics
[edit]Mississauga City Councillor
[edit]In the 2006 municipal election, Parrish was elected to Ward 6 by 1,400 votes. In 2009, she raised concerns on council regarding the possible conflict of interest of McCallion's son's company in a failed land deal involving the council, and McCallion herself in promoting it. In particular, she claimed that he personally stood to gain $10 million. An inquiry led by Douglas Cunningham was ultimately called to investigate the allegations. However, at the 2010 municipal election, Parrish lost to McCallion ally Ron Starr by 1,889 votes. She subsequently announced her retirement from political life, although has left the way open for re-entering at some point.[26][8] She contested a by-election in neighbouring Ward 5 on September 19, 2011, losing to Bonnie Crombie by 241 votes.[27] Shortly after the election, Cunningham's report was released, including a finding that McCallion had a "conflict of interest, both real and apparent" in the land deal. Parrish told media that she felt the election result would have been different had this been known.[28]
Parrish was the councillor for Ward 5 in Mississauga City Council, after winning the seat in the 2014 municipal election.[5] She has stated that she believes non-citizen permanent residents should have the right to sit on municipal committees, though not on the city council itself.[29]
On February 20, 2024, Parrish sent a letter to the Mississauga ward 5 constituents informing them that she would be resigning her councillor's seat effective March 15, 2024, in order to run for the mayor's seat in a citywide by-election to be held June 10, 2024, to replace former mayor Bonnie Crombie. She was elected as the 7th mayor of Mississauga was succeeded as councillor by Natalie Hart.
Mayor of Mississauga
[edit]Parrish was sworn in as the 7th mayor of Mississauga on June 24, 2024. The ceremony took place at the Living Arts Centre at 7 p.m. EST.[30] She appointed Ward 8 Erin Mills councillor Matt Mahoney as deputy mayor the same month.
References
[edit]- ^ "City of Mississauga Council appoints new Deputy Mayor". June 27, 2024.
- ^ "Carolyn Parrish will be Mississauga's mayor, CBC News projects". CBC News Toronto. Toronto ON: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. June 10, 2024. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
- ^ "Carolyn Parrish wins Mississauga mayoral race in closer-than-expected vote". CP24. Toronto ON: BellMedia. June 10, 2024. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
- ^ Rosella, Louie (October 25, 2010). "Parrish announces retirement after defeat". The Mississauga News. Metroland Media Group. Archived from the original on October 29, 2010. Retrieved October 29, 2014.
- ^ a b Rosella, Louie (October 27, 2014). "Parrish's political career resurrected in Ward 5". The Mississauga News. Metroland Media Group. Retrieved October 29, 2014.
- ^ "'Not going to wait': Mississauga mayor-elect says she's jumping into job before being sworn in". CP24. June 13, 2024. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
- ^ Strobel, Mike (December 10, 2009). "Poles stand out - quietly". Toronto Sun. Retrieved October 30, 2014.
- ^ a b Yang, Jennifer (November 6, 2010). "Why Carolyn Parrish lost the election". Toronto Star. Retrieved September 9, 2013.
- ^ "Ms. Carolyn Parrish, M.P." lop.parl.ca. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
- ^ "MP apologizes for calling Americans 'bastards'". CBC News. February 27, 2003. Retrieved December 25, 2011.
- ^ "Parrish wins bitter Liberal nomination battle". CP24. March 8, 2004. Archived from the original on June 15, 2012. Retrieved December 25, 2011.
- ^ "MP Parrish won't apologize for American barb". CTV.ca. August 27, 2004. Retrieved December 25, 2011.[dead link]
- ^ "Outspoken Parrish doesn't seek approval". CTV News. November 4, 2004. Archived from the original on April 21, 2012. Retrieved December 25, 2011.
- ^ "A cast of characters". CBC News. April 13, 2006. Retrieved October 27, 2015.
- ^ "Martin slams anti-American rhetoric by Liberal MP, Parrish unapologetic". Canadian Press. November 4, 2004.
- ^ "Wit and warmth highlight press gallery dinner". CTV News. October 24, 2004. Archived from the original on January 14, 2005. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
- ^ 22 Minutes at 22 Years: What Could Possibly Go Wrong?, December 9, 2014, archived from the original on December 21, 2021, retrieved October 25, 2021
- ^ Clark, Campbell (November 18, 2004). "Parrish refuses to tone down criticism". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved October 27, 2015.
- ^ Dawson, Anne (November 19, 2004). "Martin kicks MP Parrish out of caucus". and "Parrish | Behaviour demeans others: Martin". Montreal Gazette. Ottawa, Ontario. CanWest News Services. pp. A1–A4. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
- ^ "Ex-Liberal says she has no regrets over firing". CBC News. November 19, 2004. Retrieved December 8, 2011.
- ^ Adams, James (January 8, 2005). "Parrish to Carlson: There's life after the axe". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
- ^ Rythoven, Eric Van (October 2022). "Backstage Mockery: Impoliteness and Asymmetry on the World Stage". Global Studies Quarterly. 2 (4). Retrieved May 16, 2023.
- ^ Gallant, Paul (January 5, 2005). "Same-sex marriage: Harassing the squeamish". Xtra. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
Once one of the strongest Parliamentary supporters of lesbian and gay rights, Parrish's feud with Martin seems to have had an effect on her personal beliefs. Though she claims to support same-sex marriage personally, she says her constituents oppose it and that she'll vote against the bill
- ^ Taber, Jane (July 26, 2005). "Parrish, Liberals may kiss and make up". The Mississauga News. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
- ^ a b "Former Liberal MP Parrish won't run again". CBC News. October 13, 2005. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
- ^ Rosella, Louie (October 25, 2010). "Parrish announces retirement after defeat". The Mississauga News. Retrieved October 27, 2015.
- ^ Grewat, Sam (September 19, 2011). "Another McCallion ally beats Parrish by a nose". Toronto Star. Retrieved December 25, 2011.
- ^ "Inquiry justified: Parrish". The Mississauga News. October 3, 2011. Retrieved October 27, 2015.
- ^ Stolarz, Melissa (March 14, 2018). "Do You Need to be a Canadian Citizen to Serve on a Mississauga Committee?". InSauga. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
- ^ "City of Mississauga welcomes New Mayor and Ward 5 Councillor". June 13, 2024.
External links
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fa/Wikiquote-logo.svg/34px-Wikiquote-logo.svg.png)
- 1946 births
- Living people
- Canadian people of Polish descent
- Women municipal councillors in Canada
- Women members of the House of Commons of Canada
- Independent MPs in the Canadian House of Commons
- Members of the House of Commons of Canada from Ontario
- Mississauga city councillors
- Mayors of Mississauga
- Women mayors of places in Ontario
- Politicians from Toronto
- University of Toronto alumni
- Women in Ontario politics
- 21st-century Canadian politicians
- 21st-century Canadian women politicians
- Liberal Party of Canada MPs
- Canadian schoolteachers
- 20th-century Canadian politicians
- 20th-century Canadian women politicians
- Politicians affected by a party expulsion process
- Ontario school board trustees