New business investment in Mississauga created about 5,100 jobs last year, according to an economic update presented to the city's Budget Committee on Monday, Jan. 12.
Christina Kakaflikas, director of the city's Economic Development Division, told councillors that Mississauga landed 65 new investments in 2025, bringing $2.2 billion in capital into the city. The city's summary of the meeting said the figures confirmed a stable and diversified economic base.
Where the growth came from
Manufacturing accounted for the largest share of the new investment. Smart logistics came second, followed by life sciences.
Kakaflikas said the city's economic development strategy will be expanded to include creative industries, retail and placemaking, an approach that focuses on making streets and public spaces more attractive to visitors and businesses.
The wider outlook
Councillors also heard an economic outlook from Andrew Grantham, executive director and senior economist at CIBC Capital Markets. Asked about housing, he said more purpose-built rental units will be important for a healthy housing market.
The presentations opened Budget Committee's review of the proposed 2026 budget, which calls for a 1.61 per cent increase to the city's portion of the property tax bill.
Airport revenue capped again
One budget issue tied directly to the city's business base is the money Mississauga receives from the Greater Toronto Airports Authority in payments in lieu of taxes. Staff told councillors the province has reintroduced a cap on how fast that revenue can grow. Once passenger numbers return to pre-pandemic levels, future increases will be limited to five per cent.
Budget Committee continued on Tuesday, Jan. 13, with more service area presentations in the morning and a session for pre-registered residents in the evening.
