Steve Mahoney has opened a narrow lead over Bonnie Crombie in the race to succeed Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion, according to a new poll.

The Forum Research poll of 557 respondents, conducted Saturday, shows Mahoney at 40 per cent support and Crombie at 36 per cent — still just within the poll’s margin of error. Third candidate Stephen King still faces an almost insurmountable deficit, with only 9 per cent support.

Mahoney had only a one-point lead, 27 per cent to 26 per cent, over Crombie in a Forum poll conducted in August.

“These two candidates have been evenly matched since we started polling the Mississauga campaign,” said Forum president Lorne Bozinoff. “Now, however, one appears to be pulling away, and one appears to be faltering.”

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Two weeks ago, Mahoney secured endorsements from three public-sector unions that represent about 5,000 workers in Mississauga, and five of the 10 current councillors (not including Crombie) publicly threw their support behind Mahoney, including his wife, Katie, who is not seeking re-election.

Crombie also had some momentum, releasing a lengthy list of political heavy-hitters, business people and community leaders that are backing her. And last week she rolled out her ambitious transit plan for the city, which revolves around rapid transit to deal with growing traffic congestion in the booming city, now Canada’s sixth largest.

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Mahoney released his transit plan, too, which would be much less expensive than Crombie’s and relies heavily on high occupancy vehicle (HOV) corridors along five of the city’s main thoroughfares.

The poll shows that both enjoy high approval ratings: 70 per cent for Mahoney and 66 per cent for Crombie. King’s approval rating is at 49 per cent, according to the poll.

McCallion, who is stepping down after 36 years, is still widely respected, with an approval rating of 78 per cent.

In a key category, Mahoney has a decisive lead over Crombie: 40 per cent of respondents said he would best handle the city’s budget, compared with the 32 per cent of respondents chose Crombie.

The poll is considered accurate within plus or minus 4.2 per cent, 19 times out of 20.

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