We were honored to participate in celebrating Hazel's birthday at the Vic Johnson Community Centre in Streetsville this Valentine's Day. Hazel McCallion, a formidable figure in Canadian politics, would have marked her 103rd birthday. Her determined spirit and bold political approach left an unforgettable mark on the city of Mississauga.

She served as mayor of Streetsville in 1970 – 1973, then in 1978, she was instrumental in spearheading the transformation of Mississauga to the sixth-largest city in Canada. She is recognized for managing taxpayer funds carefully, as her personal mantra was “I spend the taxpayers’ money the way I spend my own, which is seldom.”

Life and legacy of Hazel McCallion – City of Mississauga

One of her most notable achievements was steering Mississauga through the infamous "Mississauga Miracle" of 1979, the catastrophic train derailment with the subsequent explosion and organizing the safe evacuation of 250,000 residents.

She was recognized as a trailblazer for women in politics and her advice to women was, "Think like a man, act like a lady, and work like a dog" which symbolized her approach.

Following her retirement after 36 years as mayor in 2014, McCallion continued her advocacy work. Serving as chancellor of Sheridan College and a special advisor to the University of Toronto Mississauga, she championed the rights of seniors and fought against ageism.