Hazel McCallion

Who is Hazel McCallion?

Hazel McCallion, née Journeaux, CM is the mayor of Mississauga, Ontario. McCallion has been Mississauga's mayor for 35 years, holding office since 1978. She is affectionately called "Hurricane Hazel" by supporters and the media at large for her vibrant, outspoken style of no-nonsense politics.

She is one of Canada's best-known and longest-serving mayors, and one of the longest-serving elected leaders in history. Now aged 93, she was easily re-elected in October 2010 for her 12th consecutive term, holding a 76 per cent majority of the votes, and has often been re-elected without conducting a campaign. She has been voted the second most popular mayor in the world and was made a Member of the Order of Canada in 2005. She is also a Member of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.