Mississauga, One of Canada’s longest-serving mayors is calling on Prime Minister Stephen Harper to provide more support for municipalities, especially in terms of infrastructure funding.
Former Mississauga mayor Hazel McCallion, 94, told CTV’s Question Period she would like to see Harper express more interest in the needs of municipalities.
“The municipalities of Canada are in great need of infrastructure funding. Our infrastructure is in a bad state of repair,” said McCallion, who served as Mississauga’s mayor from 1978 to 2014. “We need sustainable funding for our municipalities. We need more authority.”
McCallion also thinks Harper’s stint as prime minister is about to come to an end. While she complimented NDP Leader Tom Mulcair for his debating skills in the House of Commons, McCallion predicted that Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau will win this year’s federal election.
“I really believe that Justin Trudeau will be the next prime minister of Canada. That will depend on his approach to many issues that are going to come up in the next election. In fact, the issues will determine the next prime minister of Canada,” said McCallion.
Trudeau has been criticized by both the Conservatives and NDP for his lack of political experience. McCallion rejected those sentiments.
“I don’t think he’s too young. I think everybody lacks experience until they’re in the job,” said McCallion. “Are you willing, first of all, to work hard? Are you willing to get advice and seek good advice?”
McCallion said she thinks that Trudeau will attract young voters, who are unhappy with the way the country is being run.
Going forward, McCallion said Canada has to focus on diversifying itself economy, instead of relying on revenues from natural resources. She called for bigger investments into education at all levels so that the country can build “brain power.”
Past prime ministers
Over her years as mayor of Mississauga, Hurricane Hazel, as she was known, got to know all of the Canadian prime ministers. She reflected on some of her fondest memories of Canada’s former leaders.
For instance, she said Pearson’s greatest contribution was the Canadian flag, which turned 50 years old this year.
“They adopted a flag that, in my opinion, has more distinction than any flag in the world: the Maple Leaf,” she said.
For McCallion, Paul Martin was the “greatest finance minister that Canada’s ever had,” who was also very committed to the needs of municipalities.
And McCallion said Jean Chretien is a “great supporter of Canada,” who had a good sense of humour.
Retirement? Not for McCallion
And though McCallion celebrated her 94th birthday just a couple of weeks ago, she shows no signs of slowing down.
She stepped down as mayor in 2014 and then published her memoirs, Hurricane Hazel – A Life with Purpose. Now McCallion has a new job as a special adviser at the University of Toronto’s Mississauga campus, where she also hopes to develop a program for those wishing to enter public office.
So, after decades in politics, what’s McCallion’s secret to political success?
“It’s hard work, doing your homework on all the issues that you have to deal with and responding to people concerns,” she said. “And being honest … with the taxpayers to tell them exactly what you can do for them and what you can’t do for them.”