[projekktor id=’13745′]
(Update)
In contrast to Rob Ford — Mississauga’s Mayor received a much warmer welcome at the annual “Paint the Town Red” Canada Day celebrations in Port Credit today. In honour of the 93-year old, the festival’s parade has been renamed the “Hazel McCallion Canada Day parade.” Today, McCallion marched down Lakeshore for the last time as mayor.
On a day where we often welcome new residents to Canada, Missisauga honoured one of it’s longest serving.
Greeted with cheers of support, Hazel McCallion walked along Lakeshore, shaking hands and taking pictures with an energetic crowd. Many of these people will be sad to see her go.
“It’s great that they dedicated the parade after her.”
Renamed “the hazel mccallion canada day parade,” port credit’s annual celebration brought out some first time spectators this year… hoping to give mississauga’s mayor a patriotic sendoff before she steps down after 36 years.
“She’s been an incredible mayor for so many years. Generations. We’re sorry to see her retire. We’ll miss her desperately. I think it’s a wonderful thing to name it after her.”
Hazel McCallion: “For the parade to be named after me, it was such a big surprise and such an honour. Council endorsed it so I’m just delighted.”
As the guest of honour cut the birthday cake, she reflected on the specific part of country she spent decades serving.
Hazel said: “I love the city of Mississauga. I’ve given a lot of years to it and I’ll be here to do whatever I can even though I’m not mayor.”
Those who know her don’t doubt her dedication.
John Holland is a former Port Credit Councillor: “She’s a great example for anybody who is getting a little bit older. The work she does the work she has done. It’s just unbelievable.”
And besides says the Mayor: “Means I’ll be back next year even though I’m not mayor. It’s my parade!”
McCallion is the city’s longest serving mayor. First elected in 1978, many of the spectator’s at today’s parade weren’t even born when she first took office. While some are curious to see what a new mayor will bring to their city. Most people say they can’t imagine Mississauga without hurricane Hazel.
