Today I stand in this House to reflect on the incredible life of my friend and mentor the fearless, courageous and one-of-a-kind Hazel McCallion. With the passing of Hurricane Hazel, Mississauga, Ontario and Canada have lost a visionary, a trailblazer, a mover and shaker and a force of nature. Today, I join thousands of Canadians in mourning her passing and send my sympathies to the McCallion family who are currently grieving the loss of their mother and grandmother.

Hazel was a remarkable lady who held many titles, including politician, businesswoman, athlete and one of Canada’s and the world’s longest-serving mayors. She was known as Hurricane Hazel because of her fearless political stance. During her tenure as mayor of Mississauga, from 1978 to 2014, Hazel McCallion oversaw the city’s development from a bedroom town to the sixth largest in Canada. She led the charge to transform Mississauga from farmland into a thriving world-class city with its own identity. As the member from Mississauga Centre, I am delighted that the city became well-known for its robust economy, flourishing diversity and first-class public services under her leadership.

She was a tenacious teammate who had a powerful political influence that helped Mississauga grow into a thriving metropolis. We were friends, not just political colleagues. Her energy was as bright as ever, and I was delighted to just have had the opportunity to have her at my wedding.

She would always say, “Do your homework,” and “Every day is a great day,” before going to sleep, and I strive to do well and bring flourishing ideas to Mississauga Centre as Hazel McCallion had. She will be remembered as a pioneer who inspired us all with her political career and community involvement, but above all, I will cherish her as a close friend and confidant. Her legacy will live on forever. Rest in peace, dear Hazel.