What is lacking in a lot of leaders in developing and underdeveloped countries is that they don’t have that desire; they are all there for their own benefit and for other reasons. A good leader must be honest and committed to the people and must set good examples.
- Mayor “Hurricane”Hazel McCallion

The outgoing Mayor of Mississauga, Hazel McCallion is a rare breed community leader with proven integrity and uncommon boldness. She sends a strong message to future conscienceless leaders who put their personal interests above those of the teeming masses of the citizens who elected them into their office. She reveals undoubtedly, roguery leaders who are dishonest, not performing and know nothing except to enrich themselves will benefit from her advice so that they can be committed to their citizens.

She politely made a remark to the Publisher; Michael Kehinde Abiodun saying: “I read about you and OASES NEWS on the internet and I am impressed, please keep doing the good work”.

The 93 years old outgoing Mayor, is a peoples’ mayor, energetic and vibrant. She is exemplary, capable, credible, resourceful, humane, humorous, principled, efficient, unbeatable, and her leadership style is worthy of emulation by aspiring and incumbent leaders.

Find below the excerpts of the interview with this long serving Mayor of 93 years old.

Oases News: In some underdeveloped and developing countries, some leaders perform below expectations of their citizens as they don’t tailor their agenda or programs to suit the needs of those who put them in power. What advice would you like to give to these crop of leaders?

Mayor McCallion: Well it is up to the individual and the government as to whether they have the desire to help those who voted them into power and to provide the services that are lacking for their citizens. What is lacking in a lot of leaders in non-developing and underdeveloped countries is that they don’t have that desire; they are all there for their own benefit and for other reasons. A good leader must be honest and committed to the people and must set good examples.

Oases News: How can these underdeveloped and developing countries be assisted?

Mayor McCallion: In most of these countries corruption reign supreme and it is hard to help countries like that. Most of the donations are forwarded through World Vision and Red Cross in order to ensure that whatever is sent will get to the people that are in need and not to the wrong hands that will use the donations for their own benefits.

Oases News: As a Mayor and a Leader how have you have impacted positively on Mississaguans?

Mayor McCallion: When I took over as Mayor in Mississauga, I was committed to the welfare of the people of Mississauga. I care about the family; I wanted to make sure that families that live in Mississauga had all the services necessary to raise a family. They should have access to sports, arts, community centres, libraries etc. and to meet their everyday needs such as good water, good disposal garbage collection and all that. I am the people’s mayor so I wanted to make sure the city thrives.

Oases News: What are the expectations of a leader?

Mayor McCallion: Leaders should be concerned about the ”humans”, the people that live in the society to make sure their everyday needs are met, like good schools. There should be desires on the part of the leaders, if the desire is not there then the leaders will not be able to perform and serve the people that elected them into their various offices.

Oases News: How have you been able to gain the trust of Mississaugans as their elected Mayor in the past 36 years?

Mayor McCallion: I am the peoples Mayor and gave all my time to serve the people of Mississauga. They feel that I am committed and interested in their welfare, doing good things for the community, that you value the tax dollar they gave you and make sure you spend it efficiently and not wasted and that you don’t spend the tax-payers money frivolously, and that you are committed to provide the services that they need, both the citizens and the corporations because you have to look after the city businesses or else, you don’t get the revenue to look after the people. That is why they believe and trust me and to have me to lead them for 36 years.

Oases News: For a great leader to succeed, having a dedicated and hardworking team is important. What is your assessment of the team that have been working with you?

Mayor McCallion: I have a great team who are dedicated and there are no political recommendations in hiring and I believe in professional recommendation of my team that is why all the members of my team are hardworking and dedicated.

Mayor McCallion and Michael Kehinde Abiodun in a laughing mood. Mayor McCallion answering the secret behind her being energetic at 93

Oases News: What is the secret behind your strength despite your advanced age?

Mayor McCallion: God has blessed me with good health and I watch whatever I eat. I eat moderately. I eat fish and organic food with lots of fruits and vegetables.

Oases News: One of your greatest achievements was making the city free of debt for decades. How did you achieve this feat?

Mayor McCallion: I have a good financial management background and always put that to good use for the city. I do not spend the money for the city if we do not have the money. Most of the projects here in Mississauga are paid for once they are completed.

Oases News: What will you be doing after leaving the Mayoral office?

Mayor McCallion: I will still be working for a number of groups such as Ontario Women Hockey Association and will be raising fund for Sheridan College.

Oases News: How do you want to be remembered when you leave as Mayor?

Mayor McCallion: I want to be remembered as the peoples’ mayor, the mayor that is committed to her people and has the interest and welfare of her people while in the office.

Mayor McCallion Special Messages

To Oases News: “Keep up the good work, Keep it up and keep on getting and sending the messages to the leaders that things should change, people should be looked after, so keep up the good work”.

To Leaders: “Leaders should have the desire to lead and be committed”

Mayor McCallion retired from active service December 1, 2014.This interview was conducted a week before her retirement.

Footnote:

Mayor Hazel McCallion, CM (née Journeaux; born February 14, 1921) is a Canadian politician and businesswoman who served as the mayor of Mississauga, Ontario from 1978 till 2014.

She was first elected in November 1978, and is the longest serving Mayor in the city's history having served for 36 years. Because of her remarkable achievements, she was nicknamed “Hurricane”.

A Mayor whose performance has nothing to do with her age, Mayor Hazel McCallion incredibly was very busy when Oases News crew arrived her office. She removed her reading glasses and stopped what she was doing.