Hurricane Hazel throws weight behind Trudeau
Justin Trudeau met Friday with perhaps the most popular mayor in Canada’s history and one of his key supporters in Ontario — Hazel McCallion.
The former Mississauga mayor, now 94 years old, stepped down last year after holding the office during five different decades.
But she’s still a hurricane of energy when it comes to advocating for her most passionate cause.
“I know Justin and I think he’s going to bring the change we need, especially for Canadian cities. He’s a strong, energetic leader,” she said.
McCallion said she likes Trudeau’s plan to invest in long-ne- glected infrastructure and the extra $60 billion he’s committed to the goal.
For more than 40 years, McCallion fought to get money from the federal government to help transform her city from a collection of rural townships into the country’s sixth-largest city, with almost 750,000 residents.
But she says the Conservative government under Stephen Harper has failed to recognize the importance of building on the growth that she fought for.
“I don’t think Canadians struggling to make ends meet are too concerned with Ottawa balancing its budget just to win elections, while cities are crumbling and our infrastructure, under their watch, has become so heavily underfunded. Canadian cities are facing a $185-billon infrastructure deficit right now.”
Mississauga’s share of that deficit is about $1.5 billion.
Trudeau, responding to McCallion’s endorsement, told the Star he’s committed to turning things around. “Canada’s economy relies on its cities running efficiently. New investments in infrastructure are key to making sure cities like those in the GTA stay competitive. As importantly, healthy infrastructure helps folks get to work on time and back home again to their families. We’ll work with cities to make sure they get the federal help they need to make infrastructure upgrades,” Trudeau said.
McCallion’s endorsement can carry weight with voters.
Her backing of Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne was seen as instru- mental in the provincial Liberals’ victory last year.
McCallion, legendary for her ability to connect with constituents — she often won elections with more than 90 per cent of the vote — says she’s confident the Liberals will get the federal government’s priorities straight.
“People at home want the government to spend money, wisely, on infrastructure, to invest in cities and transportation and all the things that create growth and jobs. That’s exactly what Justin is going to do, just like Paul Martin when he gave cities a share of the gas tax. Now Justin will carry on that legacy for cities. We are the engines of the country. The Conservatives don’t seem to understand that.”