Scanned, retyped or internet copy, if there are errors, please e-mail me with corrections: Opening comments: More at the end.
Having known Hazel McCallion for years, none of this do I believe. The PR line that CLAIMS people love her so much that there is no end to what praise and honours, really sells and swells a certain ego. I find it highly unlikely that she had no idea she was being considered for the Order of Canada, the BIG LIE is Hazel's mostly used method.
Think it is more likely she orchestrated events that would gain her the highly prized Order of Canada - that rightfully, should be beyond her reach.
But with the resources of an elected politician at her command, many things that should not be, can be. Judging by all the awards, honours etc., that Hazel collects like some old ladies collect teaspoons or figurines, everyone knows that to serve Hazel pile it high, like sacrifices to a false god.
Finally, lets not forget Hazel McCallion is known as a control freak. To try to surprise her with trying to apply for the Order of Canada and word gets out that it failed, would be the kiss of death. Don't think even her own family would dare to try without the Mississauga's Godmother permission and having an ironclad plan to get around "Hurricane Hazel" embarrassing past.
Toronto Star - Aug. 31, 2005 - By MIKE FUNSTON, STAFF REPORTER
McCallion surprised by Order of Canada honour
Hazel McCallion has received a multitude of honours throughout her 27 years as Mississauga's feisty mayor, but says her proudest achievement yet was being appointed a member of the Order of Canada.
The announcement was made yesterday by Governor General Adrienne Clarkson, although the 84-year-old dynamo, a native of Port Daniel, Que., said she was informed by registered letter in July and told to keep it a secret, which she did.
"I was all alone with my dog when the letter arrived, so I couldn't celebrate with anybody," McCallion said in an interview.
"I was really surprised because I had thought that politicians still serving in office could not receive it."
Actually, sitting federal and provincial politicians and judges are not eligible, but municipal politicians are, a spokesperson for the Governor General's office said.
There were 82 new appointments made to the Order yesterday, including jazz artist Diana Krall and Olympic gold medal speedskater Catriona Le May Doan.
The Order of Canada may be McCallion's greatest award, but probably won't be her last. McCallion is in great health and plans on running for mayor again in the 2006 municipal election, she told the Toronto Star.
McCallion is best known for leading Mississauga through what was then the largest peacetime evacuation in North American history in 1979, when 220,000 people were ordered to leave the city after a Canadian Pacific freight train carrying deadly chlorine derailed and exploded. There were no fatalities and it was dubbed "the miracle of Mississauga."
McCallion since has seen Mississauga grow to almost 700,000 people and Canada's sixth largest city with no debt and a triple-A credit rating.
Among the honours she has received are the Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, the Paul Harris Fellowship by Rotary International and the Helen Keller Fellowship from the Mississauga Lions Club. She was also named a Melvin Jones Fellow for dedicated humanitarian service by Lions Clubs International.
McCallion, who once played for a women's professional hockey team in Montreal 60 years ago, is also a member of the Mississauga Sports Hall of Fame. She has received the Canadian Family Values Award from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was invested as a Dame of the Sovereign Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, Knights of Malta.
McCallion will receive her award in a ceremony at Rideau Hall at a yet to be determined date.
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