The Surprising Life of Mayor ‘Hurricane Hazel’ McCallion: From Professional Hockey Player to Long-time Mayor of Mississauga

When she died in 2023 at the age of 101, former Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion was mourned across Canada. Born to humble roots on the Gaspe Peninsula, Quebec on Valentine’s Day 1921, Hazel lived a surprising and unexpected life.

From her early days on a women’s professional hockey team in Montreal, to leading Mississauga, one of Canada’s largest and fastest growing cities for 36 years, Hazel was a unique and outspoken leader. Even scandals couldn’t keep her down!

Join Annemarie Hagan, former Manager of the Museums of Mississauga, for this exploration of Mayor Hazel’s surprising life and legacies. 

Hazel McCallion as a child.
Credit: Museums of Mississauga

 Annemarie brings both personal and historical perspectives to this story, having had the honour to get to know the Mayor over her two decades working for the City of Mississauga. 

Would you like to learn more about Hazel McCallion?

I love stories about the past—I always have. I’m excited to share these amazing and unexpected stories with you.