Outgoing Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion warned those looking to fill her shoes that life in the public eye is challenging.
Nicknamed "Hurricane Hazel," McCallion has served the Ontario city as mayor since 1978, but is hosting her final council meeting on Wednesday. Her last day as mayor is Nov. 30, when she'll hand the reins to Bonnie Crombie, the candidate she endorsed during the 2014 municipal election.
"She came up with an excellent platform that I felt very strongly could carry Mississauga forward in a major way," the 93-year-old told CTV's Canada AM from Mississauga City Hall.
"I know the staff will be behind her in building the city to even greater heights."
Still, she warned Crombie and future leaders that life as a politician isn't easy.
"You're not left alone at all," she said, referring to the media.
"We need to encourage people to get involved, but they have to think seriously about it. It's not easy today. It was much easier back in 1968 when I first started in politics, but today everything is being questioned and challenged, et cetera."
McCallion has been scrutinized over her 36 years as mayor, especially last year when she faced the possibility of being removed from office after a conflict of interest hearing in 2013.
It had been alleged that she voted on issues that would save her son's company in 2007. Ultimately she was allowed to keep her job when a judge dismissed the conflict of interest complaint.
"You have to be very, very solid and very confident in your role as a mayor or member of council. It's not easy today."
McCallion told CTV's Canada AM that she's spent her final month looking back on "wonderful experiences" in office, and hasn't given much thought to what's next, other than that she plans to keep busy.
