Mississauga’s retiring 93-year-old mayor has endorsed a candidate in the race to replace her.
“Hurricane” Hazel McCallion offered her opinion to a group of Chinese-Canadian community leaders earlier this week, throwing her support behind Bonnie Crombie.
“I have every confidence that when you review (the platforms), you will vote for Bonnie Crombie,” she said, adding, “Bonnie is young and ambitious, works hard and (has) got some new ideas.”
McCallion oversaw Mississauga’s growth from a small town to a city of nearly 800,000. She was most recently re-elected in 2010 with 77 per cent of the vote.
Her endorsement could tip the scales in a close race. A poll conducted on Sept. 27 found Steven Mahoney had 40 per cent support, compared to Crombie’s 36 per cent. The Forum Research poll was considered accurate plus or minus 4.3 per cent, 19 times out of 20.
Mahoney is a former city councillor, Liberal MPP and Liberal MP.
Crombie is a current city councillor and former Liberal MP.
Crombie may have McCallion on side, but Mahoney has been endorsed by local unions, including CUPE Local 966, OPSEU Local 277 and ATU Local 1572, which together represent more than 5,000 workers.
