Hazel McCallion Won’t Receive Salary While Working for Doug Ford

After much chatter–some of it positive, some of it not–about former Mississauga mayor Hazel McCallion’s new position with the newly-elected PC government, Premier Doug Ford has announced that McCallion’s position will be unpaid.

On Jan. 18, the province announced that McCallion was appointed special advisor to the premier and Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

At the time, reports indicated McCallion would receive a maximum of $150,000 a year for her new position.

Now, that appears not to be the case.

On Jan. 30, Ford was asked about McCallion’s high-paying role at a press conference regarding the construction of two new facilities at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). He told reporters that he met with McCallion over the weekend and that she told him she would refuse a salary.

“I sit on eight boards. I will help you any way I can, but I’m not taking a salary,” Ford said, quoting McCallion.

“I said that’s great, excellent. She’s going to consult. There’s no one that understands municipal issues more in the region than Hazel McCallion. She’s going to be a great asset at no cost.”

McCallion served as mayor of Mississauga from 1978 until her retirement in 2014.

She will be 98-years-old on Feb. 14.

UPDATE: According to multiple media reports, McCallion has refused the position. She says she will be available to give advice, but is too busy for another formal position.