City of Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion was recognized Wednesday night with a Special Lifetime Achievement Award from The Learning Partnership at a tribute dinner, along with honourees Peter Gilgan, founder and CEO of Mattamy Homes and Jacques Menard, Chairman, BMO Nesbitt Burns/President, BMO Financial Group. At the event which celebrated "Champions of Public Education Across Canada," Mayor McCallion was celebrated for her work in promoting education in the city.

"It is quite an honour to receive this award," said Mayor McCallion. "I am so proud of the Council and staff at the City of Mississauga for having the vision and also giving financial support first to the University of Toronto Mississauga and now to Sheridan College. In fact, in our Strategic Plan, we commit to attracting and expanding educational opportunities for Mississauga. We have always worked well with our education partners including the school boards to ensure the best possible environment for young people to learn and grow."

Established in 1993, The Learning Partnership (TLP) is a national charitable organization dedicated to championing a strong public education system in Canada through innovative programs, credible research, policy initiatives, executive leadership and public engagement. Since its inception, more than four million students and teachers have participated in one or more of TLP’s programs, including Take Our Kids to Work™, Welcome to Kindergarten™, Change Your Future and Entrepreneurial Adventure.

As Canada's sixth largest city, Mississauga is home to 738,000 residents and 55,000 businesses, including 63 Fortune 500 companies with Canadian head offices or major divisional head offices. A diverse, progressive and award-winning municipality located on the shores of Lake Ontario in the heart of the Greater Toronto Area, Mississauga is "Leading Today for Tomorrow" by focussing on delivering services, implementing its Strategic Plan, delivering value for money and maintaining infrastructure.

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