Susan Fennell

Susan Fennell is the current mayor of Brampton, Ontario, Canada, Susan Fennell was also the Founder and Commissioner of the National Women's Hockey League .

Background

Susan Fennell was born in Saint-Laurent, a borough of Montreal, Quebec. [http://www.bramptonsports.ca/inductee.php?pk=122 BSHOF Inductee: Susan Fennell] ] She completed an Honours Bachelor of Science in environmental science from the University of Toronto at Mississauga in 1977. [http://www.greatpast.utoronto.ca/GreatMinds/ShowBannerUTM.asp?ID=85 Biography at the University of Toronto] ] [http://www.city.brampton.on.ca/mayorcouncil/mayorbio.tml Biography at the City of Brampton website] ] She and her husband John have two adult children, Michael and Joey. Before entering politics she worked for 11 years for Toledo Scale. [http://www.susanfennell.com/biography.htm Biography at susanfennell.com] ]

Political career

Fennell's first foray into politics was with her 1988 election to Brampton City Council for Ward 3. That same year she was first elected to the Board of Governors of Sheridan College, where she served as one of the directors until 1995. During her time as a city councillor, Fennell was actively involved in several committees, including those for Economic Development and Official Plan Review. This period also saw Fennell active on the Airport Tri-Municipal Committee, the Brampton Board of Trade, and the Downtown Business Improvement Area.

In 1991, Fennell was elected to Peel Regional Council to represent Wards 3 and 4. Her first term as a regional councillor saw her chair the Brampton Budget Committee and saw the first zero-tax increase in Peel Region's history in 1993. During her stint at the regional council, Fennell also chaired the Public Works Committee and the Economic Development Committee. She was also involved in the governing council of the Board of Trade and the Highway 427 Extension Committee. [http://www.fasken.com/WEB/FMDWEBSITEFRENCH.NSF/AllDoc/6EA6E0859510BE5085256DF2005C95FE/$File/FMALERT_NOV03.PDF!OpenElement Fasken Martineau Alert] ]

The 1993 federal election, saw her run as the Progressive Conservative candidate in the Brampton riding, finishing third.

As Mayor

In 2000, Fennell defeated three-term incumbent Peter Robertson for the Brampton mayoralty.

She was re-elected in 2003, defeating councillor Bill Cowie by a 28% margin. [http://www.city.brampton.on.ca/cityvote2006/2003-results/totals.tml 2003 Municipal election results at the City of Brampton website] ]

She acted to protect Brampton's position on Peel Regional Council, including successfully negotiating with the designated Provincial Facilitator, Justice George Adams, yet the Ontario Legislature voted against the recommendation and instead increased the seats on Peel Regional Council in Mississauga's favour instead of allotting more in Brampton's favour to provide for future population growth in Brampton as was recommended by the provincial facilitator. [http://www.ontla.on.ca/hansard/house_debates/38_parl/Session1/L134B.htm Debate on the "Regional Municipality Of Peel Act, 2005", Legislative Assembly Of Ontario] , April 25 2005] [http://www.ontla.on.ca/hansard/committee_debates/38_parl/Session1/finance/F048.htm#P156_24356 Presentation to the Standing Committee On Finance And Economic Affairs] , May 6, 2005]

With 79.85% of the vote, Fennell was re-elected to a third term in 2006., defeating the nearest competitor by a 61% margin. [http://www.bramptonvotes1.ca/results-1.htm Brampton CityVote 2006 results] ]

While mayor, Fennell is heavily involved in the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, twice serving as chair of the Infrastructure and Transportation Committee, as well as being a part of the Federal Big City Mayor's Caucus.and in 2007 was elected as Chair of the Federal Ontario Municipal Caucus of FCM. She is currently also a member of the Peel Regional Police Services Board, the Large Urban Mayors Caucus of Ontario, and the Greater Toronto Marketing Alliance. , the GO-Transit Board, and the Big City Mayor's Caucus of FCM.. During Fennell's tenure as mayor, Brampton has become debt free. In 2007, Brampton was designated an Internationally Safe Community, by the World Health Organization, one of only 10 cities designated in North America...and Brampton scored the 'highest of any Canadian City'. In 2007, Brampton was also named a 'finalist' in the World Leadership Forum, for best led City in the Category of Town Planning, a solid recognition of the disciplined growth management program led by Fennell, including introduction of the only Growth Development Cap in Canada, curbing sprawl, reversing trends and taking steps to ensure a City with a vibrant Downtown, a city built to a liveable scale. Brampton is the only City in North America to become a finalist. International best led cities in the world to be named in London, England, first week in December. The late Jane Jacobs referred to Brampton in her last book, as a CIty 'that was humane'..

Mayor Susan Fennell is credited for 'getting things done'... From the new Rose Theatre in Downtown Brampton, to the new Seniors Centre (FlowerCity campus).. to the new Skateboard Park (Chinguacousy Park).. to the new Brampton Soccer Centre and the re-vitalized Earnscliffe Recreation Centre.. to the revamped Century Gardens Recreation Centre, and the newest addition, the Cassie Campbell Community Centre (complete with a Police Station!)... a new 300,000 square ft Transit Storage building.... Mayor Fennell gets things done. From Brampton's historic Flowertown roots.... to FlowerCity.today... Brampton is the 2006 Commuties in Bloom Champion City..

Significant transportation improvements, from widening roads, to improving intersections (Highway 10 and Steeles)..to successfully negotiating for 95 Million dollars from both the Federal and Provincial Govnerment, for a bus-rapid transit system... In 2008, Fennell has called for an Environment Master Plan, and created an Environment Committee of Council, with citizens, academia and business involved.

Hockey commissioner

Fennell was instrumental in the creation of the National Women's Hockey League, the premier women's hockey league in North America. She served as its commissioner from its inception in 1999 until her retirement in July 2006. [http://www.caaws.ca/e/article.cfm?ID=1040 CAAWS website] ]

Honours

Fennell is an Honorary Member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 15, an Honorary Member of the Brampton Kiwanis and Zonta clubs, and has been honoured with Rotary International's Paul Harris Fellowship. In 2005 she was named an honorary member of the William Osler Health Centre Board of Directors. She is also a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal. and has been presented the Boy Scouts "Lord Baden Powell" Medal.

In 2006 she was inducted into the City of Brampton Sports Hall of Fame in the "Builder" category for her role in the creation and growth of the NWHL.

Footnotes

External links

* [http://www.susanfennell.com/ Official site] , updated during elections
* [http://www.brampton.ca/mayorcouncil/mayor.tml City of Brampton: Susan Fennell]
* [http://www.region.peel.on.ca/council/councill/fennell.htm Region of Peel: Susan Fennell]
* [http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamChats/fennell_susan_031700.html SLAM! Sports: Susan Fennell]

Persondata
NAME = Fennell, Susan
ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
SHORT DESCRIPTION = politician, women's hockey commissioner
DATE OF BIRTH =
PLACE OF BIRTH = Montreal, Quebec, Canada
DATE OF DEATH =
PLACE OF DEATH =