20 Facts About Susan Fennell

Susan Fennell is a Canadian politician, who served as the mayor of Brampton, Ontario from 2000 to 2014.

Susan Fennell was the founder and commissioner of the National Women's Hockey League.

In 1953, Susan Fennell was born Susan Biefer in Saint-Laurent, a borough of Montreal, Quebec.

Susan Fennell completed an Honours Bachelor of Science in environmental science from the University of Toronto at Mississauga in 1977.

In 1991, Susan Fennell was elected to Peel Regional Council to represent Wards 3 and 4.

Susan Fennell was involved in the governing council of the Board of Trade and the Highway 427 Extension Committee.

Susan Fennell was instrumental in the creation of the National Women's Hockey League, the premier women's hockey league in North America.

Susan Fennell served as its founding commissioner from its inception in 1999 until her retirement in July 2006.

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

Susan Fennell acted to protect Brampton's position on Peel Regional Council, including negotiating with the designated provincial facilitator, Justice George Adams.

In 2008, Susan Fennell called for an environment master plan, and created the Environment Committee of Council, with citizens, academia and business involved.

Susan Fennell received $3,200 USD in donations from tobacco giant Philip Morris International in 2009.

Susan Fennell is accused of secretly and illegally lowering her own salary in 2013 to avoid, for the second consecutive year, being publicised as the highest-paid mayor in Canada; Brampton is the ninth-largest city.

Susan Fennell voluntarily removed a Marketing, Advertising and Promotion Account from her 2014 budget.

In September 2014, Susan Fennell used threats of legal action against fellow councillors, the Toronto Star, the city's integrity commissioner and auditor Deloitte to delay a city council meeting which was to discuss a major spending scandal.

Susan Fennell overturned a council decision in late 2014 that deprived her of salary and ordered that she repay taxpayers for using an expensive car service.

Days before the 2014 municipal election, Arbitrator Janet Leiper ruled that Susan Fennell violated expense rules in just two occasions, according to Susan Fennell.

Susan 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.

Susan Fennell is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal.

In December 2008, Mayor Susan Fennell was presented an honorary fifth degree black belt in Tai Kwon Do, presented by Grand Master Ken Cheung.