Anna-Marie Castrilli
Encyclopedia
Annamarie Castrilli is a former politician
in Ontario
, Canada
. A lawyer, and university lecturer, she sat on several boards of directors, including being the chair of the University of Toronto
's Governing Council. She was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario
in the 1995 Ontario general election
as a Liberal
, and served as a Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) through June 1999. In 1996, she ran for the leadership of the Ontario Liberal Party, but finished sixth. After losing a nomination battle in her newly constituted constituency, she crossed the floor to the governing Progressive Conservatives
on the day the 1999 Ontario general election
was called. She ran in that campaign as a Conservative candidate in Parkdale–High Park
, but lost to one of her fellow Liberal leadership contenders, Gerard Kennedy
. She has not run for public office since.
, receiving a Bachelor of Arts
degree in 1969, a Master of Arts
degree in 1970, and a Ph.D.
in 1977. She subsequently attended Osgoode Hall Law School
, receiving an LL.B. in 1984. She worked as an Associate Lawyer with the firm of Harries, Hauser, Loudon & Syron from 1985 to 1989 and was a Tax Partner with Bratty and Partners in 1990. From 1991 to 1995, she ran a private practice as a corporate lawyer.
Castrilli also served on the Governing Council of the University of Toronto from 1989 to 1995 (including two years as Chair), was a trustee with the Sunnybrook Hospital
from 1993 to 1995, and was a director of the Royal Ontario Museum
, also from 1993 to 1995. She was a founding member of the Italian Canadian Women's Alliance in 1976, and of the Women's Intercultural Council in 1988. Before entering politics, she had written several articles on multiculturalism, women's issues and human rights.
, Castrilli was elected as a Liberal in the northwest Toronto
riding of Downsview
, defeating incumbent New Democrat Anthony Perruzza
by 360 votes. The general election was won by the Progressive Conservatives, and Castrilli became the Opposition Critic for Colleges and Universities, also serving as Associate Critic to the Attorney-General. Fellow Liberals MPPs soon dubbed her "La Contessa" because of her patrician demeanour.
When Lyn McLeod
resigned as Liberal leader in 1996, Castrilli entered the race to succeed her. Her candidacy did not receive widespread support, and she placed sixth of out seven candidates on the first ballot. Castrilli initially withdrew from the contest but changed her mind a few minutes later, causing a delay in the voting process as the ballots needed to be reprinted. She again placed sixth and was forced out of the contest, giving her support to eventual winner Dalton McGuinty
. (See Ontario Liberal Leadership Conventions
.)
Castrilli initially planned to run as a Liberal in the 1999 provincial election
, but was defeated for the party's nomination in York Centre
by fellow caucus member Monte Kwinter
. The Progressive Conservative government had previously reduced the number of constituencies from 130 to 103, forcing several incumbent Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) to compete against one another for renomination.
On the last sitting day of the legislature, Castrilli crossed the floor to sit as a Progressive Conservative. She won the PC nomination in the riding of Parkdale—High Park
, and faced high-profile Liberal MPP Gerard Kennedy
in the general election (Kennedy had finished second to McGuinty in the leadership contest). One of Castrilli's most prominent supporters was John Nunziata
, an Independent member of the Canadian House of Commons
who had left the Liberal Party of Canada
in 1996.
The contest between Kennedy and Castrilli was expected to be close, but it was not when Kennedy won with 23,030 votes, while Castrilli received 12,699.
In the federal election of 2004, Castrilli supported Conservative Party
candidate Michael Mostyn. Later in the year, she was co-chair of Jim Flaherty
's unsuccessful bid to lead the provincial Tories.
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
in Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. A lawyer, and university lecturer, she sat on several boards of directors, including being the chair of the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
's Governing Council. She was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario
Legislative Assembly of Ontario
The Legislative Assembly of Ontario , is the legislature of the Canadian province of Ontario, and is the second largest provincial legislature of Canada...
in the 1995 Ontario general election
Ontario general election, 1995
The Ontario general election of 1995 was held on June 8, 1995, to elect members of the 36th Legislative Assembly of the province of Ontario, Canada...
as a Liberal
Ontario Liberal Party
The Ontario Liberal Party is a provincial political party in the province of Ontario, Canada. It has formed the Government of Ontario since the provincial election of 2003. The party is ideologically aligned with the Liberal Party of Canada but the two parties are organizationally independent and...
, and served as a Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) through June 1999. In 1996, she ran for the leadership of the Ontario Liberal Party, but finished sixth. After losing a nomination battle in her newly constituted constituency, she crossed the floor to the governing Progressive Conservatives
Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario
The Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario , is a right-of-centre political party in Ontario, Canada. The party was known for many years as "Ontario's natural governing party." It has ruled the province for 80 of the years since Confederation, including an uninterrupted run from 1943 to 1985...
on the day the 1999 Ontario general election
Ontario general election, 1999
An Ontario general election was held on June 3, 1999, to elect members of the 37th Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, Canada....
was called. She ran in that campaign as a Conservative candidate in Parkdale–High Park
Parkdale—High Park (provincial electoral district)
Parkdale—High Park is a provincial electoral district in Ontario, Canada, that has been represented in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario since 1999....
, but lost to one of her fellow Liberal leadership contenders, Gerard Kennedy
Gerard Kennedy
Gerard Michael Kennedy is a Canadian politician in Ontario, Canada. He served as Ontario's Minister of Education from 2003 to 2006, when he resigned to make an unsuccessful bid for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada...
. She has not run for public office since.
Background
Castrilli was educated at the University of TorontoUniversity of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
, receiving a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree in 1969, a Master of Arts
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
degree in 1970, and a Ph.D.
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
in 1977. She subsequently attended Osgoode Hall Law School
Osgoode Hall Law School
Osgoode Hall Law School is a Canadian law school, located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and affiliated with York University. Named after the first Chief Justice of Ontario, William Osgoode, the law school was established by The Law Society of Upper Canada in 1889 and was the only accredited law...
, receiving an LL.B. in 1984. She worked as an Associate Lawyer with the firm of Harries, Hauser, Loudon & Syron from 1985 to 1989 and was a Tax Partner with Bratty and Partners in 1990. From 1991 to 1995, she ran a private practice as a corporate lawyer.
Castrilli also served on the Governing Council of the University of Toronto from 1989 to 1995 (including two years as Chair), was a trustee with the Sunnybrook Hospital
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, abbreviated SHSC and known simply as Sunnybrook, is an academic health sciences centre located in Toronto, Ontario....
from 1993 to 1995, and was a director of the Royal Ontario Museum
Royal Ontario Museum
The Royal Ontario Museum is a museum of world culture and natural history in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. With its main entrance facing Bloor Street in Downtown Toronto, the museum is situated north of Queen's Park and east of Philosopher's Walk in the University of Toronto...
, also from 1993 to 1995. She was a founding member of the Italian Canadian Women's Alliance in 1976, and of the Women's Intercultural Council in 1988. Before entering politics, she had written several articles on multiculturalism, women's issues and human rights.
Politics
In the provincial election of 1995Ontario general election, 1995
The Ontario general election of 1995 was held on June 8, 1995, to elect members of the 36th Legislative Assembly of the province of Ontario, Canada...
, Castrilli was elected as a Liberal in the northwest Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
riding of Downsview
Downsview (electoral district)
Downsview was a provincial electoral district in Ontario, Canada. It was created for the 1963 provincial election, and was retained until redistribution in 1999...
, defeating incumbent New Democrat Anthony Perruzza
Anthony Perruzza
Anthony Perruzza is a politician in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He was a city councillor in North York from 1988 to 1990, and served in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1990 to 1995 as a member of the New Democratic Party...
by 360 votes. The general election was won by the Progressive Conservatives, and Castrilli became the Opposition Critic for Colleges and Universities, also serving as Associate Critic to the Attorney-General. Fellow Liberals MPPs soon dubbed her "La Contessa" because of her patrician demeanour.
When Lyn McLeod
Lyn McLeod
Lyn McLeod is a politician in Ontario, Canada. She served in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1987 to 2003. McLeod was a cabinet minister in the Liberal government of David Peterson from 1987 to 1990, and served as leader of the Ontario Liberal Party from 1992 to 1996.-Background - Pre...
resigned as Liberal leader in 1996, Castrilli entered the race to succeed her. Her candidacy did not receive widespread support, and she placed sixth of out seven candidates on the first ballot. Castrilli initially withdrew from the contest but changed her mind a few minutes later, causing a delay in the voting process as the ballots needed to be reprinted. She again placed sixth and was forced out of the contest, giving her support to eventual winner Dalton McGuinty
Dalton McGuinty
Dalton James Patrick McGuinty, Jr., MPP is a Canadian lawyer, politician and, since October 23, 2003, the 24th and current Premier of the Canadian province of Ontario....
. (See Ontario Liberal Leadership Conventions
Ontario Liberal leadership conventions
Ballot-by-ballot results of leadership elections in the Ontario Liberal Party, a political party in the Province of Ontario, Canada.Note: Before 1919, the leaders of the Ontario Liberal Party were chosen by the party's elected Members of the Legislative Assembly...
.)
Castrilli initially planned to run as a Liberal in the 1999 provincial election
Ontario general election, 1999
An Ontario general election was held on June 3, 1999, to elect members of the 37th Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, Canada....
, but was defeated for the party's nomination in York Centre
York Centre
York Centre is a federal electoral district in Ontario, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons from 1904 to 1917 and since 1953....
by fellow caucus member Monte Kwinter
Monte Kwinter
Monte Kwinter is a politician in Ontario, Canada. He has been a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario since 1985, was a cabinet minister in the government of David Peterson from 1985 to 1990, and was re-appointed to a cabinet position when the Liberals returned to power under Dalton...
. The Progressive Conservative government had previously reduced the number of constituencies from 130 to 103, forcing several incumbent Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) to compete against one another for renomination.
On the last sitting day of the legislature, Castrilli crossed the floor to sit as a Progressive Conservative. She won the PC nomination in the riding of Parkdale—High Park
Parkdale—High Park (provincial electoral district)
Parkdale—High Park is a provincial electoral district in Ontario, Canada, that has been represented in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario since 1999....
, and faced high-profile Liberal MPP Gerard Kennedy
Gerard Kennedy
Gerard Michael Kennedy is a Canadian politician in Ontario, Canada. He served as Ontario's Minister of Education from 2003 to 2006, when he resigned to make an unsuccessful bid for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada...
in the general election (Kennedy had finished second to McGuinty in the leadership contest). One of Castrilli's most prominent supporters was John Nunziata
John Nunziata
John Nunziata is a Canadian politician. He served in the Canadian House of Commons from 1984 to 2000, initially as a Liberal and later as an independent member.-Background:...
, an Independent member of the Canadian House of Commons
Canadian House of Commons
The House of Commons of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the Sovereign and the Senate. The House of Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 308 members known as Members of Parliament...
who had left the Liberal Party of Canada
Liberal Party of Canada
The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative...
in 1996.
The contest between Kennedy and Castrilli was expected to be close, but it was not when Kennedy won with 23,030 votes, while Castrilli received 12,699.
Later life
She subsequently created "Partnership with Ontarians" to promote the province for international business, and is now a member of SEADAC Strategic Consultants.In the federal election of 2004, Castrilli supported Conservative Party
Conservative Party of Canada
The Conservative Party of Canada , is a political party in Canada which was formed by the merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada in 2003. It is positioned on the right of the Canadian political spectrum...
candidate Michael Mostyn. Later in the year, she was co-chair of Jim Flaherty
Jim Flaherty
James Michael "Jim" Flaherty, PC, MP is Canada's Minister of Finance and he has also served as Ontario's Minister of Finance. From 1995 until 2005, he was the Member of Provincial Parliament for Whitby—Ajax, and a member of the Progressive Conservative Party caucus...
's unsuccessful bid to lead the provincial Tories.