Giorgio Mammoliti
Encyclopedia
Giorgio Mammoliti (born September 20, 1961) is a city councillor in Toronto
, Canada for Ward 7 York West, representing one of the two York West
wards. He is Chair of the Affordable Housing Committee and a member of the mayor's executive committee. Previously, he served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario
from 1990 to 1995. In 2002, Mammoliti switched names from the anglicized George to the Italian Giorgio. On October 15, 2009, he declared his candidacy for mayor in Toronto's 2010 election
. In July, after registering no more than 4% in public opinion polls over several months, Mammoliti withdrew from the mayoral contest in order to stand for re-election as a city councillor.
Local 767.
in the 1990 provincial election
, in the riding
of Yorkview
. Mammoliti upset Liberal
incumbent Claudio Polsinelli
by 1,619 votes; the governing Liberals were initially leading in polls but they were beset by several scandals and cynicism from an early election call.
The NDP won a majority government and Mammoliti was appointed as parliamentary assistant to the minister responsible for the provincial anti-drug strategy on October 1, 1990. He later served as the parliamentary assistant for two other ministers.
While in the legislature, Mammoliti was one of the strongest critics of same-sex marriage
. He said "I believe that children pick up from their parents and if we extend the definition of spouse and open up traditional families, those children will be influenced in a way that we’ll never, ever forget."
In the 1995 provincial election
, Mammoliti was defeated by Liberal city councillor Mario Sergio by almost 3,000 votes. Sergio left North York
's city council to take his seat in the Ontario Legislature, and Mammoliti decided to run in the by-election to replace him on city council. He was opposed by his old rival Polsinelli, and won the election without difficulty.
team to North York. When North York and other municipalities were merged to form the new City of Toronto in 1997, Mammoliti was elected to the Toronto City Council. At around the same time, he quit the NDP and joined the Liberal Party (this decision did not affect his standing on council, as all Toronto councillors are elected as independents). On council, his highest profile role was as the chair of the Toronto Zoo
.
Mammoliti has represented Ward 7 – York West for the past 15 years, in which he served as Chair of the Affordable Housing Committee, Chair of the Toronto Zoo Board, Co-Chair of Canada Municipalities Housing Action Network – Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), Chair of the City's International Committee, as well as a member of Toronto's Executive Committee.
He also attracted attention due to a bitter dispute with fellow councillor Rob Ford
. The two represent neighbouring wards and generally represented the right-wing, but were frequently in conflict, generally over Ford's fiscal conservatism, and particularly over Mammoliti's office budgets. In one argument, Ford reportedly called Mammoliti "Gino Boy", which was taken as an anti-Italian slur. As a result of Ford's comment, Mammoliti filled a human rights complaint against Ford. Mammoliti's son Michael filed his papers to run against Ford in the 2003 municipal election
but withdrew at the last moment. In 2007, he called for an investigation of Ford and Doug Holyday
after they filed total expenses of $0 and $1,471 in 2006, respectively.
Mammoliti is generally considered a right-leaning and socially conservative member of council. He was an outspoken supporter of Toronto Police Chief
Julian Fantino
, and spearheaded an unsuccessful effort to pressure the Toronto Police Services Board to renew Fantino's contract. In the 2003 election, he supported John Tory
's bid to become Mayor of Toronto.
In March 2011, Mammoliti reiterated his desire to open legal brothels on the Toronto Islands
, as it would discourage prostitutes from opening illegal brothels in his ward. Mammoliti claimed that prostitution was already occurring at Hanlan's Point
, a clothing optional beach. Some residents of the island are opposed to the idea, and some Toronto Police officers say Mammoliti's claims of ongoing prostitution on the beach are unfounded.
On July 28-29, 2011, the executive committee of Toronto City Council heard deputations by 169 Torontonians on the hundreds of millions of dollars in budget cuts suggested by KPMG consultants. Mammoliti claimed there were "very few" worthwhile deputations and described the event as a "socialist party".
In response to the late July executive commitee meeting, Mammoliti launched a “Save the City...Support the Ford Administration” Facebook group in August 2011. He indicated that he created the group so that the "taxpayer" would have an opportunity to comment on how municipal taxes should be spent in Toronto and stated: “If you smell like someone who can be a part of the Communist Party you’re not going to be welcome on the site." On August 11, 2011 Mammoliti suggested the "communist movement" hides in the NDP and added that he wants to "weed out the communists in this city."
. He unveiled a platform that included building a floating casino, introducing a municipal lottery, reversing tax increases he had he previously voted for and creating a red light district
for prostitution as well as an 11 pm curfew for children under the age of 14 and giving guns to by-law enforcement officers. He also promised budget cuts and intends to target the $40 million in annual city grants to arts, cultural and community groups but is opposed to cutting salaries for elected officials. He also called for cars to be banned from the Gardiner Expressway
, converting the thoroughfare into a garden, implementing road toll
s.
During his campaign, Mammoliti and fellow mayoral candidate and councillor Rob Ford
co-sponsored a motion to deny city funding to the Toronto Gay Pride Parade
if it didn't ban the group Queers Against Israeli Apartheid
from participating.
After campaigning for six months without exceeding single digits in public opinion polls, Mammoliti announced his withdrawal from the contest on July 5, 2010 in order to run for re-election as a city councillor.
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...
, Canada for Ward 7 York West, representing one of the two York West
York West
York West is a federal electoral district in Ontario, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons from 1867 to 1904 and since 1917.Its population was 110,384 in 2001...
wards. He is Chair of the Affordable Housing Committee and a member of the mayor's executive committee. Previously, he served as a member of 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...
from 1990 to 1995. In 2002, Mammoliti switched names from the anglicized George to the Italian Giorgio. On October 15, 2009, he declared his candidacy for mayor in Toronto's 2010 election
Toronto municipal election, 2010
The 2010 Toronto municipal election was held on October 25, 2010 to elect a mayor and 44 city councillors in Toronto, Canada. In addition, school trustees were elected to the Toronto District School Board, Toronto Catholic District School Board, Conseil scolaire de district du Centre-Sud-Ouest and...
. In July, after registering no more than 4% in public opinion polls over several months, Mammoliti withdrew from the mayoral contest in order to stand for re-election as a city councillor.
Background
A landscaper with Metro Toronto Housing Authority, he rose to become head of Canadian Union of Public EmployeesCanadian Union of Public Employees
The Canadian Union of Public Employees is a Canadian trade union serving the public sector - although it has in recent years organized workplaces in the non-profit and para-public sector as well...
Local 767.
Provincial politics
At age 28, he ran for the Ontario New Democratic PartyOntario New Democratic Party
The Ontario New Democratic Party or , formally known as New Democratic Party of Ontario, is a social democratic political party in Ontario, Canada. It is a provincial section of the federal New Democratic Party. It was formed in October 1961, a few months after the federal party. The ONDP had its...
in the 1990 provincial election
Ontario general election, 1990
The Ontario general election of 1990 was held on September 6, 1990, to elect members of the 35th Legislative Assembly of the province of Ontario, Canada....
, in the riding
Electoral district (Canada)
An electoral district in Canada, also known as a constituency or a riding, is a geographical constituency upon which Canada's representative democracy is based...
of Yorkview
Yorkview
Yorkview is a defunct Ontario provincial electoral district , in the former city of North York. The riding was established for the 1963 Ontario general election. The riding was abolished in preparation for the 1999 Ontario general election. It was partitioned into the current provincial ridings of...
. Mammoliti upset 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...
incumbent Claudio Polsinelli
Claudio Polsinelli
Claudio Polsinelli is a former politician in Ontario, Canada. He served in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as a Liberal from 1985 to 1990....
by 1,619 votes; the governing Liberals were initially leading in polls but they were beset by several scandals and cynicism from an early election call.
The NDP won a majority government and Mammoliti was appointed as parliamentary assistant to the minister responsible for the provincial anti-drug strategy on October 1, 1990. He later served as the parliamentary assistant for two other ministers.
While in the legislature, Mammoliti was one of the strongest critics of same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage is marriage between two persons of the same biological sex or social gender. Supporters of legal recognition for same-sex marriage typically refer to such recognition as marriage equality....
. He said "I believe that children pick up from their parents and if we extend the definition of spouse and open up traditional families, those children will be influenced in a way that we’ll never, ever forget."
In the 1995 provincial 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...
, Mammoliti was defeated by Liberal city councillor Mario Sergio by almost 3,000 votes. Sergio left North York
North York, Ontario
North York is a dissolved municipality within the current city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Geographically, it comprises the central part of the northern section of Toronto. As of the 2006 Census, it has a population of 635,370. The official 2001 census count was 608,288...
's city council to take his seat in the Ontario Legislature, and Mammoliti decided to run in the by-election to replace him on city council. He was opposed by his old rival Polsinelli, and won the election without difficulty.
Municipal politics
On city council, he was noted for his unsuccessful attempt to lure a National Hockey LeagueNational Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
team to North York. When North York and other municipalities were merged to form the new City of Toronto in 1997, Mammoliti was elected to the Toronto City Council. At around the same time, he quit the NDP and joined the Liberal Party (this decision did not affect his standing on council, as all Toronto councillors are elected as independents). On council, his highest profile role was as the chair of the Toronto Zoo
Toronto Zoo
The Toronto Zoo is a zoo located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It opened August 15, 1974 as the Metropolitan Toronto Zoo and is owned by the City of Toronto; the word "Metropolitan" was dropped from its name when the cities of the Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto were amalgamated to form the...
.
Mammoliti has represented Ward 7 – York West for the past 15 years, in which he served as Chair of the Affordable Housing Committee, Chair of the Toronto Zoo Board, Co-Chair of Canada Municipalities Housing Action Network – Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), Chair of the City's International Committee, as well as a member of Toronto's Executive Committee.
He also attracted attention due to a bitter dispute with fellow councillor Rob Ford
Rob Ford
Robert Bruce "Rob" Ford is the 64th and current Mayor of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He was first elected to city council in the 2000 Toronto municipal election, and was re-elected to his council seat in 2003 and again in 2006...
. The two represent neighbouring wards and generally represented the right-wing, but were frequently in conflict, generally over Ford's fiscal conservatism, and particularly over Mammoliti's office budgets. In one argument, Ford reportedly called Mammoliti "Gino Boy", which was taken as an anti-Italian slur. As a result of Ford's comment, Mammoliti filled a human rights complaint against Ford. Mammoliti's son Michael filed his papers to run against Ford in the 2003 municipal election
Toronto municipal election, 2003
The Toronto municipal election of 2003 was held on November 10, 2003, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, to elect the Mayor of Toronto, 44 city councillors, and school board trustees.David Miller was elected mayor ....
but withdrew at the last moment. In 2007, he called for an investigation of Ford and Doug Holyday
Doug Holyday
Doug Holyday is a city councillor in Toronto, Canada, who represents Ward 3 which is part of Etobicoke Centre, He is also Deputy Mayor of Toronto.Holyday has lived his entire life in Etobicoke, and was a successful businessman before entering political life....
after they filed total expenses of $0 and $1,471 in 2006, respectively.
Mammoliti is generally considered a right-leaning and socially conservative member of council. He was an outspoken supporter of Toronto Police Chief
Chief of police
A Chief of Police is the title typically given to the top official in the chain of command of a police department, particularly in North America. Alternate titles for this position include Commissioner, Superintendent, and Chief constable...
Julian Fantino
Julian Fantino
Julian Fantino is a retired police official and the elected Member of the Parliament of Canada for the riding of Vaughan following a November 29, 2010 by-election...
, and spearheaded an unsuccessful effort to pressure the Toronto Police Services Board to renew Fantino's contract. In the 2003 election, he supported John Tory
John Tory
John Howard Tory is a Canadian businessman, political activist, former leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario, former Member of Provincial Parliament and broadcaster...
's bid to become Mayor of Toronto.
In March 2011, Mammoliti reiterated his desire to open legal brothels on the Toronto Islands
Toronto Islands
The Toronto Islands are a chain of small islands in the city of Toronto, Ontario. Comprising the only group of islands in the western part of Lake Ontario, the Toronto Islands are located just offshore from the city centre, and provide shelter for Toronto Harbour...
, as it would discourage prostitutes from opening illegal brothels in his ward. Mammoliti claimed that prostitution was already occurring at Hanlan's Point
Hanlan's Point Beach
Hanlan's Point Beach is a public beach situated at on Hanlan's Point near Toronto, Ontario on the shore of Lake Ontario. A kilometre long part of the beach was officially recognized by the city in 2002 as being clothing optional....
, a clothing optional beach. Some residents of the island are opposed to the idea, and some Toronto Police officers say Mammoliti's claims of ongoing prostitution on the beach are unfounded.
On July 28-29, 2011, the executive committee of Toronto City Council heard deputations by 169 Torontonians on the hundreds of millions of dollars in budget cuts suggested by KPMG consultants. Mammoliti claimed there were "very few" worthwhile deputations and described the event as a "socialist party".
In response to the late July executive commitee meeting, Mammoliti launched a “Save the City...Support the Ford Administration” Facebook group in August 2011. He indicated that he created the group so that the "taxpayer" would have an opportunity to comment on how municipal taxes should be spent in Toronto and stated: “If you smell like someone who can be a part of the Communist Party you’re not going to be welcome on the site." On August 11, 2011 Mammoliti suggested the "communist movement" hides in the NDP and added that he wants to "weed out the communists in this city."
Mayoral campaign
On January 5, 2010, Mammoliti filed his nomination papers at City Hall to run for mayor in the 2010 City of Toronto electionsToronto mayoral election, 2010
The 2010 Toronto mayoral election was held on October 25, 2010 to elect a mayor of the City of Toronto, Canada. The mayor's seat was open for the first time since the 2003 Toronto election due to the announcement by incumbent mayor David Miller that he will not seek a third term in office...
. He unveiled a platform that included building a floating casino, introducing a municipal lottery, reversing tax increases he had he previously voted for and creating a red light district
Red Light District
Red Light District may refer to:* Red-light district - a neighborhood where prostitution is common* The Red Light District - the title of the 2004 album by rapper Ludacris* Red Light District Video - a pornography studio based in Los Angeles, California...
for prostitution as well as an 11 pm curfew for children under the age of 14 and giving guns to by-law enforcement officers. He also promised budget cuts and intends to target the $40 million in annual city grants to arts, cultural and community groups but is opposed to cutting salaries for elected officials. He also called for cars to be banned from the Gardiner Expressway
Gardiner Expressway
The Frederick G. Gardiner Expressway, colloquially referred to as "the Gardiner", is a municipal expressway in the Canadian province of Ontario, connecting downtown Toronto with its western suburbs...
, converting the thoroughfare into a garden, implementing road toll
Toll
The word toll has several meanings.Road transportation infrastructure* "Toll" is sometimes used as a synonym for tariff** Toll road, a road for which road usage tolls are charged...
s.
During his campaign, Mammoliti and fellow mayoral candidate and councillor Rob Ford
Rob Ford
Robert Bruce "Rob" Ford is the 64th and current Mayor of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He was first elected to city council in the 2000 Toronto municipal election, and was re-elected to his council seat in 2003 and again in 2006...
co-sponsored a motion to deny city funding to the Toronto Gay Pride Parade
Pride Week (Toronto)
Pride Week is a ten-day event held in Toronto, Canada, during the end of June each year. It is a celebration of the diversity of the LGBT community in the Greater Toronto Area. It is one of the largest organized gay pride festivals in the world, featuring several stages with live performers and...
if it didn't ban the group Queers Against Israeli Apartheid
Queers Against Israeli Apartheid
Queers Against Israeli Apartheid is a Toronto-based grassroots LGBT group involved in the movement against what the organization see as Israeli apartheid and is a member of the Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid. The group has been involved in Israeli Apartheid Week as well as Pride Week...
from participating.
After campaigning for six months without exceeding single digits in public opinion polls, Mammoliti announced his withdrawal from the contest on July 5, 2010 in order to run for re-election as a city councillor.
Election results
| 2010 Toronto election Toronto city council election, 2010 For information on the campaign for mayor see Toronto mayoral election, 2010The 2010 Toronto council election was held on October 25, 2010 to elect councillors to represent Toronto's 44 wards at Toronto City Council... , Ward 7 |
||
| Candidate | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| Giorgio Mammoliti | 5,338 | 43.8 |
| Nick Di Nizio | 3,601 | 29.5 |
| Victor Lucero | 1,038 | 8.5 |
| Sergio Gizzo | 706 | 5.8 |
| Sharon Joseph | 547 | 4.5 |
| Chris MacDonald | 491 | 4.0 |
| Larry Perlman | 249 | 2.0 |
| Scott Aitchison | 129 | 1.1 |
| Stefano Tesoro | 89 | 0.7 |
| Total | 12,188 | 100 |
| 2006 Toronto election Toronto municipal election, 2006 The 2006 Toronto municipal election took place on 13 November 2006 to elect a mayor and 44 city councillors in Toronto, Ontario. In addition, school trustees were elected to the Toronto District School Board, Toronto Catholic District School Board, Conseil scolaire de district du Centre-Sud-Ouest... , Ward 7 |
||
| Candidate | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| Giorgio Mammoliti | 5,877 | 62.6 |
| Sandra Anthony | 2,753 | 29.3 |
| Larry Perlman | 495 | 5.3 |
| Fred Cutler | 258 | 2.8 |