Mike Del Grande
Encyclopedia
Mike Del Grande is a Canadian politician
. Elected in 2003, he is a Toronto city councillor, representing Ward 39 Scarborough—Agincourt
.
, Ontario
. He is the eldest child of Italian
immigrants. He is married and has three children.
Del Grande became a member of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants when he graduated from the University of Toronto
in 1979. Since that time, he also received a Bachelor
of Commerce and Finance degree
in 1976 and a Bachelor of Education degree in 2002, both from the University of Toronto, as well as a Master's degree
in Theological Studies from St. Augustine in 2000.
He has served on the Parent Teacher Association of St. Sylvester Catholic School for 17 years. As well, he has been a member of Neighborhood Watch
since 1990 and has volunteered with Scouts Canada
. He held the position of Co-President of the Silver Springs Community Association for 20 years, was a founding member of Scarborough Needs Accountable Politicians (SNAP), and has been a member of the Scarborough Homeowners Alliance for Fair Taxes since this group's inception. For these efforts, Del Grande was awarded Scarborough's Volunteer of the Year award in 1991. He is a participant in the parish community of St. Aidan's and served as Treasurer for the parish for the past 20 years.
In 1996, Del Grande was diagnosed with a benign brain tumour known as an Acoustic Neuroma
. Refusing to accept conventional brain surgery as an option or using other experimental treatments, Del Grande decided to pursue what he deemed as proven technology in Rhode Island
to receive treatment using a machine known as a Gamma Knife. His $25,550 medical claim to the Ontario Hospital Insurance Plan (OHIP) was subsequently refused and Del Grande began a long series of class action hearings against the Ontario government to have the province reimburse him and others who sought out-of-country Gamma laser surgery.
In 1999, the Health Appeal Board ruled that since Gamma Knife treatments were not equivalent to those available in Canada, he and future appellants were entitled to full reimbursement. Del Grande lobbied the government for a Gamma Knife unit to be brought to Canada, and was part a group that was eventually able to see the first machine installed at the Toronto Western Hospital
.
) in 1991. He lost that election, but was elected to the school board in 1994. He was re-elected in 1997 and 2000. Throughout his nine years as a school trustee, he served as the Chair of school board for one year, from 2000 to 2001.
Del Grande's aggressive style as a school trustee drew both praise and criticism within the school board. As a self-proclaimed "reform" trustee, he promoted initiatives to reform the school board so that it could be more open and accountable to its constituents. Due to his conservative
views on some issues, some believed that he was politically affiliated with the Reform Party of Canada
. In order to put an end to the perceived association, he renamed his moniker and promoted himself as a "sunshine" trustee so that he could shed some "sunshine" in the school board's "dark places".
In 1996, Del Grande was charged under Ontario labour law by the Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association for "bargaining in bad faith" when it was alleged that he used the local media to manipulate public opinion at a time when the school board was in contract negotiations with its teachers. The charge was subsequently dropped by the association after he agreed to cease and desist.
, then Toronto's Chief of Police
, did not have his contract renewed by the Toronto Police Services Board
.
He has been a vocal opponent of the budgetary process at Toronto City Hall. In responding to a budget report prepared by the city's financial staff on December 12, 2005, he was quoted as saying, "It's underhandedness. This is why people from Scarborough, the area I represent, have no confidence in the politicians down here."
While Del Grande has served as a member of the city's Audit Committee and the Works Committee, his aggressive style on council has incited both praise and criticism. The right-leaning Toronto Sun
praised his efforts on March 4, 2004, by saying that "Taxpayers should give rookie councillor Mike Del Grande a big thank-you today", and rated him a "B" in a subsequent article on November 24, 2004, by stating that he "shakes up" people on council "with his knowledge of numbers and computers." On the other hand, the left-leaning Now magazine writer Don Wanagas classified Del Grande in a feature column on March 11, 2004, as one of the council's "duds" due to his "Oscar the Grouch
persona".
. The charges against the woman were withdrawn by the Crown
in exchange for community service in January 2007; the charge against Del Grande was withdrawn by the crown in February.
In December 2004 during a two hour tour of his ward with Scarborough Mirror
reporter David Nickle, Del Grande used the opportunity to highlight the nature of his ward; namely the difficulties of establishing a deep sense of community and trust with local services when long time residents of the ward are moving out and are replaced by a transient and newly landed immigrant population. A quote used in the article stating "a lot of white people
are moving out" of his ward while many immigrants from mainland China are moving in sparked a controversy that spilled over to other local newspapers and continued into early January 2005. His remarks were condemned by some commentators as divisive or racist.
Demographics regarding Del Grande's statement can be found directly on the City of Toronto's Web Site
Del Grande's ward (39) is one of, if not the most, ethnically diverse wards in Toronto and Canada. From a 2001 ward population of 54,780 people, the total number of first-generation immigrants from all countries make up 68.3% (37.390 people) of that figure. The total number of first generation immigrants from China and Hong Kong living in the ward represents 31.7% (17,370 people) of the ward's total.
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. Elected in 2003, he is a Toronto city councillor, representing Ward 39 Scarborough—Agincourt
Scarborough—Agincourt
Scarborough—Agincourt is a federal electoral district in Toronto, Ontario, Canada that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1988.It covers the northwest of the Scarborough part of Toronto...
.
Background
Michael Anthony Del Grande was born and raised in TorontoToronto
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...
, 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....
. He is the eldest child of Italian
Italian people
The Italian people are an ethnic group that share a common Italian culture, ancestry and speak the Italian language as a mother tongue. Within Italy, Italians are defined by citizenship, regardless of ancestry or country of residence , and are distinguished from people...
immigrants. He is married and has three children.
Del Grande became a member of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants when he graduated from 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...
in 1979. Since that time, he also received a Bachelor
Bachelor
A bachelor is a man above the age of majority who has never been married . Unlike his female counterpart, the spinster, a bachelor may have had children...
of Commerce and Finance degree
Academic degree
An academic degree is a position and title within a college or university that is usually awarded in recognition of the recipient having either satisfactorily completed a prescribed course of study or having conducted a scholarly endeavour deemed worthy of his or her admission to the degree...
in 1976 and a Bachelor of Education degree in 2002, both from the University of Toronto, as well as a Master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in Theological Studies from St. Augustine in 2000.
He has served on the Parent Teacher Association of St. Sylvester Catholic School for 17 years. As well, he has been a member of Neighborhood Watch
Neighborhood Watch
A neighborhood watch or neighbourhood watch , also called a crime watch or neighborhood crime watch, is an organized group of citizens devoted to crime and vandalism prevention within a neighborhood...
since 1990 and has volunteered with Scouts Canada
Scouts Canada
Scouts Canada is a Canadian Scouting association that, in affiliation with the French-language Association des Scouts du Canada, is a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement...
. He held the position of Co-President of the Silver Springs Community Association for 20 years, was a founding member of Scarborough Needs Accountable Politicians (SNAP), and has been a member of the Scarborough Homeowners Alliance for Fair Taxes since this group's inception. For these efforts, Del Grande was awarded Scarborough's Volunteer of the Year award in 1991. He is a participant in the parish community of St. Aidan's and served as Treasurer for the parish for the past 20 years.
In 1996, Del Grande was diagnosed with a benign brain tumour known as an Acoustic Neuroma
Acoustic neuroma
A vestibular schwannoma, often called an acoustic neuroma, is a benign primary intracranial tumor of the myelin-forming cells of the vestibulocochlear nerve . The term "vestibular schwannoma" involves the vestibular portion of the 8th cranial nerve and arises from Schwann cells, which are...
. Refusing to accept conventional brain surgery as an option or using other experimental treatments, Del Grande decided to pursue what he deemed as proven technology in Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
to receive treatment using a machine known as a Gamma Knife. His $25,550 medical claim to the Ontario Hospital Insurance Plan (OHIP) was subsequently refused and Del Grande began a long series of class action hearings against the Ontario government to have the province reimburse him and others who sought out-of-country Gamma laser surgery.
In 1999, the Health Appeal Board ruled that since Gamma Knife treatments were not equivalent to those available in Canada, he and future appellants were entitled to full reimbursement. Del Grande lobbied the government for a Gamma Knife unit to be brought to Canada, and was part a group that was eventually able to see the first machine installed at the Toronto Western Hospital
Toronto Western Hospital
-External links:****...
.
School trustee
Del Grande first entered politics by running to be a school trustee for the Metropolitan Separate School Board (now the Toronto Catholic District School BoardToronto Catholic District School Board
The Toronto Catholic District School Board is the publicly-funded Catholic school board for Toronto, Ontario, Canada, headquartered in North York. It is one of the two English boards of education in the City of Toronto, serving the former municipalities of Scarborough, North York, York, East York,...
) in 1991. He lost that election, but was elected to the school board in 1994. He was re-elected in 1997 and 2000. Throughout his nine years as a school trustee, he served as the Chair of school board for one year, from 2000 to 2001.
Del Grande's aggressive style as a school trustee drew both praise and criticism within the school board. As a self-proclaimed "reform" trustee, he promoted initiatives to reform the school board so that it could be more open and accountable to its constituents. Due to his conservative
Conservatism
Conservatism is a political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional institutions and supports, at the most, minimal and gradual change in society. Some conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity, while others oppose modernism...
views on some issues, some believed that he was politically affiliated with the Reform Party of Canada
Reform Party of Canada
The Reform Party of Canada was a Canadian federal political party that existed from 1987 to 2000. It was originally founded as a Western Canada-based protest party, but attempted to expand eastward in the 1990s. It viewed itself as a populist party....
. In order to put an end to the perceived association, he renamed his moniker and promoted himself as a "sunshine" trustee so that he could shed some "sunshine" in the school board's "dark places".
In 1996, Del Grande was charged under Ontario labour law by the Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association for "bargaining in bad faith" when it was alleged that he used the local media to manipulate public opinion at a time when the school board was in contract negotiations with its teachers. The charge was subsequently dropped by the association after he agreed to cease and desist.
City councillor
In 2003, Del Grande ran for city council against longtime incumbent Sherene Shaw and won in a surprise upset. As one of the few right-wing councillors elected to a council dominated by left-wing councillors, Del Grande has become one of the leading critics of Toronto Mayor] David Miller. He was an active participant in the "Keep the Chief" campaign in 2004, when Julian FantinoJulian 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...
, then Toronto's Chief of Police
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...
, did not have his contract renewed by the Toronto Police Services Board
Toronto Police Services Board
The Toronto Police Services Board is the civilian oversight of the Toronto Police Service. It was called the Metropolitan Toronto Police Services Board from 1990 until 1998 and the Metropolitan Toronto Police Commission from 1955 until 1990 when the name of the body was changed as a result of...
.
He has been a vocal opponent of the budgetary process at Toronto City Hall. In responding to a budget report prepared by the city's financial staff on December 12, 2005, he was quoted as saying, "It's underhandedness. This is why people from Scarborough, the area I represent, have no confidence in the politicians down here."
While Del Grande has served as a member of the city's Audit Committee and the Works Committee, his aggressive style on council has incited both praise and criticism. The right-leaning Toronto Sun
Toronto Sun
The Toronto Sun is an English-language daily tabloid newspaper published in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is known for its daily Sunshine Girl feature and for what it sees as a populist conservative editorial stance.-History:...
praised his efforts on March 4, 2004, by saying that "Taxpayers should give rookie councillor Mike Del Grande a big thank-you today", and rated him a "B" in a subsequent article on November 24, 2004, by stating that he "shakes up" people on council "with his knowledge of numbers and computers." On the other hand, the left-leaning Now magazine writer Don Wanagas classified Del Grande in a feature column on March 11, 2004, as one of the council's "duds" due to his "Oscar the Grouch
Oscar the Grouch
Oscar the Grouch is a Muppet character on the television program Sesame Street. He has a green body , has no nose , and lives in a trash can. His favorite thing in life is trash; evidence for this is the song "I Love Trash". A running theme is his compulsive hoarding of seemingly useless items...
persona".
Controversies
During his campaign for re-election in 2006, Del Grande held for police a volunteer working for rival candidate John Wong. Del Grande accused the woman of removing his campaign flyers from an apartment building and prevented her from leaving until police arrived to arrest her. However, a private complaint by the woman to a Justice of the Peace resulted in Del Grande being charged with assaultAssault
In law, assault is a crime causing a victim to fear violence. The term is often confused with battery, which involves physical contact. The specific meaning of assault varies between countries, but can refer to an act that causes another to apprehend immediate and personal violence, or in the more...
. The charges against the woman were withdrawn by the Crown
The Crown
The Crown is a corporation sole that in the Commonwealth realms and any provincial or state sub-divisions thereof represents the legal embodiment of governance, whether executive, legislative, or judicial...
in exchange for community service in January 2007; the charge against Del Grande was withdrawn by the crown in February.
In December 2004 during a two hour tour of his ward with Scarborough Mirror
Scarborough Mirror
The Scarborough Mirror is a tabloid format newspaper that began on May 3, 1962 as an off-shoot of the Don Mills Mirror.Today the newspaper is published by Toronto Community News, a division of Metroland Media Group, which also publishes The North York Mirror, The East York Mirror, The...
reporter David Nickle, Del Grande used the opportunity to highlight the nature of his ward; namely the difficulties of establishing a deep sense of community and trust with local services when long time residents of the ward are moving out and are replaced by a transient and newly landed immigrant population. A quote used in the article stating "a lot of white people
White people
White people is a term which usually refers to human beings characterized, at least in part, by the light pigmentation of their skin...
are moving out" of his ward while many immigrants from mainland China are moving in sparked a controversy that spilled over to other local newspapers and continued into early January 2005. His remarks were condemned by some commentators as divisive or racist.
Demographics regarding Del Grande's statement can be found directly on the City of Toronto's Web Site
Del Grande's ward (39) is one of, if not the most, ethnically diverse wards in Toronto and Canada. From a 2001 ward population of 54,780 people, the total number of first-generation immigrants from all countries make up 68.3% (37.390 people) of that figure. The total number of first generation immigrants from China and Hong Kong living in the ward represents 31.7% (17,370 people) of the ward's total.
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 39 |
||
| Candidate | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| Mike Del Grande | 9,931 | 68.18% |
| Kevin Xu | 3,640 | 24.99% |
| Caldwell Williams | 994 | 6.82% |
| Total | 14,565 | 100% |