An Italian Canadian for Toronto mayor?

Former Liberal Party member John Nunziata hopes to take Mel Lastman's job at City Hall

Is Toronto ready for a mayor of Italian heritage? We shall find out in 11 months. John Nunziata, former Liberal, then independent MP, intends to run for mayor in Canada's most important city. In this interview Nunziata talks about his reasons for running, his aspirations, his concerns, and a lot of optimism.
Mr. Nunziata, why will you run?
"I want to represent the average citizens of this city. I believe I understand their aspirations, their hopes. It sounds rhetorical but I really desire to make this city a better place to live for everybody."
Is Toronto ready for an Italian-Canadian mayor?
"If New York elected Italian-American Rudolph Giuliani, not to mention Fiorello La Guardia, why couldn't Toronto elect an Italian-Canadian? By the way, they like the melting pot while we prefer multiculturalism. It should be simpler for us, shouldn't it?"
Sure. Why aren't you announcing it right away?
"I had commitments to keep. I'll give the announcement before the end of the month."
Is your decision final?
"Yes, 110 percent."
What is the biggest obstacle you foresee for your campaign?
"Its length, 11 months. Keeping everybody's interest alive for so long will be difficult. The danger is reaching top form too soon and burning out before voting day. There is also the need to send out clear messages. I want to get in direct touch with the people. This is my kind of campaign, after all."
So, will you use direct contact as your main style of communication?
"Undoubtedly the media will also play a very important role, but my intention is to go straight to the people. I'll be very active in the next few months, taking part of as many community events as possible. I want to meet the people to explain but also to listen to them."
What does Toronto lack, to be considered as a full-blown metropolis?
"Toronto is a metropolis. It only lacks an identity, and that is pretty important."
Can we go into detail?
"What's lacking is the awareness that Toronto is more than Queen Street and Bay Street. This is not the old Toronto: it's much more. Most of its 2.5 million citizens were born outside of Canada. It includes Scarborough and Etobicoke. The essence of this city lies in its people. They are those whom I want to represent. Rosedale is important, but not more so than other neighbourhoods."
Who's the candidate you are more afraid of?
"There will be five or six credible candidates. I will concentrate on my programme. There will be candidates of all stripes: some close to the Tories, some to the Liberals, some to the NDP. If the voters want a mayor for everybody, I will be their man. I'm the son of immigrants and embody the aspirations of thousands of people."
How do you want the voters to see you?
"As a trustworthy person, a defender of the weaker part of society but at the same time someone who wants to work with the business community in order to strengthen the economy and share the wealth among all citizens."
Do you have city councillors or MPs supporting you?
"One councillor for sure: my sister. To tell you the truth I haven't begun to meet councillors, MPPs or MPs yet. I'll do so after the announcement. I can anyway declare that I'll have support from people of all parties: Liberals, Tories and even NDP. I'm an independent and I proved it in years of political career. I don't change with the wind."
The campaign will cost a million dollars. Do you have it?
"I think it will cost more than that, maybe up to $1.3 million, but I don't think collecting that amount will be a problem."
How much did you collect already?
"Not a penny, as no funds can be collected before the official announcement. But as I said, I feel confident that there will be no problems."
Where will you find that sum?
"Everywhere, but certainly not from big corporations. Of course I'll get support from many sides, but this support does not entail any kind of political quid pro quo. I really do hope that most of my campaign funds will come from the common people. To me, small donations are very important. The money of a big corporation is less important than that of a pensioner in North York."
Some people say that you're popular in the West End, but little known in the East.
"It's a challenge that every candidate must face, getting known all over the city. I think that during the campaign all Torontonians will have an opportunity to learn about all the candidates."
Opinion polls say Barbara Hall is the favourite.
"Today's opinion polls are unimportant, as they only deal with name recognition. Much more is needed, and I have much more to show, beginning with my integrity. This should count for something."

Publication Date: 2003-01-19
Story Location: http://tandemnews.com/viewstory.php?storyid=2233