Nino Colavecchio Elected President

National Congress of Italian Canadians chooses new leader who vows to unite community

Starting from our roots, looking to the future," says Nino Colavecchio, newly elected National President of the National Congress of Italian Canadians. He knows that much remains to be done, but he's ready to roll up his sleeves and confident of success.
"Our mandate has been clear since our foundation in 1974," continues Colavecchio, delving in his programs for the coming years. "We represent the Italian-Canadian community in its interests and relations in this country."
"However, nowadays our community witnesses new dynamics," he continues. "New organizations have sprung up in spaces that we have maybe left untended. This requires us to strengthen our resolve and continue to act."
Recently, especially in Montreal, some harsh words were exchanged between Colavecchio himself and Comites chairman Giovanni Rapanà. The latter had raised doubts about the Congress' electoral system in an interview with the local daily Montreal Gazette.
"In June, when we renewed the Congress officials in Quebec," remembers Colavecchio, "we informed the public of the Election Day and nomination procedures no less than two months in advance; 1,500 people turned out, in a remarkable show of democracy and representation, as all were entitled to cast their ballots or seek election."
Playing the devil's advocate, we remarked that such publicity is not carried out elsewhere in the country.
"I've been National President for a mere 24 hours! For sure, I will strive to have all our local chapters follow the game rules of democracy to the best of their ability."
"In any case," highlights Colavecchio, "I don't think there should be any rivalry between Comites and Congress. Both have a very clear mandate that sets out our respective tasks, and within those mandates, we should cooperate on issues that concern both governments, Rome for Comites and Ottawa for the Congress."
Jason Sordi, President of the Toronto District of the Congress, shares the belief that collaboration is possible. "Since I became President I had several contacts with Comites and CGIE representatives," he says. "For instance, we were able to find important points of agreement with Franco Gaspari (Ed. Note: Chairman of the Toronto Comites) on specific issues and actions that could be taken about them."
Speaking of collaboration, last week the biennial convention of the Congress received a document from CIAO (Canadian Italian Advocates Organization). The chairman of this association of lawyers of Italian origin, Lui Genova, explained that CIAO intends to bring the Government of Canada to court on behalf of two former World War II internees seeking compensation for damages.
"As far as the internees are concerned," explains Colavecchio, "we must clarify that there are two different approaches: an individual one, considering only eventual damages suffered by one person, and a community one, considering the severe image loss suffered by Canadians of Italian origin, labelled as traitors. The former is the level chosen by CIAO, and we support their action, but our mandate compels us to deal mostly with the latter level. We have already been acting on this, and soon we shall issue an official report on our actions."
Colavecchio has a long history of community commitment: before becoming an official of the Congress (first in its Quebec district and now at the national level) he's been National President of CIBPA (Canadian Italian Business and Professional Association). Under his leadership, CIBPA spread out of the big cities and opened new chapters.
"I intend to do the same for the Congress. Canadian Italians are not to be found only in Montreal or Toronto, but also in other towns, and we need to improve our collaboration with them."
Finally, in the last few months an issue has sparked some controversy among community organizations: RAI International's application for a 24-hour channel in Canada.
"My position and the National Congress' were extremely clear from the beginning: we are all in favour of granting RAI International the channel, because we are convinced that knowledge of the language is of paramount importance for maintaining and developing our cultural roots. At the same time we recognize the value and the importance of a station like Telelatino from the standpoint of reporting on what goes on in the Italian-Canadian community, and I don't see why these two realities should not coexist."
Jason Sordi concurs. After initially opposing the arrival of RAI International in Canada, he admits that he changed his mind, "realizing the importance of both services."
In carrying out his difficult task, Colavecchio will have the assistance of Domenic Campione, Toronto lawyer and former President of the Confederation of Sicilians in Ontario, who's been appointed as Deputy National President.

Publication Date: 2003-11-30
Story Location: http://tandemnews.com/viewstory.php?storyid=3405