 |
Oct. 26 - Nov. 2, 2003 |
An Italian Canadian for Toronto mayor?
Former Liberal Party member John Nunziata hopes to take Mel Lastman's job at City Hall
By Angelo Persichilli
Originally Published: 2003-01-19
 |
|
Independent candidate John Nunziata
|
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."
Page 1/...Page 2
|
| Home / Back to Top |
|
|
 |
|
|
</ td>
