Giorgio Mammoliti’s son sets his sights on a Toronto council seat

The name Mammoliti is one that has been very familiar to Toronto residents, with long-time politician Giorgio Mammoliti in the spotlight at City Hall for years before losing in the 2018 municipal election.

Now, his son Christopher is hoping to join the fray. He has his sights set on the Ward 7 Humber River-Black Creek seat, where Giorgio was defeated by incumbent Anthony Peruzza after the number of wards dropped from 47 to 25.

Despite admitting being influenced by his father, the younger Mammoliti said his approach would be much different.

“I think as a young person growing up in a political family you’re influenced. You’re naturally influenced. No different than somebody who wants a bakery. You’re interested in the baking industry,” said Christopher.

His father often made headlines for his controversial approach to city politics, but despite his divisive antics, Giorgio spent more than two decades on Toronto city council.

“As far as my personal motivations, those are my own. Those are the things that I take forward with me. Of course, my father was elected here for 25 years. He was a trusted representative but my job is to bring my skill sets forward, take what I can learn … I’ll bring that forward but I also want to put my own stamp.”

Christopher has spent the last four years as a Toronto District School Board Trustee and was appointed vice-chair in 2020.

He added he doesn’t like to compare himself to his father. “I’d like the focus to be on what I bring forward. I’d like to focus on collaboration. I want to build a team around me. I believe in modern leadership.”

Christopher will be up against long-time councillor Peruzza, who said he’s up for the competition. “[Christopher]’s obviously decided that now he wants to make the jump to municipal politics but you know what? That’s par for the course. That’ll always be the case.”

“It requires me to now have to go out there and explain to people why it is that I continue to be relevant for them. Why it is that I continue to be someone that is doing a good job here and is doing a job that’s worthwhile for them,” added Peruzza.

Christopher tells CityNews he has been on the ground canvassing for more than a month with another month-and-a-half to go before the election.

“I was born and raised in Humber River-Black Creek and I know the community intimately. I think the challenges that we see, I think the pandemic has brought a lot to the forefront, but these are issues that have been there the entire time,” said Christopher. “So this is something that somebody who represents our community will have to take advantage of this opportunity when people are paying attention.”

And not to be left out of the fun, Giorgio is attempting a return to politics, running to become the Mayor of Wasaga Beach.

On his website, Giorgio says he purchased a property in the area in 2011 and has called Wasaga Beach home since his election loss in 2018.

Political dynasties are hardly a new concept for Toronto City Council.

For over 20 years, a member of the Ford family was present at City Hall. First, Rob as a city councillor and later, Mayor of Toronto alongside by his brother, current premier Doug who took his spot as city councillor. He was then replaced their nephew, Michael, who remained on city council until June when he was elected as an MPP.

Current councillors Stephen Holyday and Mike Layton are also the sons of former councillor and Etobicoke Mayor Doug Holyday and former NDP leader and city councillor Jack Layton, respectively.

There’s expected to be lots of fresh faces on council following the municipal election with at least five councillors announcing their intent not to run again and another two who left to enter provincial politics.

The election is set to be held on October 24 with the last day to file a nomination to run is August 19.