Tony Rizzo
| Tony Rizzo | |
|---|---|
| Ontario MPP | |
|
In office 1990–1995 |
|
| Preceded by | Chaviva Hošek |
| Succeeded by | Mike Colle |
| Constituency | Oakwood |
| Alderman, Ward 3, Borough/City of York | |
|
In office 1982–1990 |
|
| Preceded by | Ron Bradd |
| Succeeded by | Paul Owen (interim), Rob Davis |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
June 27, 1940 Italy |
| Political party |
New Democrat (1980-2000) Liberal (2000-) |
| Children | 3 |
| Residence | Toronto |
| Occupation | Businessman |
Tony Rizzo (born June 27, 1940) is a former politician in Ontario, Canada. He was a New Democratic member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1990 to 1995 who represented the central Toronto riding of Oakwood. He was also an alderman for the city of York from 1982 to 1990.
Rizzo was born in Italy and moved to Canada with his family in the early 1950s. He studied engineering and obtained work as a civil engineer. In 1973 he created Primus Masonry Ltd. and Muro Construction Inc. in 1989. He is married with three children. Rizzo's daughter Gidget was elected as a school trustee in 1994. His son Luigi unsuccessfully challenged veteran municipal councillor Howard Moscoe in the 2003 municipal election.
In 1980, Rizzo ran for a seat on the municipal council in the borough of York. Running as a candidate supported by New Democrats, he lost to incumbent Ron Bradd. In 1982 he contested the same ward, this time beating Bradd. He beat Bradd again in 1985 and again in 1988.
In 1989, Rizzo was accused of underhanded electioneering in the 1988 election when he admitted to donating $700 to the campaign of Roland Saggiorato, a rival candidate shortly after Saggiorato withdrew from the race. Rizzo claimed the donation was legal but some argued the payment was a bribe for Saggiorato withdrawing his candidacy. Rizzo said he had no idea why Saggiorato left the race. He said, "I don't give a damn why." Later Rizzo tried unsuccessfully to appoint Saggiorato to the city's municipal Committee of Adjustment - a position that came with a $2,000 honorarium. Saggiorato said that although he accepted the $700 as part of his election campaign, he had expected an appointment to the committee. He said, "...the whole thing is, the committee job on the committee of adjustment, that was supposed to come."
In late 1989 to mid 1990, Rizzo became embroiled in the infamous Fairbank Park development scandal. Rizzo was head of the committee that approved a proposal to sell off part of a city park for a condominium development in exchange for the construction of a community centre. The proposal was widely criticised by local residents. In August 1990, Rizzo reversed his approval and voted with councillor Frances Nunziata to oppose the project. In the end aldermen Jim Fera and Tony Mandarano were convicted for receiving bribes from the developer. Rizzo was questioned by the police but not charged.
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