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| '''Mike Del Grande''' is a ] |
'''Mike Del Grande''' is a a ] politician. Elected in ], he is a ], representing Ward 39 ]. | ||
| ==Background== | ==Background== | ||
| Michael Anthony Del Grande was born and raised in ], ]. He is the eldest child of |
Michael Anthony Del Grande was born and raised in ], ]. He is the eldest child of Italian immigrants. He is married and has 3 children. | ||
| Del Grande became a member of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants when he graduated from the ] in ]. Since that time, he also received |
Del Grande became a member of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants when he graduated from the ] in ]. Since that time, he also received his Bachelor of Commerce & Finance in ] and his Bachelor of Education in ] - both from the University of Toronto - as well as his Masters in Theological Studies from St. Augustine in ]. | ||
| He has also served on the ] of St. Sylvester Catholic School for 17 years. As well, he has been an active member of ] since |
He has also served on the ] of St. Sylvester Catholic School for 17 years. As well, he has been an active member of ] since 1990 and has volunteered with ]. He held the position of Co-President of the Silver Springs Community Association for 20 years, was a founding member of Scarborough Needs Accountable Politicians (SNAP), and has been a member of the Scarborough Homeowners Alliance for Fair Taxes since this group's inception. For these efforts, Del Grande was awarded Scarborough's Volunteer of the Year award in ]. | ||
| Del Grande is an active participant in the parish community of St. Aidan's. He has served as Treasurer for the parish for the past 17 years, financial advisor for St. Aidan's New Church Building Fund, has led workshops on Christian Money Management, is an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist and a Minister of the Word. | Del Grande is an active participant in the parish community of St. Aidan's. He has served as Treasurer for the parish for the past 17 years, financial advisor for St. Aidan's New Church Building Fund, has led workshops on Christian Money Management, is an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist and a Minister of the Word. | ||
| In ] |
In ] Del Grande was diagnosed with a benign brain tumour known as an ]. Refusing to accept conventional brain surgery as an option or using other experimental treatments, Del Grande decided to pursue what he deemed as proven technology in Rhode Island to receive treatment using a machine known as a ]. His $25,550 medical claim to OHIP was subsequently refused and Del Grande began a long series of class action hearings against the government to have them reimburse his and others out of country Gamma laser surgery. | ||
| In ], the Health Appeal Board ruled that since Gamma Knife treatments were not equivalent to those available in |
In ], the Health Appeal Board ruled that since The Gamma Knife treatments were not equivalent to those available in Canada, he and future appellants were entitled to full reimbursement. Del Grande lobbied the government for a Gamma Knife unit to be brought to Canada, and was part a group that was eventually able to see the first machine installed at the Toronto Western Hospital. | ||
| ==As a School Trustee== | ==As a School Trustee== | ||
| Del Grande first entered politics by running to be a school trustee for the Metropolitan Separate School Board (now the ]) in ]. He lost that election, but was elected to the school board in ]. He was re-elected in ] and ]. Throughout his nine years as a school trustee, he served as the Chair of school board for one year, from ] to ]. | Del Grande first entered politics by running to be a school trustee for the Metropolitan Separate School Board (now renamed the ]) in ]. He lost that election, but was elected to the school board in ]. He was re-elected in ] and ]. Throughout his nine years as a school trustee, he served as the Chair of school board for one year, from ] to ]. | ||
| Del Grande's aggressive style as a school trustee drew both praise and criticism within the school board. As a self-proclaimed "reform" trustee, he promoted initiatives to reform the school board so that it could be more open and accountable to its constituents. Due to his ] views on some issues, some believed that he was politically affiliated with the ]. In order to put an end to the perceived association, he renamed his moniker and promoted himself as a "sunshine" trustee so that he could shed some "sunshine" in the school board's "dark places." | Del Grande's aggressive style as a school trustee drew both praise and criticism within the school board. As a self-proclaimed "reform" trustee, he promoted initiatives to reform the school board so that it could be more open and accountable to its constituents. Due to his ] views on some issues, some believed that he was politically affiliated with the ]. In order to put an end to the perceived association, he renamed his moniker and promoted himself as a "sunshine" trustee so that he could shed some "sunshine" in the school board's "dark places." | ||
| In |
In 1996, Del Grande was charged under Ontario labour law by the Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association for "bargaining in bad faith" when it was alleged that he used the local media to manipulate public opinion at a time when the school board was in contract negotiations with its teachers. The charge was subsequently dropped by the association after he agreed to cease and desist. | ||
| ==As a City Councillor== | ==As a City Councillor== | ||
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| He has been a vocal opponent of the budgetary process at Toronto City Hall. In responding to a budget report prepared by the city's financial staff on December 12, 2005, he was quoted as saying, "It's underhandedness. This is why people from Scarborough, the area I represent, have no confidence in the politicians down here." | He has been a vocal opponent of the budgetary process at Toronto City Hall. In responding to a budget report prepared by the city's financial staff on December 12, 2005, he was quoted as saying, "It's underhandedness. This is why people from Scarborough, the area I represent, have no confidence in the politicians down here." | ||
| While Del Grande has served as a member of the city's Audit Committee and the Works Committee, his aggressive style |
While Del Grande has served as a member of the city's Audit Committee and the Works Committee, his aggressive style in council has incited both praise and criticism. The '']'' praised his efforts on ], ], by saying that "Taxpayers should give rookie councillor Mike Del Grande a big thank-you today," and rated him a "B" in an subsequent article on ], ], by stating that he "shakes up" people on council "with his knowledge of numbers and computers." On the other hand, '']'' writer Don Wanagas classified Del Grande in a feature column on ], as one of the council's "duds" due to his "] persona." | ||
| ==Controversies== | |||
| ===Allegations of Racism=== | |||
| When he ran against Sherene Shaw for the position of city councillor in 2003, the race was filled with accusations of racism with Del Grande distributing campaign literature calling for an end to the "foreign" representation in Scarborough-Agincourt. The contentious part of flyer read: "After 15 years of foreign representation, it's time to elect a local resident with a proven track record to represent you." Some interpreted this statement as a personal attack on Shaw since she was an immigrant from ]. According to Del Grande, the term "foreign" was in reference to Shaw's residency just outside of the local ward, and not to her national origin. While his supporters accepted this explanation, his critics denounced him as a racist. | |||
| Accusations of racism against Del Grande occurred again after a story was written by '']'' reporter David Nickel on ], ]. In the interview with Nickel, Del Grande stated that "a lot of white people are moving out" of his ward while many immigrants from mainland China are moving in. This article sparked a controversy that spilled over to other local newspapers. | |||
| On ], '']'' journalist Bruce DeMara noted that Del Grande's remarks about "white people" and Chinese immigrants were condemned by many members on council as "divisive" and "racist." ''Toronto Sun'' columnists Peter Worthington and Sue Ann Levy quickly came to his defence on ] and ], respectively, by saying that Del Grande's comments, while politically incorrect, were nevertheless a statement of demographic fact. | |||
| ===Surveillance on Citizens=== | |||
| It was also revealed in the same ''Scarborough Mirror'' article by David Nickel that Del Grande confessed to traveling around the ward with a pair of ] and a ] with the intention of conducting a local "census." The "census" was apparently to document any residential properties he believed were in violation of city ] and of any houses he suspected were illegally growing ]. | |||
| When asked if his constituents might be disturbed by having their homes under observation, Del Grande responded: "If somebody calls to complain about their neighbour, I say...by the way, you got a widened driveway which is illegal as well...so you're breaking the law as much as the other guy. You want to proceed? I'll proceed." | |||
| In response, the ''Scarborough Mirror'' wrote an angry editorial on ], by stating that "Constituents deserve an apology" from Del Grande for his behaviour. Offended by these comments and actions, '']'' reporter John Barber wrote an article on ], asking readers: "Does anyone deserve a councillor like this one?" | |||
| ==External links== | ==External links== | ||
Revision as of 13:42, 19 February 2006
Mike Del Grande is a a Canadian politician. Elected in 2003, he is a Toronto city councillor, representing Ward 39 Scarborough—Agincourt.
Background
Michael Anthony Del Grande was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario. He is the eldest child of Italian immigrants. He is married and has 3 children.
Del Grande became a member of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants when he graduated from the University of Toronto in 1979. Since that time, he also received his Bachelor of Commerce & Finance in 1976 and his Bachelor of Education in 2002 - both from the University of Toronto - as well as his Masters in Theological Studies from St. Augustine in 2000.
He has also served on the Parent Teacher Association of St. Sylvester Catholic School for 17 years. As well, he has been an active member of Neighborhood Watch since 1990 and has volunteered with Scouts Canada. He held the position of Co-President of the Silver Springs Community Association for 20 years, was a founding member of Scarborough Needs Accountable Politicians (SNAP), and has been a member of the Scarborough Homeowners Alliance for Fair Taxes since this group's inception. For these efforts, Del Grande was awarded Scarborough's Volunteer of the Year award in 1991.
Del Grande is an active participant in the parish community of St. Aidan's. He has served as Treasurer for the parish for the past 17 years, financial advisor for St. Aidan's New Church Building Fund, has led workshops on Christian Money Management, is an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist and a Minister of the Word.
In 1996 Del Grande was diagnosed with a benign brain tumour known as an Acoustic Neuroma. Refusing to accept conventional brain surgery as an option or using other experimental treatments, Del Grande decided to pursue what he deemed as proven technology in Rhode Island to receive treatment using a machine known as a Gamma Knife. His $25,550 medical claim to OHIP was subsequently refused and Del Grande began a long series of class action hearings against the government to have them reimburse his and others out of country Gamma laser surgery.
In 1999, the Health Appeal Board ruled that since The Gamma Knife treatments were not equivalent to those available in Canada, he and future appellants were entitled to full reimbursement. Del Grande lobbied the government for a Gamma Knife unit to be brought to Canada, and was part a group that was eventually able to see the first machine installed at the Toronto Western Hospital.
As a School Trustee
Del Grande first entered politics by running to be a school trustee for the Metropolitan Separate School Board (now renamed the Toronto Catholic District School Board) in 1991. He lost that election, but was elected to the school board in 1994. He was re-elected in 1997 and 2000. Throughout his nine years as a school trustee, he served as the Chair of school board for one year, from 2000 to 2001.
Del Grande's aggressive style as a school trustee drew both praise and criticism within the school board. As a self-proclaimed "reform" trustee, he promoted initiatives to reform the school board so that it could be more open and accountable to its constituents. Due to his conservative views on some issues, some believed that he was politically affiliated with the Reform Party of Canada. In order to put an end to the perceived association, he renamed his moniker and promoted himself as a "sunshine" trustee so that he could shed some "sunshine" in the school board's "dark places."
In 1996, Del Grande was charged under Ontario labour law by the Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association for "bargaining in bad faith" when it was alleged that he used the local media to manipulate public opinion at a time when the school board was in contract negotiations with its teachers. The charge was subsequently dropped by the association after he agreed to cease and desist.
As a City Councillor
In 2003, Del Grande ran for city council against longtime incumbent Sherene Shaw and won in a surprise upset. As one of the few right-wing councillors elected to a council dominated by left-wing councillors, Del Grande has become one of the leading critics of Toronto Mayor David Miller. He was an active participant in the "Keep the Chief" campaign in 2004, when Julian Fantino, then Toronto's Chief of Police, did not have his contract renewed by the Toronto Police Services Board.
He has been a vocal opponent of the budgetary process at Toronto City Hall. In responding to a budget report prepared by the city's financial staff on December 12, 2005, he was quoted as saying, "It's underhandedness. This is why people from Scarborough, the area I represent, have no confidence in the politicians down here."
While Del Grande has served as a member of the city's Audit Committee and the Works Committee, his aggressive style in council has incited both praise and criticism. The Toronto Sun praised his efforts on March 4, 2004, by saying that "Taxpayers should give rookie councillor Mike Del Grande a big thank-you today," and rated him a "B" in an subsequent article on November 24, 2004, by stating that he "shakes up" people on council "with his knowledge of numbers and computers." On the other hand, NOW writer Don Wanagas classified Del Grande in a feature column on March 11, 2004, as one of the council's "duds" due to his "Oscar the Grouch persona."