View source for Frances Nunziata

{{Short description|Canadian politician}}
{{BLP sources|date=April 2009}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Frances Nunziata
| image               = Frances Nunziata portrait, 2010 (S2311 fl3161 it0001).jpg
| imagesize           = 
| caption             = Nunziata in 2010
| office1             = [[Toronto City Councillor]]<br />for [[Ward 5 York South—Weston]]<br />{{nobold|(Ward 11; 2000-2018)}}
| term_start1         = December 1, 2000
| term_end1           = 
| predecessor1        = ''Ward created''
| successor1          = Incumbent
| office2             = [[Speaker of Toronto City Council]]
| term_start2         = December 1, 2010<ref name="cbc.ca">{{cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/city-council-swearing-in-1.4931949 |title=Mayor John Tory calls on smaller city council to 'work together' |work=www.cbc.ca |access-date=2019-12-25}}</ref>
| term_end2           = 
| predecessor2        = [[Sandra Bussin]]
| successor2          = Incumbent
| office3             = Chair of the Etobicoke York Community Council
| predecessor3        = [[Suzan Hall]]
| successor3          = [[Mark Grimes]]
| term_start3         = June 27, 2005
| term_end3           = November 30, 2010
| office4             = [[York, Toronto|Mayor of York]]
| term_start4         = December 1, 1994
| term_end4           = December 31, 1997
| predecessor4        = [[Fergy Brown]]
| successor4          = ''Office dissolved''
| office5             = [[York, Toronto|York City Councillor]] for Ward 7
| term_start5         = December 1, 1988
| term_end5           = November 30, 1994
| predecessor5        = Gary Bloor
| successor5          = Randy Leach
| birth_date          = {{c.}} {{birth year and age|1950}}
| birth_place         = 
| occupation          = Accounting clerk
| nationality         = [[Canadians|Canadian]]
}}
[[File:Councillor Nunziata at levee 2011.jpg|thumb|Nunziata in 2011 (on the right)]]
'''Frances Nunziata''' ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|n|ʊ|n|t|s|i|ˈ|ɑː|t|ə|audio=Francesnunziataname.ogg}} {{respell|NUUNT|see|AH|tə}}, {{IPA|it|nunˈtsjaːta|lang}}; born {{c.|1950}}) is a Canadian politician who has served as the [[speaker of Toronto City Council]] since December 1, 2010. Nunziata presently represents [[Ward 5 York South—Weston]].

She is the sister of former member of Parliament (MP) [[John Nunziata]] and aunt of Toronto District School Board Trustee [[Patrick Nunziata]].

==Background==
An [[accounting clerk]], she became head of the Harwood Ratepayers Association. She was first elected to office in 1985 as school board trustee for the [[York, Toronto|City of York]] School Board.

== Political career ==

=== City of York ===
In 1985 she was elected as school board trustee for the City of York School Board. In 1988, she was elected to the York City Council, ousting incumbent Gary Bloor.<ref name="Profile">{{cite web |url=https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/council/members-of-council/councillor-ward-5/ |title=Councillor Frances Nunziata |date=22 August 2017 |access-date= 2022-10-21}}</ref>

On city council, she was involved in the [[Fairbank Park]] affair as a whistleblower. Nunziata leaked material to the press illustrating irregularities in the process, leading to a police investigation of several local politicians.<ref name="Profile" /><ref name="Eye">{{Cite news|url= http://www.eyeweekly.com/eye/issue/issue_03.11.93/NEWS/cit0311.php |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070927001218/http://www.eyeweekly.com/eye/issue/issue_03.11.93/NEWS/cit0311.php |archive-date= 2007-09-27|title= How Bob Rae helped nail two corrupt pols|first= Paul|last= Palango|newspaper= [[Eye Weekly]]|date= March 11, 1993|access-date= July 5, 2004}}</ref> After he reportedly threatened her, Nunziata took councillor [[Nicolo Fortunato]] to court. Fortunato also filed charges against Nunziata.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://digitalarchive.tpl.ca/objects/259046/feuding-york-aldermen-aldermen-nicolo-fortunato-and-frances |title=Feuding York Aldermen. Aldermen Nicolo Fortunato and Frances Nunziata today leave East Mall court, where Fortunato appeared on charges of threatening |access-date= 2022-10-21}}</ref>

In the 1994 election, Nunziata challenged incumbent York mayor [[Fergy Brown]] and was elected. As mayor, her main cause was an unsuccessful campaign to construct a subway line under Eglinton avenue.{{Citation needed|date=October 2022}}

=== Toronto City Council ===
The [[amalgamation of Toronto]], in 1998, led to Nunziata being elected to [[Toronto city council]]. On city council, she mostly concerned herself with law and order issues, like advocating for the city to have the power to impound the vehicles of men caught soliciting street prostitutes.<ref>{{Cite news|url= https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/councillor-wants-city-to-seize-johns-cars-1.240238?cache=bizixeboayvahp%3FclipId%3D68597 |title= Councillor wants city to seize johns' cars| access-date= October 21, 2022}}</ref>

On December 7, 2010, she was elected as [[Speaker of Toronto City Council]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2011.CC1.11 |title=City Council consideration on December 7, 2010 |access-date= 2022-10-21}}</ref>

In 2021, she stopped an effort by councillor [[Kristyn Wong-Tam]] to get details on city expenditures and decision-making associated with the controversial clearing of park encampments for the homeless.<ref>{{Cite news|url= https://nowtoronto.com/news/john-torys-failure-of-leadership-on-homelessness-is-a-shame |title= John Tory's failure of leadership on homelessness is a shame | access-date= October 21, 2022}}</ref>

==== Committees & Boards ====
* Audit Committee
* Budget Committee
* Civic Appointments Committee
* Collective Bargaining Subcommittee
* Etobicoke York Community Council
* General Government and Licensing Committee
* George Bell Arena Board
* Planning and Housing Committee
* Striking Committee
* Toronto Community Housing Corporation
* Toronto Police Services Board

Nunziata also serves on the Weston Village BIA, the Mount Dennis BIA, Rockcliffe-Smythe NAP, York South-Weston NAP, Weston Village Residents Association, the Syme 55+ Centre Board of Directors and the George Bell Arena Board of Management.<ref name="Profile" />

== Controversies ==

=== Discrimination Claims ===
In 2010, George Berger, an executive assistant who worked for her in 2005 brought her before the [[Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario]], claiming harassment and discrimination during his employment. Berger claims that he was targeted due to a disability. Nunziata’s lawyer argued that there was no discrimination on the basis of disability. Berger was asking for monetary compensation and an apology.<ref>Anna Mehler Paperny. [https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/nunziata-awaits-rights-tribunal-verdict-in-he-said-she-said-case/article564495/ Nunziata awaits rights tribunal verdict in he-said, she-said case] The Globe and Mail. February 1, 2011. Retrieved July 23, 2021.</ref>

While Nunziata’s alleged conduct toward him was found to be “clearly rude and demeaning”, the judge ruled that his disability and her conduct were not related. However, the Ontario’s human rights tribunal found the City of Toronto had violated his rights.<ref>[https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2011/03/31/city_violated_rights_of_disabled_exaide.html City violated rights of disabled ex-aide] The Toronto Star. March 31, 2011.</ref>

=== Code of Conduct Violation ===
In July 2024, the City of Toronto's Integrity Commissioner released a report that Nunziata "violated Articles 5 and 7 of the Code of Conduct"<ref>[https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2024/cc/bgrd/backgroundfile-247811.pdf] Report on Councillor Frances Nunziata’s Use of Constituent Contact Information</ref> for city councillors by using constituent contact information for election purposes without permission, during the [[2022 Toronto municipal election]]s. Though the Integrity Commissioner determined that Nunziata "had no intention to mislead my office" and "did not know the truth until my investigation revealed it.", the Integrity Commissioner determined that Nunziata was ultimately responsible for the conduct of her staff in the matter.<ref>[https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2024/cc/bgrd/backgroundfile-247811.pdf]</ref><ref>[https://www.cp24.com/news/two-toronto-councillors-used-constituent-contact-info-for-election-purposes-without-permission-integrity-commissioner-1.6970885] Two Toronto councillors used constituent contact info for election purposes without permission: integrity commissioner</ref> The election was hotly contest with the runner up, Chiara Padovani, losing by 94 votes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cohen |first=Ben |date=2024-07-23 |title=Frances Nunziata campaign ‘cheated,’ says election rival in the wake of ethics report |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/frances-nunziata-campaign-cheated-says-election-rival-in-the-wake-of-ethics-report/article_56684106-4861-11ef-9505-5b0561975d95.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240801201214/https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/frances-nunziata-campaign-cheated-says-election-rival-in-the-wake-of-ethics-report/article_56684106-4861-11ef-9505-5b0561975d95.html |archive-date=2024-08-01 |access-date=2024-08-01 |website=Toronto Star |language=en}}</ref>

==Electoral record==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="background:#ddf; width:200px;"| Candidate 
! style="background:#ddf; width:50px;"| Vote
! style="background:#ddf; width:30px;"| %
|-
| '''Frances Nunziata''' (X) || '''10,077''' || '''47.61'''
|-
| Chiara Padovani || 9,983 || 47.16
|-
| Gabriel Takang || 1,107 || 5.23
|}
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
| colspan="3" |'''[[2018 Toronto municipal election]], Ward 5 York South—Weston'''
|-
! scope="col" style="background:#ddf; width:150px;" |Candidate
! scope="col" style="background:#ddf;" |Votes
! scope="col" style="background:#ddf;" |Vote share
|-
| scope="row" |Frances Nunziata
| align="right" |8,425
| align="right" |32.18%
|-
| scope="row" |Frank Di Giorgio
| align="right" |5,674
| align="right" |21.67%
|-
| scope="row" |Chiara Padovani
| align="right" |5,358
| align="right" |20.47%
|-
| scope="row" |Lekan Olawoye
| align="right" |3,889
| align="right" |14.85%
|-
| scope="row" |Deeqa Barre
| align="right" |1,172
| align="right" |4.48%
|-
| scope="row" |Keaton Austin
| align="right" |467
| align="right" |1.78%
|-
| scope="row" |Luis Portillo
| align="right" |352
| align="right" |1.34%
|-
| scope="row" |Fred Fosu
| align="right" |245
| align="right" |0.94%
|-
|Joey Carapinha
| align="right" |241
| align="right" |0.92%
|-
| scope="row" |Cedric Ogilvie
| align="right" |189
| align="right" |0.72%
|-
|Harpreet Gulri
| align="right" |168
| align="right" |0.64%
|-
! scope="row" |'''Total'''
! align="right" |26,180
! align="right" |{{Right|100%}}
|-
| colspan="3" |Source: [[Municipal government of Toronto|City of Toronto]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Declaration of Results|url=https://www.toronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/97da-2018clerksofficialdeclarationofresults.pdf|publisher=Toronto City Clerk's Office|accessdate=November 25, 2021}}</ref>
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="margin-bottom:0;"
|-
|Colspan="3" align="center"|'''[[2014 Toronto municipal election|2014 Toronto election]], Ward 11'''
|-
! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="150px" | Candidate
! bgcolor="#DDDDFF"  | Votes
! bgcolor="#DDDDFF"  | %
|-
|'''Frances Nunziata''' ||align=right| 13,201 ||align=right| 71.334
|-
|Jose Garcia || align="right" | 3,212 ||align=right| 17.357
|-
|Dory Chalhoub || align="right" | 2,093 ||align=right| 11.310
|-
!Total||align=right| 18,506 ||align=right| 100%
|}
{{resize|Unofficial results as of October 27, 2014 11:51 PM&thinsp;}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.toronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/9021-election-2014-councillor-poll-by-poll-results.pdf|title=Councillor Toronto Election 2014Poll By Poll Results|date=October 27, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141029150336/http://election.toronto.ca/epr2014/eprDetail.do?C%3B011%2C106%2C306%2C204%2C403%2C#1414591387927|archive-date=October 29, 2014|url-status=live|access-date=October 29, 2014}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="margin-bottom:0;"
|-
|Colspan="3" align="center"|'''[[2010 Toronto municipal election|2010 Toronto election]], Ward 11'''
|-
! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="150px" | Candidate
! bgcolor="#DDDDFF"  | Votes
! bgcolor="#DDDDFF"  | %
|-
|'''Frances Nunziata''' ||align=right| 10,544 ||align=right| 66.789
|-
|Fulvio Sansone ||align=right| 2,290 ||align=right| 14.506
|-
|Leo Marshall ||align=right| 1,718 ||align=right| 10.882
|-
|Abdi Hashised ||align=right| 1,235 ||align=right| 7.823
|-
!Total||align=right| 15,787 ||align=right| 100%
|}
{{resize|2010 City Clerk's Official Declaration of Results&thinsp;}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Declaration of Results of Voting – Monday, October 25, 2010 |url=http://www1.toronto.ca/static_files/city_clerks_office/elections/docs/Results_PDFs/2010/2010clerksofficialdeclaration.pdf |page=4 |date=October 28, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141029140844/http://www1.toronto.ca/static_files/city_clerks_office/elections/docs/Results_PDFs/2010/2010clerksofficialdeclaration.pdf |archive-date=October 29, 2014 |url-status=dead |access-date=October 29, 2014 }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="margin-bottom:0;"
|-
|Colspan="3" align="center"|'''[[2006 Toronto municipal election|2006 Toronto election]], Ward 11'''
|-
! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="150px" | Candidate
! bgcolor="#DDDDFF"  | Votes
! bgcolor="#DDDDFF"  | %
|-
|'''Frances Nunziata'''||align=right|6,469||align=right|49.601
|-
|[[Paul Ferreira]] ||align=right|4,812||align=right|36.896
|-
|Rocky Gualtieri ||align=right|1,235||align=right|9.469
|-
|Pansy Mullings ||align=right|526||align=right|4.033
|-
!Total||align=right| 13,042 ||align=right| 100%
|}
{{resize|2006 City Clerk's Official Declaration of Results&thinsp;}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Declaration of Results of Voting – Monday, November 13, 2006 |url=http://www1.toronto.ca/City%20Of%20Toronto/City%20Clerks/Elections/Library/Files/Results%20PDFs/2006/2006clerksofficialdeclaration.pdf |date=November 16, 2006 |page=3 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141029151003/http://www1.toronto.ca/City%20Of%20Toronto/City%20Clerks/Elections/Library/Files/Results%20PDFs/2006/2006clerksofficialdeclaration.pdf |archive-date=October 29, 2014 |url-status=dead |access-date=October 29, 2014 }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="margin-bottom:0;"
|-
|Colspan="3" align="center"|'''[[2003 Toronto municipal election|2003 Toronto election]], Ward 11'''
|-
! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="150px" | Candidate
! bgcolor="#DDDDFF"  | Votes
! bgcolor="#DDDDFF"  | %
|-
|'''Frances Nunziata'''||align=right|9,819||align=right| 77.984
|-
|Rosemarie Mulhall ||align=right|2,772||align=right| 22.016
|-
!Total||align=right| 12,591 ||align=right| 100%
|}
{{resize|2003 City Clerk's Official Declaration of Results&thinsp;}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Declaration of Results of Voting – Monday, November 10, 2003 |url=http://www1.toronto.ca/static_files/city_clerks_office/elections/docs/Results_PDFs/2003clerkofficialdeclaration.pdf |date=November 13, 2003 |page=3 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141029154158/http://www1.toronto.ca/static_files/city_clerks_office/elections/docs/Results_PDFs/2003clerkofficialdeclaration.pdf |archive-date=October 29, 2014 |url-status=dead |access-date=October 29, 2014 }}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Frances Nunziata}}
* {{TorontoCouncillor|ID=nunziata1}}

{{Toronto City Councillors}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nunziata, Frances}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Canadian people of Italian descent]]
[[Category:Speakers of Toronto City Council]]
[[Category:Toronto city councillors]]
[[Category:Metropolitan Toronto councillors]]
[[Category:Mayors of York, Ontario]]
[[Category:Women mayors of places in Ontario]]
[[Category:20th-century mayors of places in Ontario]]
[[Category:20th-century Canadian women politicians]]
[[Category:21st-century Canadian municipal councillors]]
[[Category:21st-century Canadian women politicians]]