45 Facts About Anthony Perruzza

Anthony Perruzza was a candidate for mayor of Toronto in the 2023 by-election, placing tenth.

Anthony Perruzza moved to Canada at age nine, and was raised in a working-class family in North York.

Anthony Perruzza became a carpenter in his teens and paid his way through university.

Anthony Perruzza studied history and political science at York University.

Anthony Perruzza first campaigned for the North York city council in a November 1984 by-election for the city's first ward.

Anthony Perruzza supported property tax cuts and the creation of a local recreation centre.

Anthony Perruzza lost to Mario Sergio in a crowded field of candidates.

Anthony Perruzza campaigned for a seat on the Metro Toronto Separate School Board in the 1985 municipal election, and narrowly defeated incumbent trustee Tony Nigro to win Ward 15.

In February 1986, Anthony Perruzza informed the media that board members were secretly considering cutbacks of up to $4.7 million to school various programs.

Anthony Perruzza said he was making the information available because "the public should be given an opportunity to voice their concerns before the cuts are made".

Anthony Perruzza was elected without difficulty in the city's fifth ward, and became the only New Democrat on the new council.

Anthony Perruzza accused his council colleagues of shirking their responsibility to provide affordable housing, and spoke against Lastman's effort to institute a mandatory fee for North York municipal candidates, describing the plan as a "price tag on democracy that will favor incumbents".

Anthony Perruzza was appointed to the North York Board of Health in 1989.

In early 1990, Anthony Perruzza recommended that North York license and regulate its previously-illegal rooming houses and basement apartments.

Anthony Perruzza argued that the city had an obligation to provide protection to tenants and improve living conditions, but could not do so as long as the dwellings had no legal status.

Anthony Perruzza opposed an 8.4 per cent property tax increase in the same period, and suggested that the city transfer $11.7 million from its planned performing arts centre to make up the necessary operational funds.

Anthony Perruzza argued that developers were being given tax breaks, while residents were required to contribute more at the onset of a recession.

Anthony Perruzza campaigned for the Ontario legislature in the 1990 provincial election, challenging Liberal incumbent Laureano Leone in Downsview.

Anthony Perruzza called for market value property tax assessment in Toronto, so as to provide substantial tax reductions for many of his residents.

Anthony Perruzza defeated Leone as the NDP won the election and formed a majority government.

Anthony Perruzza criticized North York councillors for choosing to appoint his replacement, rather than calling a by-election.

When it became obvious that no by-election would take place, Anthony Perruzza called for Mike Foster to be appointed to his seat.

Some North York councillors accused Anthony Perruzza of billing the city for stationery and business cards for use in his provincial campaign.

Anthony Perruzza denied this, acknowledging that he ordered a significant amount of paper in 1990 but saying that none of it went toward his provincial campaign.

Late in his term, Anthony Perruzza supported the construction of a new community centre on Jane Street near Grandravine.

On June 9,1994, Anthony Perruzza was one of twelve New Democratic Party MPPs to vote against Bill 167, legislation that would have provided same-sex couples with rights and obligations equal to opposite-sex common law couples.

Anthony Perruzza held five parliamentary assistant positions between 1990 and 1995.

The NDP lost the 1995 provincial election, and Anthony Perruzza was beaten by Liberal candidate Annamarie Castrilli in Downsview.

Anthony Perruzza was endorsed by the Toronto Star newspaper, but finished fourth in the two-member ward.

Anthony Perruzza campaigned for Toronto City Council's redistributed eighth ward, which includes the Jane and Finch area, in the 2000 municipal election.

Anthony Perruzza was endorsed by the Toronto Star, the Canadian Union of Public Employees and the Ontario Public Service Employees Union.

Anthony Perruzza challenged Li Preti again in the 2003 municipal election, charging that his opponent was negligent in defending the rights of tenants.

Anthony Perruzza challenged Li Preti a third time in the 2006 municipal election.

Anthony Perruzza called for a licensing system for landlords, and focused on community safety issues.

Anthony Perruzza defeated Li Preti on election day, winning the Ward Eight seat by a margin of about 5 per cent.

Anthony Perruzza was named vice-chair of the North York Community Council.

Anthony Perruzza has reiterated his call for a licensing system for landlords, and supports increased public transit in Toronto's York Region.

Anthony Perruzza formerly served on the 2010 to 2014 Executive Committee and was the Chair of the Community Development and Recreation Committee in 2013 and 2014.

In 2015 Anthony Perruzza launched DUKE Heights Business Improvement Area, which worked to revitalize local businesses and attract new investment to the area.

Anthony Perruzza has been committed to improving public spaces in his ward.

Anthony Perruzza worked to revitalize local parks, including partnering with multiple stakeholders to revitalize Driftwood Parkette in 2016.

Anthony Perruzza was a strong advocate for improving public transit in Toronto.

Anthony Perruzza supported the construction of the Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension, which brought subway service to his ward.

In 2020, after Metrolinx reneged on a long held promise to hand over land at the Maintenance and Storage Facility of the Finch West LRT for a community hub in the Jane-Finch community, Anthony Perruzza voiced his concerns to the executives of Metrolinx and the media over the broken promise.

Anthony Perruzza said he would negotiate with the federal and provincial governments to secure stable funding.