Adam Giambrone
Encyclopedia
Adam Giambrone is a Canadian
politician who was a Toronto City Councillor, representing the southern of two Davenport
wards. Elected at 26, he remained the youngest member of Toronto council after re-election. He is also a former president of the federal New Democratic Party
. He was the 2008 recipient of Now Magazine
' s "Best City Politician" award.
An archaeologist
by training, Giambrone has participated in excavations in Sudan
, Tunisia
, Libya
, Yemen
, and Guatemala
. He speaks English
, French
, and Arabic
fluently. He is of Italian-American ancestry, and his father moved to Canada to avoid the Vietnam War.
As Chair of the Toronto Transit Commission
, Giambrone has led the largest-ever expansion of bus service in Toronto, and seen record transit ridership. Giambrone secured over $8 billion in new funding to build light rail into areas of the city currently not served by rapid transit. An expansion of two subway lines also forms part of an overall $18 billion long-term expansion plan driven by Giambrone.
On February 1, 2010 Giambrone announced his candidacy to succeed David Miller
as Mayor of Toronto in the 2010 election
, as a leading progressive
candidate, showing second place in polls after John Tory dropped out, though Giambrone also had a high "unfavourable" rating of 40%. Giambrone exited the mayoral race on February 10, 2010 amidst a sex scandal and he did not run for re-election for his council seat.
in Toronto, he was active in the model UN club and took great interests in politics. While studying at McGill University
in Montreal
, he served as treasurer of the New Democratic Youth of Canada. At age 20, he ran for the NDP in the riding of Mount Royal
in the 1997 federal election
, in which he finished fifth out of six candidates.
At McGill University Giambrone ran for the position of vice-president finance of the Students' Society (undergraduate student union) and lost to fellow student Duncan Reid by a wide margin, but was later elected to the student council as one of three ad hoc councilors representing McGill's student clubs.
Returning to Toronto, he took up employment at the Royal Ontario Museum
. He ran for Toronto City Council in the southern Davenport ward against Mario Silva
in the 2000 municipal election
, losing 6,037 to 3,338.
challenger to the "official slate" candidate customarily supported by the party brass, but the official slate candidate stood down in Giambrone's favour. The president of the NDP is the administrative chairperson of the party, chairing party conventions, councils and executive meetings. Giambrone was 24, and no younger person had ever become president (or leader) of a major Canadian party. He became a frequent guest on television and figure in the news, and travelled the country extensively speaking to New Democrats.
Seeking re-election at the 2003 convention
at which Jack Layton
was elected party leader, Giambrone faced a strong challenge from respected New Brunswick NDP
leader Elizabeth Weir
. Midway through the convention, Giambrone and Weir decided to seek a co-presidency. Many delegates balked, especially at the assumption that they could push through a sudden constitutional change in a party often dearly concerned with internal process. The joint ticket was withdrawn, and Giambrone won a second term against Weir and a challenger from the NDP Socialist Caucus
.
He announced in the summer of 2006 that he would not seek a third term as federal NDP president. Anne McGrath was elected to succeed him at the party convention in Quebec City.
Member of Parliament
in Davenport
in the 2004 federal election
, Giambrone became a leading candidate to replace him in the 2003 municipal election
. With the endorsements of the Toronto Star
, Now Magazine
, Bloor West Villager newspapers and councillors Joe Pantalone
and Fred Dominelli
, Giambrone defeated Ana Bailão
, Silva's former assistant, by a 51-40 margin in a field of six candidates.
As Vice-Chair of the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee, he has helped develop solutions to Toronto's garbage challenges, and promote recycling and organic collection. Giambrone has worked with the Mayor to implement a multi-billion dollar road and water infrastructure upgrade program.
Toronto Council unanimously approved a September, 2007 motion to allow the Toronto Parking Authority
to proceed with a plan to expropriate the Matador, a famed Toronto music hall and cultural landmark. After considerable media attention, an organised group of citizens, including noted author Michael Ondaatje
and folk singer Sylvia Tyson
, lobbied Giambrone to successfully reverse the expropriation.
On May 7, 2009, Giambrone sent an email from his mobile phone, warning fellow counsellor Cesar Palacio
to “stop messing in my ward” or face “problems”. Giambrone apologized for the "hastily composed" email when Palacio distributed copies to local media.
Shortly after taking office, he was appointed as a commissioner of the Toronto Transit Commission
(TTC). He also served along with Greater Toronto Area
mayors and regional chairs on the board of Metrolinx from its inception in 2006 until 2009.
During the TTC workers' wildcat strike on May 29, 2006, Giambrone was prominent in the media representing the TTC's position as commission chair Howard Moscoe
was out of town. After being re-elected in the 2006 municipal election
, taking almost 67% of the vote in his ward, Giambrone was elected as Chair of the Toronto Transit Commission on December 6, 2006.
. Some of these ideas were discussed at Transit Camp, a successful community consultation early in his term as chair.
Giambrone also established the station modernization and station renaissance renewal programs for TTC subway stations, the latter in conjunction with the Toronto Community Foundation. Giambrone also started a program to install bicycle racks on all TTC buses.
Giambrone together with Mayor David Miller
unveiled Transit City
, a $10 billion expansion of light rail into neighborhoods and areas not served by rapid transit, and reaching into the GTA
. Transit City calls for 120 kilometres of electric light rail along seven new routes. Premier Dalton McGuinty
announced funding for Transit City as a component of its MoveOntario 2020
plan on June 15, 2007. Transit City was also included in Metrolinx's "Big Move" funding plan when it was released on November 27, 2008.
On April 24, Giambrone announced that the TTC had opted to replace its aging fleet of Canadian Light Rail Vehicle
s and Articulated Light Rail Vehicles with 204 new streetcars, procured competitively from Bombardier Transportation
. New streetcars will begin to enter service in 2012. The deal, valued at more than $1.2 billion, is designed to support the struggling economy in Thunder Bay. The contract is expected to create 5,000 manufacturing jobs in Thunder Bay, in addition to 4,450 operations and service jobs in Toronto.
Giambrone launched the TTC's Transit City Bus Plan on August 21, 2009. This plan takes the network approach of the Transit City Light Rail Plan and applies it to buses, creating a network of 10-minute service on 21 of its 139 bus routes beginning in the fall of 2010.
Giambrone appears on CP24
's new monthly television show called On The Rocket
in which he rides a streetcar and discusses daily transit operations, improvements and plans.
In the wake of a sex scandal (see 2010 mayoral campaign), fellow councilor Brian Ashton
called for Giambrone to resign as chairman of the TTC, which had been beset by bad publicity. Ashton said "The TTC is under serious assault around issues of customer relations and performance. The union is now fragmented from the management. I think his moral authority has been totally debased and undermined," said Ashton. "I think mentally he's going to be distracted by both his mayoralty bid and this sex scandal. His ability to come to terms with the TTC issues is tremendously weakened."
on February 1, 2010, ending it on February 10, 2010. Before Giambrone entered the race, two polls showed him in second place among declared mayoral candidates.
On February 9, the Toronto Star
published an interview with undergraduate student Kristen Lucas, who revealed that she had a past sexual relationship with Giambrone. Giambrone apologized for an "inappropriate relationship" and admitted to intimate relationships with women other than his live-in partner. In the immediate wake of the revelations, Giambrone initially pledged to continue with his mayoral campaign, but announced his withdrawal the following day. The Star interview was noteworthy as being particularly invasive. Councillor Sandra Bussin
classified the Lucas interview as "gutter reporting". Critics have expressed concern that coverage breaks the practice of restraint in Canadian political journalism
against covering the private lives of public servants, and this harsher climate ultimately weakens the public's representation on key issues.
Giambrone did not run for re-election to his council seat, and his executive assistant Kevin Beaulieu was defeated by Ana Bailão
. Giambrone claimed French lessons as a city council expense, as he was Toronto’s representative to the Francophone Association of Municipalities of Ontario and does interviews with francophone media.
:
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
politician who was a Toronto City Councillor, representing the southern of two Davenport
Davenport (electoral district)
Davenport is a federal electoral district in Ontario, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1935. Its population in 2001 was 111,705.-Geography:...
wards. Elected at 26, he remained the youngest member of Toronto council after re-election. He is also a former president of the federal New Democratic Party
New Democratic Party
The New Democratic Party , commonly referred to as the NDP, is a federal social-democratic political party in Canada. The interim leader of the NDP is Nycole Turmel who was appointed to the position due to the illness of Jack Layton, who died on August 22, 2011. The provincial wings of the NDP in...
. He was the 2008 recipient of Now Magazine
NOW (magazine)
Now is a free weekly newspaper in Toronto, Canada. It was first printed on September 10, 1981 by Michael Hollett and Alice Klein. Now is an alternative weekly mixing arts and entertainment news with political coverage....
An archaeologist
Archaeology
Archaeology, or archeology , is the study of human society, primarily through the recovery and analysis of the material culture and environmental data that they have left behind, which includes artifacts, architecture, biofacts and cultural landscapes...
by training, Giambrone has participated in excavations in Sudan
Sudan
Sudan , officially the Republic of the Sudan , is a country in North Africa, sometimes considered part of the Middle East politically. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, the Red Sea to the northeast, Eritrea and Ethiopia to the east, South Sudan to the south, the Central African Republic to the...
, Tunisia
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
, Libya
Libya
Libya is an African country in the Maghreb region of North Africa bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west....
, Yemen
Yemen
The Republic of Yemen , commonly known as Yemen , is a country located in the Middle East, occupying the southwestern to southern end of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the north, the Red Sea to the west, and Oman to the east....
, and Guatemala
Guatemala
Guatemala is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize to the northeast, the Caribbean to the east, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast...
. He speaks English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
, French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
, and Arabic
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
fluently. He is of Italian-American ancestry, and his father moved to Canada to avoid the Vietnam War.
As Chair of the Toronto Transit Commission
Toronto Transit Commission
-Island Ferry:The ferry service to the Toronto Islands was operated by the TTC from 1927 until 1962, when it was transferred to the Metro Parks and Culture department. Since 1998, the ferry service is run by Toronto Parks and Recreation.-Gray Coach:...
, Giambrone has led the largest-ever expansion of bus service in Toronto, and seen record transit ridership. Giambrone secured over $8 billion in new funding to build light rail into areas of the city currently not served by rapid transit. An expansion of two subway lines also forms part of an overall $18 billion long-term expansion plan driven by Giambrone.
On February 1, 2010 Giambrone announced his candidacy to succeed David Miller
David Miller (Canadian politician)
David Raymond Miller is a Canadian politician. He was the 63rd Mayor of Toronto and the second since the 1998 amalgamation. He was elected to the position in 2003 for a three-year term and re-elected in 2006 for a four-year term...
as Mayor of Toronto in the 2010 election
Toronto municipal election, 2010
The 2010 Toronto municipal election was held on October 25, 2010 to elect a mayor and 44 city councillors in Toronto, Canada. In addition, school trustees were elected to the Toronto District School Board, Toronto Catholic District School Board, Conseil scolaire de district du Centre-Sud-Ouest and...
, as a leading progressive
Progressivism
Progressivism is an umbrella term for a political ideology advocating or favoring social, political, and economic reform or changes. Progressivism is often viewed by some conservatives, constitutionalists, and libertarians to be in opposition to conservative or reactionary ideologies.The...
candidate, showing second place in polls after John Tory dropped out, though Giambrone also had a high "unfavourable" rating of 40%. Giambrone exited the mayoral race on February 10, 2010 amidst a sex scandal and he did not run for re-election for his council seat.
Early life and career
Growing up in the Davenport area of Toronto, he first became active with the New Democratic Party in its youth wing at age 15. While attending Harbord Collegiate InstituteHarbord Collegiate Institute
Harbord Collegiate Institute is a public secondary school located in downtown Toronto, Canada. Specifically, the school is located in the Palmerston-Little Italy/The Annex neighbourhood, situated on the north side of Harbord Street, between Euclid Ave. and Manning St...
in Toronto, he was active in the model UN club and took great interests in politics. While studying at McGill University
McGill University
Mohammed Fathy is a public research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The university bears the name of James McGill, a prominent Montreal merchant from Glasgow, Scotland, whose bequest formed the beginning of the university...
in Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, he served as treasurer of the New Democratic Youth of Canada. At age 20, he ran for the NDP in the riding of Mount Royal
Mount Royal (electoral district)
Mount Royal is a federal electoral district in Quebec, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1925. Its population in 2006 was 98,888....
in the 1997 federal election
Canadian federal election, 1997
The Canadian federal election of 1997 was held on June 2, 1997, to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 36th Parliament of Canada. Prime Minister Jean Chrétien's Liberal Party of Canada won a second majority government...
, in which he finished fifth out of six candidates.
At McGill University Giambrone ran for the position of vice-president finance of the Students' Society (undergraduate student union) and lost to fellow student Duncan Reid by a wide margin, but was later elected to the student council as one of three ad hoc councilors representing McGill's student clubs.
Returning to Toronto, he took up employment at the Royal Ontario Museum
Royal Ontario Museum
The Royal Ontario Museum is a museum of world culture and natural history in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. With its main entrance facing Bloor Street in Downtown Toronto, the museum is situated north of Queen's Park and east of Philosopher's Walk in the University of Toronto...
. He ran for Toronto City Council in the southern Davenport ward against Mario Silva
Mario Silva
Mario Silva, is a Canadian politician and a former Canadian Member of Parliament. Silva is a former a Toronto City Councillor and acting mayor."Acting Mayor" is a non-elected position. For example, the sets out the duties and powers of their Acting Mayor. Other cities will no doubt have somewhat...
in the 2000 municipal election
Toronto municipal election, 2000
The Toronto municipal election of 2000, dubbed "Toronto Vote 2000" was the municipal and school board election held in the City of Toronto, Ontario, Canada on November 13, 2000.Elections were held to elect:* the Mayor of Toronto,* councillors for each of Toronto's 44 wards,* trustees...
, losing 6,037 to 3,338.
Federal NDP President
At the federal NDP convention of 2001, Giambrone won a first two-year term as president of the party. He was initially a grassrootsGrassroots democracy
Grassroots democracy is a tendency towards designing political processes where as much decision-making authority as practical is shifted to the organization's lowest geographic level of organization: principle of subsidiarity....
challenger to the "official slate" candidate customarily supported by the party brass, but the official slate candidate stood down in Giambrone's favour. The president of the NDP is the administrative chairperson of the party, chairing party conventions, councils and executive meetings. Giambrone was 24, and no younger person had ever become president (or leader) of a major Canadian party. He became a frequent guest on television and figure in the news, and travelled the country extensively speaking to New Democrats.
Seeking re-election at the 2003 convention
New Democratic Party leadership election, 2003
The New Democratic Party leadership election of 2003 was held to replace New Democratic Party of Canada leader Alexa McDonough, after her retirement...
at which Jack Layton
Jack Layton
John Gilbert "Jack" Layton, PC was a Canadian social democratic politician and the Leader of the Official Opposition. He was the leader of the New Democratic Party from 2003 to 2011, and previously sat on Toronto City Council, serving at times during that period as acting mayor and deputy mayor of...
was elected party leader, Giambrone faced a strong challenge from respected New Brunswick NDP
New Brunswick New Democratic Party
The New Brunswick New Democratic Party is a social-democratic provincial political party in New Brunswick, Canada linked with the federal New Democratic Party .-Origins and early history:...
leader Elizabeth Weir
Elizabeth Weir
Elizabeth Jane Weir is a lawyer and politician in New Brunswick, Canada. She was elected leader of the New Democratic Party of New Brunswick in 1988 and became an opposition voice to the Liberal government, which held all 58 seats in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick.Born in Belfast,...
. Midway through the convention, Giambrone and Weir decided to seek a co-presidency. Many delegates balked, especially at the assumption that they could push through a sudden constitutional change in a party often dearly concerned with internal process. The joint ticket was withdrawn, and Giambrone won a second term against Weir and a challenger from the NDP Socialist Caucus
New Democratic Party Socialist Caucus
The New Democratic Party Socialist Caucus is an unofficial left-wing faction within Canada's New Democratic Party. Its manifesto maintains that the New Democratic Party has moved too far to the right, and is in danger of becoming indistinguishable from the Liberal Party...
.
He announced in the summer of 2006 that he would not seek a third term as federal NDP president. Anne McGrath was elected to succeed him at the party convention in Quebec City.
Toronto Councillor
Giambrone never gave up his campaign to win the south Davenport seat on Toronto city council. When Silva left city council and was elected a federal LiberalLiberal Party of Canada
The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative...
Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
in Davenport
Davenport (electoral district)
Davenport is a federal electoral district in Ontario, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1935. Its population in 2001 was 111,705.-Geography:...
in the 2004 federal election
Canadian federal election, 2004
The Canadian federal election, 2004 , was held on June 28, 2004 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 38th Parliament of Canada. The Liberal government of Prime Minister Paul Martin lost its majority, but was able to form a minority government after the elections...
, Giambrone became a leading candidate to replace him in the 2003 municipal election
Toronto municipal election, 2003
The Toronto municipal election of 2003 was held on November 10, 2003, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, to elect the Mayor of Toronto, 44 city councillors, and school board trustees.David Miller was elected mayor ....
. With the endorsements of the Toronto Star
Toronto Star
The Toronto Star is Canada's highest-circulation newspaper, based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Its print edition is distributed almost entirely within the province of Ontario...
, Now Magazine
NOW (magazine)
Now is a free weekly newspaper in Toronto, Canada. It was first printed on September 10, 1981 by Michael Hollett and Alice Klein. Now is an alternative weekly mixing arts and entertainment news with political coverage....
, Bloor West Villager newspapers and councillors Joe Pantalone
Joe Pantalone
Joe Pantalone is a former Canadian politician, city councillor for Ward 19, one of two wards in Trinity—Spadina. He served as deputy mayor under David Miller from 2003 to 2010...
and Fred Dominelli
Fred Dominelli
Fred Dominelli is a municipal politician in Toronto, Ontario.On May 22, 2003, City Council appointed Dominelli as an interim councillor to fill the vacancy in Ward 17 that was created when Betty Disero resigned her seat. Dominelli served as councillor until the 2003 municipal election in November,...
, Giambrone defeated Ana Bailão
Ana Bailão
Ana Bailão is a Canadian politician, who was elected to Toronto City Council in the 2010 city council election to succeed Adam Giambrone in Ward 18....
, Silva's former assistant, by a 51-40 margin in a field of six candidates.
As Vice-Chair of the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee, he has helped develop solutions to Toronto's garbage challenges, and promote recycling and organic collection. Giambrone has worked with the Mayor to implement a multi-billion dollar road and water infrastructure upgrade program.
Toronto Council unanimously approved a September, 2007 motion to allow the Toronto Parking Authority
Toronto Parking Authority
The Toronto Parking Authority is a public corporation owned by the City of Toronto.TPA was established in 1998 with the merger of parking operations in the cities of Toronto, York, Etobicoke, Scarborough, North York and the Borough of York...
to proceed with a plan to expropriate the Matador, a famed Toronto music hall and cultural landmark. After considerable media attention, an organised group of citizens, including noted author Michael Ondaatje
Michael Ondaatje
Philip Michael Ondaatje , OC, is a Sri Lankan-born Canadian novelist and poet of Burgher origin. He is perhaps best known for his Booker Prize-winning novel, The English Patient, which was adapted into an Academy-Award-winning film.-Life and work:...
and folk singer Sylvia Tyson
Sylvia Tyson
Sylvia Tyson, CM , is a musician, performer, singer-songwriter and broadcaster. From 1959 to 1974, she was half of the popular folk duo Ian & Sylvia with Ian Tyson....
, lobbied Giambrone to successfully reverse the expropriation.
On May 7, 2009, Giambrone sent an email from his mobile phone, warning fellow counsellor Cesar Palacio
Cesar Palacio
Cesar Palacio is a Toronto city councillor for Ward 17 Davenport . He is the first Hispanic person to be elected to Toronto's City Council.-Biography:...
to “stop messing in my ward” or face “problems”. Giambrone apologized for the "hastily composed" email when Palacio distributed copies to local media.
Shortly after taking office, he was appointed as a commissioner of the Toronto Transit Commission
Toronto Transit Commission
-Island Ferry:The ferry service to the Toronto Islands was operated by the TTC from 1927 until 1962, when it was transferred to the Metro Parks and Culture department. Since 1998, the ferry service is run by Toronto Parks and Recreation.-Gray Coach:...
(TTC). He also served along with Greater Toronto Area
Greater Toronto Area
The Greater Toronto Area is the largest metropolitan area in Canada, with a 2006 census population of 5.5 million. The Greater Toronto Area is usually defined as the central city of Toronto, along with four regional municipalities surrounding it: Durham, Halton, Peel, and York...
mayors and regional chairs on the board of Metrolinx from its inception in 2006 until 2009.
During the TTC workers' wildcat strike on May 29, 2006, Giambrone was prominent in the media representing the TTC's position as commission chair Howard Moscoe
Howard Moscoe
Howard Moscoe was a city councillor in Toronto, Canada, representing Ward 15 in the western part of Eglinton-Lawrence. Among the most prominent and longest-serving councillors in the city, he is also known for an outspokenness which has landed him in controversy at times. Moscoe is a member of...
was out of town. After being re-elected in the 2006 municipal election
Toronto municipal election, 2006
The 2006 Toronto municipal election took place on 13 November 2006 to elect a mayor and 44 city councillors in Toronto, Ontario. In addition, school trustees were elected to the Toronto District School Board, Toronto Catholic District School Board, Conseil scolaire de district du Centre-Sud-Ouest...
, taking almost 67% of the vote in his ward, Giambrone was elected as Chair of the Toronto Transit Commission on December 6, 2006.
TTC Chairman
As Chair of the TTC, Giambrone has led the largest-ever expansion of bus service in Toronto, contributing to record transit ridership. Giambrone has launched a number of customer service initiatives including a new website, electronic service advisories, next vehicle arrival information systems, and an affinity discount program for the MetropassToronto Transit Commission fares
On the Toronto Transit Commission, fares may be paid with a variety of media, the price of which may be determined by the age of the rider.-Single-trip fares:...
. Some of these ideas were discussed at Transit Camp, a successful community consultation early in his term as chair.
Giambrone also established the station modernization and station renaissance renewal programs for TTC subway stations, the latter in conjunction with the Toronto Community Foundation. Giambrone also started a program to install bicycle racks on all TTC buses.
Giambrone together with Mayor David Miller
David Miller (Canadian politician)
David Raymond Miller is a Canadian politician. He was the 63rd Mayor of Toronto and the second since the 1998 amalgamation. He was elected to the position in 2003 for a three-year term and re-elected in 2006 for a four-year term...
unveiled Transit City
Transit City
Transit City was a plan for developing public transport in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It was first proposed and announced by then-Toronto Mayor David Miller and Chair of the Toronto Transit Commission Adam Giambrone on March 16, 2007...
, a $10 billion expansion of light rail into neighborhoods and areas not served by rapid transit, and reaching into the GTA
Greater Toronto Area
The Greater Toronto Area is the largest metropolitan area in Canada, with a 2006 census population of 5.5 million. The Greater Toronto Area is usually defined as the central city of Toronto, along with four regional municipalities surrounding it: Durham, Halton, Peel, and York...
. Transit City calls for 120 kilometres of electric light rail along seven new routes. Premier Dalton McGuinty
Dalton McGuinty
Dalton James Patrick McGuinty, Jr., MPP is a Canadian lawyer, politician and, since October 23, 2003, the 24th and current Premier of the Canadian province of Ontario....
announced funding for Transit City as a component of its MoveOntario 2020
MoveOntario 2020
MoveOntario 2020 is a plan proposed by the Government of Ontario that would fund 52 rapid-transit projects throughout the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area in Ontario, Canada.-History:...
plan on June 15, 2007. Transit City was also included in Metrolinx's "Big Move" funding plan when it was released on November 27, 2008.
On April 24, Giambrone announced that the TTC had opted to replace its aging fleet of Canadian Light Rail Vehicle
Canadian Light Rail Vehicle
The Canadian Light Rail Vehicle ' is a type of streetcar that is used by the Toronto Transit Commission in Toronto, Canada.-Background:...
s and Articulated Light Rail Vehicles with 204 new streetcars, procured competitively from Bombardier Transportation
Bombardier Transportation
Bombardier Transportation is the rail equipment division of the Canadian firm, Bombardier Inc. Bombardier Transportation is one of the world's largest companies in the rail-equipment manufacturing and servicing industry. Its headquarters are in Berlin, Germany....
. New streetcars will begin to enter service in 2012. The deal, valued at more than $1.2 billion, is designed to support the struggling economy in Thunder Bay. The contract is expected to create 5,000 manufacturing jobs in Thunder Bay, in addition to 4,450 operations and service jobs in Toronto.
Giambrone launched the TTC's Transit City Bus Plan on August 21, 2009. This plan takes the network approach of the Transit City Light Rail Plan and applies it to buses, creating a network of 10-minute service on 21 of its 139 bus routes beginning in the fall of 2010.
Giambrone appears on CP24
CablePulse 24
CablePulse24 ' is a Canadian English language Category A specialty news channel owned and operated by Bell Media. Based in Toronto, it focuses on local news from the Greater Toronto Area and Southern Ontario, although it also covers national and international news...
's new monthly television show called On The Rocket
On The Rocket
On The Rocket is a monthly television talk show that is aired on CP24 in Toronto, Canada. It broadcasts live on a chartered TTC streetcar. The program was first hosted by Toronto Transit Commission chair and Toronto City Councillor Adam Giambrone. During the January 21, 2010 broadcast Giambrone...
in which he rides a streetcar and discusses daily transit operations, improvements and plans.
In the wake of a sex scandal (see 2010 mayoral campaign), fellow councilor Brian Ashton
Brian Ashton (politician)
Brian Ashton was a city councillor in Toronto, Canada, representing Ward 36 Scarborough Southwest. He did not run for re-election in the 2010 municipal election and was succeeded by Gary Crawford.-Career:...
called for Giambrone to resign as chairman of the TTC, which had been beset by bad publicity. Ashton said "The TTC is under serious assault around issues of customer relations and performance. The union is now fragmented from the management. I think his moral authority has been totally debased and undermined," said Ashton. "I think mentally he's going to be distracted by both his mayoralty bid and this sex scandal. His ability to come to terms with the TTC issues is tremendously weakened."
2010 mayoral campaign
Giambrone launched a prominent campaign for Mayor of Toronto in the 2010 municipal electionToronto municipal election, 2010
The 2010 Toronto municipal election was held on October 25, 2010 to elect a mayor and 44 city councillors in Toronto, Canada. In addition, school trustees were elected to the Toronto District School Board, Toronto Catholic District School Board, Conseil scolaire de district du Centre-Sud-Ouest and...
on February 1, 2010, ending it on February 10, 2010. Before Giambrone entered the race, two polls showed him in second place among declared mayoral candidates.
On February 9, the Toronto Star
Toronto Star
The Toronto Star is Canada's highest-circulation newspaper, based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Its print edition is distributed almost entirely within the province of Ontario...
published an interview with undergraduate student Kristen Lucas, who revealed that she had a past sexual relationship with Giambrone. Giambrone apologized for an "inappropriate relationship" and admitted to intimate relationships with women other than his live-in partner. In the immediate wake of the revelations, Giambrone initially pledged to continue with his mayoral campaign, but announced his withdrawal the following day. The Star interview was noteworthy as being particularly invasive. Councillor Sandra Bussin
Sandra Bussin
Sandra Bussin was a politician in Toronto, Canada. She was a municipal councillor for Toronto City Council representing Ward 32, an area called the Beaches. From 2006 to 2010 she was Speaker of Toronto City Council.-Background:...
classified the Lucas interview as "gutter reporting". Critics have expressed concern that coverage breaks the practice of restraint in Canadian political journalism
Political journalism
Political journalism is a broad branch of journalism that includes coverage of all aspects of politics and political science, although the term usually refers specifically to coverage of civil governments and political power....
against covering the private lives of public servants, and this harsher climate ultimately weakens the public's representation on key issues.
Giambrone did not run for re-election to his council seat, and his executive assistant Kevin Beaulieu was defeated by Ana Bailão
Ana Bailão
Ana Bailão is a Canadian politician, who was elected to Toronto City Council in the 2010 city council election to succeed Adam Giambrone in Ward 18....
. Giambrone claimed French lessons as a city council expense, as he was Toronto’s representative to the Francophone Association of Municipalities of Ontario and does interviews with francophone media.
Election results
Results for the 1997 federal campaign in the riding of Mount RoyalMount Royal
Mount Royal is a mountain in the city of Montreal, immediately west of downtown Montreal, Quebec, Canada, the city to which it gave its name.The mountain is part of the Monteregian Hills situated between the Laurentians and the Appalachians...
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| Toronto municipal election results, 2000 Toronto municipal election, 2000 The Toronto municipal election of 2000, dubbed "Toronto Vote 2000" was the municipal and school board election held in the City of Toronto, Ontario, Canada on November 13, 2000.Elections were held to elect:* the Mayor of Toronto,* councillors for each of Toronto's 44 wards,* trustees... , Ward 18 - Davenport Davenport (electoral district) Davenport is a federal electoral district in Ontario, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1935. Its population in 2001 was 111,705.-Geography:... |
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| Candidate | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| Mario Silva Mario Silva Mario Silva, is a Canadian politician and a former Canadian Member of Parliament. Silva is a former a Toronto City Councillor and acting mayor."Acting Mayor" is a non-elected position. For example, the sets out the duties and powers of their Acting Mayor. Other cities will no doubt have somewhat... |
6,037 | 61.0% |
| Adam Giambrone | 3,338 | 33.7% |
| Janice Cudlip | 319 | 3.2% |
| Richard Kankis | 206 | 2.1% |
| Toronto municipal election results, 2003 Toronto municipal election, 2003 The Toronto municipal election of 2003 was held on November 10, 2003, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, to elect the Mayor of Toronto, 44 city councillors, and school board trustees.David Miller was elected mayor .... , Ward 18 - Davenport Davenport (electoral district) Davenport is a federal electoral district in Ontario, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1935. Its population in 2001 was 111,705.-Geography:... |
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| Candidate | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| Adam Giambrone | 5,797 | 51.5% |
| Ana Bailao | 4,537 | 40.3% |
| Hortencia Fotopoulos | 386 | 3.4% |
| Nha Le | 234 | 2.1% |
| Cynamin Maxwell | 155 | 1.4% |
| Ana Salaverry-Chuquihuara | 141 | 1.2% |
| Toronto municipal election results, 2006 Toronto municipal election, 2006 The 2006 Toronto municipal election took place on 13 November 2006 to elect a mayor and 44 city councillors in Toronto, Ontario. In addition, school trustees were elected to the Toronto District School Board, Toronto Catholic District School Board, Conseil scolaire de district du Centre-Sud-Ouest... , Ward 18 - Davenport Davenport (electoral district) Davenport is a federal electoral district in Ontario, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1935. Its population in 2001 was 111,705.-Geography:... |
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| Candidate | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| Adam Giambrone | 6,025 | 66.9% |
| Simon Wookey | 2,089 | 23.2% |
| Jim McMillan | 292 | 3.2% |
| Lloyd Ferguson | 262 | 2.9% |
| Nha Le | 251 | 2.8% |
| Jim Rawling | 87 | 1.0% |