Laura Albanese

Laura Albanese
Ontario MPP
In office
2007–2018
Preceded by Paul Ferreira
Succeeded by Faisal Hassan
Constituency York South—Weston
Personal details
Born (1957-09-11) September 11, 1957
Taranto, Italy
Political party Liberal
Spouse(s) Germinio Pio Politi
Children 2
Residence Toronto, Ontario
Occupation Journalist

Laura Albanese (born September 11, 1957) is a former politician in Ontario, Canada. She was a Liberal member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 2007 to 2018 who represented the Toronto riding of York South—Weston. She served as a cabinet minister in the government of Kathleen Wynne. Prior to being elected, she worked as a news anchor for Italian language news programming on Omni Television working in Italian language programming.

Background

Albanese hosting Omni News: Italian Edition on CFMT

Albanese was born in Taranto, Italy, in 1957. In her youth, she moved back and forth between Canada and Italy. She settled in Canada in 1981 and has lived in York South-Weston ever since with her husband, artist Germinio Pio Politi, her two adult children, her grandson, and her mother.

Albanese worked in broadcast journalism spanning over two decades, from 1984 to 2007.[1] She worked in Italian language programming at OMNI TV in a number of capacities. She was featured as Co-Anchor of OMNI News: Italian Edition, a one-hour daily Italian language newscast. She co-hosted Incontri with Vincenzo Somma. The show was an evening news show broadcast in the Italian language.[2] Other shows that she worked on included Omni News: Italian Edition, Italianissimo, Telecorriere News, and Girotondo.

Politics

Albanese was nominated as the Liberal candidate for the February 8, 2007 provincial by-election in the riding of York South—Weston. The by-election was triggered by the resignation of Joe Cordiano, who resigned his seat for personal reasons.[3] The appointment of Albanese as the Liberal candidate was contested by David-Paul Sip, another potential candidate. Sip said that his candidacy was ignored by the riding association who wanted someone who would appeal to the riding's large Italian-speaking community. Sip launched a lawsuit against the Liberal party but Albanese remained as the Liberal candidate.[4]

Albanese narrowly lost to Paul Ferreira of the New Democratic Party by 358 votes. Ferreira advocated raising the minimum wage from $8 to $10 which was opposed by the Liberal party. Voters were also angered by legislators who had recently given themselves a 25% pay increase.[3] Eight months later she was in a rematch with Ferreira in the 2007 provincial election. This time with a much larger voter turnout, she edged Ferreira by 469 votes.[5][6]

Albanese was appointed parliamentary assistant (PA) to the Minister of Culture, Aileen Carroll. During her first term as MPP, Albanese advocated for funding to build the Jane Street Hub, a $6 Million investment toward building a new school for St. John the Evangelist,[7] a major expansion at West Park Healthcare Centre,[8] 11 full day kindergartens in the first year of the program, and introduced a Private Members Motion calling on the Province to embrace electrification and another calling on increased safety of residential neighbourhoods close to volatile fuels operations. She also introduced a Private Members Bill to eliminate the deduction of Old Age Security from workers compensation benefits.

She was re-elected in the 2011 election.[9][10] In her second term she was appointed PA to the Minister of Labour and subsequently PA to the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport.

In 2013, when Kathleen Wynne took over as Premier, Albanese was appointed as Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier and also made Deputy Government Whip. In the June 2014 election she met Ferreira for a fourth time, and defeated him by 3,572 votes.[11]

After the 2014 election she was appointed as Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Finance and also serves as Government Caucus Chair. On June 13, 2016 she was appointed to cabinet as the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.[12]

The community of Mount Dennis lies in Albanese constituency. Provincial agency MetroLinx planned to construct an 18 megawatt natural gas powered backup power plant at the Eglinton LRT Carhouse, in Mount Dennis. In response the Mount Dennis Community Association prepared a petition voicing concern that a plant using a fossil fuel would cause unacceptable local pollution, when used.[13] On July 23, 2016, Albenese met with representatives of the Association, and assured them that MetroLinx would investigate less polluting alternatives to fossil fuels.

Albanese ran in the 2018 Ontario Provincial election, and lost to Ontario NDP candidate, Faisal Hassan.[14]

Cabinet posts

Ontario Provincial Government of Kathleen Wynne
Cabinet post (1)
Predecessor Office Successor
Michael Chan Minister of Citizenship and Immigration
2016–2018		 None

Electoral record

Albanese at an Italian Day celebration - May 30, 2013
Ontario general election, 2018
Party Candidate Votes%±%
New DemocraticFaisal Hassan13,45636.08-1.17
Progressive ConservativeMark DeMontis12,28832.95+21.69
LiberalLaura Albanese10,37927.83-20.02
GreenGrad Murray9422.53+0.10
LibertarianBonnie Hu2310.62
Total valid votes 37,296100.0  
Source: Elections Ontario[15]
Ontario general election, 2014: York South—Weston
Party Candidate Votes%±%
LiberalLaura Albanese15,66947.85+3.30
New DemocraticPaul Ferreira12,20037.25-4.93
Progressive ConservativeAndrew Ffrench3,68711.26+0.16
GreenJessica Higgins7972.43+0.90
FreedomEric Compton2490.76+0.27
IndependentAbi Issa1460.45
Total valid votes 32,748100.0
Total rejected, unmarked and declined ballots 4041.22
Turnout 33,15246.13
Eligible voters 71,860
Liberal hold Swing +4.11
Source(s)
[16]
Ontario general election, 2011: York South—Weston
Party Candidate Votes%±%
LiberalLaura Albanese13,80544.55+1.61
New DemocraticPaul Ferreira13,07142.18+0.64
Progressive ConservativeLan Daniel3,44111.10+1.26
GreenKeith Jarrett4741.53-2.27
FreedomEric Compton1510.49 
IndependentMichael Radejewski450.15 
Total valid votes 30,987100.00
Total rejected, unmarked and declined ballots 2270.73
Turnout 31,21444.86
Eligible voters 69,580
Liberal hold Swing +0.49
Source(s)
"Official return from the records / Rapport des registres officiel - York South—Weston" (PDF). Elections Ontario. 2011. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
Ontario general election, 2007: York South—Weston
Party Candidate Votes%±%
LiberalLaura Albanese13,84642.94+1.50
New DemocraticPaul Ferreira13,39441.54-1.79
Progressive ConservativeKaren McMillan-Aver3,1739.84-0.43
GreenAnthony Gratl1,2263.80+2.41
LibertarianMarco Dias3851.19+0.67
Family CoalitionMariangela Sanabria2180.68-0.06
Total valid votes 32,242 100.0
Total rejected, unmarked and declined ballots 4331.33
Turnout 32,67546.34
Eligible voters 70,518
Liberal gain from New Democratic Swing +1.64
Source(s)
Elections Ontario (2007). "General Election Poll By Poll Results: 106 York South-Weston" (PDF). Retrieved 24 August 2015.
Ontario provincial by-election, February 8, 2007: York South—Weston
Resignation of Joseph Cordiano
Party Candidate Votes%±%
New DemocraticPaul Ferreira8,14643.33+24.04
LiberalLaura Albanese7,83141.44−20.12
Progressive ConservativePina Martino1,91710.27−4.96
GreenMir Kamal2631.39−1.06
IndependentKevin Clarke2201.16 
IndependentMohammed Choudhary1420.75 
Family CoalitionMariangela Sanabria1340.74−0.73
LibertarianNunzio Venuto1010.52 
FreedomWayne Simmons770.41
Total valid votes 18,897100.0
Total rejected, unmarked and declined ballots 1460.77
Turnout 18,97728.62
Eligible voters 66,308
New Democratic gain from Liberal Swing +22.08
Source(s)
Elections Ontario (2007). "By-Election 2007: Summary of Valid Ballots Cast for Each Candidate". Retrieved 24 August 2015.

References

  1. ↑ Collins, Michelle (December 26, 2006). "News anchor seeking Liberal nomination in High Park". The Globe and Mail. p. 22.
  2. ↑ Smith, Diane (July 15, 1989). "Whatever language, the news gets through". The Globe and Mail. p. 9.
  3. 1 2 Campbell, Murray; Karen Howlett (February 9, 2007). "NDP grabs Liberal seat in Ontario by-elections". The Globe and Mail.
  4. ↑ Skinner, Justin (February 1, 2007). "Liberal supporter sues Liberal party". York Guardian. p. 1.
  5. ↑ Rankin, Jim (October 12, 2007). "Rematch tilts Albanese's way; Ex-TV journalist 'tired but happy' to edge NDP's Ferreira eight months after close loss in by-election". Toronto Star. p. A19.
  6. ↑ "Summary of Valid Ballots Cast for Each Candidate" (PDF). Elections Ontario. October 10, 2007. p. 18 (xxvii). Archived from the original (PDF) on October 7, 2009.
  7. ↑ Kim, Clark (September 14, 2011). ".School lobbies for new building instead of addition". York Guardian. Retrieved January 18, 2013.
  8. ↑ Kim, Clark (August 24, 2011). "West Park to renovate and expand". York Guardian. Retrieved January 18, 2013.
  9. ↑ Kim, Clark (October 7, 2011). ".YORK SOUTH-WESTON: Albanese edges Ferreira". York Guardian. Retrieved January 18, 2013.
  10. ↑ "Summary of Valid Ballots Cast for Each Candidate" (PDF). Elections Ontario. October 6, 2011. p. 20>. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 30, 2013.
  11. ↑ "General Election by District: York South-Weston". Elections Ontario. June 12, 2014. Archived from the original on July 2, 2014.
  12. ↑ "Kathleen Wynne's shuffled cabinet features 40% women". CBC News. June 13, 2016.
  13. ↑ Lisa Rainford (2016-07-23). "Mount Dennis residents call for renewable energy to provide backup electricity for Eglinton Crosstown LRT". Inside Toronto. Archived from the original on July 25, 2016. Retrieved 2016-07-23. Metrolinx’s initial proposal for a gas-powered backup facility, an 18-megawatt generator as part of its maintenance and storage facility on the former Kodak lands, concerned local residents prompting them to sign a petition circulated by the Mount Dennis Community Association (MDCA).
  14. ↑ "Elections Ontario Results".
  15. ↑ "Candidate Search". Elections Ontario. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  16. ↑ "Official Return from the Records: 106 York South—Weston" (PDF). Elections Ontario. 2014. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
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