Media attention may be focused on Olivia Chow announcing her intention to run for Toronto mayor later this week, but there is one insurance broker who is set to announce his candidacy to run Canada’s largest city tonight.
“I’m giving it a shot – I’m a long shot,” says Rocco Di Paola, president and CEO of Rock Anthony Insurance in Toronto, Ont. “Have you seen the movie ‘Rocky’? I’m really a long shot.”
Di Paola felt compelled to enter the race, stating that his background in insurance will undoubtedly give him an advantage in the political arena.
“CP24 said I need to make a splash before they give me any coverage. I want to make a splash,” Di Paola told Insurance Business. “The Italian media have supported me, I’m on CHIN Radio every Tuesday night and I’ve been in Lo Specchio. I want to be in the debate; you know us insurance brokers – we’re great debaters.”
Some of the major players who have already announced their intentions to run are incumbent mayor Rob Ford, radio talk-show host John Tory, city councillor Karen Stintz and former councillor David Soknacki.
Di Paola, who has been in the insurance industry for 37 years, has introduced his two daughters and stepson into the business.
“My kids, they want me to get another job,” laughs Di Paola. “And my grandchild has already passed the exam to do insurance – so I’m going to leave it to the young people; I’m going to move on. I want another career.” (continued.)
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Some of the major platforms that Di Paola include:
- reduce residential and commercial property taxes by 1 per cent per annum “for as long as I am mayor. This is very achievable, and it will drive growth in Toronto.”
- improve traffic flow with the introduction of more light rail transit, synchronizing traffic lights and improving the subway system. “I was in Paris, and you have no idea how great the subway system is there.”
- privatize the Gardiner Expressway. “In the past 10 years we’ve spent $311 million fixing it. You cannot scrap it because it is the core of the city. I want to sell it, make it a toll – but not like the way they did it with Highway 407.”
- make Toronto a world-class city by attracting foreign investment. “The only way you can do that is through low property taxes, less red tape, and offering incentives with tax holidays. New York State has no tax rate for 10 years for foreign investment.”
The official launch of Di Paolo’s campaign is at Captain Nemo’s Fish, Chips & Grill, in Woodbridge, Ont., on Rutherford Road, near Jane Street in the City of Vaughan, at 7:30 p.m.
