Di Biase's out: Vaughan-Woodbridge PC campaign punts volunteer
Del Duca criticism stings, prompts change from political opponent
Yorkregion.com
Sept. 22, 2017
By Tim Kelly
That didn't last long.
Former Vaughan deputy mayor Michael Di Biase is officially out as a volunteer for Vaughan-Woodbridge PC candidate Michael Tibollo.
The candidate announced, through a spokesman, that Di Biase, the former Vaughan deputy mayor who resigned in May after a damning integrity commissioner report accused him of sexual harassing a city employee, would not be involved in his campaign in any way.
The decision to punt Di Biase comes one day after Tibollo said he welcomed the veteran city councillor's support.
"I have known Michael and his wife for many years and hope that they will assist me given their experience and involvement in the community," Tibollo said on Wednesday, Sept. 22.
Not coincidentally, the announcement was made on the heels of a critical statement from the man running against Tibollo, current Vaughan MPP Steven Del Duca, when he discovered Di Biase was a volunteer for Tibollo's campaign.
"I am troubled to hear that Patrick Brown's Ontario Conservative candidate in Vaughan-Woodbridge may be accepting volunteer support from Michael Di Biase, who resigned from council after a disturbing report from the city's Integrity Commissioner about Mr. Di Biase's inappropriate conduct toward a female member of his staff.
"If this is true, I find it disappointing because I believe it sends exactly the wrong message to the people of our community - especially at a time in which we should all be working hard to encourage more women to get involved in politics and government.
"I would urge Patrick Brown and the Ontario Conservative candidate in Vaughan-Woodbridge to publicly confirm that Michael Di Biase is not currently volunteering locally and will not be permitted to do so in the future," said Del Duca.
Patrick Brown did not respond to a request for comment.
Tibollo was nominated in late May. The provincial election is next June.
