Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua announces he will not seek re-election

Former Liberal MP brought level of professionalism never previously seen in Vaughan, Coun. Marilyn Iafrate said

Thestar.com
June 3, 2022
Jeremy Grimaldi

Maurizio Bevilacqua will not run for mayor of Vaughan in the upcoming election.

Vaughan's longstanding mayor, Maurizio Bevilacqua, shocked more than a few at his mayor's gala June 1 when he announced he won't be running in the next election.

"After much thought and personal reflection, today, I announced that I will not seek re-election as Mayor of Vaughan in the upcoming October 2022 municipal election," he told the audience at the 2022 Vaughan Mayor's Gala. "My life has been wholeheartedly dedicated to public service. It will forever remain my life's honour to have served Vaughan residents."

Bevilacqua has served as mayor of Vaughan for the past 12 years and has been in politics since 1988, when he won the York North MP seat.

In 2006, he ran for Liberal leader, but would eventually drop out and support Bob Rae.

He became Vaughan mayor in 2010 and has won with significant margins of the vote in each election since.

Coun. Marilyn Iafrate said she was joined by many others when she expressed "shock and disappointment" at the news.

"No one saw it coming," she said. "He's done amazing work. He brought a level of professionalism from Ottawa that Vaughan has never had before."

Iafrate said she worked under several former mayors, adding prior to Bevilacqua's arrival, the city had been run like a "mom and pop shop".

"Maurizio came in and he shook things up and got things going and attracted professional people, too," she added. "We're all worried. Where does this go from here? Has he been there long enough to keep it stable, or does it take one person to dismantle all the good that he's built up over the last 12 years?"

Despite the good work, there have been bumps in the road.

Bevilacqua suffered an integrity complaint after supporting well-known Toronto developer Mario Cortellucci, who was running for a senate seat in Italy alongside a coalition of right-wing parties that some viewed as anti-immigrant.

Bevilacqua, a pro-development leader who endorsed high-rise construction at Vaughan Metropolitan Centre, also suffered a political loss in 2013 when Vaughan councillors killed his plan to bring a casino to the city.

Few could deny Bevilacqua's passion for Vaughan.

"My purpose has always been to elevate the quality of life for citizens, attract opportunities for business investment, higher education and community improvement, and move our city forward without leaving anyone behind," the mayor said. "I made this decision with the confidence of knowing that I am leaving Vaughan in a better place than I found it."