Frances Nunziata

Frances Nunziata (born c. 1950) is a Canadian municipal politician. She has served on Toronto City Council since the city's amalgamation in 1998, representing the area now known as York South–Weston. Since December 1, 2010, she has been the Speaker of Council. Before amalgamation, she served as Mayor of the former City of York from 1994 to 1997.

Frances Nunziata
Nunziata in 2010
Speaker of Toronto City Council
Incumbent
Assumed office December 1, 2010
Preceded by	New position
Toronto City Councillor for Ward 5 (York South–Weston)
Incumbent
Assumed office January 1, 1998
Preceded by	Office established
Mayor of York
In office 1994–1997
Preceded by	Fergy Brown
Succeeded by	Office abolished (municipal amalgamation)
Personal details
Born	c. 1950 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Relatives	John Nunziata (brother)
Occupation	Politician

She is the sister of former Member of Parliament John Nunziata and the aunt of Toronto District School Board trustee Patrick Nunziata.

Early life

Nunziata was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario. Before entering politics, she worked as an accounting clerk and became active in civic issues through the Harwood Ratepayers Association.^[1]

Political career

City of York

Nunziata was first elected as a school board trustee for the City of York in 1985.^[1] She was elected to York City Council in 1988, defeating incumbent Gary Bloor.^[2] In 1994, she challenged incumbent Fergy Brown and was elected Mayor of York.^[3] She served until 1997, when the City of York was amalgamated into Toronto.

Toronto City Council

Following amalgamation, Nunziata was elected to represent Ward 11, later reconfigured into Ward 5 (York South–Weston).^[4]

Nunziata has focused on public safety, infrastructure renewal, and affordable housing throughout her tenure.^[1] She played a role in negotiations that led to a stop for the Union Pearson Express in Weston and has supported community revitalization projects including park upgrades, seniors’ housing, and youth programs.^[5]

On December 7, 2010, Nunziata was elected by council as Speaker of Toronto City Council.^[6] She has since been re-elected to the position by her council colleagues at the start of each new term.^[7]

Nunziata currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Planning and Housing Committee and is a member of several city boards and committees, including the Audit Committee, Etobicoke York Community Council, CreateTO Board, and Toronto Parking Authority.^[1]

In the 2022 Toronto municipal election, Nunziata was re-elected in Ward 5 (York South–Weston) with 10,077 votes to Chiara Padovani’s 9,983, a margin of 94 votes.^[8]

Community initiatives

Nunziata has been active in community projects through her ward office, supporting neighbourhood improvement associations, local business improvement areas (BIAs), and youth programming. Her office has collaborated with the Weston Village BIA and Mount Dennis BIA on beautification and small business initiatives.^[1] She has also supported affordable housing projects, seniors' programs, and community policing initiatives.^[1]

Integrity Commissioner report (2024)

In July 2024, the Office of the Integrity Commissioner of Toronto released a report regarding the use of constituent contact information in the 2022 municipal election.^[9][10] The report concluded that Nunziata had breached Articles 5 and 7 of the City Council Code of Conduct by transferring constituent email information to her campaign without explicit consent, and recommended a reprimand by City Council.^[11]

Electoral record

Year	Ward / Position	Votes	%	Main opponent(s)
2022	Ward 5 York South–Weston	10,077	47.61%	Chiara Padovani (9,983 – 47.16%)
2018	Ward 5 York South–Weston	8,425	32.18%	Frank Di Giorgio
2014	Ward 11	13,201	71.33%	Jose Garcia (3,212 – 17.36%)
2010	Ward 11	10,544	66.79%	Fulvio Sansone (2,290 – 14.51%)
2006	Ward 11	6,469	49.60%	Paul Ferreira (4,812 – 36.90%)
2003	Ward 11	9,819	77.98%	Rosemarie Mulhall (2,772 – 22.02%)

• Sources: City of Toronto – City Clerk official declarations.^[12]

Personal life

Nunziata is a longtime resident of York South–Weston. She has served continuously in elected office since 1985 and describes her work as focused on neighbourhood safety, local infrastructure, and community engagement.^[1]