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Dec. 7 - Dec. 14, 2003 |
Nino Colavecchio Elected President
National Congress of Italian Canadians chooses new leader who vows to unite community
By Francesco Riondino
Originally Published: 2003-11-30
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Nino Colavecchio with Nick Discepola
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Starting from our roots, looking to the future," says Nino Colavecchio, newly elected National President of the National Congress of Italian Canadians. He knows that much remains to be done, but he's ready to roll up his sleeves and confident of success.
"Our mandate has been clear since our foundation in 1974," continues Colavecchio, delving in his programs for the coming years. "We represent the Italian-Canadian community in its interests and relations in this country."
"However, nowadays our community witnesses new dynamics," he continues. "New organizations have sprung up in spaces that we have maybe left untended. This requires us to strengthen our resolve and continue to act."
Recently, especially in Montreal, some harsh words were exchanged between Colavecchio himself and Comites chairman Giovanni Rapaną. The latter had raised doubts about the Congress' electoral system in an interview with the local daily Montreal Gazette.
"In June, when we renewed the Congress officials in Quebec," remembers Colavecchio, "we informed the public of the Election Day and nomination procedures no less than two months in advance; 1,500 people turned out, in a remarkable show of democracy and representation, as all were entitled to cast their ballots or seek election."
Playing the devil's advocate, we remarked that such publicity is not carried out elsewhere in the country.
"I've been National President for a mere 24 hours! For sure, I will strive to have all our local chapters follow the game rules of democracy to the best of their ability."
"In any case," highlights Colavecchio, "I don't think there should be any rivalry between Comites and Congress. Both have a very clear mandate that sets out our respective tasks, and within those mandates, we should cooperate on issues that concern both governments, Rome for Comites and Ottawa for the Congress."
Jason Sordi, President of the Toronto District of the Congress, shares the belief that collaboration is possible. "Since I became President I had several contacts with Comites and CGIE representatives," he says. "For instance, we were able to find important points of agreement with Franco Gaspari (Ed. Note: Chairman of the Toronto Comites) on specific issues and actions that could be taken about them."
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