Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Labour

For almost 20 years, Lorenzo Berardinetti has served his community as an elected representative, standing up for the issues that matter most to working families in Scarborough.

Lorenzo Berardinetti was elected to the Ontario legislature in 2003 and re-elected in 2007.  When he was elected in 2003, Lorenzo served as Deputy Government Whip until 2006. He has also served as a member of the Standing Committee on Government Agencies and the Cabinet Committee on Legislation and Regulation.  In 2004, he introduced a private member’s bill to outlaw “gender-based pricing,” whereby retailers charge women more for products and services such as clothing, dry cleaning, and haircuts compared to men. In December 2006, Lorenzo was chosen by his pears as Chair of the Standing Committee on Justice Policy and, after a successful re-election in October 2007, Lorenzo was appointed to the Cabinet Committee on Justice, Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs. 

On January 26, 2010, Lorenzo was given new roles and responsibilities as Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Labour.  As Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Labour, Lorenzo will work with the Minister to improve employment workplace standards, facilitate labour relations dispute resolution, and achieve fair and equitable workplaces.

Born in Toronto, Lorenzo’s calling to the public service came in his youth, demonstrated through his volunteerism and active participation in various clubs and organizations.

Lorenzo was called to the bar in 1988 after earning his LL.B. from the University of Windsor.  In that same year, Lorenzo successfully contested a seat on Scarborough City Council and served continually through 1997.  Upon amalgamation of the City of Toronto, which he vigorously opposed, Lorenzo was elected to the new city council and was re-elected in 2000.

Lorenzo has made his mark at Toronto City Hall as Chair of the Administration Committee, which was responsible for transforming seven jurisdictions into one.  Using his superior interpersonal and negotiation skills, Lorenzo led a team of committed councilors dedicated to making the megacity work efficiently.

Having experience first-hand cuts and downloading of the Harris – Eve conservative governments, Lorenzo sought and won his nomination as a candidate for the Ontario Liberal Party in 2002.  He declared his candidacy shortly thereafter and defeated the incumbent progressive conservative Dan Newman in October 2003.

Lorenzo, 48 currently resides in Scarborough Southwest with his wife Michelle.