• CHAIR, STANDING COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE POLICY
• MEMBER, CABINET COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE, INTERGOVERNMENTAL AND ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS

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.

Elected to the Ontario legislature in 2003, Lorenzo has served as deputy government whip, as a member of the standing committee on government agencies, and as a member of the cabinet committee on legislation and regulations. In December 2006, Lorenzo was chosen by his peers as chair of the standing committee on justice policy and, after successful re-election in October 2007, Lorenzo was appointed to the cabinet committee on justice, intergovernmental and aboriginal affairs.

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

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 the 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 made his mark at Toronto city hall as chair of the administration committee, which was responsible for transforming seven municipal jurisdictions into one. Using his superior interpersonal and negotiation skills, Lorenzo led a team of committed councillors dedicated to making the megacity work efficiently.

Having experienced first-hand the cuts and downloading of the Harris-Eves 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 incumbent progressive conservative Dan Newman in October 2003.

Lorenzo, 47, currently resides in Scarborough Southwest with his wife Michelle.