← Toronto Catholic District School Board - Ward 5
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Toronto Catholic District School Board - Ward 5 · Toronto
2 candidates for 1 seat
Everyone is compared on the same 2 issues, in the same order. Candidates are listed alphabetically, and the order of issues is not a ranking. Each candidate's bio appears at the top, above the issues. How this works.
| Issue | Gianfranco Cristiano gianfrancocristiano.ca — Gianfranco Cristiano’s campaign website, opens in a new tab↗Facebook — Gianfranco Cristiano on Facebook, verified, opens in a new tab↗Instagram — Gianfranco Cristiano on Instagram, verified, opens in a new tab↗ | Maria Rizzo✓Elected (official result) canva.com — Maria Rizzo’s campaign website, opens in a new tab↗Facebook — Maria Rizzo on Facebook, verified, opens in a new tab↗ |
|---|---|---|
| Bio | Gianfranco Cristiano was born and raised in Dufferin-Lawrence, in North York. He is a graduate of St. Charles Elementary, Chaminade College, and Business Management at George Brown, and is seeking to serve the Catholic system he grew up in, where his young children will also attend. He spent twenty-five years at The Bay, Yorkdale, and eighteen years at GFL Environmental, leading teams, settling conflict, and getting results. He gives back through annual community picnics, cultural programs, and municipal, provincial, and federal campaigns. | Maria Rizzo has called this community home since she was 10 years old and still lives in the ward she represents. She is a wife and mother of one daughter, and her roots in Catholic education began as a parent, serving on Parent Council at St. Antoine Daniel and Cardinal Carter. Born in Coleman, Alberta, the daughter of Italian immigrants from Reggio Calabria, she was the first person in her family to attend university, earning a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto, a Master's degree, and a CAVS from the University of Colorado Boulder. She has represented families at the Toronto Catholic District School Board since 2003, serving as both Chair and Vice-Chair, and previously served on North York Council, including as Budget Chief and Deputy Mayor. |
| What a trustee actually doesDoes the candidate understand the trustee job? | Says he will listen to educators, parents and students so funding follows what works, with students at the centre of every decision.
Show their words & sourceHide (a few sentences)“Students must be at the centre of every decision that is made.” Source: Gianfranco Cristiano | TCDSB Trustee · Ward 5 North York · October 24, 2026 Confidence:High | This candidate has spoken about this issue more than once. Each statement is shown with its own source. Trustee since 2003 and former TCDSB Chair and Vice-Chair, citing over $100 million in ward school investments and smaller classes.
“Students and families must always come before bureaucracy.” (a page or more) Source: Re-elect Maria Rizzo · October 24, 2026 Confidence:High Fights to keep strong Catholic schools in every neighbourhood, keep public school lands in public hands, and protect Catholic education.
“Maria fights to keep strong Catholic schools in every neighbourhood—and to keep public school lands in public hands.” (a page or more) Source: Re-elect Maria Rizzo · October 24, 2026 Confidence:High |
| Student wellbeing and learningWill kids be safe, supported and learning well? | This candidate has spoken about this issue more than once. Each statement is shown with its own source. Says students falling behind in math or English need support that truly closes the gap, implemented with school and Board leadership.
“When students fall behind in math or English, they need support that truly closes the gap.” (one sentence) Source: Gianfranco Cristiano | TCDSB Trustee · Ward 5 North York · October 24, 2026 Confidence:High Says he will be a voice that upholds Catholic values while ensuring every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed.
“I will be a voice that understands, practices, and upholds our Catholic values while ensuring every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed.” (a few sentences) Source: Gianfranco Cristiano — Instagram post · October 21, 2026 Confidence:High Says classrooms should have the supplies and programs teachers actually need, with funding following what works for children.
“Classrooms should have the supplies and programs teachers actually need.” (one sentence) Source: Gianfranco Cristiano | TCDSB Trustee · Ward 5 North York · October 24, 2026 Confidence:High | This candidate has spoken about this issue more than once. Each statement is shown with its own source. Is fighting to bring back International Languages after the weekday program was eliminated from 44 schools this September.
“The fight to bring International Languages back continues.” (a few sentences) Source: Maria Rizzo — Facebook post · September 27, 2026 Confidence:High Works for safe, welcoming and inclusive schools, with better access to mental-health and Special Education services and safer schools.
“Maria works for safe, welcoming and inclusive schools where every student is respected, supported and able to succeed.” (a page or more) Source: Re-elect Maria Rizzo · October 24, 2026 Confidence:High Has long fought for universal student nutrition programs, so every child can eat at school with dignity and without stigma or a pay barrier.
“Every child should be able to eat at school with dignity, without stigma and without their family's ability to pay becoming a barrier.” (a page or more) Source: Re-elect Maria Rizzo · October 24, 2026 Confidence:High |
Bio
Gianfranco Cristiano
Gianfranco Cristiano was born and raised in Dufferin-Lawrence, in North York. He is a graduate of St. Charles Elementary, Chaminade College, and Business Management at George Brown, and is seeking to serve the Catholic system he grew up in, where his young children will also attend. He spent twenty-five years at The Bay, Yorkdale, and eighteen years at GFL Environmental, leading teams, settling conflict, and getting results. He gives back through annual community picnics, cultural programs, and municipal, provincial, and federal campaigns.
Maria Rizzo ✓Elected (official result)
Maria Rizzo has called this community home since she was 10 years old and still lives in the ward she represents. She is a wife and mother of one daughter, and her roots in Catholic education began as a parent, serving on Parent Council at St. Antoine Daniel and Cardinal Carter. Born in Coleman, Alberta, the daughter of Italian immigrants from Reggio Calabria, she was the first person in her family to attend university, earning a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto, a Master's degree, and a CAVS from the University of Colorado Boulder. She has represented families at the Toronto Catholic District School Board since 2003, serving as both Chair and Vice-Chair, and previously served on North York Council, including as Budget Chief and Deputy Mayor.
What a trustee actually does
Does the candidate understand the trustee job?
Gianfranco Cristiano
gianfrancocristiano.ca — Gianfranco Cristiano’s campaign website, opens in a new tab↗Facebook — Gianfranco Cristiano on Facebook, verified, opens in a new tab↗Instagram — Gianfranco Cristiano on Instagram, verified, opens in a new tab↗
Says he will listen to educators, parents and students so funding follows what works, with students at the centre of every decision.
- Will listen to educators, parents, and students so funding follows what works for children — not the loudest process.
- Will listen, then deliver on what schools are missing, and not settle for the status quo.
- Students must be at the centre of every decision.
Show their words & sourceHide (a few sentences)
“Students must be at the centre of every decision that is made.”
Source: Gianfranco Cristiano | TCDSB Trustee · Ward 5 North York · October 24, 2026
Confidence:High
Maria Rizzo ✓Elected (official result)
canva.com — Maria Rizzo’s campaign website, opens in a new tab↗Facebook — Maria Rizzo on Facebook, verified, opens in a new tab↗
This candidate has spoken about this issue more than once. Each statement is shown with its own source.
Trustee since 2003 and former TCDSB Chair and Vice-Chair, citing over $100 million in ward school investments and smaller classes.
- Represented families at the TCDSB since 2003, serving as both Chair and Vice-Chair.
- Cites more than $100 million in new schools, additions and playgrounds in the ward.
- Cites fewer split grades, fewer portables, lower class sizes, full-day kindergarten, more childcare centres and improved learning environments.
- Says students and families must always come before bureaucracy.
“Students and families must always come before bureaucracy.”
(a page or more)
Source: Re-elect Maria Rizzo · October 24, 2026
Confidence:High
Fights to keep strong Catholic schools in every neighbourhood, keep public school lands in public hands, and protect Catholic education.
- Fights to keep strong Catholic schools in every neighbourhood and to keep public school lands in public hands.
- Works with the Church to protect Catholic education and keep Catholic schools in every neighbourhood.
- Focuses on protecting neighbourhood schools, renewing classrooms and playgrounds, and restoring International Languages.
“Maria fights to keep strong Catholic schools in every neighbourhood—and to keep public school lands in public hands.”
(a page or more)
Source: Re-elect Maria Rizzo · October 24, 2026
Confidence:High
Student wellbeing and learning
Will kids be safe, supported and learning well?
Gianfranco Cristiano
gianfrancocristiano.ca — Gianfranco Cristiano’s campaign website, opens in a new tab↗Facebook — Gianfranco Cristiano on Facebook, verified, opens in a new tab↗Instagram — Gianfranco Cristiano on Instagram, verified, opens in a new tab↗
This candidate has spoken about this issue more than once. Each statement is shown with its own source.
Says students falling behind in math or English need support that truly closes the gap, implemented with school and Board leadership.
- When students fall behind in math or English, they need support that truly closes the gap.
- Will work with school and Board leadership to make sure those programs are implemented and effective.
“When students fall behind in math or English, they need support that truly closes the gap.”
(one sentence)
Source: Gianfranco Cristiano | TCDSB Trustee · Ward 5 North York · October 24, 2026
Confidence:High
Says he will be a voice that upholds Catholic values while ensuring every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed.
- Will be a voice that understands, practices, and upholds Catholic values.
- Ensuring every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed.
- Children deserve a strong Catholic education rooted in faith, values, and commitment to their future.
“I will be a voice that understands, practices, and upholds our Catholic values while ensuring every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed.”
(a few sentences)
Source: Gianfranco Cristiano — Instagram post · October 21, 2026
Confidence:High
Says classrooms should have the supplies and programs teachers actually need, with funding following what works for children.
- Classrooms should have the supplies and programs teachers actually need.
- Funding should follow what works for children, based on listening to educators, parents, and students.
“Classrooms should have the supplies and programs teachers actually need.”
(one sentence)
Source: Gianfranco Cristiano | TCDSB Trustee · Ward 5 North York · October 24, 2026
Confidence:High
Maria Rizzo ✓Elected (official result)
canva.com — Maria Rizzo’s campaign website, opens in a new tab↗Facebook — Maria Rizzo on Facebook, verified, opens in a new tab↗
This candidate has spoken about this issue more than once. Each statement is shown with its own source.
Is fighting to bring back International Languages after the weekday program was eliminated from 44 schools this September.
- Says the weekday International Languages program was eliminated from 44 schools this September.
- Cites 77 instructors losing jobs and 19,200 students losing the program.
- Says she has petitioned, emailed and spoken out, and the fight to bring the program back continues.
“The fight to bring International Languages back continues.”
(a few sentences)
Source: Maria Rizzo — Facebook post · September 27, 2026
Confidence:High
Works for safe, welcoming and inclusive schools, with better access to mental-health and Special Education services and safer schools.
- Works for safe, welcoming and inclusive schools where every student is respected, supported and able to succeed.
- Has fought for better access to mental-health and Special Education services, safer schools, and school greening.
- Supports the community use of schools and the protection of strong neighbourhood schools.
“Maria works for safe, welcoming and inclusive schools where every student is respected, supported and able to succeed.”
(a page or more)
Source: Re-elect Maria Rizzo · October 24, 2026
Confidence:High
Has long fought for universal student nutrition programs, so every child can eat at school with dignity and without stigma or a pay barrier.
- Says hungry children cannot learn.
- Every child should be able to eat at school with dignity, without stigma and without their family's ability to pay becoming a barrier.
- Her 2024 motion calling for a universal student nutrition program was carried.
“Every child should be able to eat at school with dignity, without stigma and without their family's ability to pay becoming a barrier.”
(a page or more)
Source: Re-elect Maria Rizzo · October 24, 2026
Confidence:High
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