George Mammoliti, the Ontario New Democrat MPP who ed the opposition to Bill 167, the NDP’s attempt to legislate same-sex benefits, has received hundreds of phone calls and countless pieces of hate-mail over his stance.
Many of the comments have been racially charged, calling him a “wop” and telling him to “go back to Italy.”
“I think I’ve been called every name in the book to date,” said the member from Yorkview.
Being an ex-bouncer, Mammoliti can deal with the insults.
However, one letter went too far. This particular missive threatened that the 32-year-old politician would be shot in front of his family for opposing the legislation.
“For the first time in my life I was scared,” said Mammoliti, who handed the letter over to the Ontario Provincial Police. He also said that he wouldn’t let his children leave their school at recess or lunch.
As a result of this letter, Mammoliti has decided to move his family to a new home and rethink his position with the NDP. He says that many of his colleagues have brushed him off since he voted against the legislation. Attorney General Marion Boyd has not talked to him since Bill 167’s defeat.
“I feel a little better now that I am away from Queen’s Park (for the summer). It was really uncomfortable being there,” he said bitterly. “I think many of my colleagues are unprofessional.”