Former Sault Ste. Marie politician to receive prestigious award

Orazietti honoured by Marconi Club Former Sault MPP David Orazietti and Marconi Club member Ray Stortini talk about Orazietti receiving the I.A. Vannini Award of Merit.

Former long-time Sault Ste. Marie MPP David Orazietti will be presented a prestigious local award at during a ceremony on Tuesday evening.

Orazietti will be presented with the Honourable I.A. Vannini Award of Merit, at a sold-out dinner.

"As the first person of Italian descent to represent this riding provincially, it's a real honour," said Orazietti.

"Frankly, I stand on the shoulders of any individuals who have come before me that have helped pave the way for Italians in the community."

This marks the first time in the past six years the award will be handed out. Former Supreme Court of Canada Justice Frank Iacobucci will present the award to Orazietti.

Born in 1915, I.A. Vannini was a prominent lawyer for more than 20 years in Sault Ste. Marie. In 1966, the Honourable Justice I.A. Vannini became the first lawyer of Italian heritage to be appointed a judge in Ontario.

He served Sault Ste. Marie at various court levels 1966 to 1991. Justice Vannini died in 1998

Orazietti stepped down back in December. At the time, he said he was leaving politics to spend more time with his family. The former teacher is now an academic dean at Sault College.

"He was a member of council, he was a member of the provincial parliament and a cabinet minister and has a very good reputation. The committee decided he was a worthy candidate," said Ray Stortini, a Marconi Club member.

Orazietti elected to city council back in 1997, before leaving his post to pursue provincial politics.

He was first elected as the Sault’s MPP back in 2003, when he defeated incumbent MPP Tony Martin.

Orazietti went on to secure re-election in 2007, 2011, and 2014. He served as the minister of Natural Resources, Government and Consumer Services and Community Safety and Correctional Services, under Premier Kathleen Wynne.