Toronto Coun. Giorgio Mammoliti calls Parkdale a 'pedophile district'

CTV Toronto: Councillor's controversy Natalie Johnson explains the controversy around Coun. Giorgio Mammoliti's latest statement about the Parkdale community.

Coun. Giorgio Mammoliti called a Toronto neighbourhood a "pedophile district" Monday in his attempt to ban all-ages electronic dance parties on the Exhibition Place grounds.

In a news release issued on Monday ahead of a public consultation regarding electronic dance music (EDM) events, Mammoliti said nearby Parkdale is "home to one of the highest concentrations of registered sex offenders, including pedophiles, living in the City of Toronto."

By allowing these all-ages parties to be held "next to a pedophile district, we are simply encouraging the continued abuse of our children," he said.

Mammoliti also addressed Coun. Gord Perks, who represents Parkdale and is in favour of having all-ages electronic dance parties on the Exhibition grounds.

"Why are you advocating for children and adults to be partying together right next to your ward which has one of the largest concentrations of registered sex offenders in the city?" Mammoliti said in the release.

Perks helped convince council to reverse a ban on the dance events in May. The ban was originally adopted by the Ex board with Mammoliti’s help.

In a statement, Perks denounced Mammoliti's comments.

"You may have heard the awful slur one of my colleagues has made against our wonderful neighbourhood," Perks said. "As we all know, Parkdale is the kind of community everyone in Toronto admires…. We accept and welcome and love each other. If the rest of Toronto were more like Parkdale, Toronto would be an even better place to live."

Perks said he has heard from many of his colleagues who want to "stand up" for Parkdale.

"Rest assured this attack comes from one irresponsible voice," he said.