Music

Councillor blames Toronto EDM fest deaths on promoters and Jack Layton's son

by Mark Teo

While much of Toronto’s political press has been focused on the myriad blunders of Rob Ford—and rightfully so, considering even Snow’s calling out the mayor—fewer words have been spilled on council’s second biggest headline makers: Giorgio Mammoliti. Indeed, the right-wing Ward 7 councillor has earned press for all the wrong reasons: He openly feared that all-ages show would turn Parkdale, a vibrant Toronto neighbourhood, into a “pedophile district.” Mammoliti was among the loudest proponents of an ill-advised EDM ban in the city. And he’s proposed a giant flagpole for his ward, gone shirtless to protest public nudity, and loads, loads more.

So, needless to say, Mammoliti is, at best, prone to inflammatory remarks that back his think-of-the-children political tenets. At worst, he’s thirsty for media attention.

We’re inclined to believe the latter, especially with how he’s turned a Toronto festival tragedy into a political opportunity. The tragedy in question? The two deaths that occurred last weekend at Veld, a giant EDM festival headlined by Armin Van Buuren and Calvin Harris, which have been linked to so-called “party drugs.” Considering the festival occurred three days ago—in a weekend that also featured shootings at Caribana and near an OVO afterparty—the city isn’t exactly short on top-of-mind tragedy.

That didn’t stop Mammoliti from commenting on the Veld deaths—and commenting too soon. As the Toronto Star notes, the councillor was quick to distribute blame: He said that someone had to take responsibility for the deaths, and the pointed the finger directly at INK Entertainment—who threw the event—and councillors Mike Layton and Gord Perks, who opposed Mammoliti’s EDM ban.

“Councillor Perks and Layton should resign their seats on council,” he wrote, in a statement. “If it wasn’t for them pushing for these events and insisting they be held on government grounds [the fest took place at Downsview Park] I don’t believe these kids would be dead today…. These Councillors are telling you it is acceptable for your children to go to EDM events and even encouraging it knowing that illicit drug use is rampant and possibly fatal.”

Layton, of course, is Jack Layton’s son and councillor for Ward 19.

But Mammoliti’s harshest words came for INK Entertainment, the veteran company behind beloved Toronto haunts like the Guvernment, Weslodge, and Tattoo, who, in 2014, were one of NXNE’s biggest venues. “I suggest that we revisit whether or not INK Entertainment should be getting approvals and permits ever again,” he added, singling out CEO Charles Khabouth. “I suggest that we revisit whether or not INK Entertainment should be getting approvals and permits ever again.”

Here’s the promo INK released for Veld.

Yes, it’s severe—and it’s beginning to look like a vendetta against electronic music (OK, we already knew he has a grudge against EDM). Layton and Perks have yet to respond to the statement (likely a wise, tactful decision on their part), but INK wasn’t so kind. They’re threatening legal action against Mammoliti’s “defamatory” words, their lawyer said in a statement obtained by The Star.