Justice, Integrity, and a Vision for York Centre.
A leader shaped by York Centre, ready to lead its future.
York Centre isn’t just where I live—it’s who I am. It’s where I grew up, where my parents taught me the values of hard work, and where my wife and I are raising our family. From my early days walking these streets to becoming a Justice of the Peace, every step of my journey has been rooted in service to this community.
York Centre deserves better than the status quo. Together, we can address the challenges that matter most: healthcare, housing, safety, and affordability. Let’s build a community where everyone can thrive.
Sam Nestico was born to parents who immigrated from Soverato, Calabria, Italy, in 1960. They chose York Centre as their home, where Sam grew up learning the values of hard work and service. His first job as a paperboy allowed him to deliver The Toronto Star newspaper throughout our neighbourhood. Today, Sam continues to call York Centre home, alongside his wife, Daniela, and their two children.
Understanding the importance of education, Sam's parents always encouraged him to prioritize his studies. This dedication is reflected in his impressive academic achievements, which include a BA, MBA, CPA, and a recently obtained C.Dir (Chartered Director) certification.
Sam's journey into public service began during his university years, where he was actively involved in student government and various volunteer opportunities. After graduating, he amassed a wealth of experience in business, holding positions such as Senior Accountant, Director of Finance, Financial Advisor, BMO Relationship Manager, and Vice President of Finance & Operations. His career culminated in a 15-year tenure as a Justice of the Peace on the Ontario Court of Justice bench, before his retirement. Currently, he serves as the Chief Investment Officer for a property management company. Recognizing the importance of giving back to the community, Sam dedicates his time to various organizations and has been honoured with awards including The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Canada 150 Exemplary Canadian Award.
Sam's family, friends, and supporters admire his passion, intelligence, and unwavering commitment to justice. They view him as a true public servant dedicated to making a difference in the lives of others. His no-nonsense approach to justice has benefitted both him and the community.Sam's key priorities are Health, Safety, Housing and Affordability, and Education.
He sees our community's healthcare system in crisis, with emergency room wait times reaching 20 hours, a shortage of 12,000 nurses across Ontario. In York Centre, 19,359 people do not have a family doctor, almost 20% of our residents or 2 out of 10 people do not have a family doctor right now. Sam firmly believes that healthcare is a right, not a privilege, and he will fight to attract more doctors and nurses to York Centre while restoring funding to public healthcare.
Housing affordability is another pressing issue for Sam. He understands that the current housing market is out of reach for many young people, including his children. As families are priced out of the neighbourhoods they love, Sam emphasizes the need for developers to be held accountable for providing affordable housing.
Safety in York Centre is also a priority for Sam. With rising crime rates in divisions 31 and 32, including a 10% increase in robberies and car jackings, many residents feel unsafe in their neighbourhoods. Sam believes in investing in community programs and mental health services and addressing the root causes of violence.
Education has always been a core value for Sam's family, Sam’s daughter is a teacher and he sees the significant needs within our education system. Growing concerns around class sizes, a lack of support for students with special needs, cuts to programs like Special Education, and an overall teacher shortage are all impacting our children's experiences and success.
Having served the people of Ontario for 15 years to uphold fairness and integrity in our legal system, Sam is now ready to bring that experience to Queen’s Park. He believes York Centre deserves better and is committed to building a future that puts people first—one where healthcare is accessible, housing is affordable, schools are improved, and our streets are safer.
