There are three major mafia families in Italy: the Camorra (Naples), the Cosa Nostra (Sicily) and the ‘Ndrangheta (Calabria). Two of these families are well established in Canada.
We find the ‘Ndrangheta in the greater Toronto and Thunder Bay while in Quebec, it is rather the Cosa Nostra with the Rizzuto clan which dominated after a takeover at the end of the 70s with the assassination of Paolo Violi , an aspirant to the throne of the godfather of the time, Vincent Cotroni.
In short, everyone was at home and the sheep will be well looked after. Well, that’s what you might think.
Usually, when a family eliminates another, it proceeds to pacify the remaining members. The Rizzuto clan had integrated the Calabrians of the Cotroni era into its ranks. However, Vito Rizzuto did not seem reassured by the strength of the Calabrians in Ontario. He then tried to establish a few pawns in Hamilton and Niagara. Which was far from pleasing the ‘Ndrangheta.
In the mafia, revenge is a dish best served cold, even frozen. It was in 2004, with the extradition of Vito Rizzuto to the United States for a triple murder committed in 1981 in New York, that the ‘Ndrangheta clearly seemed to move its pawns.
As it happened, an internal war broke out between the Sicilians and the Calabrians in Quebec. Vito’s father was eliminated (November 2010) as was his son, Nicolo (December 2009), and several of his loyal captains, including Paolo Renda, Federico Del Peschio and Agostino Cuntrera. Then, Vito died in December 2013.
The Sicilian clan is therefore weakened and the Montreal mafia loses its godfather.
- Listen to the interview with Maria Mourani, criminologist-president of Mourani-Criminologie and columnist for the Journal de Montréal on the microphone by Alexandre Dubé via
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A clan system that doesn’t work
Since 2013, the Montreal mafia has been trying to reorganize itself without any direction. The clans interact according to past interests and alliances, but no godfather seems to emerge. It is suggested that a table would be set up where the clans would meet to discuss business.
However, on the ground, heads continue to roll. The Rizzuto clan is struggling to maintain leadership. The clans are far too greedy and new players don’t care about the rules. Leonardo Rizzuto is even the victim of an attempted murder and one of his armed men, Gregory Woolley, is eliminated. Worse still, their allies in certain chapters of the Hells Angels seem to want to jump ship. Is this an order from Ontario?
You should know that the Hells Angels of Ontario have very good relations with the Ontario ‘Ndrangheta.
The noose tightens around the Sicilian clan.
A godfather for Montreal?
The Montreal mafia cannot remain without a godfather. These last ten years of instability are proof of this. Although Montreal has always distinguished itself from Italian mafia traditionalism, the fact remains that this system cannot function without a godfather, a direction. It’s in the DNA of the mafia.
The 50 billion euro question (that would be the turnover of the ‘Ndrangheta)… Who will take the crown?
Allow me this little play on words… I’m betting on the ‘Ndrangheta.