Reporters probe possible mob ties to Toronto’s construction industry

What is this, Montreal? An investigation published jointly by the Star and the CBC last night suggests that organized crime has, at the very least, a fingerhold on Toronto’s construction industry.

The story’s main character is Cosimo Commisso, a man who was convicted of a number of crimes in the 1980s, including conspiracy to commit murder, and whom the Star and the CBC say police continue to suspect of being a major figure in “traditional organized crime.” Evidence uncovered by the reporters who investigated the story suggests that Commisso is a key figure in a small local company called Construction Labour Force. CLF is a labour supplier that two years ago entered into an unusual collective agreement with LiUNA, a major construction workers’ union with a big Toronto local.

The details are fascinating and well worth reading in full, but they boil down to this: nobody—not even Canadian Labour Force’s spokespeople—can explain why the union would want to get cozy with a private labour-supply company. Also, Commisso denies being in control of the company even though some documents describe him as its contact person, and despite the fact that his nephew and brother are both involved.

There are still plenty of unanswered questions. For the time being, though, just go read the piece.