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Aurora Votes 2026: Meet Your Council Candidates – Rocco Morsillo, Ward 1

October 19, 2026   ·   0 Comments

Rocco Morsillo didn’t wait too long to enter the race to replace Ward 1 Councillor Ron Weese on October 26. One of the first three Council candidates to throw his hat into the ring in May, Morsillo says being “early out of the gate” was a great opportunity to knock on doors and engage with the community.

“I know that people have meet-and-greets, debates, and lots of different things to meet the candidates, but I felt that door-knocking was the best way to really understand what [residents’] priorities are and how I can shape my campaign for what residents are looking for in Ward 1,” he says. “The three main priorities that I had aligned with all the priorities I heard at the door.”

The top priority on this front, he says, is fiscal responsibility.

“I’ve heard from so many people from seniors on fixed incomes that are struggling with affordability if they’re going to be able to stay in Aurora, and also parents that are wondering if their kids are going to be able to live in Aurora on less of an income when you’re first starting out your life. I think the affordability comes in to play with fiscal responsibility and budgets and reserves, reserve balances and that kind of thing,” he says. “I think that the fiscal responsibility was a big priority for a lot of people living and wanting to keep living in Aurora.”

Controlled development, he adds, is another top priority for both his campaign and in residents’ feedback.

“I’ve been an advocate on controlled development and keeping with our Official Plan and our zoning bylaws,” says Morsillo. “I think that that’s been the big frustration from a lot of residents in Ward 1, the controlled development and ‘unsympathetic development’ is what I refer to it as. We have several projects that have gone through or are in the process of going through and they’re just not suited for the area. A lot of people don’t like these types of developments. I feel like there are areas in Ward 1 that we can focus on development like the transit corridors and Yonge and Wellington corridors, and I’ve advocated for increased density in those areas. But, I believe things like stable neighborhoods and zoning bylaw enforcement is key.”

Working hand-in-hand with advocacy for controlled development, Morsillo says the Town of Aurora needs to “push back” against the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT), a Provincial body to which developers can appeal local decisions and municipalities can advocate for their distinct visions for future growth and development.

“I think there’s a big misconception that the Town really can’t do anything because everything is going to the OLT, and that is not really the case,” he says, adding municipalities still have mechanisms like Interim Control Bylaws at their disposal to help steer development.

It’s time, he says, for the OLT to be dissolved, and, if elected, he will bring forward a motion to get Council’s support in that direction.

“It is mandated at the Provincial level, but I think if all municipalities gather together and try to push back on the OLT, I think it is going to put a lot of the development decisions back in the hands of municipalities where it belongs,” he says.

A third key issue being raised at the door, he says, is public safety.

“People are worried [with] a lot of break-and-enters and crime. Although Aurora is a very safe place to live, I think people are just worried about it getting out of control and where it’s headed,” he says. “E-bikes and e-scooters are another topic that comes up at the door quite a bit. I would say those are the three main priorities that I’ve been focusing on and I’ve been hearing from the residents.”

As he looks ahead to the October 26 vote, Morsillo says he believes his background as a local business owner has given him an “inside look” at municipal economics and “I think that financial aspect is really the meat-and-potatoes of a functioning Town.”

“I think that having owned a business for so long in Aurora and being connected to the business community definitely gives me that edge to lead Ward 1 in the right direction what residents are looking for. Also, being a long-time resident is very important, because I’ve talked to neighbours, I’ve talked to friends, and I’ve heard what Aurora needs. I have that experience and that knowledge to lead Ward 1 to the best of its potential.”

By Brock Weir
Editor
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

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