Ann-Marie Zammit
it's me, AMZ
I was born in this city to Maltese immigrant parents and spent my early years in Port Weller, in a home my father designed. (And yes—“Zammit” is about as common in Malta as “Smith” is in Canada. And no, I’m not related to the orthodontist on Ontario Street.)
My dad worked at Foster Wheeler, and my mom was a loving homemaker. When I was nine years old, we lost her to breast cancer. It changed everything. My father, heartbroken, sold our home and moved us to Fort Erie.
I spent the rest of my childhood riding my bike, climbing (and falling out of) trees, playing Nintendo, and spending summers at the public swimming pool at the Sugar Bowl.
(Everything you saw on Stranger Things? I did that for real with my friends.)
After graduating as an Ontario Scholar, I attended McMaster University and earned a bachelor's degree in Biology. Like many young people, I carried an OSAP debt and had to make practical choices—living in Brampton while commuting into Toronto, building a career step by step.
Eventually, life brought me back to St. Catharines in a way I never expected. I met my husband—yes, his last name really is Romeo—and we were married at the Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria, celebrating with family and friends at Club Roma. This city has always been home, and it’s where we chose to build our life together.
We have a daughter who is heading to high school in the fall, a dog who we got right at the beginning of the pandemic, four fish, and sometimes snails that keep dying for no real reason we can ever truly figure out.
I have two brothers, nieces and nephews, and was lucky enough to have my Dad until 2024, when he passed away unexpectedly at 88. His resilience and work ethic continue to shape how I approach both life and leadership.
Professionally, I've worked in public and private sector jobs. I'm a full member of ACTRA, and a voting member of the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. I volunteer for many charitable organizations, particularly ones that focus on helping children in our community.
I'm also the incoming President of the Kiwanis Club of St. Catharines (est. 1935), a director for the Board of Garden City Productions, and the Chair of the Parent Council at my daughter's school, where we raised $90K to build a new playground not just for students, but for the whole neighbourhood to enjoy.
So, what does any of this matter to me seeking to serve as Mayor? These experiences have shaped how I lead. I understand resilience because I’ve lived it. I understand collaboration because I’ve relied on it. And I understand the importance of thoughtful, accountable decision-making because I’ve seen what happens when it’s missing.
I'm also an average citizen. I’m a resident of this city who understands the realities people are facing—because I’m facing them too.
I will be a leader who is open, accountable, and willing to challenge the status quo. Leadership that listens. Being an elected official requires setting aside personal agendas, and making a full commitment to serving everyone in the community in the best way possible.
I’m asking for your trust—and your vote—to serve this community with integrity, transparency, and a commitment to doing better.
Look Book ➡️
Follow me on the campaign trail, and beyond.
