He served in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1975 to 1987, as a member of the New Democratic Party who represented the Toronto riding of Oakwood.
Grande was born in Calabria, Italy, and moved to Canada with his family at age eleven.
He declined, arguing that the local Italian community in his riding would be upset if he were forced to resign in favour of a non-Italian.
[10][11] He also supported the rights of tenants, and promoted legislation to permit persons over sixteen years of age to gain access to their medical records.
[14][15] He campaigned for Mayor of York in 1988, describing the city's government as a "family compact" and promising to fight for an increased share of Metropolitan Toronto's tax base.