Major infrastructural issues across Windsor-Essex have drawn the attention of the New Democratic Party's leader.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh announced his commitment to the city's master sewer plan on Wednesday at the St. Paul Pumping Station.
Singh, who was joined by Mayor Drew Dilkens and local NDP Candidates Brian Masse and Cheryl Hardcastle, said the plan aligned directly with the party's values.
"It's the city I grew up in," said Jagmeet Singh. "I spent a lot of time here as a child, it's a special place in my heart so I want to make sure we are doing everything we can to invest in the city."
The city's council approved the $5 billion plan on July 27, 2020, with a series of short and long-term initiatives that aim to reduce flooding in Windsor.
"Everyone knows [that] no local government in Canada can fund this kind of capital renewal on their own on the backs of property taxpayers," said Dilkens.
Over the last 10 years, the city has seen significant levels of rain that have severely damaged homes. Most recently, the storms that took place in 2016 and 2017, which led to insured losses of over $120 million, according to Dilkens.
"In the past two years, we have had over 11 other flooding events which have collectively impacted over 1,500 homes in the city of Windsor," said Dilkens. "When it rains in Windsor our hospital floods."
Dilkens launched a website highlighting the key priorities and has encouraged all candidates to affirm support for each issue. He said the website will be updated once individual candidates confirm their commitment to the local priorities.
Singh said the federal government needs to be a better partner with municipalities.
"That's been an underlying theme," said Singh. "A lot of municipalities are saying that they need a federal partner. There's a lot of big projects that need to be delivered and we need a better relationship between the city and the federal government. We have committed to that."
According to Dilkens' website, the city was asked by the federal government to apply for more funding after receiving $32 million through the Disaster Mitigation & Adaptation Funds, but was denied twice for an additional $27 million in 2020.
"The next federal government needs to deliver more funding - at least $27-million - towards Windsor’s underground infrastructure needs while providing sustainable funding that will allow us to adapt to the effects of climate change," the platform read.
"I want to wholeheartedly endorse the plan for Windsor," said Singh. "These are the type of infrastructure investments we want to make."
