Windsor’s mayor is looking for commitments from provincial election candidates to five priorities he’s identified for the City of Windsor.
Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens has relaunched his "Platform 4 Windsor” which identifies five pressing issues for the city, including health care funding, housing affordability, extending Lauzon Parkway to Highway 401, the Ojibway Prarie Complex, and support for the Windsor Works economic development strategy.
“All candidates should support these five items that align with our current and long-term local priorities, have significant community support, and will make a big difference in the City of Windsor, and beyond,” said Dilkens.
For health care funding, Dilkens is looking for candidates to confirm their support for the new regional acute care hospital. By 2023, when the planning and design of the facility are expected to be complete, the region will need capital funding from the province to begin construction.
Dilkens platform also asks candidates to support initiatives that will reduce the cost of housing in the province. He says a number of different tactics are needed, such as speedy development approvals and building new affordable housing units.
The City of Windsor will be looking to partner with the provincial government on the extension of Lauzon Parkway and its connection to the 401. Dilkens is asking candidates to commit to advocating for this funding.
The platform is also asking for candidates to advocate for the province to work with the federal government on the creation of a national urban park. To that end, Dilkens would like to see the provincially owned Ojibway Prairie Reserve integrated with Ojibway Shores and Black Oak Heritage Park to create a single park operated by Parks Canada.
Finally, the City of Windsor is asking the next provincial government to dedicate time and resources to support the implementation of Windsor Works’ L.I.F.T Strategy: Location; Infrastructure; Future Economy; and Talent.
The mayor has sent correspondence to each of the candidates in the upcoming election. As candidates respond, the Platform 4 Windsor website will be updated.
