After three weeks of testimony before the commission investigating the use of the Emergencies Act to clear convoy protests last winter, Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens will have his say.
Dilkens will be first on the stand on Monday. The commission will hear from OPP Superintendent Dana Earley and then Windsor Police Deputy Chief Jason Crowley.
Much of the testimony so far has focused on the occupation of downtown Ottawa, but Dilkens will speak to the impact of the Ambassador Bridge blockade on Windsor.
Dilkens will not offer a preview of his testimony. He said that would be inappropriate before he has the chance to speak before the commission, but he's prepared.
"I'm prepared to offer what we went through here and have that conversation with anyone at the commission level," he said.
In preparation, Dilkens said he has been watching the testimony so far closely and consulting with the city's legal counsel.
(Photo by Adelle Loiselle)
The city is still waiting for reimbursement for expenses incurred during the blockade. That total is now $5.5-million, down from a previous estimate of $5.7-million.
"I think every single person in the City of Windsor recognizes that to have our property tax dollars pay for that response would be unconscionable," he said. "We are seeking support from the federal government. We are seeking support from the provincial government because it's unfair for this municipal government to carry all of the water on that particular file."
Dilkens promised the city would press its case for a refund even harder in the coming months.
Explaining the difference in totals for policing the protest, Dilkens said at one point, it went down to $5.2-million. Legal costs for the commission pushed it back up.
Those costs are part of the $18.1-million deficit the city faces. A report to city councillors said most of those costs are pandemic-related, including a drop in revenue at the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel and Windsor's airport.
