The Windsor Essex Chamber of Commerce's federal election debate focused on housing, tariffs, and transparency.
The chamber asked candidates from five political parties to participate in the debate, including the Conservative Party, Green Party, Liberal Party, NDP Party, and People's Party of Canada.
"We had a wide range of opinions on a lot of different topics. Of course, the tariff and Trump debate continued, and it's obviously extremely important to the Windsor-Essex region," said Ryan Donnally, President of the Windsor-Essex Chamber of Commerce. "I loved hearing the various policies on housing, and the downtown, and agriculture and tourism, all the various things that make Windsor great."
Candidates in Essex were asked what the federal government can do to protect farmers and the agricultural industry.
"Agriculture is the backbone of our region, and the PPC believes in putting local producers first. We'll cut red tape that's choking small and medium-sized farms and reduce government interference that makes it harder for farmers to operate efficiently, said Jason Henry, Essex candidate for the People's Party of Canada. "We'll also stand up against unfair trade deals and globalist policies that hurt local growers."
NDP candidate Lori Wightman also spoke about protecting farmers in trade negotiations.
"We have to make sure that supply management is maintained in all trade negotiations. That's what helps these farms stay afloat," said Wightman. "We need to make sure that we give incentives and helping hands to succession planning so that we don't lose these farms."
Liberal candidate Chris Sutton also spoke about maintaining supply management in trade negotiations.
"We need to look at supporting the farming industry by creating processing plants in Canada so that we process our farming harvest here in Canada and then ship it out as final product," said Sutton.
There is no Green Party candidate in Essex. Conservative candidate incumbent Chris Lewis chose not to participate in the debate.
The Windsor-West debate was the only debate where all five major parties were represented. They were also asked about the border, tariffs, and improving urban centres.
Louay Ahmad with the Green Party said his party would implement a universal base income which would reduce poverty and spending in other government support services.
"The Green Party plan is to implement a universal base income. If every Canadian were paid $2,000 a month, we could effectively reduce poverty by 40 per cent, and all of its symptoms could go away," said Ahmad.
Liberal candidate Richard Pollock said the Liberal party would support municipalities with more mental health and addiction services and improve housing availability.
"Funding municipalities and having safe places where these people can go, where these people can get the help that they need," said Pollock. "The best way to bring people up, with regards to homelessness, is to provide them a home, and that's part of the Build Canada Homes Policy."
Incumbent NDP candidate Brian Masse said his party will offer greater supports for people suffering from mental health and addiction.
"We should be putting mental health in the Canadian Health Act. I see too many people not getting the supports they deserve and the supports that we could have because we don't treat it seriously," said Masse.
Jacob Bezaire, candidate for the People's Party of Canada, said creating more jobs would help the homelessness issue across the region.
"We need to make Windsor an environment where businesses can thrive. It's cutting red tape, regulations, reducing taxes. It will promote job growth. It will give people the ability to have a job and make good money so they can get a house," said Bezaire.
Finally, Harb Gill, candidate for the Conservative Party of Canada and former LaSalle Police officer, said the government needs to be tougher on crime.
"The Liberals and the NDP have dropped the ball on keeping our communities safe. Their soft-on-crime approach has made it harder for police to do their jobs and victims from getting the justice they deserve," said Gill. "As someone who has spent 30 years in policing, I know the importance of strong laws and real consequences."
Finally, the candidates in Windsor-Tecumseh-Lakeshore were asked about transparency in government.
NDP candidate Alex Ilijoski said he's an open book and will remain accessible to voters.
"I made myself accessible by going to every single event that we had an invitation for. I love to talk to the community because I am part of the community being a part of so many organizations. It's easy to do especially in this day and age whether email, social media, or town halls public officials need to be public," said Ilijoski.
Green Party candidate Roxanne Tellier agreed that public officials should make themselves accessible.
"It bothers me that we have a party that is not going to the debates and forums and interviews. I don't know exactly what they think that is accomplishing because to me it seems like you're basically trying to stop democracy," said Tellier.
Incumbent Liberal candidate Irek Kusmierczyk said he's been accessible to residents and helped to raise their voices.
"This is about representing our local voice in Ottawa to make sure that the decision-makers whether its cabinet ministers or the Prime Minister know exactly what the priorities and concerns are of this community. Having organized 300 community meetings between locals, partners and stakeholders, and cabinet ministers and the prime minister is something that is truly important to me," said Kusmierczyk.
PPC candidate Nick Babic said he will be a true voice for the riding.
"We're the only party that does not have a constitution and a charter that you have to sign. This way we're not required to vote the way the party votes up in Ottawa. We don't have to run everything through the party and listen to your party. This gives me a position of strength going to Ottawa," said Babic.
Conservative candidate Kathy Borrelli did not participate in the debate.
The Windsor Essex Chamber of Commerce debates will be replayed on YourTV Windsor leading up to Election Day on April 28.