Windsor mayoral candidate Fred Francis has revealed his platform, which focuses on five pillars.
"When I announced my intentions to run for Mayor several weeks ago, I made community engagement a priority. Before making my platform priorities public, my team and I wanted to hear directly from residents, business owners, labour representatives, and community leaders about the challenges they are facing, what matters most to them, and what change they want to see for the future of our city," said Francis.
The five pillars of his platform are:
-Jobs, Taxes, and Economic Growth
-Affordability, Housing, and Homelessness
-Safe, Strong, and Connected Neighbourhoods with Downtown Revitalization
-Environmental Stewardship and Better Quality of Life
-Open, Accountable, and Responsible City Hall
To make City Hall more open and accountable to the public and the media, Francis has promised to eliminate Strong Mayor Powers, move regular city council meetings to 4 p.m., and ensure all delegates registered to speak during council meetings are allowed to do so regardless of any motion to refer or defer the item.
“Residents deserve to have a meaningful voice in the decisions that affect their families, neighbourhoods and community,” Francis said. “Making Windsor better requires working together, staying focused on the issues that matter most, and ensuring the people we serve remain at the centre of the decisions we make.”
Strong mayor powers are delegated by the Province of Ontario through the Municipal Act. The act outlines the additional powers and duties of the head of council in municipalities designated by the province, which includes Windsor.
Other candidates for mayor include incumbent Drew Dilkens, Kat Pasquach, Benjamin Danyluk, Aaron Day, Dylon Graves, Tara Grayer, Nick Kolasky, Tristan Ty Morencie, Patrick Sutherland, and Louis Vautopic.
The election is Monday, October 26.
