I hope everyone has had a great long weekend! It has been a while since I made true blog post. The weather has finally broken and although I suspect there will be one more blast of cold air this winter, we are more than halfway through February. I am getting over a cold but didn’t stop me from walking Izzy and seeing wildlife this weekend.

On the Gordie Howe Bridge Messy-ness

As chaos unfolded, I was reached out to by several media outlets both local and beyond, and I turned down the interviews because there isn’t much that can be said. I agree with the Mayor, it is insane. The subsequent revelation that the Morouns were lobbying is also not a surprise. Since this new broke several Ward 2 residents and other folks have posted and reached out asking that the City should act in some manner on the Ambassador Bridge and the Morouns. Unfortunately for a variety of reasons the City has very few tools to enforce additional penalties on the Bridge and if it did, it would risk not only lawsuits but the negotiations around a comprehensive resolution to the issues caused by the Bridge.

For some, the ongoing negotiations are frustrating that it has been 20 years of boarded up homes across the street or down your block, potholes on streets and roads that surround the Bridge, and the general uncertainty as trucks show up with steel then nothing happens. This isn’t a normal negotiation; we are dealing with Oligarchs. Based on everything I have learned since being elected it does seem like one step forward and two steps back like the Mayor has said. Unfortunately, the only option that I see is to hold course. I am not a lawyer but every time we (the City) proactively fix a road or let homes get demolished it changes the legal calculus and the values for compensation, meaning the negotiations change potentially dragging the process on longer.

The City must negotiate in good faith, while the Ambassador Bridge can change the scope of their work or project, just like any other developer, and when they do it brings us back to the drawing board. Although from my understanding a framework was set by the Federal government their absence from this conversation is pretty deafening. A firmer timeline on the Bridge Inspection Plaza would give clarity to the City and the Community. I hope someone asks the Minister or CBSA.

In the meantime, in my opinion if we give an inch, we will lose a mile, so we must hold firm. Whether we like it or not, this is West Windsor role in the “great game” that is being played. I think it is safe to say that myself as well as the Mayor and the rest of council (not speaking for them) are willing to move forward if Canadian Transit Company (CTC) are serious about resolving the issues. But it is not going to be at the expense of the residents of the West Windsor or the City. I appreciate the Mayor’s and Council’s support on this and in the meantime, if you are traveling to the US, take the tunnel!

I leave this topic on a good note, from what I hear, plans for opening day celebrations of the Gordie Howe Bridge are beginning. I expect Sandwich Town and West Windsor to play a big part in that day(s). So as nicer weather approaches, there is something to look forward to, hopefully sooner rather than later!

Upcoming Council Meeting – Feb 23^rd

A couple of things are on the agenda (which is 739 pages long) that have caught my eye after an initial pass this weekend.

10.2-10.10 – Auditor General Reports

First there are a presentation and series of reports from the Auditor General. These reports are regular quarterly reporting – start on PDF Page 428.

The reports cover a range of issues that I need to dig in more detail. The AG is there to help bring transparency and improvement to the City as well as to respond to complaints made.

11.1 – Proposed Alley Maintenance Standards and Policy Enhancements – City Wide (PDF Pg 565)

This is a series of reports for an original policy that came before council in the Fall, which would see the establishment of alley maintenance standards, a local improvement policy for alleyway improvements be established, and establishing a by-law to enable this.A range of additional questions were brought forward resulting in two additional information report: one exploring the financial implications of alley closure, the costs of LIP on homeowners and the opportunities for gating alleyways; the second one on the proactive closure of the identified grass always that were as serving not major purpose and could be closed. The map below shows the Ward 2 alleyways that are potentially eligible for proactive closure (PDF page 600).

I have some thoughts and questions about this framework that I still have to work through and the identified alleyways will still require a willing property owner to take them on to be fully closed. There are a lot of logistics and to be honest the lack of resources is still going to make this process a slow one at best.

If you have thoughts or concerns, please reach out!

11.2 – Playground Replacement Program.

With budget approved several playgrounds are up for replacement. This process if approved on Feb 23 will take until the Fall of 2027 to fully completed with 36 new playgrounds installed (see list below). Consultation will be occurring in March/April so keep an eye out for that then the RFP process will continue through the summer and into the fall. This will allow initial work in the Fall/Winter of 2026 and then 2027 can be spent installing new play structures, rubberized pads and removing older structures!

Full list below with 6 – Ward 2 parks are identified!

This is a great investment in our Parks, and I look forward to seeing folks and hearing ideas during the consultations this spring (pending approval).  

The Environment, Transportation and Public Safety Committee is Canceled on Feb 25.– FYI

Office Hours

Just a reminder I will be at John Muir and Bridgeview branches this week for office hours if you are interested in meeting on issues in person in the Ward – Wednesday 5-7pm at John Muir, Saturday noon-2pm at Bridgeview.

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If you have an official city question please reach out at ffathers@citywindsor.ca