Three Windsor mayoral candidates are outlining how they would address public health challenges as the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit encourages voters to ask what local leaders can do about them. The health unit has identified five priorities where municipal decisions can make a difference: Youth mental health, emergency preparedness, substance use, food insecurity, and intimate partner violence. In interviews with CTV News, incumbent Drew Dilkens emphasized employment and existing city investments, Fred Francis proposed using health data to guide spending, and Kat Pasquach called for stronger connections between community organizations and local leadership. Dilkens said the priorities align with work already underway in Windsor. “We’ve got great plans in place, many of which are already being implemented,” he said. “And to the extent that we need to pivot or figure out how to adjust to make sure we’re meeting the modern needs, we’re willing to do that.” Dilkens said good paying jobs can help reduce inequity and food insecurity, connecting access to employment with families’ ability to meet basic needs. “It has been a hallmark of the work that I’ve done over 12 years is trying to attract more investment that gives everyone more opportunity,” Dilkens said. He also pointed to council investments in mental health, addiction, and homelessness, describing those challenges as extending beyond Windsor. While acknowledging more work remains, he said the city must consider the financial impact of its response. “Always remembering that someone has to pay the bill. That’s the property taxpayer,” he said. Francis, who previously served on the health unit board, said he supported many of its priorities. He proposed working with neighbouring county municipalities on a coordinated response and using health unit data to help determine spending and city services. “And we talk to the people, we listen to the people, and we listen to the experts,” Francis said. “And then that’s how we set our budgets. That’s how we set our timetables, and that’s how we set our agendas.” Francis said his perspective is also shaped by being the father of a two-year-old daughter. “Anytime I was on the health unit board, and I heard about food insecurity or unsafe conditions for a youth, that really tugged at my heart strings and really hit home emotionally,” he said. Asked about residents’ concerns that Windsor is not doing enough on social issues, Francis said he considers that fair criticism. “Instead of being defensive or ignoring it or putting our heads in the sand, we need to understand that, and we need to reflect on that and see if that is true or not. And then work to be better,” he said. Pasquach said the health unit’s priorities reflect the daily struggles residents are bringing to her attention. She pointed to grocery costs as a source of pressure on households, saying stigma around accessing food banks can compound the problem. “Sometimes people don’t feel that they’re in great enough need to actually reach out to support, and they struggle,” she said. Pasquach proposed bringing community organizations together with local leaders to coordinate their response. “Am I going to be able to answer the problems for everybody in the community? No, but there are resources and there are agencies that are already doing this work that needs support,” she said. Drawing on her previous experience supporting young people at the post-secondary level, Pasquach also connected youth mental health with her proposed crime reduction strategy. She said community centres could provide opportunities to engage and support young people across Windsor. On intimate partner violence, she challenged the tendency to place responsibility on women experiencing abuse. “We need men, the current leaders in City Hall, to step up and actually speak out against intimate partner violence,” Pasquach said. Municipal election day is Oct. 26.
