CFUW Windsor invited candidates to respond to a series of questions on issues of importance to our members. The responses below are published as submitted. Inclusion on this page should not be interpreted as an endorsement by CFUW Windsor.
CFUW Windsor Municipal Election Candidate Responses
All candidates were invited to answer the same questions. Candidates whose responses were received are marked ✅ and their responses appear below.
Candidates marked ❌ did not submit responses.
Mayor
✅ Responded
- Fred Francis
- Nick Kolasky
- Louis Vaupotic
❌ No Response Received
- Benjamin Danyluk
- Aaron Day
- Drew Dilkens
- Dylan Graves
- Tara Grayer
- Tristan Ty Morencie
- Kat Pasquach
- Patrick Sutherland
Ward 1 Councillor
✅ Responded
- Geoffrey D. Guttmann
❌ No Response Received
- Henry De Cordova
- Shezi Jaffri
- Brenda Juarez
- Frank Providenti
- Linda Qin
- Darcie Renaud
Ward 2 Councillor
✅ Responded
- Frazier Fathers
❌ No Response Received
- Anthony Jabbour
- Nick Markham
- Cynthia Van Vrouwerff
Ward 3 Councillor
✅ Responded
- Spiro S. Spiliadis
❌ No Response Received
- Renaldo Agostino
- Rabia Kirma
- Randal Saccucci
Ward 4 Councillor
✅ Responded
- Rasha Zaid
❌ No Response Received
- Mike Burton
- Catherine Gariepy-Schulze
- Chris Holt
- Xsander Moisenko
Ward 5 Councillor
✅ Responded
- Ken Acton
- Shane Potvin
❌ No Response Received
- Farah Ahmed
- Alessandro Didone
- Natasha Elizabeth Feghali
Ward 6 Councillor
✅ Responded
- Denis Marier
- Hiral Munim
- Khassan Saka
❌ No Response Received
- Nick Jirgens
- Wendi Nicholson
- Jeremy Renaud
- Owen Smith
Ward 7 Councillor
✅ Responded
- Victoria Soluade
❌ No Response Received
- Angelo Marignani
- Beth Ann Prince
Ward 8 Councillor
❌ No Responses Received
- Gary Kaschak
- Kevin Racine
Ward 9 Councillor
❌ No Responses Received
- Kieran McKenzie
- Soham Patel
Ward 10 Councillor
❌ No Responses Received
- Wally Chafchak
- Adam Ibrahim
- Mark Masanovich
- Jim Morrison
GECDSB Trustee (Wards 1, 2, 9)
✅ Responded
- Tina Chittle
❌ No Response Received
- Fazle Baki
- Todd Gervais
- Sandra Kirma
- Malini Ondrovcik
- Affan Shahid
GECDSB Trustee (Wards 3, 4, 10)
✅ Responded
- Beth St. Denis
❌ No Response Received
- Mohamad Alawie
- Malak Bakhash
- Daniel Lockhart
- Malek Mekawi
- Christie Nelson
GECDSB Trustee (Wards 5, 6, 7, 8)
❌ No Responses Received
- Cathy Cooke
- Salena Hamilton
- Gale Simko Hatfield
- Luca Lazarus
- May Lyman
- Michael Serdan
WECDSB Trustee (Wards 5, 8)
✅ Responded
- Igor Dzaic
- Loona Al-Nodro
Candidate Responses
Mayor
Fred Francis
Personal History
Fred Francis was born on November 22, 1980, in Windsor, Ontario, the youngest of three sons to Farid and Arlette Francis, who immigrated to Windsor from Lebanon in the early 1970s.
Born and raised in Windsor, Fred grew up in South Windsor and attended Notre Dame Catholic Elementary School and Holy Names Catholic High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with combined honours in History and Political Science from Western University in 2003, followed by a Master of Arts degree in History in 2006 and a Bachelor of Education degree in 2009 from the University of Windsor.
Before entering municipal politics, Fred built a career in both the private and non-profit sectors. Notably, he served as Director of Business Development for one of the region’s largest automotive retailer groups and currently serves as Executive Director of the Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County.
Fred and his wife, Carolyn, reside in South Windsor with their daughter, Bianca. As a husband, father and Windsor resident, Fred understands the importance of building a community where families can afford to live, work, raise a family and build a successful future.
Vision of the most critical municipal issue and how it can be addressed
My vision for Windsor is best represented by the main pillars of my campaign that is available in full at Platform – Fred Francis for Mayor of Windsor. Essentially these pillars will form the Francis administration platform for change that will require not only new ideas, but a new approach that is more collaboration and input from citizens and organizations.
- Jobs, Taxes and Economic Growth
- Safe, Strong and Connected Neighbourhoods
- Environmental Stewardship with Downtown Revitalization
- Open, Accountable and Responsible City Hall
Through each of these pillars a Francis administration will be setting goals, timelines and a measurement of priorities, progress and any further challenges as we improve our City of Windsor. We want to change the culture of City Hall that will lead to more openness, respect and the ability to tap into the expertise of the community.
Vision on revitalizing downtown Windsor
Revitalizing Downtown is important for all of Windsor and is a clear differential in this campaign. We have broken the plan down to 4 major components as follows;
- Safer Streets
- Coordinated Support and Responsible Discharge
- A More Livable, Enhanced Downtown
- Bring People And Investment Back Downtown
In these action items we will strengthening the response to homelessness, mental health, addiction supports with models like the HART Hub model. Furthermore, to maintain current residents and attract more we reduce the barriers to developing vacant lands and helping new business opportunities that will enhance our arts, culture and connections to the University of Windsor and St. Clair College. Lastly, our Riverfront park system requires some renewed attention as years of prioritization of legacy/vanity projects have diverted the focus away from maintaining the trails, sculpture gardens and cleanliness. Again, for more details please visit Fred Francis for Mayor of Windsor – Change That Works For You for more information or to join our team as all are welcome!
Nick Kolasky
Personal History
I am a retired businessman. I have lived in the core for 16 years.
Before that, among other things, I ran a manufacturing company for 23 years.
I studied Commerce at the University of Toronto.
My passions are travel and photography.
Vision of the most critical municipal issue and how it can be addressed
My priority:
This is my second municipal run. I also ran for the Greens provincially last year.
My priority all three times has been the homeless.
Permanent housing, not an overnight shelter, followed by kicking them out first thing in the morning.
Peterborough was able to build small homes for $5,000 per person.
Dilkins and Agostino want to house the homeless at the barn – at $50,000 per person.
Choosing a building over 100 years old is expensive.
I’d follow the Peterborough way.
Vision on revitalizing downtown Windsor
The downtown:
Dilkins and Agostino were also behind adding more police, during the daytime only it seems.
An added expense, with no improvement regarding the homeless.
When housing the homeless, they can receive necessary counseling consistently.
I would not have closed the injection site. Public drug use is more rampant.
I’d try to create smaller homeless hubs out of the downtown, which could be serviced by a Mobile Outreach type of van.
Somewhere near public transit and not in a food desert.
Possibly, some of these hubs could be located in currently vacant factories. Offices could be used for counseling.
Moving homeless into smaller hubs out of the core will reduce crime, policing expenses, open drug use and panhandling.
Residents and especially families will be less anxious about visiting the core.
More people downtown will lead to more business, which would extend the lifespan of businesses.
All this should increase tax revenues and property values.
Louis Vaupotic
Personal History
Completed a Hon. BSc. Then a DDS. Then moved to Timmins. Then moved to Chicago for two years and obtained a certificate. I have four kids, two girls and then two boys who are all on their own now. My wife and I now have a Doberman Pinscher Dog.
Vision of the most critical municipal issue and how it can be addressed
Maintain economic stability and long term steady job growth. I will go against the wisdom of Dilkens and firmly indicate that the once daily Amtrak train to Windsor will weaken the anticipated result for Windsor, and suggest my multimodal international transportation hub consisting of a gondola and vertiport and ferry is the hands down correct path for Windsor. I ask Francis if you want to subsidize a transit option then my project is the only one to subsidize. The number of Americans using the pedestrian path of the new bridge has just proven that people prefer transit to also be an attraction when possible. Imagine the World wide recognition of a pedestrian pathway that starts downtown then crosses over the new bridge then back to downtown. There are multiple paths to complete the journey, always moving forwards. The 2.24 billion UD Redeveloped REN CEN would be the project that enables the complete development to occur. The vertiport component would provide an unreplaceable connection between industry and educational institutions on both sides of the border.
Vision on revitalizing downtown Windsor
I am the only person that will revitalize downtown Windsor, just as the bridge has started to revitalize Sandwich. My proposal will not only revitalize downtown but the entire city as well. Caesars Windsor now has difficulty filling shows and the only solution is to increase the geographic drawing area which would be accomplished by proposing the benefits to Amtrak of extending its route past Pontiac, and connecting with Toledo and Cleveland vs the once daily Windsor trip. There would be a 24/7 waiting area and hopefully transport across the river also, so every train can help both down Windsor and Detroit. I sit behind the Bedrock Development team at the public REN CEN meetings to push my proposal. I told them the Observation Ferris Wheels cost anywhere from 30 to 300 million, and as an example the one in Montreal cost 30 million. The answer I got was somewhere in that range, when asked how much they would spend. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Windsor, and the people must decide if it will be a gondola or a Ferris Wheel. What will the return be for Windsor with either option? Money will be spent regardless, maybe now is the time to join in and generate income for Windsor that can be redirected for other uses in the city.
Ward 1 Councillor
Geoffrey D. Guttmann
Personal History
I’m married with 2 adult children, and we’ve lived in Windsor for over 20 years. I’m a retired professor of medical and dental anatomy and physiology who helped establish 3 medical schools and 1 dental school in Canada, U.S. and U.K. I’ve served as coordinator in community, secretary-treasurer in football (soccer) association, president of university faculty senate, and IAFF union local president.
Vision of the most critical municipal issue and how it can be addressed
Our neighbourhoods are growing and changing faster than the City of Windsor has planned. This puts a strain on the housing market and creates a demand for affordable living space that hasn’t been realized. I have seen speculators buy plots of land and then leave the land empty for years or even decades. We need performance goals and standards to ensure safe, energy efficient, affordable homes that fit within our growing Windsor community. Performance standards will include financial requirements to ensure timely project completion and recoup the costs encountered when leaving the project incomplete. We need to make sure new housing units fit in within the neighbourhood as I have seen projects where 8-plex housing is being built next to a dense area of detached single-family homes. I have also seen attached homes, intended for single family use, being split into multiple units, that stress the infrastructure and traffic within the area.
Vision on revitalizing downtown Windsor
Downtown Windsor should feel safe while mingling with residents from around the city and its greater area enjoy the entertainment on the Riverfront or at the theatres. Residents should be able to travel or get downtown easily to park and then visit the restaurants and bars knowing that they will be safe to walk around to their events. In addressing the issue of homelessness and the prevalence of people suffering drug addictions, we should seriously consider converting an abandoned office building into a proper facility for giving the homeless and economically disadvantaged a place of dignity, living space, and recovery. Recovery includes giving the homeless a chance to become independent, economically stable, and hopefully medically safe. Families and visitors should be able to share in what Downtown Windsor offers and supports.
Ward 2 Councillor
Frazier Fathers
Personal History
Frazier Fathers has lived in West Windsor for over 15 years, having moved to Windsor for University in 2010. The incumbent City Councillor he is also an affordable housing consultant with master’s degrees in Public Policy and Political Science. He has spent over a decade working in community development, affordable housing, and social policy. When not working his is spending time with his partner and her children and walking his dog Izzy across West Windsor.
Vision of the most critical municipal issue and how it can be addressed
There is no single critical municipal issue facing Windsor. Instead, we face numerous interconnected challenges that impact residents’ quality of life and the long-term health of our neighbourhoods. Affordability, housing, homelessness, public transit, parks, infrastructure, and traffic safety are all connected. Addressing these challenges requires a balanced approach that recognizes the importance of both major investments and the little things that matter in our everyday lives. We need to increase housing options, better support residents experiencing homelessness, improve transit accessibility, invest in parks and recreation, and make our streets safer through traffic calming. Municipal government cannot solve every challenge alone, but it has an important role in bringing partners together, making strategic investments, and ensuring services are delivered effectively.
Vision on revitalizing downtown Windsor
There is no silver bullet to revitalizing Downtown Windsor. It requires a coordinated approach that brings people, investment, and activity back into the core while supporting those who already live, work, and access vital services downtown. A successful downtown needs to be a place where people feel safe and welcome. That means addressing both real and perceived safety concerns through proactive enforcement, improved cleanliness, and an active street presence, while ensuring vulnerable residents and those experiencing homelessness have access to the supports and services they need.
We also need to encourage more residential development, support local businesses, activate public spaces, and attract events and activities that bring people downtown throughout the day and evening. Revitalization will not happen overnight, nor can it be achieved through enforcement or investment alone. It requires sustained attention, partnerships, and a willingness to address the complex challenges facing our downtown while building on its strengths.
Ward 3 Councillor
Spiro S. Spiliadis
Personal History
I’m Spiro S. Spiliadis, a management consultant with over 25 years of experience helping businesses understand challenges, identify opportunities, and turn ideas into results. My career has taught me to look beyond the obvious, question assumptions, and understand people’s needs before jumping to solutions. I’m bringing that same perspective to serving Ward 3.
Vision of the most critical municipal issue and how it can be addressed
I believe one of Windsor’s biggest challenges is how we manage complex, interconnected issues. Housing affordability, homelessness, mental health, substance use, public safety, and access to services are often treated as separate problems, when in reality, they influence one another.
My background in consulting has taught me that when a problem persists, we need to look beyond the solutions we keep repeating and examine how the entire system works. Are organizations working toward common outcomes? Are we addressing the actual needs of residents? Are we measuring whether our efforts are making a difference?
I would bring a systems-thinking approach to Council, encouraging collaboration between organizations, listening to people with lived experience, identifying gaps, and exploring solutions that might not be obvious at first. We won’t solve everything overnight, but we can make better decisions by understanding how the pieces fit together, using public resources responsibly, and holding ourselves accountable for results.
Vision on revitalizing downtown Windsor
My approach to downtown is to rehabilitate before we revitalize.
Before we talk about what downtown could become, we need to understand what is happening today, what isn’t working, and why. Revitalization isn’t just about buildings, new developments, or making the area look better. It’s about creating a downtown where residents, businesses, visitors, and vulnerable members of our community can coexist in a safe, welcoming, and thriving environment.
That requires us to look at the bigger picture: housing, cleanliness, public safety, mental health, substance use, business activity, and the services available to people who need them. These issues are connected, and our solutions need to reflect that.
I would encourage the City, businesses, community organizations, and residents to work toward shared goals, with clear responsibilities and measurable outcomes. I’m not interested in doing things differently just for the sake of change. I’m interested in asking better questions, challenging assumptions, and finding practical ways to make downtown work better for everyone.
Ward 4 Councillor
Rasha Zaid
Personal History
My name is Rasha Zaid, and I have proudly called Windsor’s Ward 4 home for 26 years. I am a mother, educator, small-business owner, and community organizer with 23 years of leadership and management experience. I hold multiple postsecondary qualifications and am completing my Master’s in Educational Leadership. My work is rooted in humanity, education, and community service.
Vision of the most critical municipal issue and how it can be addressed
I believe one of Windsor’s most critical challenges is ensuring that community well-being, safety, and economic development progress together, without leaving anyone behind.
Addressing homelessness and its underlying causes is essential. We cannot create safer neighbourhoods without recognizing that the well-being of housed and unhoused individuals is interconnected. I support a Housing First approach that prioritizes stable housing alongside mental health, addiction, and other essential support services.
Community well-being also means cleaner neighbourhoods, safer streets, accessible transportation, and meaningful opportunities for our youth to engage in outdoor activities and build connections beyond the virtual world.
Equally important is consistent communication between constituents and their elected representatives. I believe municipal decisions must reflect the experiences and needs of the people they affect. Through monthly community meetings, transparent communication, and evidence-informed advocacy, I hope to strengthen accountability and ensure that community voices meaningfully influence decisions at the Council table.
Vision on revitalizing downtown Windsor
My vision for downtown Windsor is a vibrant, welcoming, accessible, and economically thriving space where people feel safe, businesses flourish, and our diverse communities feel a genuine sense of belonging.
Revitalization requires more than attracting investment. It means understanding why people may hesitate to visit downtown and addressing those concerns strategically. Homelessness, public safety, vacant storefronts, accessibility, and transportation must be considered together rather than as isolated issues.
I believe supporting local entrepreneurs, encouraging diverse businesses, improving pedestrian and cyclist safety, and creating inviting public spaces can help restore downtown as a destination for families, youth, residents, and visitors.
Arts, culture, community events, and opportunities that celebrate Windsor’s growing diversity are equally important to downtown’s identity and economic vitality.
Most importantly, revitalization must involve those who experience downtown firsthand, including business owners, residents, service providers, and community organizations. Their knowledge and experiences should help shape a downtown that works for everyone.
Ward 5 Councillor
Ken Acton
Personal History
As a lifelong – 3rd generation resident of Ward 5, my interest in our community and its success has deep roots. My perspective of our neighbourhood and community can be described as holistic. I live on the same street that I grew up on as a child and my family have always called the Ward their home. My grandparents settled in the Ward when they immigrated from Europe in 1923 and built 2 homes in the neighbourhood, while my grandfather found work in the Ford Plant as a janitor. I’ve always held a strong affection for the community and more importantly the people within it. I’ve watched the Ward evolve, the demographic change and growth occur, but the one constant that has always stood out to me is the sincerity and resolve of my hardworking neighbours. Our community is made up of individuals that pull together and support one another, and I have been fortunate enough to learn life lessons from some of the best. My career has allowed me to shadow some amazing individuals. My experiences in education, architecture, the labour movement, community building and housing have all helped to shape me. I truly feel that I’m ready to ask for the community’s support and represent a group that I hold in such high esteem.
Vision of the most critical municipal issue and how it can be addressed
WE ARE IN A HOUSING CRISIS The places we call home should be well-designed, safe, energy-efficient, and provide affordable options that encourage long-term residency within neighbourhoods. A broad range of options at varying prices can create diversity while allowing residents to raise a family and remain in their neighbourhood as they age. Housing is a building block of our cities. Planning for its various forms is one way that we can begin to address some of our urban concerns and provide for the different requirements of our residents in a respectful manner. The City of Windsor should look to develop the downtown as well as its transportation corridors with forms of housing that support mass transit, increase contributions to the tax base, and ensure that mixed use/mixed demographic developments are strategically designed and located to enhance neighbourhood culture. These in-fill developments must be carefully planned to ensure that gentrification does not take root and cause the displacement of long-term, working-class residents and minority families who can no longer afford the rising cost of living in those neighbourhoods.
Vision on revitalizing downtown Windsor
REVITALIZING DOWNTOWN A healthy urban core is the key to any city’s success. It must be a destination worth arriving at and not driving through. It must be walkable and contain some key elements that create an urban environment that people love. The core must be safe. Streets should be designed and scaled for human interactions and movement. They should consist of narrow lanes, two-way streets, and slower speeds. The core should also be comfortable. It should be viewed as an outdoor room, that protects and delights with human scale architecture, proper street furniture and shade trees. The core should be interesting. Sidewalks should be lined with buildings that engage with door and window openings, promoting the transition of space from exterior to interior. They should promote a diverse number of spaces with designs that engage pedestrians and not contain blank walls or parking lots that break the rhythm of the street wall. Finally, the core must be useful. It must support residents and life in the core. Businesses tied to essential services including shopping, working, and schools must be present. The core must support daily life and not become merely an entertainment district where individuals commute for work but reside in the elsewhere. The downtown must be the most vibrant neighbourhood in our city.
Shane Potvin
Personal History
Entrepreneur, Creative Director of design studio Spotvin, and owner of CO: Workshare, a co-working space on Drouillard Road. As President of the Ford City BIA, I’ve spent over nine years investing and supporting businesses and residents in this neighbourhood. Running for Ward 5 Council is the natural extension of the work I’ve already been doing.
Vision of the most critical municipal issue and how it can be addressed
I see a City that prioritizes people, it invests in community, arts and culture. One that builds stronger infrastructure that gets us away from relying so much on cars. We need to have a pro-active approach to safety, and invest in services for those with addiction, the unhoused and adopt Vision Zero to reduce pedestrian and cyclists automobile related deaths.
Vision on revitalizing downtown Windsor
We need to add density to our core that will attract businesses and residents to develop vibrant neighbourhoods that we can be proud to visit and live in. I would like to see City services and processes that are efficient and cut through needed red tape so residents add value to their homes (with additional dwelling units) and developers want to develop her. This is the Windsor I would like to build.
As the BIA Chair, I’ve been the catalyst to some drastic change on Drouillard Road. Although just a couple blocks we’ve seen huge progress but offering Community Improvement Grants, creating safe environments, incentivizing businesses, placemaking, hosting unique events and marketing the area to be inclusive and diverse. These changes have seen a great reduction in crime, an increase in new business and a completely new generation of residents moving to Ford City. I believe I could be an asset in implementing similar changes at a larger scaled to revitalize our downtown.
Ward 6 Councillor
Denis Marier
Personal History
I left Riverside at eighteen for university and repeatedly returned to live, work, and own property. I returned permanently in 2020 to care for my parents, settling in Riverside in September 2024. My background spans nearly thirty years of naturopathic healthcare, teaching, international relief work, and public-interest governance.
Vision of the most critical municipal issue and how it can be addressed
I believe housing insecurity and homelessness are among Windsor’s most urgent municipal challenges. A safe, stable home is fundamental to health, dignity, and belonging. We need to help people remain housed while creating pathways out of homelessness.
I would work with fellow councillors, housing providers, community agencies, and provincial and federal partners to expand affordable and supportive housing, connect people with mental health and addiction services, and strengthen homelessness prevention. These responsibilities require coordinated action and reliable funding.
My healthcare experience has taught me to listen to the person behind the problem. My public-interest governance work has taught me to bring evidence, respectful disagreement, and community input into decisions.
In Riverside, that includes helping seniors age safely at home and improving access to services and transportation. Across Windsor, it means practical, compassionate responses, clear accountability for spending, and measuring success by whether people obtain and retain safe, stable housing.
I appreciate Councillor Renaldo Agostino’s dedication to downtown Windsor and the work he has undertaken with Council and community partners to strengthen its safety, vitality, and prosperity. If elected, I look forward to supporting him and building on that progress.
Vision on revitalizing downtown Windsor
For me, revitalization must include people feeling safe enough to participate in downtown life. A respected elder I know lives downtown but is afraid to leave her apartment. Her experience makes this issue concrete: a vibrant downtown must be welcoming and accessible to the women and seniors who call it home.
I would support coordinated efforts to improve lighting, maintain accessible sidewalks, provide safe transportation, and connect residents with community supports. Listening directly to women and older residents must help guide that work.
Alongside housing, local businesses, arts, and public spaces, everyday safety is essential to a downtown where people can live well, age well, and belong.
Hiral Munim
Personal History
Hiral Munim is a proud East Riverside, Ward 6 resident, visionary serial entrepreneur and dedicated mother. After studying Electronics Engineering in India, Hiral moved to Canada 2 decades ago working from entry-level jobs to different positions in different organizations. After she has then led several ventures in different provinces in Canada before moving to Windsor. Her adventurous journey gave her an edge in her analytical skills, adaptability, people skills, as well as to lead for the causes she believes in.
Vision of the most critical municipal issue and how it can be addressed
Most critical Municipal Issue-Safe Neighbourhoods- Safe neighborhoods rely on visible streets and sensible traffic flow based on real resident input. I will work to install high-visibility flashing crosswalks near schools, shopping centers, and key intersections to safeguard school children, cyclists, and seniors. In sensitive areas, speed bumps must be installed, and/or auxiliary police foot patrolling is required.
Vision on revitalizing downtown Windsor
Downtown Windsor: For safety we must continue police foot patrolling. We also must continue to bring events Downtown to help boost our local economy. More housing should also be accessible to attract more residents to live Downtown.
Khassan Saka
Personal History
Born in Baghdad, Iraq, I immigrated to Canada in 1994. I am a proud father of three and have over 25 years of experience in public service, international relations, and community leadership.
I served at the Embassy of Iraq in Canada (2004–2014), founded the Integrative Canadian Group Organization (ICGO) in 2014, and became President and Publisher of The Ambassador Canadian Newspaper in 2019.
I have served on Windsor’s Heritage and Development Committee, the Wyandotte Town Centre BIA, and volunteered with the Rotary Club of Windsor. I have also spoken at the United Nations on human rights and refugee issues.
My contributions have been recognized with the Queen’s Jubilee Pin, King Charles III Coronation Pin, and the Mayor of Windsor’s Community Champion recognition.
Today, I am running for Ward 6 to serve all residents with dedication, respect, and integrity.
Vision of the most critical municipal issue and how it can be addressed
I believe one of Windsor’s most critical challenges is balancing growth, affordability, and public safety while addressing homelessness and protecting our neighbourhoods.
Residents deserve safe streets, reliable municipal services, responsible spending, and a city where families can afford to live.
Homelessness requires compassion, practical solutions, and accountability. I support initiatives such as the Village at The Barn, along with stronger partnerships with provincial and federal governments to secure funding for housing, mental health, and addiction services.
We must also invest in flood prevention, improve roads and infrastructure, support local businesses, and ensure that new housing developments respect existing neighbourhoods.
I believe property tax increases should be kept below inflation whenever possible through better financial management and efficient municipal operations.
Most importantly, City Council must listen to residents before making major decisions.
My vision is simple: a safer, more affordable, inclusive Windsor where every resident feels respected and represented.
Vision on revitalizing downtown Windsor
Downtown Windsor should be a vibrant, safe, welcoming destination where families, students, residents, and visitors can shop, dine, enjoy entertainment, and participate in community activities.
Revitalization starts with better public safety, cleanliness, lighting, and accessibility, while addressing homelessness with compassionate, effective solutions.
We must support small businesses, encourage new investment, reduce unnecessary delays in business approvals, and find practical ways to bring vacant storefronts back into use.
I would encourage stronger partnerships between the City, downtown businesses, educational institutions, arts organizations, and community groups to attract more events, cultural festivals, and year-round activities.
Our beautiful waterfront, multicultural community, and proximity to the United States provide tremendous opportunities for tourism and economic growth.
Downtown revitalization must also include housing opportunities that bring more residents into the core and support local businesses.
A successful downtown benefits the entire city. We need leadership that brings people together and turns good ideas into real results.
Ward 7 Councillor
Victoria Soluade
Personal History
I came to Canada from Nigeria in 2006, lived in Toronto, and later made Windsor my home. I am a business owner, immigration consultant, and part-time Political Science student at the University of Windsor. I serve with OPUS and on the board of the Black Council of Windsor-Essex.
Vision of the most critical municipal issue and how it can be addressed
My first priority is ensuring that young people have more places to belong. A city must offer its youth opportunities to gather, learn, build friendships, and contribute to their community. These opportunities should be affordable and accessible, including for families who depend on public transit.
I would begin by listening to young people, parents, schools, and community organizations across Ward 7. We need to understand what already works, where the gaps are, and what prevents participation.Rather than immediately proposing costly new buildings, I would examine how existing parks, community centres, and other public spaces could support more activities. Partnerships could help expand recreation, arts, mentoring, and skills programmes.
Council should consider programme costs, opening hours, transit access, and accessibility together. Any investment should have clear goals and regular review. Young people should help shape these decisions. They deserve a voice in the city they will inherit.
Vision on revitalizing downtown Windsor
I want downtown Windsor to be a place where people feel welcome and have reasons to spend time throughout the day and evening. Revitalization requires attention to residents, businesses, public spaces, and people experiencing homelessness.
I would support reviewing the results of Strengthen the Core, listening to downtown residents and businesses, and directing resources toward measures that demonstrate progress.
Priorities should include clean streets, lighting, accessible sidewalks, reliable transit, and support for small businesses. Working with property owners to bring vacant storefronts into use could create opportunities for local entrepreneurs, artists, and community activities. Housing should also be part of the discussion, because a downtown needs people living there.
The city must work with housing, health, and social-service partners to address homelessness and connect people with support.
Markets, cultural events, and family activities can encourage repeat visits. Spending should be transparent, with progress reported publicly and plans adjusted when needed.
Trustee Greater Essex County District School Board-Wards 1, 2, 9
CHITTLE, Tina
Personal History
I was born in Windsor, Ontario and attended English Catholic schools, French Catholic schools and English Public schools. I was among a group of the first female scouts to join Scouts Canada in my local area. I earned a French Certificate upon graduation from Chatham-Kent Secondary School and then studied Economics at the University of Ottawa where I worked in both official languages. I was one of three female graduates. I briefly enjoyed life on the east coast as Market Research Director with Atlantic Combustion Technologies Inc. Since 2006, I have been working in administration including over 5 years as an adjudicator. During that time, I brought three wonderful children into the world. My husband and I switched roles for about ten years, when I became the main breadwinner. I have always made it a priority to give back to my community through donations of time and money.
Vision for Equitable and Properly Funded Education
As a trustee, I will not be in a position of authority to change the provincial funding formula. However, I will be in a position to express the needs of our board to the Province with regards to funding. Trustees can only vote yes or no to a budget now, and if they vote no, the budget goes to the province for a final decision. I will do everything I can to find out how the province will make their decision so that the board can make an informed decision when they vote, reducing the risk of voting for an unknown. I believe in the foundational principles that built our public system in the first place. Education should be as free and accessible to all as air. Ontario has effectively reduced its per student spending as of 2024 by 1.7% when taking into account enrolment and inflation according to the Fraser Institute and unions have identified a shortfall of $6.4 billion when factoring for inflation. I understand there is an $11.9 million shortfall in special education, and that the board is overspending in supply and occasional staffing, that staffing shortages have had an impact on both the budget and school safety. I will work with all interested parties to understand all factors straining our budget so that we can effectively direct dollars to classrooms, ensuring teachers have the tools required to do what we are asking of them and students have the support they all deserve. I aim to provide all interested parties with a way to inform the board, be it through board meeting delegations by returning the speaker’s list, public consultations, parental involvement committees, etc.
Education Issues Requiring Immediate Attention
The level of violence in the schools is something I consider an emergency situation. The Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario identified an increase in staff injuries of 21% in a single year. The Windsor Police reports an increase in youth crime, not just petty crimes, of 25% since last year. The trustees are all mandated to work with local police services to bring back school resource offers where those programs exist. The Ontario Human Rights Commission admitted that SRO’s move violence off school grounds. I will use my position at the table to urge a review of digitization of the classroom and work with local organizations such as Youth Diversion and Unplugged Canada. I will bring pro-human values that recognize the unique individuality of each student and staff member, and celebrate our shared humanity. Historically, when inclusion measures have been done in such a way as to divide the classroom into groups of oppressed vs. oppressors, there has been an increase in violence. Take the Holocaust, Red August, and the Rwandan Genocide. I will promote the values that Windsor-Essex cherishes – those of Mr. Emancipation and our guest Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. so that our students and staff members can make his dream a reality. The board needs a way to resolve competing rights issues in a consistent manner applying the legal principles identified by the Ontario Human Rights Commission to avoid escalation of situations when rights come into tension. I will build consensus at the board table to adopt such a framework, with a view to create an atmosphere of peaceful resolution to complex issues where all equity-seeking groups are meaningfully consulted from the start.
Trustee Greater Essex County District School
Board-Wards 3,4, 10
ST DENIS, Beth
Personal History
I am a community minded person who cares deeply about children, families and our community. I have actively been involved in mentoring young adults and supporting seniors through my community and church. I decided to run for trustee because I believe our students deserve strong schools, strong academics and a trustee who will listen and be accountable.
Vision of the most critical municipal issue and how it can be addressed
I believe we need to get back to the basics and put students first.
Strong academics are my first priority. Students need strong skills in reading, writing, mathematics and critical thinking. These are the foundations they need for everything that comes after school.
Parents should be partners. Parents know their children best. They should be informed, listened to and involved in their children’s education.
Special education needs attention. Students who need additional support should receive it in a timely manner. Families should not have to fight to get the help their children need.
Career and life preparation matters. Not every student will follow the same path. We need to prepare students for university, college, skilled trades, apprenticeships, co-op and the workforce. Students need practical skills that will help them after graduation.
Financial accountability is important to me. Trustees are elected officials and must be accountable to the public. Education dollars should be managed responsibly and transparently, with spending focused where it will have the greatest impact on students.
I also believe schools should focus on learning rather than political or ideological agendas. We can respect every student and protect everyone’s rights without making ideology the focus of the classroom.
Education Issues Requiring Immediate Attention
1. Strong Academics
Trustees need to make sure students are getting the basics right, especially reading, writing, mathematics and critical thinking.
2. Parents as Partners
Parents should be informed, respected and involved in their children’s education.
3. Special Education
Students who need extra support should receive it when they need it.
4. Career and Life Preparation
Students need opportunities to explore trades, careers, college, university, co-op and the workforce.
5. Financial Accountability
Trustees are elected officials and are accountable to the public. We need responsible spending and transparency.
My Goal
My priorities are clear: strong academics, parents as partners, better support for special education, preparing students for careers and life after graduation, and financial accountability.
I want every student to have the opportunity to learn, grow and succeed.
Trustee Windsor Essex Catholic District School Board – Wards 5 and 8
DZAIC, Igor
Personal History
My name is Igor Dzaic. I am 36 years old, and I am running to be the new Trustee in Wards 5 & 8 for the Catholic School Board here in Windsor.
Windsor has been my home since late November 1997 when my family and I came to Canada. I have a different perspective on many things due to my lived experience before Canada and due to my time in Canada. I find that to be a plus. I notice educational, political, social, and economic patterns from a different lens.
I am a Board Member for 28 JUN.
28 JUN has Special Consultative Status at the United Nations with ECOSOC as well.
28 JUN is an international charity run by Serbian diaspora members. It was started in BC, Canada about 16 years a go. We, the diaspora, help the poorest of our kin in eastern Europe. We fund surgeries for children, adults and seniors, we give scholarships, we buy and build homes for people, we fill fridges, we help abused women and men, we get adults and children the help they require because we believe people should live a decent life. We have delivered over $20 Million in aid in total. In my time with 28 JUN we have delievered over $5 Million in aid to put things into perspective.
I am running to be a Trustee for many reasons. Based on what I see I am the best person for the job.
1) I want to go into schools several times per year with skilled trades professionals, elected officials, and other professionals. Why? Kids will be shown how much money they will make in the skilled trades jobs. Working from that angle will set more kids up for a better life.
2) School Boards must answer parents’ and teachers’ questions regardless of how contentious they are. As it stands that rarely happens. A Trustee has a responsibility to the parents, the teachers, and the students.
3) Work with others to achieve my goals.
I am unapologetic about where I stand on issues. My leadership is clearly needed.
I have earned the following:
BA Political Science with Border Management and International Trade.
[University of Windsor]
Diploma: Occupational Health and Safety
[Michigan State University]
Trustee Conseil Scolaire Viamonde
RICHEZ, Emmanuelle (Acclaimed)
Al-Nodro, Loona
Personal History
I am a mother, community advocate and media professional who has been actively involved in supporting and connecting families in the Windsor community. I am passionate about education and believe every child deserves a safe, supportive and inclusive school environment where they can succeed. I am running for Catholic School Board Trustee to listen to parents, support students and be a strong voice for our community.
Vision for Equitable and Properly Funded Education
My vision is for an education system where every student has access to the resources, support and opportunities they need to succeed, regardless of their background or circumstances. This requires responsible and transparent funding use, strong support for teachers and school staff and meaningful communication with parents and families.
I also believe equity means listening to the diverse communities that make up Essex County and ensuring that families feel respected, included and represented in their children’s education.
Education Issues Requiring Immediate Attention
The issues I believe require immediate attention include:
* Student mental health and well-being: Students need accessible support and a safe environment where they feel heard and supported.
* Adequate resources and support for students and teachers: Schools need the tools and staffing necessary to meet students’ diverse educational needs.
* Parent and community engagement: Parents should have meaningful opportunities to communicate with schools and the Board and have their concerns heard.
* Transparency and accountability: Families deserve clear communication about decisions, priorities and the use of public education resources.
Supporting diverse students and families is crucial. Our education system should acknowledge and respect the diverse communities we serve. Strong schools build stronger communities, and collaboration with parents, educators, students and the wider community is essential for a brighter future for our children.
