By Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Essex Free Press
During the recently held Provincial Election – and during other past upper-tier elections – the County of Essex used its website and social media to advance its priorities.
Tecumseh Deputy Mayor Joe Bachetti, who is also the Deputy Warden for the County of Essex, asked if Administration had any plans to put out a list of its priorities during the current Federal Election.
Administration has had some internal discussions and a list of priorities has been created, CAO Sandra Zwiers noted at the April 2 meeting, when this matter was brought up.
Back in 2021, during the previous Federal Election, there were four priorities, Zwiers relayed. They included affordable housing, infrastructure funding, strategic business investment, and universal broadband internet.
“Today’s announcements have certainly changed the landscape and the influence of the federal government as it relates to tariffs and its impact on Windsor-Essex businesses,” Zwiers said. The announcement in which she referred was US President Donald Trump’s on automotive tariffs.
“This is something on top of everyone’s minds.”
She suggested updating the 2021 priorities to include the tariff conversation.
“I think it is very important that the federal government backstop and support local businesses who are on the frontlines of these decisions that are completely out of their control,” Zwiers said. “And we would be looking to advocate to the federal government – whichever party wins – to make sure Windsor-Essex businesses are fully supported in that.”
Other priorities could include removing interprovincial trade barriers.
“We want to have a country with federal leadership that understands Canadians’ economy should help fund itself,” Zwiers said. “And working together across our provincial boundaries, I think, is very important and something we should be advocating for, particularly for Essex County.”
From the 2021 priority list, infrastructure funding and affordable housing are things that are relevant for the County to advocate for in the present, she noted.
Tecumseh Mayor Gary McNamara believes the Canadian government needs to maintain funding on the Great Lakes, let the US know the need to protect fisheries, and the importance of clean water and source water protection of the Great Lakes.
That will be added to the priority list.
Essex Mayor Sherry Bondy hopes whoever is elected as the Essex MP will meet with County Council after the election.
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