In a significant political event, Windsor City Council convened a rare meeting with all four of the city's Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) and Members of Parliament (MPs) on Monday, November 10, 2025. This gathering, the first of its kind since discussions about the Herb Gray Parkway nearly two decades ago, brought together local representatives from different levels of government to foster alignment and cooperation for the benefit of the Windsor community.
A Historic Gathering at City Hall
Politicians filled a boardroom at Windsor City Hall for this uncommon assembly. The meeting, which city council had been working for months to organize, commenced at 8 a.m. and included MPP Andrew Dowie (PC — Windsor-Tecumseh), MPP Lisa Gretzky (NDP — Windsor West), MP Kathy Borrelli (C — Windsor-Tecumseh-Lakeshore), and MP Harb Gill (C — Windsor West). According to Jo-Anne Gignac, the council's longest-serving member, such a comprehensive meeting had not occurred at city hall since 2006 or 2007.
Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens opened the roundtable discussion by emphasizing the productive and positive intent of the conversation. "It's more important than ever to make sure we align to deliver for our community as a whole," Dilkens stated. He highlighted that, with the exception of those representing areas like Tecumseh and Lakeshore, the officials are all elected by the same constituents, underscoring a shared responsibility.
Key Issues and Collaborative Spirit
The agenda for the early morning meeting was substantial, featuring a package that included 16 letters sent by city council to provincial and federal counterparts since January. These communications covered a range of critical matters:
- Advocacy for support and action on local initiatives
- Requests for crucial information
- Expressions of opposition to higher-level government decisions impacting municipal autonomy
MPP Lisa Gretzky, in her opening remarks, stressed the importance of ongoing dialogue, noting that such conversations should be "regular, ongoing conversations, not just a one-off today." This sentiment for sustained collaboration was echoed by other representatives.
MPP Andrew Dowie, who brings two decades of experience as a civil engineer for the City of Windsor to his provincial role, shared that his municipal background provides a vital lens through which he approaches ministers and decisions affecting the city.
A Foundation for Future Cooperation
The newly elected federal Conservative MPs, Kathy Borrelli and Harb Gill, both emphasized the necessity of collaboration across all three levels of government. "Every level of government, working together, becomes stronger," Borrelli asserted. She outlined the need to share information about ongoing projects, mutual needs, and constituent feedback to ensure effective governance.
Despite Mayor Dilkens later characterizing the gathering as "a bit theatrical" in comments to reporters, the meeting itself was framed as a foundational step towards a more integrated approach to addressing Windsor's challenges and opportunities. The collective presence of all senior government representatives signaled a commitment to breaking down silos and working concurrently for the community's advancement.
This rare meeting in Windsor sets a potential precedent for more frequent and structured intergovernmental dialogue, aiming to transform a single day's discussion into a continuous, productive partnership for the city's future.
