Windsor mayoral candidate Drew Dilkens committed to improving the city's quality of life during his latest campaign stop.
Dilkens says he wants to continue theming and districting initiatives like building a Chinatown Gateway in West Windsor.
"We're looking at University Avenue in one of the renewed construction areas of University Avenue to help create a place, to help create a community and a destination that we actually think, it's not just about putting up a Chinese Gateway, it’s about spurring economic activity," said Dilkens.
Dilkens has also committed to making the Experience Windsor program, which hosted over 40 community events last summer, permanent. The program was approved last year as a one-time initiative to support families during hard economic times. The $500,000 budget for the program was taken from the Municipal Accommodations Tax that is collected from hotel stays in the city.
Dilkens says the city can continue to use that funding source to host community events.
"People want to live in a community where it’s exciting, where there are things happening, where there are things to do. When people move to this community because it's activated, because it's interesting, then employers start saying, 'Boy, there's some great talent in Windsor,'" said Dilkens.
Other quality of life initiatives Dilkens has committed to include enhancing the Arts, Culture and Heritage Fund, funding more public art installations, and enhancing connections and wayfinding signage at the Gordie Howe International Bridge.
Election Day is October 26, 2026.
Other candidates running for mayor include Fred Francis, Kat Pasquach, Benjamin Danyluk, Aaron Day, Dylon Graves, Tara Grayer, Nick Kolasky, Tristan Ty Morencie, Patrick Sutherland, and Louis Vautopic.
