Windsor mayoral candidate Drew Dilkens says he will use provincial Strong Mayors' Powers to veto any vote that allows four-units as of right in the city.
He's asking Windsor residents to ask candidates their opinion on urban densification before heading to the polls on October 26.
"You can count on me to use Strong Mayor Powers to defeat any attempt to bring four-units as of right to the next city council. I will have your back, like I have on the last two votes. I will protect your largest investment and your neighbourhood," said Dilkens.
Mayoral candidate Fred Francis has said he will not use Strong Mayors' powers if elected.
"My opponent is telling you he won't do it. He's going to agree with whatever city council agrees to. I'm going to say no and I'm willing to use that power to defeat that issue if it's brought forward to the city council table," said Dilkens.
Dilkens noted there are places where four-plexes or larger developments make sense.
"I don't object to four-plexes. I just like the process that we have in place today that provides for public input, that provides for consultation, that provides for a planning review of the neighbourhoods where four-plexes are proposed, to make sure that they are appropriate for those neighbourhoods," said Dilkens.
Windsor City Council voted against four-plexes as of right on two occasions when applying for grants under the federal government's Housing Accelerator Fund.
Dilkens has used his Strong Mayors' Power to veto one other decision of council since the legislation was introduced. During 2025 budget deliberations, council voted to keep the Windsor Transit Tunnel Bus operational. Dilkens vetoed the vote.
Also running for Windsor Mayor are Kat Pasquach, Benjamin Danyluk, Aaron Day, Dylon Graves, Tara Grayer, Nick Kolasky, Tristan Ty Morencie, Patrick Sutherland, and Louis Vautopic.
