'We're going to take them up on every penny they're offering': Windsor mayor pleased with provincial budget
Windsor's mayor is feeling encouraged by the provincial budget when it comes to municipal growth.
Drew Dilkens said he was happy to see an increase to an infrastructure fund that will help support growth and new builds in the city.
"I can't build homes unless I have the sewer capacity and the water capacity to handle the new homes that are coming. Those are essential pre-conditions in order to put a shovel in the ground," said Dilkens.
Knowing how much infrastructure costs, Dilkens added this is an announcement that will "help move the needle."
Still on housing, the provincial budget also encouraged municipalities to have a vacant home tax, something the City of Windsor has already made a move on.
"City council has already approved a vacant home tax. The system in place today was that we had to apply to the province of Ontario for an exemption. What the province has basically done in this budget is say if city council passes it, it can happen as of right, there are no other checks and balance. So this is good news, we should be able to get our project across the line and implemented much quicker now that the province has released the need for their signature to allow this to happen," said Dilkens.
Dilkens was also encouraged by the mention of investments for improvements to Banwell Road and E.C. Row Expressway, as well as Highway 401 at Lauzon.
"That connection [Highway 401 and Lauzon] is critical for Windsor and Tecumseh to move forward with industrial land projects. They also emphasized Banwell and E.C. Row, which is a project we know we can't afford on our own, but is crucial to deliver on for the success of the battery factory," said Dilkens.
Dilkens said although the funds were previously announced for those projects, having them in the provincial budget means that it's signed, sealed, delivered and putting in the budget, makes it official.
— With files from CTV News Windsor's Michelle Maluske
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Chants of 'shame on you' greet guests arriving for the annual White House correspondents' dinner
An election-year roast of U.S. President Joe Biden before journalists, celebrities and politicians at the annual White House correspondents' dinner Saturday.
What is a 'halal mortgage'? Does it make housing more accessible?
The 2024 federal budget announced on April 16 included plans to introduce “halal mortgages” as a way to increase access to home ownership.
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Harvey Weinstein hospitalized after return to New York from upstate prison
Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer said Saturday that the onetime movie mogul has been hospitalized for a battery of tests after his return to New York City following an appeals court ruling nullifying his 2020 rape conviction.
'We are declaring our readiness': No decision made yet as Poland declares it's ready to host nuclear weapons
Polish President Andrzej Duda says while no decision has been made around whether Poland will host nuclear weapons as part of an expansion of the NATO alliance’s nuclear sharing program, his country is willing and prepared to do so.
Central Alberta queer groups react to request from Red Deer-South to reinstate Jennifer Johnson to UCP caucus
A number of LGBQT+2s groups in Central Alberta are pushing back against a request from the Red Deer South UCP constituency to reinstate MLA Jennifer Johnson into the UCP caucus.