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CTV News
a day ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Homelessness climbs in Windsor-Essex, city officials call for upper-level support
The number of people experiencing homelessness in Windsor-Essex continues to rise, according to a new report received by Windsor City Council Monday. The 2024 Point in Time Count identified 266 people as experiencing homelessness locally. That's up from 251 the last time the count was conducted in 2021. The survey — conducted over 24 hours in late October — captured a wide range of contributing factors, with respondents citing everything from job loss and addiction to conflict at home and domestic violence. More than half said they'd been homeless for at least six months. Mayor Drew Dilkens acknowledged the growing pressure the issue puts on municipalities. 'We want to provide help and assistance to the people who need help and assistance to get back on their feet,' he told reporters after Monday's meeting. 'But recognize that we can't do this all from the property tax base.' Councillor Jo-Anne Gignac highlighted the millions Windsor has already poured into housing and shelter supports in recent years — a point echoed by Dilkens, who questioned if Provincial and Federal governments could do more. 'We're spending a lot of money to help those folks,' he said. 'But the other partners have to dial it up as well to make sure that there's enough housing, to make sure that the treatments for mental health and addiction are there when people need them.' Council unanimously supported a motion from Ward 8 Councillor Gary Kaschak directing administration to continue engaging with upper levels of government for funding and policy support.
CTV News
08-07-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Windsor city councillors call for more action on open-air drug use
Windsor city council wants to crack down on people using drugs in public. CTV Windsor's Bob Bellacicco explains. Two Windsor city councillors say there needs to be more action when it comes to open-air drug use. Ward 3 councillor Renaldo Agostino says other municipalities have implemented plans dealing with drug use on city streets. 'In some cases they are taking the drugs away, they're taking paraphernalia away. In some cases they are laying charges. A lot of it comes with compassion. A lot of it comes with education,' says Agostino. Other communities across Ontario, including Sarnia and London, have stepped up their efforts to clean up open drug use from their streets and Agostino wonders if the same can be done in Windsor. That's a question he'll bring up at council. 'What this is about is gaining back some control of our streets,' he says. Ward 8 councillor Gary Kaschak says he'd like to see a blitz in Windsor. 'The open drug use is just not good. We've seen an instance of that even in Ward 8 here in Windsor and people don't want to see that,' says Kaschak. While Windsor police haven't committed to a formal enforcement blitz, they acknowledge the community concerns surrounding open drug use. 'Whether it is downtown or any other place in the city we will strategically place our officers where they're needed,' says Const. Bianca Jackson. Since Strengthen the Core was put in place last year, officers and auxiliary officers have become more visible. 'We are doing our best to collaborate with our community partners to make sure the vulnerable in our community get the services they need for their health, care and well-being,' Jackson. A one-day blitz in Sarnia conducted last week led to five arrests for open drug use including one charge of trafficking. While there is frustration over drug use and the lack of arrests, Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley feels when the health heart hubs open those days could come to an end. 'You'll be 30-days off drugs and alcohol before you go into this place but you'll get everything. Housing component, you'll get health care component, the addiction treatment. That is the key and I'm hoping the province will do that right across the province,' says Bradley.
CTV News
01-07-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
City councillor backs field upgrades to attract new baseball team
Windsor is taking a swing at a new baseball team. CTV Windsor's Robert Lothian has details. An effort to bring a new high-level baseball team to Windsor is receiving support from a Windsor City Councillor. In an interview with CTV News, Gary Kaschak, the representative for Ward 8, said he would back upgrades to a local baseball diamond to facilitate the added play. 'I believe this is city building, you know, to get something like that and we'd have to make some improvements,' Kaschak said. The news comes following confirmation that stakeholders in Windsor have reached out to the Intercounty Baseball League about forming an expansion team in the Rose City. The independent league already features 10 teams, including squads in Chatham-Kent, London and Toronto. Kaschak noted it would be a 'fantastic' addition to the city's existing sports culture. When asked about a home for the potential team, he suggested Mic Mac Park's Cullen Field. Amenities at the chosen park must include concessions for fans and change rooms for players and umpires. Large attendance figures in recent years mean teams must also have sufficient seating space. 'I think adding seating would be no issue, but maybe a few more of the amenities that you would need,' Kaschak said. Inside the baseball community, there's excitement over the potential for more baseball in the city, but not if it takes away from current levels of play. Bill Kell, the treasurer of the Riverside Minor Baseball Association, feels there's no available time at the existing diamonds. 'If they come in and have to have these facilities for their use for those number of games and practices and so forth, you know, it'd be the demise of some of these organizations,' Kell said. To accommodate more baseball, Kell said there needs to be a partnership between the potential team and the City of Windsor to build a new stadium in the downtown. He added, if done successfully, the IBL players will serve as 'heroes' to players in his league. In the long-term, both Kell and Kaschak were optimistic a team in the IBL could allow Windsor to eventually draw in an MLB team's minor league affiliate. 'Maybe getting an Intercounty League team might be the prelude to that moving forward,' Kaschak said. 'How great would it be to be a farm team of the Detroit Tigers or, you know, have a farm club of the Toronto Blue Jays, Cleveland [Guardians] in Windsor.' In the event Windsor is successful in attracting an IBL team, players could take the field in the 2026 or 2027 season.
CTV News
20-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
National tenant in new development ‘will only enhance this area'
Prep work is underway to get the property directly behind Home Depot on Windsor's east end on Tecumseh Road transformed into the new home of a major retailer. 'We gotta wait 'til the right time to say who and when,' said City Councillor Gary Kaschak, when asked if Costco is the major tenant. The company has been the long rumoured retailer expected to be part of this new development on the city's east end, but no confirmation from the company, the city or developer, Rocco Tullio and Rock Development. 'The tenants, you know, they make their own timelines and decisions as to when they want to make the announcement,' said Tullio, who points this will enhance the area and attract people from surrounding municipalities. Once the project is complete, he says there will be room at the back end of the 33-acre property for a additional tenants. 'It's just going to jumpstart this whole development, which is going to be great for the city of Windsor and people out in the east end,' Tullio said. Roads are being created on the east and west side of the property, and with them, Tullio says, comes the opportunity for the surrounding area to be developed. 'The Serbian lands have ten acres. There's other people from Toronto that own land and so when it's all developed, there's about 90 acres. You're talking about a million square feet, a million two square feet,' Tullio said. 'We're going to have something similar to the Walker Road corridor,' said Kaschak. 'I think, with many, many big box stores, lots of action, which should create lots of growth, lots of density and lots of taxes towards the city of Windsor.' Tullio says national retailers have shown significant interest in this area of Windsor. 'Now that the construction has started. You know, these nationals and all that. Hey, the city's open for business. This is a great node to be part of and, you know, I'm excited to see what the future holds for this development.'
CBC
09-06-2025
- CBC
Council votes to close Sandpoint Beach following drowning death of swimmer
Social Sharing Windsor city council has decided to close Sandpoint Beach following the drowning death of a 15-year-old last month. Councillors say they want to wait until a coroner's investigation into this death is complete before deciding next steps. "Before we make any decisions on this, I'd really like to see that report and see some of the recommendations," said Coun. Gary Kaschak. On May 19, OPP divers recovered the body of a 15-year-old who disappeared in the water near the beach the previous day. Police said two teenagers were swimming just west of the beach when one went under the water and did not resurface. The Office of the Chief Coroner of Ontario has confirmed it will be investigating the teen's death. Coun. Jo-Anne Gignac, who agreed with Kaschak on the need to look at the recommendations, put forward the motion to close the beach pending the outcome of the report. "We have to stop and take a sober second look at whether or not the area will be ever be safe. And I'm not convinced of that," she said. 9 deaths in 4 decades Nine people have drowned while swimming in the beach area since 1986. The western edge of the beach, which has signage and fencing to deter swimmers, drops off sharply in depth and there is a strong undertow. The city has approved a $15-million long-term plan to relocate the beach a short distance to the east and make other enhancements to the area. Coun. Angelo Marignani, who represents the area, put forward a motion to accelerate that plan, which failed. Kaschak said that he appreciates Marignani's intent to keep the beach open, but without knowing if the area is ultimately safe, he suggested council could be "throwing good money at a bad situation." The city hasn't said when the closure will start, and it's unclear if the entire beach will be shut down, or just access to the water.
