Latest news with #KieranMcKenzie
CTV News
3 days ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Windsor adopts new rules for flag raisings
Windsor city council has approved a new policy that changes how requests for ceremonial flag raisings will be handled at city hall. The revised rules mean the city will now largely follow the lead of the federal and provincial governments — only approving flag raisings tied to nationally or provincially recognized days of awareness, or organizations that have a direct partnership or funding agreement with the City of Windsor. Alongside the updated flag policy, council also voted to eliminate the city's proclamation and illumination programs — which allowed residents or groups to request official proclamations or to have city hall lit in specific colours to mark causes or events. The changes were approved Monday, with councillors Kieran McKenzie, Fred Francis, and Angelo Marignani voting against. 'I've participated in many of the flag-raising ceremonies, and the sense of pride that you get and the feeling the residents have that they are part of our team, I think is really important,' said Marignani during the meeting. 'We need to represent the people, and that is 100 per cent of the people.' Francis argued he saw no need to change the current policy. City administration brought forward the updated policy citing the time and effort staff spend reviewing each request — and the reputational risk if one slips through, that later causes controversy. The proposed changes first appeared on council's agenda in May, prompting concerns from members of Windsor's 2SLGBTQIA+ community who feared it could impact the rainbow flag being raised during Windsor-Essex Pride Fest — a city-sponsored event. Derrick Biso, Director of Education and Operations for Trans Wellness Ontario, attended that May meeting, where the matter was ultimately deferred so administration could clarify its intent. When the revised policy came back this week, it made the allowance for special flag requests tied to city-funded organizations or recognized civic events clearer — something Biso acknowledged. 'I do appreciate the change in direction. I don't think [a new policy] is necessary per se. However, I can understand the reasoning, the logic, the rationale that they're going with,' he said. Mayor Drew Dilkens said the new approach adds clarity and brings Windsor in line with other levels of government. 'Recognizing that our city clerk's office — they're not diplomats trained to be working in diplomatic affairs and understanding all of the international relations that our country or province would have,' he said. He added that it also reduces the risk of the city inadvertently making the wrong call. 'I think this is a sensible and appropriate policy change that at least allows us to be in a defensible position and not offside with our nation.' According to city data, 425 requests have been made for flag raisings, proclamations, or illumination since the current policy was first adopted. Of those, 345 were approved, 79 denied and one withdrawn. Going forward, residents wishing to request a flag raising can apply online or pick up a form at city hall.
CTV News
4 days ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Windsor city council passes new flag policy
Windsor city council has passed a revised flag policy for the ceremonial pole outside City Hall. The new rules defer largely to federal and provincial recognition. Going forward, flag-raising requests will only be approved if they are either tied to a recognized national or provincial day of awareness — or if the organization has a direct partnership or funding relationship with the City of Windsor. Staff say the changes are meant to provide clarity and consistency, while reducing the administrative burden of reviewing individual requests. Councillors Kieran McKenzie, Fred Francis, and Angelo Marignani voted against the policy. More to come.
CTV News
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
FRED's second chapter: Windsor Public Library unveils second bookmobile
The Windsor Public Library unveiled FRED 2.0, its new bookmobile, in Windsor, Ont. on July 3, 2025. (Kate Otterbein/CTV News Windsor) The Windsor Public Library (WPL) has unveiled its second bookmobile, which made its first stop at Captain John Wilson Park on Thursday. The bookmobile was brought back to life after the previous one, which began in 2016, broke down in 2020. It's named FRED 2.0, after its predecessor, FRED. FRED stands for Freedom to Read, Educate, and Discover. The bookmobile will bring families and kids, like Avgustin, more access to the library, especially in south Windsor. Avgustin took CTV Windsor through the vehicle, giving a full tour. 'There's some Geronimo Stilton and I'm pretty sure there will be Launchpad iPads here,' the young Windsorite said. Avgustin bookmobile Windsor public library Avgustin poses in a book cover cutout in Windsor, Ont. on July 3, 2025. (Kate Otterbein/CTV News Windsor) Avgustin has big plans now that the bookmobile has made its first stop, which is becoming the owner of the next WPL in the city's south end. 'The library will be [called] Avgustin, it will be the center of the park,' Avgustin proclaimed. 'Yeah… And I would own this place, okay?' While there are plans for a proper bricks and mortar library in south Windsor, Ward 9 Councillor and WPL Board Vice-Chair, Kieran McKenzie, said Avgustin will have to wait a little bit longer for that to become a reality. 'There's an ongoing discussion and I've been working very hard to bring a bricks and mortar facility out to Southeast Windsor, but we're not there yet,' said McKenzie. 'This initiative [the bookmobile] underscores our Library Board's and City Council's commitment to ensuring that everyone in our community has access to the wealth of resources and services that our library offers.' The bookmobile features movies, books, and other resources for all ages. They can be checked out in the bookmobile and returned to any WPL branch or FRED 2.0. Windsor Bookmobile FRED 2.0 unveiling The Windsor Public Library unveiled FRED 2.0, its new bookmobile, in Windsor, Ont. on July 3, 2025. (Kate Otterbein/CTV News Windsor) If you don't have a library card to check something out, that request can also be fulfilled on the bookmobile. 'What we've been striving to do as an administration, as well as the board of directors and all members of city council, is to be able to meet the service level expectations that people in the community have,' said McKenzie. 'This is an example of council and the library recognizing a service demand, meeting that demand.' The vehicle is fully accessible and has a lift. Wondering where FRED 2.0 will be? Here's a full schedule: Sunday, July 6 Roundhouse Centre at 3155 Howard Avenue from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jackson Park at 125 Tecumseh Road East from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 8 Reginald Community Housing Corporation at 5445 Reginald Street from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 9 The Unemployed Help Centre at 6955 Cantelon Drive, off Lauzon, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 12 City Hall Square for the grand opening of City Hall Square from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 16 John McGivney Centre at 3945 Matchett Road from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, July 17 Harmony in Action from 3333 Woodword Boulevard from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 29 Reginal Community Housing Corporation at 5445 Reginald Street from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Capri Pizzeria Recreation Complex at 2555 Pulford Street from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. If you would like to make a suggestion on where FRED 2.0 should stop, you can do so in the comment sections here. The latest updates are also found at the same spot.
CBC
14-06-2025
- CBC
Will Windsor relocate Sandpoint Beach or shut it down permanently?
Social Sharing Windsor could be without a beach to swim in this summer after city council unanimously approved shutting down Sandpoint Beach and Stop 26 until a corner's report into the latest drowning is complete. The corner's office says that could take months to finish. But some on council wonder if the city should ever allow people to swim in the area again now that at least 9 people have drowned in the area since beach opened in 1980. "There is no way that I think we can offer to the public a safe swimming environment," said Coun. Jo-Anne Gignac during a city council meeting this week. Gignac made the comments before council unanimously agreed to indefinitely close the beach while staff revisit the master plan to redevelop the beach. The most recent drownings have occurred before the beach officially opened for the season and without lifeguards at the beach. Safety officials blame a sudden underwater drop off and strong whirlpool like currents immediately west of Sandpoint Beach for the drownings in the area. Gignac said the initial plan to relocate the beach further east was done in good faith but said "it's not going to be presented to the public as a safe place to swim. Ever." Coun. Kieran McKenzie said ending swimming in the area is something to consider. "I don't want to signal to the community that I'm prepared to eliminate swimming altogether in that space but it's on the table," said McKenzie. Coun. Angelo Marginani, who has advocated to have the beach moved even before being elected to council, agreed to close the beach until the coroner's report is finished. But he wants to see council fund the $15 million master plan to redevelop the area to keep Windsor's only beach open. "I believe the cost is not what we spend but what we fail to gain," said Marginani. Windsor city council earlier this week opted to close Sandpoint Beach pending the outcome of a coroner's investigation after a 15-year-old died swimming at the beach in May. But why is the water so dangerous? The CBC's Chris Ensing explains. A spokesperson for the corner's office said that the final report will not be made public because of privacy laws and will not be shared with the city. However, if the investigation turns up any recommendations, those will be shared with the city. Council reviewed a safety audit about the beach in 2013. It recommended council consider relocating the beach to a safer area because of the sudden shift in the water currents and depths on the western side of the beach. Here's how the idea to relocate Sandpoint Beach has moved through council over the years: 2012: City council lists the redevelopment of Sandpoint Beach and Stop 26 in the capital budget for after 2017 2013: City council receives a safety audit from the Lifesaving Society that recommends the city "consider closing the beach in favour of moving it eastwards" and "at a minimum" fence off the western portion. The city installs a metre tall fence for $10,000. 2014: The budget earmarks $5 million for the closure of the western side of Sandpoint Beach and new water access further east. The timeline is sometime after 2019. 2018: Council asks how much it will cost for preliminary study to relocate Sandpoint Beach. Staff suggest it will cost $250,000 to study. 2019: The capital budget sets aside $250,000 for the study in 2024 and $5 million for the relocation beyond 2026. 2021: In May, a 24 year old drowns while swimming at Sandpoint Beach, the sixth person to die while swimming in the area since the beach opened in 1980. At a press conference weeks later, Mayor Drew Dilkens calls the relocation a high priority. Council decides to pay for the study to start in 2021. 2022: Public consultations start which shows a relocation design that closes western edge of the beach and lengthens beach access on the eastern edge of the beach. The expected relocation costs doubles to $10 million. 2023: The budget earmarks $1 million spread across 2024 and 2025 for the relocation of the beach with an additional $900,000 from 2028 to 2030. A master plan for the redevelopment of Sandpoint Beach is completed in November. 2024: In May, two young men drown near Sandpoint Beach, the seventh and eighth people to die in the area while swimming. Council installs taller fences at the western edge of the beach. An updated master plan is presented to council but deferred to early 2025. The city's capital budget shuffles the money around so that there is $1.5 million between 2029 and 2030. Relocating the beach is now expected to cost $15 million. 2025: In January, council approves the master plan, which will close of the western portion of the beach and extend the eastern beach. Council directs staff to consider funding as part of future capital budgets with Dilkens saying it will take years to complete. In May, a 15 year old boy drowns while swimming at the beach. City council decides to close the beach until a coroner's report is complete.
CBC
16-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
American-furniture purchase shows confusion over Windsor's council's 'buy Canadian' request
City staff will bring back new buy Canadian policy options for council to mull over after taxpayers criticized a $285,000 order of American-made outdoor furniture purchased last month. Days before that purchase was approved, council directed staff to buy Canadian goods and services when its financially and operationally reasonable to "support local and domestic businesses and workers." Councillor Kieran McKenzie, who introduced the motion, is worried that might still be left for interpretation. "All of it was with the intention of really trying to dig into: where can we buy Canadian wherever possible?" said McKenzie during Monday's council meeting. Senior administration seemed to agree, telling council they need more clear direction on when to prioritize Canadian goods and services. Windsor's Chief Administrative Officer Ray Mansour said staff need to know if they're looking for "what's the best deal financially for the taxpayer or do we want to buy Canadian at all cost when it's available?" Staff defend purchase of American-made furniture The discussion about buying Canadian was reignited after taxpayers questioned councillors about a CBC News report outlining city's staff purchase of American-made furniture for the outdoor ice rink at city hall. City engineer David Simpson told council that staff "fully followed council direction" by purchasing the furniture, adding that it came in under budget while highlighting the quality and superior warranty. Councillor Fred Francis had previously suggested cancelling the purchase because of the backlash and was told that would cost the city a penalty of $90,000. City staff have said that 10 suppliers were considered including Canadian companies. But the city has not said what the cost difference would have been between those suppliers. Windsor has not made any changes to its procurement policy while the trade war with the United States continues but is considering options. Ontario bans U.S. companies from procurement In March, the province restricted United States businesses from provincial procurements with certain exemptions. That flows down to places like hospitals, public school boards, and universities but it does not apply to cities like Windsor. "Ontario's Procurement Restriction Policy does not apply to municipalities," said a spokesperson for Ontario's minister of public and business service delivery. "Where possible we encourage all partners to support made-in-Ontario and made-in-Canada businesses. In doing so, they may wish to follow Ontario's guidance." Municipalities across Ontario like Vaughan, Toronto and Mississauga have adjusted their procurement polices follwoing the lead of the provincial government. Buy Canadian approach 'long overdue' It's a move that the head of Ontario's Public Buyers Association (OPBA) hopes continues long term. "I think it's long overdue," said Victoria Mirlocca, chair of the OPBA and manager of procurement for the City of Mississauga. "This entire movement is great for our economy and as public sector entities, it just opens up an entire new world and how we can focus our procurements and be more strategic." Typically, a city will accept bids on a project and award it to the lowest bidder that meets the criteria. But that's changed in cities like Mississauga. "If a low bidder comes in and they are a US supplier, but the second lowest bidder is non-us and is within 20%, we're gonna award to the non-us supplier," said Mirlocca. She said that requires clear definitions of what makes a company American. Provincially, that's a company that is headquartered in United States with fewer than 250 full-time employees in Canada. Mississauga is following a similar definition, said Mirlocca, while also opening up more projects to an invite-only style of procurement so staff can narrow in on Canadian businesses. "We're building programs around that so that our contract managers and our project managers understand, you know, we need to attract local businesses," she said. Those thresholds have to be below $353,300 for goods and services and $8.8-million for construction to meet the Canada Free Trade Agreement that applies to trade between Canada and European states. There's also language in both Mississauga's and Ontario's policy changes that allow for staff to purchase goods and services from the United States if there's no alternative. Mitigate tariffs or support local companies? Where those policy shits are aimed at building up Canadian procurement, Windsor's approach has been primarily about mitigating Canadian counter-tariffs while getting the best value. "If something's financial advantageous, we're sort of going with it, in accordance with the purchasing by-law," said the city's acting commissioner of human and health service Dana Paladino at Monday's council meeting. "But if council's direction is that it doesn't matter if its advantageous, this is something that we need to consider, than we need to bring that back." Mayor Drew Dilkens believes that the deal for the American-made outdoor furniture was "in the best interest of the taxpayer." He said council can tell staff to build conditions into tenders that require specific levels of Canadian content but that could lead to shifts in costs. "You don't know whether if you did that you're paying 20 per cent more, 10 per cent more, 5 per cent more? You don't know unless you actually put it in there and maybe do a comparison saying 'All Canadian goods and then next comparable price," said Dilkens. The rest of council supported councillor McKenzie's ask for staff to bring back alternative procurement policy options. "I think if it's a status quo sort of thing than I think we land back here in this discussion again. I don't know if we all want that," said McKenzie.
