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'City of Windsor' Great Lakes steamer joins AGW's outdoor art collection

WindsorOntarioNews.com June 11 2026

Two new paintings will be joining those outdoor re-creations of Art Gallery of Windsor (aka Art Windsor-Essex) art works. They’re Trees and Snow by famed Canadian Group of Seven artist Lawrence Harris. And one with a city namesake, The City of Windsor by Seth Arca Whipple, an 1890 canvas of a Great lakes ship. Harris’s will be in front of the Budimir Library grounds on Grand Marais Rd. W. and Whipple’s will grace the Ganatchio Trail. This will be the fourth year for the art outreach known as “Look Again! Outside.” It started downtown and expanded to all city business districts and to the town of Amherstburg. Some of the locations of previous artworks will also be changed this year, according to the museum. There are 27 reproductions altogether of the museums’ 4000 pieces collection. But the show comes with obligations. The city is waiving more than $7000 in permit fees. But the AGW is responsible for ensuring there is no damage to city property in installing and removing the works. It also must provide $5 million in liability insurance. The AGW dates to 1943 and its downtown location is shared with the Chimczuk Museum devoted to city artifacts. Says the museum, the outdoor show’s purpose is to make the collection “relevant, accessible, and compelling to diverse and evolving audiences. Look Again! Outside! brings artworks out of the vault and into the streets and neighbourhoods.”

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Windsorite behind floor-crossing petition says Canada in "disarray"

WindsorOntarioNews.com May 22 2026

Windsor resident Cassell Zion says he started the petition to end MP floor-crossings (see story front page) in parliament "because of the times we are currently living under." He says the fact several MPs from the mainly Conservatives joined the governing Liberals and helped give it a majority government this spring effectively means "we are being governed by a party that wasn't elected and the agenda they have is one that they will push without any chance of debate or questions." Zion believes this reflects "the country is falling even further into disarray." He says this kind of activity doesn't at all reflect what people "voted for during the election." Zion says it isn't necessarily about party loyalty. (Floor -crossings have happened in both directions but are very prevalent now.) It has to do with governing "without the public ever being asked again for permission" especially when electors voted differently." He says a seat in Parliament doesn't "belong to a political party and it also does not belong solely to the politician once elected. It belongs to the people who cast their votes expecting representation under a specific mandate." Zion says it is not a party issue. "What if the situation were reversed and multiple Liberal MPs crossed over to help another party maintain power, the Liberals would likely be demanding the exact same accountability that myself and many other Canadians are demanding now. That is why this petition matters." Zion says he recently turned to politics because of his disgust with the way the country is going. "I see communities struggling while the cost of living keeps rising. I see homelessness increasing, jobs becoming less stable, and many Canadians feeling like they are falling behind in their own country."

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Transit to be first with audible maps

WindsorOntarioNews.com May 8 2026

Windsor will be the first community "anywhere" to have audible transit maps for the sight-impaired. Minutes from a recent city hall accessibility advisory committee meeting indicate the pilot project "is not being done anywhere else and the City of Windsor can be setting the path to accessibility." Transit Windsor is using a combination of artificial intelligence and Adobe "to build maps to provide a voice version of what that map looks like." City diversity officer Mark Keeler "envisions audible maps being available on all transit bus schedules." Other accessibility improvements throughout the city include two additional parking spaces on Victoria Ave. near the Capitol Theatre entrance. This beings to five the number of accessible spaces close to the city's venerable entertainment venue. There are three now on University Ave. - also a commercial loading zone - which can be used during performances. The Riverside Library will have a "universal" washroom constructed on the first floor. New acoustics are being installed in long-term care home Huron Lodge's auditorium to improve "hearing for seniors with low hearing." Alexander Park on the eastern riverfront has been revamped to provide better accessibility with a ribbon cutting planned for National Accessibility Week May 31 - June 6.

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Windsor Strong: city lands $1.2B in investments beyond battery plant

WindsorOntarioNews.com April 23 2026

The City of Windsor appears no slouch in attracting private sector economic investment. Beyond the $5B NextStar Energy battery plant - the largest investment "in Canadian history", a city report says, there have been $1.2b in related and additional private company initiatives. These include Dongshin Motech spending $90M as NextStar supplier of aluminum castings for 300 jobs, Flex-Ion, a battery R & D centre with $18.5M and 30 "highly skilled" jobs, Minth with a spend of $300M for just over 1000 jobs manufacturing battery housings and lightweight exterior components and NEO Battery Materials' a $60M R & D centre for silicon materials for lithium-ion batteries creating 100 jobs. As well, since 2022 private industry has invested in 55 new projects creating more than 4000 jobs and $1.2B in capital spending. These are in the advanced manufacturing, hospitality, pharmaceutical and wholesale sectors. And we're not resting. The local economic development department is working on 11 "high priority leads" and 14 "medium leads" for $1.6B in potential future spending, creating almost 1600 jobs.

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Mayor and city councillors' salaries racked-up a half-million dollars in 2025

WindsorOntarioNews.com April 9 2026

Most city councilors made a salary of $54,944.71 in 2025 with the exception of Mayor Drew Dilkens who made $228,842.75, taxable benefits for all included. The low man was newbie Frazier Fathers - elected in a byelection to replace Fabio Costante - who earned just $9005.84, while Costante made $26,711.22 before he left council to take a paid position as CEO of the Windsor-Essex Community Housing Corp. All these amounts come to a total of $530,219.45. Meanwhile councillor Kieran McKenzie was paid most for travel expenses - an additional $6,133.71 - to attend Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) meetings, where he is a board member. Councillor Gary Kaschuk came next at $5,298.86 for attending similar meetings. Other councillors had expenses in the $2-3000 range with the exception of newcomer Frasier Fathers and longtime councillors Fred Francis, Ed Sleiman and Jo-Anne Gignac, who had none and attended no such gatherings. Most councillors’ travel was within Ontario and Quebec. But Coun. Renaldo Agostino travelled to Arlington Texas as part of the city’s Intl. Relations Ctte. delegation. Angelo Marignani travelled to Mannheim Germany and Lublin Poland – Windsor’s Twin Cities - incurring $3,270.40 in costs also as a member of the IRC.

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From that liquor bottle to vendor favouritism - the AG investigates

WindsorOntarioNews.com March 26 2026

The city's Auditor-General has carried out several recent investigations into employee malfeasance. And while finding no evidence of it, it did recommend improved standards. One case was an alleged "undisclosed private business and employment interests that created conflicts of interest, (resulting) in the improper use of city time and involved a pattern of conduct over a long-standing period." The employee, unidentified, no longer works for the city. The investigation found "no evidence to substantiate the allegations" but the complaints were "partially warranted" from a "perception" perspective; the city was urged to tighten conflict guidelines. A second complaint was an alleged conflict between a staffer and outside vendor to the city. Again, no evidence was found that "procurement outcomes were improperly influenced" but the AG said practices could be tightened. A third complaint involved administration of sewer connection permits; no malfeasance was found. Finally, there was a report of a "visible display of an alcohol container" within a city workplace. This time the allegation was "partially warranted," the AG said. However, there was no evidence of "alcohol consumption, impairment, or inappropriate conduct." But the "continued visible display of an alcohol container was found to be inconsistent with the wording of the 'Respectful Workplace Policy' and "created a perception risk." Meanwhile, ongoing AG investigations include treatment of a citizen, compensation and procurement practices, and a complaint at the city's housing corporation.

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You're warned: 2026 parking fines

WindsorOntarioNews.com March 6 2026

Parking in a handicapped zone will still force you to fess up overwhelmingly the most of any municipal parking fine. A new City of Windsor parking fine schedule will see offenders charged $488.50 for such an offense. The next most expensive fine is parking in a fire route - that would net you $170. And if you obstruct traffic expect to pay $136. Going down the list the next highest fine is $91 and charged if you park within three metres of a fire hydrant, "park, stop or stand" in a school bus zone and park in a "no stopping" zone. If you park on a "highway with weight over 3K kgs" expect to fork over $73.75. The next level of fines drops to $56.75 for parking or stopping in a bike lane or EV charging space. Fines then decline to $51 for parking in a bus stop, loading zone or in a space only for those with a residential permit, or in a taxi stand. Expect to pay $43.50 - the largest category of fines - if you're in a no parking zone, outside a designated parking space, double parked, facing the wrong way or on a sidewalk, leaving car abandoned, at a "wrong angle to the curb", more than 30 cm from the curb, in the same spot for more than three days, alongside a curb adjacent to a school between 8AM-5PM, 30m of a pedestrian crossing, on public property without consent, within 15m of a main church entrance, the prohibited side of the street, or in an alley. You'll be nicked $34 for obstructing another vehicle and staying over the time limit in parking lots, on private property without consent and beyond permitted time. The lowest fine, $31.50 is for parking at an expired meter or not having a parking permit clearly displayed...Don't say you haven't been warned.

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Using a green recycling bin in winter can be "tricky" but don't "freak out"

WindsorOntarioNews.com Feb 20 2026

Being green in winter isn’t easy. The Essex Windsor Solid Waste Authority has provided tips on how to use your new green bin (for organic wastes, and provided to some municipalities last fall and others this coming autumn) in the dead of darkest months. That’s when things - er, like food waste - can be “tricky” to handle, it says. Here they are: Line the bin bottom with food-soiled paper products or packaging such as egg cartons and takeout cartons or use kitchen catcher liners. On collection day put the bin out early in the morning (housecoat optional) - like “6 am” - instead of the night before. (But what if you keep what could be an otherwise smelly bin outside rather than in the house all the time?) As a result, "you also won’t get stuck with food waste frozen" to the bottom or sides of the bin. And should food freeze anyway out in the cold (see above) "don’t freak out – simply, gently loosen it with a shovel handle or flip the bin upside down with the lid open on a sunny day to allow it to thaw." Finally, it says, "using compostable bags for your food waste will not only keep things clean in the kitchen, it may also help prevent food waste from freezing and sticking." Finally, "remember: use only good quality compostable bags with the BPI/BNQ symbols on them."

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"New generation" activist group wants to see a "vibrant progressive" city

WindsorOntarioNews.com Feb 12 2026

The new community group Engage Windsor made a splash during recent city budget deliberations. Group member Heather Zaleski criticized the 0% property tax increase and proposed rise in user fees, saying it would harm vulnerable residents, ironically resulting in a greater financial hit than had taxes themselves increased. The group, seemingly coming out of nowhere, is made up of relatively young members including Josh Sankarlal, Tori-Lee Jenkins, Rachael Travenetti, Hadi Haidar, Ashley Bruner, Jess Macasaet, Maria Boada and Adam Vasey. These are "local leaders and volunteers who care deeply about Windsor." They want to "create opportunities for residents to connect, share, and shape our community together." The group says while in the past the city has had a "strong activist movement" tied to organized labour demographics have changed and this "new generation" can help "shape this community so that it can fulfill its promise as a vibrant, progressive city in which people can meaningfully connect with municipal politics." Its activities have included issuing a candidates' questionnaire and holding an online budget workshop with city councillor Kieran McKenzie. It made recent headlines calling for the provincial Ombudsman to review city hall's controversial decision to withhold 54 budget items - worth $9M in cuts - from public view.

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You've heard of native Land Acknowledgments, now here's the Taxpayer Land Acknowledgment

WindsorOntarioNews.com Jan 22 2026

Virtually all government bodies and many public and private institutions these days start meetings with so-called Land Acknowledgments, in which essentially an apology is made to Indigenous people for meeting on their "unseeded" land. While commonplace, these acknowledgement are not without critics, citing hypocrisy and pointless virtue signaling for historic wrongs. Now a Toronto citizens group, IntegrityTO, has come up with the Taxpayer Land Acknowledgment. Photo shows their presentation at a recent Toronto budget meet. While there are references to Toronto other cities and their policies could be substituted. It follows:

I'd like to start my deputation in a good way by acknowledging the people who fund this municipal enterprise, the Toronto taxpayer. Let's reflect and remember that every word spoken in this chamber, and every light bulb and every salary paid including those of city councillors, is funded almost entirely by the hard work and earnings of taxpayers and property owners. Nearly all of the city's $18.9 billion budget comes directly from them. We acknowledge that while taxpayers and property owners have endured an almost 20% increase in the last three years only a small and insulated group decides how much of their income is expropriated to sustain a burgeoning municipal bureaucracy that continues to grow regardless of outcomes and results. We pay respect to those taxpayers because without them this institution could not indulge in ideological excesses like renaming streets and public squares, painting roads with inferior and environmental damaging red paint, nor fund harm reduction programs that result in a steady stream of drug paraphernalia littering our streets, sidewalks, parks and playgrounds. In this period of acknowledgment and with an eye to the future we recognize the Toronto taxpayer and revere their tolerance for being taxed.

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Farhi tower a "catalyst" for downtown

WindsorOntarioNews.com Jan 7 2026

The delayed construction of London developer Shmuel Farhi's 27 storey riverfront tower, first announced three years ago, would be a "catalyst" project for the downtown core. Shovels are expected in the ground this year. As a catalyst it would be eligible for additional municipal funding. The total grant amounting to just over $3M - 4% of $80M project cost - is made up of a five year increased property tax compensation ("tax increment" grants) and an additionally equal five year grant under so-called "Catalyst" funding. City Council still needs to approve the application. But what does "catalyst" mean? It means a significant development which would have a major impact on the downtown core or sparking other developments as per the word definition. Criteria also includes 100 or more housing units (188 here), a $5M or more investment, increased land value resulting in a 20% or more assessment, that the project "sends a message of neighbourhood progress and stability," the building features "high-quality design that will positively influence the surrounding area", results in an increase in the number of people living downtown. Finally, that it "encourage property improvements that contribute to a vibrant and healthy downtown core and authentic sense of place."

Image: City of Windsor

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Stern message for recycle bin exchange

WindsorOntarioNews.com Dec 15 2025

The unannounced rollout of giant 360-litre recycling carts this fall generated substantial controversy. And the private company charged with recycling beginning in the new year has responded. Yes, you can exchange the behemoths for a smaller 240-litre cart. But Circular Materials, which is taking over recycling from municipalities effective Jan. 1, wants you to be absolutely sure the smaller cart is the right one for you. And, in some stern language, it tells you how to exchange a cart if you absolutely must. “Currently, many residents use two recycling boxes on a bi-weekly collection cycle (which totals 320 litres of recycling capacity every two weeks). The new 360-litre recycling cart was chosen to support current and future volumes,” its website says. “With advancements in the recycling system, residents will now be able to recycle more materials such as hot and cold beverage cups, black plastic containers, frozen juice containers, ice cream tubs, deodorant and toothpaste tubes. This expanded list of materials will increase the volume of recyclable materials generated and collected from households.” It recommends using the larger carts for at least three bi-weekly pickups “to understand your needs before requesting a smaller size.” Moreover, "only one exchange" will be allowed and "requests for a second additional cart will not be permitted for households that have exchanged for a smaller 240-litre size cart." However, if needed, a second large carts will be provided to those who have not exchanged them. But "a second cart will not be provided for households who exchange for a smaller 240–litre size recycling cart." So there.

Image: Circular Materials

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Detroit less a target for "ruin porn"

WindsorOntarioNews.com Dec 2 2025

Soon there will be fewer places for tourists and “ruin porn” photographers from around the world to descend on Detroit to take photos of the city’s destroyed buildings. That’s because many of the notorious hulking ruins that have defined the rust belt city over the past 50 years are increasingly no more. Dozens of downtown abandoned downtown skyscrapers – some even with trees growing out of their roofs - have been rehabilitated by the Bedrock and Olympia development companies. The hulking ruin that was the old Michigan Central RR depot which greeted travelers from Canada off the Ambassador Bridge has been converted into a mobility research center by Ford Motor Co. And now the latest post-industrial eyesore will have new life. The City of Detroit yesterday announced the $50M conversion of the long decayed blocks of the 28-acre Packard plant on the city’s near east side to be converted into Packard Park (image). It will house 42 “make/live” (business and residence combined) affordable housing units, Detroit’s first indoor skate park, MODEM – the Museum of Detroit Electronic Music, “creative community” programming areas and more than two acres of indoor/outdoor public space and recreation areas. “Five years ago, the Packard Plant was still standing as Detroit’s most iconic ruin, continuing to drag down the surrounding neighborhood,” Mayor Mike Duggan said. The development is led by Mark Bennett and Oren Goldenberg, both of whom have track records with development including Dreamtroit, a mixed-use redevelopment of the original Lincoln Motor factory. 300 new full-time jobs for Packard are forecast. Completion is expected in 2029.

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Just what do those coloured utility co. markings on your property mean?

WindsorOntarioNews.com Nov 11 2025

Just what are those flags, stakes and markings that pop up occasionally on homeowners’ lawns? The gas company puts them there to designate work projects. “The coloured line markings, flags and stakes you may see from time to time on residential lawns indicate the approximate location of underground natural gas lines or other utilities,” Steve Presant of Enbridge says. These “locate” markings come in various colours “depending on the utility or purpose.” Yellow indicates natural gas, oil or steam lines, green means sewer or storm drains, and temporary survey markings are pink. There are five other colours depending on the type of utility. Even if the locates have been there for some time it’s best not to remove them. “If work has been initiated by Enbridge Gas or its contractors, natural gas locates will be painted on the property, and the homeowner will be notified separately about the start and estimated completion of the work,” the spokesman said. Homeowners shouldn’t “assume” work has started, ongoing or been completed and therefore remove flags or stakes, until the company ahs confirmed this.

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Most homelessness? Glengarry hood

WindsorOntarioNews.com Oct. 28 2025

Most of those facing homelessness are in Windsor’s inner city Glengarry neighbourhood, also a major focal point of crime over the past couple of years. According to a city report, 40 per cent of 112 people aided by a new social work team “reside” there, by far the greatest number of any area in Windsor-Essex. Only five per cent are in the county and 55 per cent across the rest of Windsor. “Nearly all” get some form of social assistance. They “typically experienced prolonged and profound life instability” with ”many navigating complex challenges related to mental health and substance use and often demonstrate significant deficits in essential life skills such as communication, self-regulation, and daily living skills.” A new Windsor Police initiative for the area has seen a 63% decrease in drug crimes, 45% drop in property crime and 38% drop in crimes against other people. Still, last month police arrested 31 people over a three-day crackdown. Most problems are associated with apartment buildings in the 300 and 400 blocks of the near downtown street.

Photo: Google Street View

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All that wildfire smoke? Blame Canada

WindsorOntarioNews.com Sept 30 3035

Three times is not the charm. According to an American columnist. James David Dickson’s finger is squarely pointed at Canada for its ineptitude in eliminating wildfires, which has been suffocating wide swaths of the US in smoke over the past three summers. “Any one summer of smoke can be understood, even excused, things happen” he writes. “Perhaps the second was a coincidence. But the third, as Ian Fleming would say, feels like enemy action. In just three years, America’s friend to the north has become a bad neighbor.” The Michigan native was adamant: “Smoky summers were not a fixture of my childhood and cannot become a new normal for Michigan’s children.” The Michigan government has issued air quality alerts. “In addition to pollutants like fine particulate matter carried in the smoke, there are gasses containing the chemicals that — when combined with sunlight — form ground level ozone,” the state says. But “that’s not exactly the proactive response we’re looking for,” the columnist says. Some politicians have sent Canada “a strongly worded letter.” But “Canada can’t be trusted to put out the wildfires. The provinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick have banned camping and hiking rather than fight fire with water. Canada has taken an active disinterest in managing its problem.” For the columnist the ultimate solution is for President Trump to take action. “When Trump gets involved, there won’t be a problem.” And the kicker, tongue in cheek: “Either Canada puts out the wildfires ASAP, or the US military will, perhaps en route to Canada’s annexation as the 51st state.”

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Major expansion of bike parking on tap

WindsorOntarioNews.com Sept 15 2025

It would cost $1 million to upgrade city bicycle parking infrastructure, says a report going before Windsor’s transportation committee. That would be $310,000 for improved short term bike parking and $703,000 for long-term parking. Short term includes bike racks – 56 at $1,750 each – and concrete pads at 53 locations costing $4000 each. Long term includes bike lockers – 30 at $15,100 each – and concrete pads – 26 at $8600 each. Additionally, there would be six bike racks at four locations. Short term parking is usually for visitors at a city facility for a few hours whereas long term is for building occupants - facilities can be covered and secured lockers. All municipal sites were evaluated, and it’s proposed that parks and splash pads should have 145 parking facilities (no long term), libraries and art galleries 11 along with seven long term, pools outdoor and in – six and six, city hall and administrative offices – seven and 12, community centres and rec complexes - 11 and nine, transit terminals and stops – three and three. Currently short-term parking is at 127 of 183 city-owned sites; the proposal would add 56. “Notably,” the report says, two long term spaces exist at Parking Garage 2 (Park St. W & Pelissier) (photo) and 17 short term spaces. The same holds for Parking Garage 1 (Pitt and Goyeau Streets) for long term but only one rack (seven spaces) for short term. Both garages have 24-hour surveillance. To expand long-term downtown core bike parking the city proposes Parking Garage 2 have a security gate and electronic access.

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This week's major civic donations are tied to people with the Narmco Group

WindsorOntarioNews.com August 14 2025

The two local philanthropic families that made headlines this week with significant donations to local institutions have connections to the same company, Narmco. But their names are likely unfamiliar to most people. The biggest donation – certainly the largest in local memory – came from the Fancsy family, who donated a whopping $40 million to the new regional hospital on County Rd 42 near the airport. That also granted them naming rights and the acute care hospital, slated for construction beginning next year, will be called the Fancsy Family Hospital. The money comes from the estate of John Thomas Fancsy. But who was he? Fancsy died last year at 65. He was an engineer with Narmco, for 80 years a family-owned auto parts manufacturer with operations locally, the USA, Mexico and Germany. Founded by Matthew Rodzik in 1945 the name stands for National Auto Radiator Manufacturing Company. The headquarters is at 2575 Airport Rd. Today a third generation runs the company that does metal stamping, power trains and modular assemblies, employing hundreds. And it has long contributed to local charities. Fancsy was also a musician, an oenophile and co-founder with other family members of Viewpointe Estate Winery on the Lake Erie shore in Harrow, one of the earliest and larger area wineries. Meanwhile, John and Pam Rodzik this week contributed $100,000 to Art Windsor Essex (formerly Art Gallery of Windsor) to provide “increased accessibility to the gallery's programs and exhibitions.” AWE director Jennifer Matotek said the donation will go a long way to staging 10 exhibitions in 2026 and “facilitate over 400 community and education programs.” The Rodziks have been long-time contributors to the gallery most notably founding the Artrageous gala, a major fundraiser. Also connected to Narmco ownership is the Don Rodzik Foundation which has donated significantly to the community including the new Rodzik Hall residence at the University of Windsor and the university’s revamped law building.

Photo: Google Street View

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This city hall committee wants to have its own baseball caps and T-shirts too

WindsorOntarioNews.com July 28 2025

Not content to be just another city hall advisory committee, the city’s environment committee wants to up its game and take on a higher public profile. Most committees, which advise city council on everything from transportation to housing, usually remain under the radar though their meetings are often held in public. But, perhaps in a nod to the priority the city wished to put on environmental issues, this one wants to show itself off in a big way. Partly it’s to advertise a new name, The Environment & Climate Chance Advisory Committee. The committee has already contacted local design firm Spotvin Design Co. (Shane Potvin), who has proposed three logo concepts. The logo would be used widely for social media and banners and even on T-shirts, baseball caps and water bottles. The first concept would have an “icon graphic wrapped in a leaf with a water droplet to convey that the committee is trying to make a difference and to nurture the environment.” The second, "still working with the hands in a different context and loosely looks like an eye and a leaf bringing attention to the environment.” The third, "simple graphics that includes the leaf working with the other concepts. The 3 leaves form the shape of a 'w' as in Windsor and created a containment circle to tie it all in.” Concepts 1 or 3 “are preferred” with the “opportunity to potentially mix and match elements,” says Minutes from the coommitte's May 22 meeting. But before approval any design must “follow” the city’s “brand standards.” No cost was included. But the committee chair, Ward 9 councillor Kieran McKenzie stated that “operating budget dollars were allocated to create a new logo and design esthetic for the newly named” committee.

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Besides NextStar, several battery-related plants lead city investment

WindsorOntarioNews.com July 9 2025

The City of Windsor saw 12 major industrial and several commercial developments begun last year, the city’s 2024 draft financial report says. These were led by NextStar Energy’s $5B battery plant, already producing modules with cell production scheduled for this quarter. But that was the tip of the iceberg for EV-related manufacturing. Taiwan-Canadian Minth Group is spending nearly $300 million for an almost 400K sq ft plant located on 54 acres creating almost 1100 jobs. It will produce EV battery housing units and plastic exterior parts such as bumpers, grilles, and tailgates. South Korean DS Actimo - supplier of battery cell module cases with wiring components, is building a $60M plant to employ 96. Bobaek American is constructing a $35M plant to make battery insulation panels and cell sheets for EVs and employ 144. NEO Battery Materials – producing specialized coatings and silicon anode materials for lithium-ion batteries, a first for Canada – is investing $100M to create 130 jobs. And Kautex Textron is investing $23M to make battery casings for EVs using advanced composite materials. Non-related EV investment includes west side ADM-Agri Industries new $76M roadway and “kiosk system” that will improve truck loading capacity. Ennova Facades, a curtain wall manufacturer, is building two plants in Windsor and Amherstburg, backed by $1.15M federal money and creating 13 jobs. Chemical manufacturer Dimachem is spending $2M to expand its Windsor facility adding 16 staff. APAG Co Syst opened an R & D facility employing 14 to grow to 30 in 2025. Amazon opened its new distribution centre emplo1ying 70. Landmark Cinemas opened on the former Silver City site. Several new restaurants and retailers opened including Nauti V Oyster Bar and COBS Bread. Michaels opened in Tecumseh Mall and Loblaws chose Windsor for three of its new No Name stores. Meanwhile, local development officials are in talks with “15 high and medium-priority clients” which “could result in an additional 4,600 jobs and $6 billion in further investment.

Image: Google maps

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UM in toxic substances scandal

WindsorOntarioNews.com June 12 2025

Windsorites love wearing University of Michigan insignia, from sweatshirts to ballcaps. But the university - one of the largest and most prestigious US public universities with over 50,000 students in Ann Arbor, just outside Detroit - finds itself in a serious international scandal. It involves Chinese individuals allegedly bringing toxic substances into the United States. And it also involves Wuhan, China, considered the source of the Covid-19 pandemic with widespread conclusion that the virus leaked from the Wuhan Institute of Virology. In the current issue Chengxuan Han, a doctoral student, was charged this week with smuggling four packages of "concealed biological material" both this year and last, to individuals associated with UM. She's the third Chinese national to be so charged and in just over the past week. She was questioned upon landing at Detroit Metro Airport. The US Attorney General's office said she initially had lied about the contents and then said she'd made "false statements." The toxic material related to roundworms, a parasite that can cause human illness including diarrhea and nerve problems. “The alleged smuggling of biological materials by Chengxuan Han is a direct threat to public safety and national security, and it severely compromises the integrity of our nation’s research institutions," the AG's Detroit office said. Earlier this month Yunqing Jian, a UM scientist and Zunyong Liu, her boyfriend, were also charged with smuggling a toxic fungus for potential agroterrorism. The FBI found Jian and Liu had worked on the same pathogen in China and Jian had received direct Chinese government funding for the research.

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Stellantis rates last in supplier relations

WindsorOntarioNews.com May 29 2025

Stellantis rated last in a Plante Moran North American Automotive OEM-Supplier Working Relations Index Study, released last week. Six assemblers participated with Toyota ranking first, followed by Honda, GM, Nissan, Ford and then Stellantis. The maker of Chrysler vehicles ranked last in six categories including timely transparent and adequate communication, buyer accessibility, responsiveness and help with reducing costs and improving quality. This is the survey’s 25th year and ranks the relationships between auto assemblers and their suppliers. Three of the six OEMs improved relationships despite “unprecedented market volatility” due to factors like changing government policies and EV cancellations. While Toyota jumped 18 points to 386, Nissan fell six and Stellantis dropped 11 to 141. “Between Toyota and Stellantis, there is a gap of 245 points — the largest gap since 2008,” the survey says. Angela Johnson, principal in Plante Moran’s management consulting supplier relations analytics, said “Suppliers want balanced financial risk, and they want to know where they fit in OEMs’ future market strategies so they can align accordingly.” Also, “They perceive OEM behaviors — fairness, equity, accountability, and then trust — through the impact of OEM decisions to their bottom line. What separates the top three from the bottom three OEMs is their ability to help suppliers reduce their costs to serve the OEM and manage uncertainty.” Car companies at the top scored better on communication, responsiveness and engagement skills that “help suppliers operate more efficiently and, in turn, create strong relationships. Stronger relationships enable OEMs and suppliers to work together and better navigate industry uncertainty with more equitable risk and cost sharing.” The survey was based on 665 Tier 1 supplier executives’ responses from 398 firms. Plante Moran is an audit, tax and consulting firm.

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Big bucks in ticket offences

WindsorOntarioNews.com May 13 2025

There’s a lot of money in them there fines such as motorist traffic violations. Since the province downloaded administration of so-called Provincial Offences Act (POA) such as traffic tickets to municipalities in 2001, Windsor-Essex has realized $51.5M in revenue, split among the municipalities. In 2024 offences totalled $1.4 M, an increase of just over $400,000 or a whopping 41% from the previous year. “This increase was driven by an increase in tickets issued (up 4.83% from 2023 or almost 30,000 tickets) and more court hours being made available (up 22.8% from 2023),” a report says. A “weighted formula” saw $690,000 go to the city and $735,000 to the County and Pelee Island. More “automation and improved processes” are being implemented this year, presumably to generate even more revenue. Overwhelmingly it is Windsor Police which lay most of the charges but other agencies such as OPP and town police, and bylaw officers, do as well. Interestingly, of all the local town police services, Essex OPP issued the most tickets at 7318 followed by LaSalle at 1256. This compared to under 300 for all other towns. Comparisons between Windsor and other provincial regions showed the city had a 4.83% increase in volume in 2024. Barrie had a 149% increase, London 6.7% and Thunder Bay saw a decline of 15%.

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