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COMMENT

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Don't fall for the Carney-val Barker

WindsorOntarioNews.com March 26 2025

The federal election campaign is off. And it couldn't have come soon enough. Former PM Justin Trudeau's proroguing of Parliament did a major disservice to the country, with no leadership at one of the country's most critical times, threatened by massive US tariffs. Mark Carney's (photo) anointment as new PM is also one for the books - a globalist (three passports) who has spent many years outside Canada - he recently suggested Canada was the "most European" of non-European countries - and bizarrely unelected (though it has happened rarely before). The Liberals found a convenient excuse to oust its Nepean seat incumbent Chandra Arya so Carney could run in a safest-of-safe ridings. Even before the election Carney positioned himself to the right of Trudeau, even mimicking the Conservatives and stealing policies like axing the consumer carbon tax and lancing the increased capital gains inclusion rate, even recommending fast-tracking energy projects (though speaking out of both sides of his mouth, in Quebec & English Canada, on pipelines commitment). It just shows how far the Liberals were out of touch with voters, which polling showed the Conservatives 20-30 per cent ahead of the Grits, and now the parties neck and neck. Carney has also retreated on immigration (to sustainable levels) and is offering - heaven forbid! - a tax cut. But voters shouldn't fall for these blandishments, which may or may not get implemented. (Don't hold your breath because these are the Liberals, folks.) What they should examine is the failed policies of the past 10 years - half of which Carney informally advised Trudeau - the lack of GDP output (Canada second worst of OECD nations at 1.7%) and energy (pipelines) diversification, that would have provided more trade outlets while facing tariff threats. Moreover the growth in the bureaucratic state has been astounding - 43 per cent - and doubling the debt to $1.2 trillion. Carny's name reminds of a Carney-val Barker. Hopefully voters aren't ringed-in.

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Let this newfound patriotism connect with traditional Canadian values

WindsorOntarioNews.com March 12 2024

While Canadians' new found patriotism is to be applauded ironically it took an American to bring it out. Donald Trump's threat of 25% tariffs have generated the kind of flag-waving rarely scene in this country, at least in the post World War II era. Which raises a lot of questions. Until recently, patriotism was seen as almost embarrassing. And in the postmodern world of now-resigned Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, something to be shunned or feel guilty over. After all, what to him did Canada really have to offer? It was a "post-national" state with no "core" identity, as he offered a "level of admiration" for China's "basic dictatorship." Until the threat of tariffs kicked in, that is. And then it could be used as kind of an offensive weapon and for political purposes for politicians to wrap themselves in. Trudeau scorned the flag, flying it at half staff for six months during 2021 as a sign of guilt over Indigenous residential school graves, the evidence of which has still not been shown. Then members of the Freedom Convoy, who occupied Ottawa and Windsor in 2022, and their supporters, were considered beyond the pale for waving the Canadian flag, as the flag, in Liberals' and their ilk's view, took on the trappings of reaction even fascism. The flag had become such a negative symbol that newspapers gave trigger warnings over its use on Canada Day (hello Halifax Chronicle Herald). Some politicians now shun Canada Day celebrations because, after all, a country settled by "colonialists" has nothing to celebrate over how it has treated its native population, its racist politicians like first Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald, and values celebrating God, the imperialist Commonwealth, world war militarism, and the economic system - capitalism - that built the country. The federal government even overhauled the Canadian passport to erase traditional images. In his final days in office, Trudeau stooped again and in an interview on US television, defined a Canadian as a negative - "we're not Americans." Enough. Let's hope this newfound patriotism will renew our historic endearing values.

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Ford - best of a bad lot

WindsorOntarioNews.com Feb 26 2025

Premier Doug Ford is the best of the three main party candidates to lead the province again. And that is said reluctantly. Ford has generally been a disappointment as premier. He had done absolutely nothing to control government spending even increasing it to 18.2% of GDP compared to the Liberals' 17.3 or $10 billion. The net debt now stands at $430 billion almost $100 billion more since he took office in 2018. Ford seems to be a "conservative" in name only. He has done absolutely nothing to combat the rampant wokeism that has seeped into virtually all facets of civil society, from land acknowledgements at every municipal meeting and beyond, to DEI throughout government and government funded institutions such as the education system. Speaking of which, Ford has done nothing to rein in the soft tyranny of school boards, including locally, which have treated public dissent with contempt and even closed meetings to the public over issues like gender identity. Symbolically, he had done nothing to unlock the statue of Sir John A. Macdonald, still boarded up on Queen's Park, a shameful cave-in to illiberal forces. His recent imprimatur as Captain Canada to combat US President Donald Trump's 25% tariffs on Canadian exports (reaffirmed today to kick in April 2 later corrected to the initial March 4) - and the prime reason he called the quick election - has been all bombast and no results, as per the reaffirmed April 2 date! Still, compared to the other parties, he's the best of the lot. The Liberals, who initiated modern era big government spending and the woke policies that now infuse the province, no doubt would make things worse. And the NDP would be Liberals on steroids. So Ford, unhappily, it is.

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Nix to tariffs but Canada has much to answer for

WindsorOntarioNews.com Feb 12 2025

Canadians may wail about the Trump tariffs – and Windsor-Essex is ground zero – but there are many other aspects of his nascent presidency we could copy. For this is an administration that has taken on wokeism point blank, eschewing DEI in government departments, calling out trans(men) in women’s sport as unfair competition, putting its full weight behind carbon development and sealing its southern border as opposed to allowing millions upon millions to illegally cross as happened during the Biden years, a matter alone for which Biden should have been impeached. It’s also cracked down on criminal gangs and gone to war against the fentanyl trade. What's not to like? Yes, Canada shouldn’t be so penalized with a 25% tariff as opposed to Mexico with its abysmal record on the border and policing drug cartels. But Canada has been guilty of not sufficiently policing its border. More than 12,200 people were apprehended crossing illegally in 2023 — 241 percent jump from 2022 - and US Customs and Border Protection shows a majority on the terrorist watchlist came from Canada. And we’ve been more that recalcitrant in not adhering to NATO military commitments. And engaging in unfair trade by not allowing more US competition into Canada (banks, airlines, dairy). No wonder Trump says we’re freeloaders. It's to laugh that the likes of Justin Trudeau are now wrapping themselves in the flag when the woke PM derided our nation as being “post national” and having no “core” identity – speak for himself. Hopefully the general tariffs won’t come to pass though steel and aluminum are now pinching. Trump is great at rattling people to get action which seems to have worked with the provinces announcing stepped up border security despite Premier Doug Ford talking tough on retaliation. Yet Ford, like most Canadian politicians, says and does little about other issues like unsustainable immigration and wokery.

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Chamber award to Reidel questioned

WindsorOntarioNews.com Jan 29 2025

The Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce should have been more circumspect before awarding Helga Reidel the female-oriented 2025 ATHENA® Leadership Award. “Helga’s distinguished career spans both public and private sectors, where she has exemplified strategic vision, operational excellence, and community leadership,” the chamber says. “Helga’s distinguished career spans both public and private sectors, where she has exemplified strategic vision, operational excellence, and community leadership.” Reidel indeed is a seasoned corporate executive having served as Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Windsor and former President and CEO of ENWIN Utilities. What the chamber doesn’t say is that Reidel was also the board chair of controversial health care IT firm TransForm Shared Service Organization, which oversaw data files of several regional hospitals including those in Windsor and Leamington, during an extensive cyberattack in October 2023. The attack shut down hospital systems, delaying procedures with the hackers posting patient information on the dark web after the hospitals refused to pay ransom. This included more than five million patient visits at Sarnia’s Bluewater Health and SINs of more than 1400 employees at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance. Reidel along with other Transform officials have never commented on the incident leading to charges of stone walling. Reidel also chaired the University of Windsor board of governors during two controversies last summer. These were the UW’s decision to close the legacy University Players public theatre and signing of a controversial agreement with a pro-Palestinian encampment. The university, led by Reidel - whose term ended last fall - and president Robert Gordon - who is taking early retirement - remained tightlipped over both decisions. The ATHENA award will be presented May 15 at the chamber’s Business Excellence Awards.

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Mayor's bus arguments make sense

WindsorOntarioNews.com Jan 16 2025

Leave it to happenstance that just after WON posted its editorial yesterday criticizing a plan to kill the Windsor-Detroit tunnel bus - and possibly other transit services - than Windsor's mayor posts reasons for the cut. And they make sense. But with some caveats. Mayor Drew Dilkens explained that for each $10 fare city taxpayers subsidize the route a whopping $35. The union never pointed that out. And why? Because in its (not so) infinite wisdom the federal government some time ago changed employment regulations regarding “federally regulated” employees including those who work for agencies that have international services. It allows employees to claim up to 10 sick days a year and not just for those operating the tunnel bus but for the entire 300-strong network. Result: more than eight days a year are claimed. That’s a hammering of taxpayer dollars: $1.5 M worth. Until that time the system was “breaking even.” Well, thanks once again, Liberal Trudeau government! This subsidy compares to the $3.33 per passenger within Windsor. As for further cuts Dilkens said the plan is to add services by eliminating special school runs, putting nine buses into the regular system “to serve the entire community.” Yes, the tunnel bus is unique, as are many things about living in a border area, something the feds (witness the shortfall of compensation for policing during the trucker convoy Ambassador Bridge blockade and further back the killing off of the onetime “Big 8” CKLW radio station format) don’t get. Can this iconic service still be viable? Dilkens hinted at the “private sector” helping subsidize especially for “special events” like Detroit sports. Zehrs has subsidized transit fireworks night service. He’s not hopeful the county will chip in having just cut 15% from economic development even though county residents pile on for Red Wings, Tigers and Lions games. But what about Detroit? It pays nothing. And yes, the Motor City benefits from Windsorites' spending, especially big money Detroit sports teams. And just saying, transit employees might, just might, be taking advantage of those sick days.

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Two hairbrained ideas: one in Essex County, the other in the City of Windsor

WindsorOntarioNews.com Jan 15 2024

Two recent proposals that have come out of the blue are enough to tell proponents to give their heads a shake. One is to turn Colchester into a massive residential and vacation development. The Town of Essex’s “secondary plan” would see as many as six major developments including almost 500 condos and 400 homes near neighboring Lake Erie beaches. Residents seem unanimously opposed to the plan, which would take place over the next quarter century. A local opposition group Colchester Matters has sprung up and denounced the “vision” that would create “excessive tourism, extreme residential intensification, and unwarranted commercial expansion.” They say the plan would convert the quiet but engaging area with its limited beaches and wineries into a “tourist mecca” like honkytonk Grand Bend. Besides disrupting the way of life there are few infrastructure supports with just the narrow two lane County Rd. 50 and minimal services in the rural bucolic hamlet. Who came up with this plan and what were they thinking? Second is the City of Windsor’s proposal to cut Transit Windsor funding and possibly eliminate the tunnel bus between Windsor and Detroit, the only such international city-to-city route in North America and an iconic symbol of the two cities’ connectiveness. It could be part of a $1.4 million cut to transit services. This ironically when post-pandemic Windsor has been one of the few Canadian cities to see substantial growth in transit use. Transit Windsor ridership went up seven per cent = 463,368 more rider trips — in the first nine months of 2024. A 2022 report found ridership "rebounded to approximately 95 per cent of the pre-pandemic average (and) while other transit agencies in Ontario continue to struggle with ridership Windsor seems well-positioned to continue into 2023 with a strong recovery."

Photos: Shutterstock & the City of Windsor

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This government should be thrown out

WindsorOntarioNews.com Dec 18 2024

Enough already. It is time for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to resign and take the government with him. With his popularity at an all time low and the latest two – and key – ministers quitting just days ago, Trudeau is long past his best before date. In fact, his party has been trailing in the polls significantly since summer 2023 and a CBC poll Dec. 16 showed the party would gain only 50 seats to the Conservatives 218 should an election be held. The government must call an election by law by next October anyway. But government mishaps have been piling one on top of another and the country is suffering – badly. Count the ways. This week’s fall economic update was an insult with a $62 billion deficit after projecting $40 billion which was bad enough. On top of a steady stream of deficits when the government originally promised to balance the budget by 2019 ($20B deficit actually) when it came to office almost 10 years ago. Immigration is wrecking the country. In 2022 Canada’s population surged by 1.05 million alone. That’s not a problem itself but when the medical system, housing and general infrastructure (hello GTA) can’t support it, it’s major for people trying to find accommodation and paying outrageous home prices. More indication of the party’s deep unpopularity was the three byelection losses this year – Toronto, Montreal and this week BC. And of course, there has been the general offensive tenor of this government - scandals from Aga Khan to Blackface to SNC-Lavalin to the fascist-like suppression of dissent (freezing bank accounts) of Covid 19 trucker convoy protesters. While Trudeau’s arrogance and narcissism won’t let him quit his partner in crime is New Democrat leader Jagmeet Singh who refuses to pull support for this minority government, with widespread speculation he’s holding firm until his personal (as well as numerous MPs) pensions vest next year. For a party that claims virtue at every turn, this selfishness alone is an outright scandal.

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Shameful arrest of peaceful journalist

WindsorOntarioNews.com Dec 2 2024

The arrest of Rebel News director Ezra Levant should bring shame to the Toronto police department – and other police services that use the same modelling – and news media, writers and human rights organizations. Two weekends ago the head of the video news site dared to walk into a crowd of pro-Palestinian/Hamas/anti-Israel demonstrations in north Toronto and was promptly arrested by police for “breaching the peace.” Levant, who is Jewish, slammed cops for targeting him because of his religion. Released after only two hours the fact he was even detained is a stain on the police service. And where were other journalistic institutions and human rights groups in support? Nowhere. WON’s survey of several Toronto and national publications found no editorials denouncing Toronto police for authoritarian-style human rights violations, though a few columnists spoke out on conservative sites. The Toronto Star or The Globe and Mail had nothing. Some newspapers (ditto) didn’t even cover it. The arrest came as a few other journalists, like Toronto Sun’s Joe Warmington, Rebel’s David Menzies and journalist Caryma Sa’d have also been pushed around by the police. No was there official support by groups like the Canadian Association of Journalists, Canadian Journalists for Free Expression or PEN Canada whose motto is “free expression matters.” Meanwhile, it appears anti-Israel protesters can protest or “incite” with impunity, walking into a nearby Jewish neighborhood with vile signs and chants. In fact, earlier this year cops even brought them coffee. “Why are they allowed into a Jewish neighbourhood to harass those at a peaceful gathering?” city councillor James Pasternak asked. “If a Jewish man (Levant) wants to take a picture of pro-Palestinian protesters, it's a breach of the peace,” American podcaster Tim Pool said. Levant was not dissuaded and went back to the same street corner this weekend, where cooler heads – even of police – prevailed, and he was able to “take back” a street that rightly belongs to him, and to all peaceful Canadians.

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Do they know it's Christmas?

WindsorOntarioNews.com Nov 21 2024

"Do They Know It's Christmas?," the song to raise money for Ethiopian famine relief and performed by Band Aid, was originally recorded in 1984 with subsequent versions including one this year. The fact the word “Christmas” is even in the title might be a bit surprising, even if it’s the original reason for festivities this time of year, given how secularized the feast has become. After all, don’t tell anyone, but the event is rooted in the birth of Christ. Yet in our postmodern Canadian – and Western – world, this defining aspect has all but been extinguished, supposedly because of ever-so-politically-correct-not-wanting-to-offend-anyone-else’s-values, religious or not. For example, in Windsor-Essex, we see myriad joyous celebrations but where is the word “Christmas”? Windsor’s otherwise praiseworthy Bright Lights in Jackson Park makes no mention of the word Christmas. Indeed, a look at the event’s map comes close to saying Christmas but, sorry, no magic cigar! There are descriptions like Winter Wonderland, Candy Cane Lane, Merry and Bright, Wish Upon a Star and Enchanted Children’s Village. But notice these are all secular descriptions of Christmas. There’s even a – whisper it – what looks like a Christmas tree though it might, absurdly, be called "Holiday." There is the W.E. Made it: Holiday Market. There’s the “holiday-themed” Transit Windsor bus which otherwise is decked out in, uh, (secular) Christmassy images. It’s similar in other communities. Amherstburg’s laudible River Lights Winter Festival, from what we can tell, makes no mention of the word. The closest it comes is the Super Santa Run. Then there’s the annual Windsor visit of the CP (now CPKC) “Holiday” Train. The closest any of these descriptions come to acknowledging the real reason for the celebration is the word “Holiday” or embracing the non-religious version of the feast – "Santa Claus" or secular seasonal carols not religious ones. But do they really know it’s Christmas?

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Cycling lanes well and good, but

WindsorOntarioNews.com Nov 7 2024

It’s all well and good to have dedicated cycling lanes on city streets. But at what cost versus their utilization? This is not so much a problem in Windsor as Toronto where Premier Doug Ford just announced bike lanes on three major thoroughfares be ripped out because they increase congestion. Meanwhile new legislation would require any city that wants to install a bike lane to get provincial approval if it removes a car lane. Municipalities will also have to provide data to justify lanes installed in the past five years. That hasn’t gone well with the organized cycling community. Bike Windsor Essex says Ford’s decision is “perpetuating a myth and a lie” and “the ONLY thing that will fix congestion is fewer cars on the road.” It makes several arguments: cycling is “more efficient at moving people quickly than lanes moving cars,” “cheap to install and maintain, especially when you consider the billions spent on car lanes,” “increase traffic and sales to local businesses” and “deliver what car ads promise: freedom and mobility.” Those arguments can be countered. Obviously motorized traffic moves faster when not backed-up and commercial streets are more vibrant with car traffic. Yes, bike lanes are much cheaper ($50,000 - $200,000/km in Windsor) but how much are they utilized? Locally in 2021, 7.4 per cent of all trips were made using the bus, walking, or cycling. Anecdotal evidence suggests ironically few cyclists use lanes, cyclists ride on adjoining pedestrian sidewalks and in fact on opposite sides of the street against traffic - in other words, a free-for-all. Cycling might be healthier but not terribly practical in all types of weather or even going to work unless the workplace has showers. And “freedom and mobility?” Sure, but so do cars and arguably more so. Cycling may be pleasant and a tonic but it can be tiring and time-consuming, even boring. One aspect advocates fail to address: flagrant rule violations even by the sophisticated “latex set.”

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Will a new generation, councillor & arts initiatives finally revitalize downtown?

WindsorOntarioNews.com October 9 2024

There are signs of new energy downtown. From new and re-opened bars and restaurants – including The Manchester, Panache Ultra Lounge & Restaurant, Auto City Hamburgers & Poutine, Saila Vibes, Thyme Kitchen, Cucina 360 and Smoke’s Poutinerie – to a renewed vigor shown by local councillor Renaldo Agostino, there’s a real possibility downtown Windsor could now turn the tide after decades of being in the doldrums. Agostino, as an impresario and businessman, knows the downtown like the back of his hand, and seems to be everywhere promoting even the smallest event as a downtown booster extraordinaire. City Council’s $3.2 million Strengthen the Core initiative obviously backs downtown including more round the clock policing and homeless aid. But pouring tax money into the downtown won’t do it alone. What will do it is more private individuals investing in vacant storefronts and creating retail, eating and drinking establishments, and hospitality like the Chatham group’s conversion of the Paul Martin building into a boutique hotel, modelled after Chatham’s’ successful Retro Suites. Initiatives like the very popular farmers and night markets and art-inspired installations like WIFF Alley and Art Alley at the Pelissier St. parking garage are reviving vacant areas into captivating walkways and performing art spaces. This really isn’t brain science. Downtown’s footprint is ideal as a walkable people place – or “walkable urban environment” as the DWBIA calls it - with a narrow street grid and a fantastic natural riverfront setting with an astounding skyline view other cities would kill for. Finally, there’s the model of Amherstburg. For decades this historic town also had a bleak and vacant core, now filling with whimsical boutiques, eateries and the first of two boutique hotels. Perhaps it’s a generational thing and younger entrepreneurs see the potential older ones didn’t. Let’s hope it’s the same for Windsor.

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U Windsor president's resignation leaves a dark cloud over campus

WindsorOntarioNews.com Sept. 24 2024

The announcement of University of Windsor president Robert Gordon’s – early – retirement -is all a piece. This president, whom the public hardly knew because of his low profile – almost a ghost president – is being handled quietly. No press conference. In fact, Gordon is out of the country. The announcement was made in the university’s official daily news platform, hardly an objective news site where reporters can ask the details of the resignation (just after his term renewed for six year!) and reflect on his tenure, good or bad. It also comes immediately after he took leave of absence for “health” reasons. This follows a tumultuous summer when the university should be on down time. But wasn’t due to two storming controversies. One was the cancellation of the dramatic arts school’s venerable public theatre, after more than half a century. That created alarm bells throughout the country, including among many of Canada’s acting elite who graduated or worked with graduates from the esteemed program. The other was the university’s shameful agreement with a ragtag group of pro-Palestinian/anti-Israel johnnies-come-lately protesters who set up an “encampment” on the campus, and the U caving in to their demands, an anomaly among Canadian campuses and condemned across the country. The U is now reaping the harvest with numerous donor cancellations amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars, not to mention a huge chunk of Canadian and local donor goodwill and support. Gordon oversaw all this and was virtually silent throughout. What was wrong with him? He may have accomplished certain things (although eulogies always exaggerate) though some are par for the course for today’s woke university administrators – i.e., “carbon neutrality,” “equity, diversity and inclusion.” And some of the building and community initiatives (the new – and partly woke – law school with its masonry Land Acknowledgment) and downtown campuses were or likely already underway. So, say goodbye to a rather ineffective president hardly anyone knew who leaves a dark could on his way out.

Photo: University of Windsor

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No excuse for Negev Dinner protest

WindsorOntarioNews.com Sept. 12 2024

There was no excuse for the cruel and uncalled for harassment of attendees at last month’s time honoured Neved Dinner at the Caboto Club. Windsor’s Jewish community has celebrated the dinner for decades and it has nothing to do with the current War in Gaza, which protesters accused it of. What the protest amounted to was an attack on Windsor’s Jewish community simply because they are Jews. This is called antisemitism or racism. Former Prime Minister Stephen Harper, a strong supporter of Israel, was guest speaker. The dinner raised funds for a community in Israel devastated by last October’s ceasefire-breaking Hamas attack on Israel. Protesters were more than obnoxious – with insults, blocking traffic and pressing up against cars. The protest organizer was the usual suspect, Jana Alrifai, who led this summer’s “encampment” at the University of Windsor. “I think a lot of Zionists are walking into their fancy party and they're pretty annoyed that we're over here. We will call you, we will name you and we will shame you,” she reportedly said. Joe Schnayer of the local Jewish National Fund rightly called the protesters out for spreading “false information.” He was “disgusted” by the event, which called for more police protection, saying it had “nothing to do with the war going on in Israel right now, (the) event is simply raising money for Kibbutz Kissufim.” The problem with this and scores of other protests across Canada since Oct. 7 is that ignorant and belligerent protesters are attacking innocent Jews, conflating them with the Israel government. In other communities Jewish organizations have been shot at, firebombed and otherwise vandalized. Moreover, in Windsor, this marks a sad turn in the longstanding peaceful coexistence between Windsor’s Jewish and Muslim communities.

Photo: Windsor Star

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Good first move, but school boards are in need of more comprehensive reform

WindsorOntarioNews.com August 9 2024

It’s good to see the Ontario government is finally acting to rein in school boards, at least partially, though it hasn’t been quick enough and new policies should be retroactive, especially in relation to a gross local incident. The ministry is taking investigation and sanctioning powers out of the hands of local school trustees, a glaring conflict of interest if there ever was one. Now a provincial integrity commissioner will investigate matters like violations of boards’ “codes of conduct,” a sledgehammer wielded to quell dissent. Such codes have been used by the Greater Essex County District School Board, for one, to unfairly sanction trustee Linda Qin (photo). Qin was outrageously banned from school board committee meetings and even the full bard itself, for questioning board policy on transgender issues, school library books, and incomprehensively, speaking to the media. Has the board never learned the democratic principle of free speech? Qin has had long time disagreements with other board trustees and that’s all to the good because as many diverse opinions should be expressed at public bodies as possible. The board, ironically, should take lessons on the importance of civic democracy and that trustees are elected by the people to represent their views. This is beyond ironic. Unfortunately, the changes won’t help trustee Qin because they won’t take effect until January. The government’s removal of local powers is a good first step in totally reforming school boards, which have operated under the radar for too long due to public apathy and therefore have been able to get away with such nonsense. But the province must move on other issues, such as taking away boards’ right to implement gender-affirming policies where parents are not informed of students’ desire to change sexual identities. The Ford administration has been woefully abysmal on this matter.

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U Windsor has lost major credibility

WindsorOntarioNews.com July 24 2024

It’s the middle of the summer doldrums yet the area’s most prestigious educational institution, the University of Windsor, has been mired in two controversies and consequently has two major problems on its hands. The first was its decision to cancel the 66-year-old University Players, a showplace for its highly regarded dramatic arts program. The university says it needed to save money and the performing arts group, which also produced high caliber theater for the community, appeared to be low hanging fruit. As usual, no one within the ivy walls would comment beyond the briefest of statements. Yet the blowback has been ferocious, not just from theatre arts students but the wider community and performing arts world, where many alumni have found lucrative acting roles. The second is the U’s decision to appease a truly ragtag group of pro-Palestinian or Hamas demonstrators which set up on campus almost as an afterthought after students at most other universities had established “encampments.” What is it about Windsor’s university that makes administrators such soft targets for a self-styled illegitimate group’s demands? But unlike its counterparts at much larger and more prestigious institutions like McGill, Toronto and Waterloo, the administration caved to anti-Israel demands and the protest ended. In the aftermath Jewish groups from across the country have angrily registered their dissent and the U has been embarrassed in the national media. Some alumni are threatening to no longer donate to what used to be called “Last Chance U.” With both these decisions the university has tarnished its reputation and lost credibility. Yet no one from within its academic walls has spoken out – neither faculty or members of the board of governors. President Robert Gordon, who has kept a low profile throughout his tenure (does he really exist?) has made sure to duck on both counts. The cowardice is shameful.

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Strike a yawn in summer doldrums

WindsorOntarioNews.com July 11 2024

The LCBO strike – surprisingly, the first – is one of those “so what” moments. The union timed it well, smack at the beginning of summer vacation season (at least they spared us the Canada Day weekend, that would have gone too far), just to annoy the public as they head to the cottage or prepare weekend barbecues. And the union had the ironic gall to say its members are on strike “to save summer.” But at least pickets are enjoying the hot weather, better than in December before Christmas - LCBO’s busiest time - being out in the bitter cold. Hell, maybe they’re even barbecuing! But, guys, it really doesn’t matter. Thanks to successive governments, starting under the Liberals' Kathleen Wynne, alcohol sales in traditionally staid Ontario were expanded into grocery stores. So, many fewer people are being inconvenienced. True, LCBO workers aren’t overpaid, contrary to what many think. According to Indeed, a "customer service representative" is paid $18.37/hr, "sales associate" $17.39 and a "warehouse worker" $17.04. Management makes much more and the LCBO is reportedly top heavy. But union leader JP Hornick has made some inane class warfare remarks by saying the Ford government wants more profits to “go into the pockets of (big box grocery stores) corporate CEOs.” And that expanded sales – guffaw – “puts every Ontarian at risk.” At the supposed heart of the strike is the government’s move to continue the expansion of alcohol sales, including lucrative ready-to-drink cocktails and hard spritzers, into grocery and corner stores. But Premier Ford is adamant – “that ship has sailed.” Yes, the union is concerned about wages, benefits and job security. But its rhetoric of social welfare is misleading. It touts the LCBO profits generated - $2.5 billion annually – for government services like “health care and education.” Not so fast. Statistics Canada says the LCBO generates the second lowest per capita return to government of any province. Fully privatized (which the union dreads) Alberta, for example, generates $178 per person compared to $159 in Ontario, or an extra $300 million.

Photo: LCBO

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Axing University Players a collective blow to students, the community

WindsorOntarioNews.com June 27 2024

The decision to eliminate the performing arts theatre program University Players at the University of Windsor wasn’t just boneheaded but cowardly. University officials said the decision, which will save up to $1 million (that was the program’s yearly loss) was made at the “administrative” level and did not come before the Board of Governors. Those behind the decision must have known the outcry it would provoke, and it has. And they probably realized the Board wouldn’t have approved it or certainly made it difficult for the measure to pass. Yes, money had to be found in a tight university budget and this wasn’t the only program cancelled or rejigged. But the Players (aside from its recent politically correct “trigger warnings” before plays) was a standout and put the university on the Canadian, even international stage. Legions of alumni since the late 1950s have gone on to professional acting careers. Among these are Antoni Cimolino, artistic director of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, celebrated actor Stephen Ouimette, Jeanne Holmes, artistic director of the Canada Dance Festival, Paul Constable – the “Canada Tire Guy” of ad fame, Tom McCamus of the Shaw Festival, and Amanda Tapping, star of the TV shows Stargate SG-1 and Sanctuary. “We have been extremely fortunate to benefit from its many well-trained and talented graduates,” Antoni Cimolino said. The program “has been unrivalled in the particular blend of training and education it has provided its students, many of whom have gone on to illustrious careers,” former Stratford director Richard Monette noted. Yes, says the university, dramatic arts will continue and students will still have “meaningful avenues for experiential learning” through, among other things, “strengthening relationships with the broader theatre community.” But, with the decision, not only does the university suffer a blow to its reputation and one of its most signature programs, but the community loses near-professional live theatre that scheduled six productions a year in a purpose-built 300+ seat theatre. It’s a blow to the collective gut and a decision that cannot stand.

Photo: University of Windsor

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Urban park - more thinking required; Civic esplanade ice rink - too pricey

WindsorOntarioNews.com June 13 2024

It was a good idea until it, uh, maybe it isn’t. Canada’s proposed second national urban park in west end Windsor, with great fanfare, would combine some existing natural areas and incorporate more land down to the Detroit River, in an otherwise partly industrial area. And that’s the rub. There are numerous heavy industries in close proximity. How would these coexist with the park or would they be incorporated into park boundaries? Among these are the Windsor Salt mine and the Essex Terminal Railway, whose tracks would bisect the park and could in effect be part of park land. Those private entities would now be subject to federal regulations in a highly sensitive ecological zone under the National Parks Act, which could be a bureaucratic nightmare especially given the Trudeau government's obsession with the environment. Mayor Drew Dilkens has asked the government to adjust the park boundaries but it’s obvious this plan wasn’t well thought out. Meanwhile, in the city’s own bailiwick, Council this week approved a whopping $15 million for a new ice rink, a space which would also host year-round events. Yes, the city wants to move on its decades old dream to create a civic esplanade from city hall to the river. But this is going overboard, especially when it would have cost only $1 million to upgrade the problem plagued current rink at Charles Clark Square. Even some of the mayor’s staunchest allies like councillors Jo-anne Gignac and Fred Francis voted against. In fact, the mayor broke the tied vote. WON generally has supported the Dilkens administration, including or perhaps despite the controversial streetcar Legacy Beacon – who knows, maybe it will work just like Bright Lights Windsor which had its share of naysayers - and sound fiscal management. But this is too much and smacks of empire building.

Image: City of Windsor

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Province must rein-in boards - now

WindsorOntarioNews.com May 29 2024

Something has got to be done about our illiberal school boards. Two cases in point ring in on the same day. One, in Windsor, sees a microphone cut off, of two Christian activists raising concerns about questionable sexually explicit material in school libraries, which they called “child pornography.” It’s confusing. Board chair Gail Hatfield (photo) said they were speaking off topic and had to relegate remarks to the Ontario Education Act, whatever that meant. She even called security, a typical move. Is this splitting hairs and another attempt by the school board, following a similar clash with parents last year over flying the Pride flag (Pride Month is just days away) as well as not disclosing a students’ changed gender identity to parents, to be politically correct? Not to mention its overriding local citizen school naming decisions? It really seems like this board doesn’t brook any dissent or dissent it doesn’t like. That’s called authoritarianism if not fascism. One might joke: this isn’t a school playground, it’s real life, grow up! Meanwhile up in Burlington, a Jewish parent withdrew her daughter from the local high school because she said she couldn’t be protected from antisemitic remarks. The parent also complained the school allowed maps of Palestine without Israel. “I live in Burlington, Ontario, Canada, and my child is not in school because she's Jewish. That's insane,” said Anissa Hersh, noting that following last October’s terror attacks on Israel “things have gotten much, much worse.” This is the same board which protected a shop teacher wearing mammoth prosthetic breasts, despite concerns about workplace safety and dress code. Somewhat surprisingly, Education Minister Stephen Lecce, largely MIA on these issues, spoke up. He said he would call on the board to “take action on these unacceptable incidents and apply the same level of concern and enforcement to hate as they would for anyone else.” It’s time Lecce and the full Ontario (Conservative) government called these autocratic school boards to account, on antisemitism, gender identity and, well, just about any issue these oh-so-politically-correct school trustees don’t like.

Photo: GECDSB

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Pro-Gazan demonstrators' duplicity

WindsorOntarioNews.com May 13 2024

You knew it was just a matter of time but what took them so long? The University of Windsor now has its very own “liberation zone” of pro-Palestinians or pro-Hamas demonstrators and a small encampment, which pales by comparison to the larger crowds at other Canadian universities. But, hey, it’s Windsor. The ill-informed protesters say they want the university to boycott investment in Israel, but the university already channels its investments through an ethical portal. And why would investing in Israel not be ethical? It’s the only democracy in the Middle East with a culture dramatically similar to what’s found in Canada or the United States, with a very large ethnically and racially diverse society, contrary to the “apartheid” tripe of these and other protesters. And did you know Muslim Arabs make up one-fifth of the population and that road signs there are in three languages – Hebrew, Arabic and English? And that Arabs are represented in Parliament? And that Israeli hospitals for decades have treated patients from Gaza and the West Bank? And you probably didn't know Gaza has not been "occupied" since 2005. And if these protesters care about human rights and “genocide” then they should look squarely at what they’re supporting. Israel doesn’t want to eliminate Arabs or Gazans. But the Gazan Hamas Charter explicitly calls for the elimination of the Jewish state. Now that’s genocide! Moreover, if these copycat protesters are so concerned about human rights, where is their condemnation of the Oct. 7 pogrom, where some 1200 Israelis were massacred and 250 taken hostage? Silence. And where is your real defense of your own people - as Hamas terrorists embed themselves in civilian neighbourhoods and use fellow Gazans as human shields? So, have a little fun and camp out and try to be as profound as you think you are. But we can see through your duplicity.

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The latest downtown booster proposals are likely to draw mixed results

WindsorOntarioNews.com April 26 2025

The mayor’s new Strengthen the Core proposal to bolster downtown is good but has weaknesses. Yes, more policing is needed – and around the clock, when crimes actually take place, such as the rash of smashed storefront windows. The $3.2 million budget would see an additional dozen officers deployed to the core. But even with this number cops can’t be everywhere at the same time. No doubt vandalism will continue to occur. WON has argued in the past for physical changes which this plan doesn’t address, such as supporting store owners to install metal blinds over their windows, very common in Europe. That is definitely one way to prevent vandalism. Of the seven-point action plan, most of these proposals unfortunately are pie-in-the sky. The downtown already does uber marketing. Filling vacant storefronts? The city has attempted this with mixed success over 20 years. Lobbying senior governments to help the homeless? Good luck and what if street people don’t want to be helped? Attracting more people downtown through festivals and events is a good measure but this can’t be done on a 365-day basis. Encouraging residents to move downtown? This is happening already largely through the imagination of private developers converting office buildings with help from the city’s very successful CIP or tax increment write-off program. Terms like “place-making”, “stronger together” and “our downtown” have all the earmarks of a gee whiz marketing professional, so it figures that an outside agency, Toronto-based StrategyCorp, which likely knows next to nothing about Windsor, drew it up. Couldn’t the city have hired local consultants? The final aspect could be controversial, the $3.2 million to finance the plan, which would be applied as part of an additional tax hike on all ratepayers. You can almost hear the moaning now.

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Getting straight on anti-Israel protests

WindsorOntarioNews.com April 12 2024

Cannot we not all agree that certain forms of protest are simply wrong? Such as marching through university libraries shouting slogans and intimidating other students - Jews and non-Jews alike – who are studying, supposedly in a quiet place? That shouting “Death to America” in Dearborn this week is traitorous speech? That wearing masks is against the law and simply cowardly; if you feel so strongly about you opinions then bloody well unmask yourselves? That blocking key roads, such as Avenue Road near the 401 in Toronto purposely because it's near a Jewish community, is a public offence akin to the truckers’ protests? That firebombing, shooting, and demonstrating at Jewish institutions and businesses is beyond vile and subject to the full force of the law (as it has rarely been employed in this country since the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel), especially when the objects of those attacks are in no way responsible for the Middle East conflict but just shows your outright racism by targeting a certain people? That the police need to be totally educated on how they respond to demonstrations. Yes, plenty of cops this week surrounding anti-carbon tax protesters and those who demonstrated during Covid against vaccines and masking but wimpish stand downs at anti-Israel and pro-Palestinian/Hamas demonstrations in Canadian cities. And that as a demonstrator when you shout “from the river to the sea” you indeed are calling for genocide, a violation of the United Nations Charter and one of the most egregious criminal and anti-human sentiments? And that when you attack Israel but not your own side for the atrocities of Oct. 7 you are blatantly two-faced and undermine any credibility you claim to have?

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