Mayoral candidate Matt Marchand discusses his election plan for EnWin Utilities outside the EnWin offices in downtown Windsor on September 13, 2018. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.Mayoral candidate Matt Marchand discusses his election plan for EnWin Utilities outside the EnWin offices in downtown Windsor on September 13, 2018. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.
Windsor

Marchand to reform ENWIN if elected

The leading challenger for mayor of Windsor said he will use an auditor general to conduct an audit of the city's utility.

Matt Marchand released the latest plank of his election platform Thursday, this time focusing on ENWIN Utilities.

Speaking to media outside the ENWIN building downtown, Marchand outlined a plan to increase transparency with the utility as well as cut costs by eliminating the ENWIN Energy Board payments.

Marchand said customers have a right to know what is driving up their hydro rates, which are high when compared to other customers in the province.

"According to Ontario Energy Board's bill calculator, ENWIN has one of the highest electricity rates in comparable markets in southwestern Ontario," said Marchand. "Windsor residents need to understand why."

A big component of Marchand's campaign has been a push for an independent auditor general to help manage Windsor's costs and business dealings. He believes having an AG in place will ensure funds are spent properly and for value-of-money audits to be performed. A value-of-money audit is defined as a systematic and objective way to examine the finances of a public entity.

"The plan is to conduct a value-for-money audit by the auditor general for potential rate savings and transparency, and make the findings public," said Marchand. "The action is to implement the new procedures within the first 200 days."

Marchand is pledging to end ENWIN's energy board payments, which would save the city about $340,000 over a four-year term

If elected, Marchand would also call for ENWIN board members to be term-limited to eight total years, for ENWIN to report to City Council in an open setting every six months and for all ENWIN board agendas, packages and annual reports to be readily available online, rather than by request. He also wants to make sure board members are focused on their jobs.

"Set the tone from the top," said Marchand. "Reduce the number of ENWIN boards from three to two for cost savings and efficiency. Board members cannot serve on multiple boards and get multiple retainers."

Marchand is running against incumbent mayor Drew Dilkens, along with businessmen Tom Hensel and Ernie (The Baconman) Lamont, and retired farmer Frank Dyck.

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