Two of the candidates in Windsor-Tecumseh expressed different interpretations of how a new federal government will fund infrastructure projects locally.
In separate media conferences on Thursday at the St. Paul Pumping Station in Windsor, Liberal candidate for Windsor-Tecumseh Irek Kusmierczyk and Conservative candidate Leo Demarce each gave their own positions on how municipal projects, such as those reducing the risk of flooding, will benefit the Windsor area.
Kusmierczyk held his conference in the morning and contended that Conservative infrastructure cuts would be devastating to municipal infrastructure projects. He said as a municipal councillor he knows that money is needed for roads, sewers and flood mitigation projects.
"We need more funding, not less funding. If you look at, for example, the City of Windsor's asset management plan, you look at the fact that $350 million of infrastructure is rated as poor," said Kusmierczyk.
Demarce took exception in his media event, held in the afternoon. He said the Liberals need to do their homework and stop misinterpreting the Conservative platform.
"His [Kusmierczyk's] comments this morning not only demonstrate a lack of understanding of how to achieve balanced budgets, but he pledged to the constituents of Ward 7 that he was committed to a sustainable funding model. His comments demonstrated that this is false."
The Conservative platform includes spreading a committed $187 billion infrastructure fund over 15 years instead of 12, but Demarce pointed out that in order for those projects to be finalized, he needs a seat at the table to ensure Windsor-Tecumseh gets its share.
As a contrast, Kusmierczyk pointed to the funds committed to additional disaster mitigation strategies.
"An additional $1 billion over the next decade to the disaster, mitigation and adaptation fund so that communities have a proactive, permanent and sustainable way to address the threats of climate change," said Kusmierczyk.
Demarce said all infrastructure projects that have been scheduled will proceed should the Conservatives win on Monday.
"A Conservative government is committed to respecting our funding obligations," said Demarce. "I am committed to bringing even more infrastructure dollars to Windsor-Tecumseh."
The other candidates in Windsor-Tecumseh are NDP incumbent Cheryl Hardcastle, Giovanni Abati of the Green Party, Dan Burr of the PPC, and Laura Chesnik of the Marxist-Leninist Party.
Windsor-Tecumseh Conservative candidate Leo Demarce discusses planned infrastructure spending at the St. Paul Pumping Station in Windsor, October 17, 2019. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.
-With files from Mark Brown