A challenger for the Windsor Ward 1 council seat has made it clear she wants the new acute care hospital to move forward.
Candidate Darcie Renaud laid out the health care and social service plank of her election platform Tuesday. She told WindsorNewsToday.ca that there is one issue that Ward 1 residents have told her about loud and clear, to build the new hospital where it is.
"They want the new hospital," said Renaud. "They want it where the chosen location is, and they want it to move forward as quickly as possible. They don't want any more debate about the location, to delay it. They just want it to move forward, and I agree with them."
Renaud's campaign theme concerns getting everybody involved to solve the issues the city and region face, regardless of where they stand politically or what level of government they are in.
"They're telling me that they don't really want to hear that it's the responsibility of another level of government," said Renaud. "They really want the municipality to do everything that they can."
In addition to the new hospital, Renaud's platform includes providing additional help for the city's homeless, plus streamlining the process of delivering mental health services when the COVID-19 pandemic has taken its toll on those who have experienced such challenges. Renaud said she has researched what other communities are doing to address those needs.
"There are a number of strategies that municipalities around the province and the country are implementing...like putting social workers into libraries. Just better coordinating services and making sure every door is the right door," said Renaud.
Renaud is running against the two-term incumbent in Ward 1, Fred Francis.
The municipal election is Monday, October 24.