“Coffee with Anthony” gives residents chance to chat with MPP

Essex MPP Anthony Leardi chatted with residents last Monday afternoon as part of his latest “Coffee with Anthony” series. He was at Downtown Espresso Café in Amherstburg and plans to go to coffee shops around the riding.

Residents got a chance to have a dialogue with their provincial representative in Queen’s Park earlier this week, with additional opportunities to come.

Essex MPP Anthony Leardi has started the latest in his “Coffee with Anthony” series in Amherstburg this past Monday afternoon at Downtown Espresso Café. 

It is the first of what will be several similar events around the riding over the coming weeks.

Leardi said the initial gathering on Monday saw someone from LaSalle come in happy with the $22 million the town received through the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund for waterworks and related projects.

“It’s going to solve flooding and build houses,” he said. 

The Town of Amherstburg received $9.3 million from the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund and another $3.7 million through the Health and Safety Water Stream (HSWS) to fund a sanitary sewer project on Richmond St. Leardi said Amherstburg residents are aware and knowledgeable about infrastructure. 

“Amherstburg residents are highly informed about infrastructure,” he said. “Amherstburg residents are more informed about infrastructure than any other taxpayer I talk to. It’s impressive. I think Amherstburg residents pay a lot of attention to local issues and I think one of the issues for that is we have a dedicated local newspaper.”

Another issue local residents talk about is the federal government’s assault-style firearms compensation program. He noted the town has a lot of sportspeople here and they are angry with “the federal Liberal gun confiscation plan.”

“I want the community to know that the provincial Ford government is not putting one nickle  towards the firearms confiscation scheme. We are not putting any staff towards it. We are not putting any resources towards it.”

Leardi added: “We know it won’t stop crime.”

A federal government press release from Jan. 17 stated “This voluntary program will remove dangerous, assault-style firearms from our communities while offering law-abiding gun owners the opportunity for fair compensation. On January 19, all valid Possession and Acquisition License (PAL) holders will be notified of the launch of the program and how to participate. Eligible firearms owners will have until March 31, 2026, to submit a declaration in the online portal or by mail. Owners are encouraged to submit a declaration as early as possible to ensure they receive compensation.”

Regarding the issue of the Diageo closure, the Progressive Conservative MPP told the River Town Times talks are underway with the Ford’s office.

“I know discussions are underway between Diageo and the Premier’s Office,” he said. “We’ll just have to be patient to see if they result in anything.”There have been talks of interested parties looking to buy the site and set up operations there, but Leardi added he was “not in a position to talk about any of the (potential) buyers.”

Premier Doug Ford has said he will have Diageo products removed from LCBO shelves when the Amherstburg plant closes.

“The Premier is not bluffing,” said Leardi.

Grant funding for Essex County municipalities was something Leardi stressed during his stop Monday, stating records were set in 2025.

“I’m very happy about the massive multi-millions in infrastructure dollars the Ford government has poured into Essex County,” he said. “We got the biggest provincial grant the Town of LaSalle has ever received at $22 million. We got the biggest provincial grant the Municipality of Lakeshore has ever received at $33 million. I don’t know if I can break any more records but I’ll try.”

Turnout was slow at Monday afternoon’s “Coffee with Anthony” though Leardi noted the weather wasn’t ideal. There will be more around the riding but Leardi said he is open to public feedback.

“When the weather is better, people come out,” he said. “That doesn’t stop people from calling or e-mailing. You can always call or e-mail.”

“Coffee with Anthony” gives residents chance to chat with MPP

By Ron Giofu