Q & A - Mayoral candidate Michael Prue
(1) How would you advocate for affordable taxes while maintaining an adequate level of service for residents?
While going door to door in this campaign the number one issue is affordability. We must recognize that tariffs and counter tariffs, businesses relocating to other jurisdictions and rising inflationary pressures affect us all.
In 2026, in line with new provincial policy, I was required to prepare and present a “mayor’s budget” to Council. It was very successful coming in at a 2.86% increase- well below inflation. Council approved it largely without change. I am committed to following this formula again.
In the longer term, should we go with OPP as our police force, there will be huge yearly savings in the $2.5 million to $3 million range.
This will allow Council to minimize tax increase and possibly have none at all. As Mayor, I will strongly support the savings and channel the monies into tax reduction, better rural and concession reads, augmenting our reserves and enhancing our asset management plans for future growth and controlled expenditures.
Adequate services must be maintained and will proceed because the savings from a new police force will make it entirely do-able.
(2) What does “responsible growth” mean to you and how does growth in the commercial/industrial sectors factor into that?
Amherstburg is a growing, prosperous and safe community and I am committed to continue our progress.
There are two types of growth that all towns and cities experience. One is population growth which directly relates to the building of new homes; the other is commercial which leads to more jobs and prosperity.
My first priority is to bring increased employment to Amherstburg. I have worked with staff, Invest Windsor Essex and potential entrepreneurs to bring life back to the former Diago plant. It has now been purchased, and potential businesses have been contacted and informed of the Community Improvement Program as a tax incentive to locate here.
At the same time, I helped secure funding for the Howard Industrial study through the efforts of Minister Fedeli and MPP Leardi. That study clearly shows the potential we have, particularly in transportation, automotive parts, food processing and industrial equipment. More actions will be required including energy and water supply and assisting land assembly.
Amherstburg is ready. We can look to the future with confidence. Housing will naturally follow. The industrial taxes will stabilize homeowners’ property taxes.
(3) How would you balance protecting heritage attributes of Amherstburg against the growth of the town?
Amherstburg has a proud history to showcase.
This includes our many heritage homes, buildings and historical places. Although repeated Councils over the last twenty plus years tried to preserve our heritage, none succeeded until now. As Mayor, I prioritized preserving our heritage particularly in the downtown core. As a result, over 160 buildings have now been saved from potential demolition.
The stories of our struggles in the war of 1812, the rebellion of 1837, the Underground Railroad, Boblo Island and hundreds of others will be told and retold. This will help our Town grow and prosper.
The passage of a Heritage District and the many homes protected outside that district will not hinder growth or opportunity to the owners of these properties.
Amherstburg has polices to help homeowners whose properties are in need of repair and our heritage planner helps all to understand the benefits which accrue to those who won such properties. The Heritage Committee, the Marsh Collection and countless others deserve our praise and thanks for their efforts.
(4) What police service is best for Amherstburg at this time and how would you advocate for it?
Last year, the Town of Amherstburg received a terse short letter from the City of Windsor stating that Council of Windsor was cancelling our contract for policing. No explanation was given. In the days that followed Windsor Mayor Dilkins informed the press that the decision was made because Windsor was not making money on the deal.
I was charged as mayor to investigate our options.
-Negotiate with Windsor
-Negotiate with LaSalle
-Look at the cost of our own force
-Advocate for county-wide option
-Contract with the OPP
The Windsor, LaSalle and County options were not viable. The cost of restarting our own force would have been millions of dollars and could not be completed by our deadline of January 1st, 2028.
This left the OPP as the only viable option. I support it because we will get a trained disciplined force of officers ready to proceed in our own facility and at a fraction of the cost we are currently paying to Windsor. Preliminary estimates show that we can save between $2.5 and $3 million per year. These monies could reduce taxes and provide capital for roads and infrastructure.
(5) What is the best way to present Open Air Weekends (if at all)?
Open Air was a plan initially designed to help our struggling businesses during the dark days of the Covid pandemic. It has changes over the years to become a summer series of festivals highlighting the best of Amherstburg.
Going forward, Council has the option of making changes to the format, timing and calendar of events. We now have a park extension at the former Duffy’s site which can accommodate markets, food trucks, and displays. This will make it possible to reduce the footprint on our downtown streets and restore parking. It will also allow festivals to expand in scope.
Council should also explore our Sunday opening. Experience shows that Friday night and Saturday draw the heaviest crowds. Sundays and holidays might be adequately transferred to our park.
Amherstburg’s Open Air has been recognized by both Tourism Windsor-Essex and the Government of Ontario as a major public event drawing thousands of visitors to enjoy our town. It should be continued in a format which has been modified accordingly.
(6) What goals do you have to move the town forward over the next four years?
My goals are set out below:
-Establish the OPP as our new police force thereby saving taxpayers $2.5 to $3 million dollars per year.
-Use these savings to reduce or eliminate tax increases, fix our rural and concession roads and bolster our reserves.
-Continue to maintain our strong financial status by paying down our debts, building our reserves and adequately funding our asset management plan. We currently are in the strongest financial position in our history.
-Explore any and all commercial- industrial opportunities at Diageo and the Howard Industrial Complex by vigorously promoting our community improvement plan (CIP).
-Work with the County of Essex to ensure that data (AI) centres not be allowed unless they meet all environmental safeguards, and do not use excessive amounts of water or electricity.
-Maintain and enhance our environment, our green spaces, our waterways and our parks for all enjoy.
Q & A - Mayoral candidate Michael Prue
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