Teamwork and supporting local business emphasized by warden
- Ron Giofu
- Apr 1
- 5 min read
Working collaboratively and supporting one another were just two of the themes highlighted at the 2025 Warden’s Luncheon last week.
Hosted by the Windsor-Essex Chamber of Commerce and Libro Credit Union, the luncheon was held to a packed house at the Ciociaro Club in Tecumseh. Warden Hilda MacDonald went over her priorities and those of the County of Essex during her address.
MacDonald pointed out the region always supports each other, whether it be through the COVID-19 pandemic, major flooding events, ice storms and the 2008 financial crisis. She said the same will happen amid trade tensions with the United States.
“One of the superpowers of this region is the strong support we show each other in times of trouble,” said MacDonald. “No matter what the political or economic climate, we can count on our friends. They may disagree with us and even do things that make us angry sometimes, but when the chips are down, they have our backs and we have theirs. They lift us up when we think the situation is hopeless and help us find a way forward. We are strong in our own right but stronger when we work together.”
MacDonald said “we don’t have much control over this trade chaos, so I want to focus on the friends who are stepping up and how we can support each other.” She stated federal and provincial partners are making Canada’s voice heard in both Washington and around the U.S. and developing strategies to support businesses that are being damaged by tariffs and uncertainty.
“Essex County Council has endorsed a resolution encouraging our federal and provincial partners to follow through on removing interprovincial trade barriers that hamper our ability to support Canadian businesses,” she said. “We understand that this will be tricky, but we also know it can be done. Now is an ideal time to forge ahead. No matter what happens with the tariff threats, establishing strong east-west economic connections from coast to coast will serve to unite this country much like the transcontinental railway in the 19th Century.”
Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens leads the Border Mayors Alliance and that alliance includes all seven Essex County mayors. MacDonald, also the mayor of Leamington, said they are ready to stand with Dilkens to stand up for the region and country. She also commended the Windsor-Essex Chamber of Commerce and Invest Windsor-Essex for heading up a local economic trade task force, something she said the county is a part of.
“Canadians, including those of us here in Essex County and Windsor, are showing our support by flying our flag with pride and choosing to spend our dollars at home, whether we shop in person or online. When we spend a dollar at a small local business, 66 cents stay here. If we spend that dollar at a multinational retailer, only 11 cents stay here,” she said, noting those figures come from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. “It’s vital that we continue supporting the local businesses that have long supported us – the ones that sponsor little league teams and so many worthwhile charitable causes while creating jobs that feed our families. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and the heartbeat of our communities.”
The County of Essex is examining the viability of a “buy Canadian” strategy, as are other government organizations across the country, MacDonald added.
The county warden stated local companies can’t grow and compete without easy access to products unavailable in Canada, adding larger corporations are rarely contained to one country. She pointed out that while a strong local business base is needed, the area can’t thrive without investments by multi-national corporations.
“When they invest, we benefit not just from the jobs they create and the products they purchase but the know-how they bring. When our workforce absorbs their expertise, it becomes part of what makes Windsor-Essex a great place to invest,” said MacDonald.
MacDonald also called for flexibility, stating they have to “play the long-game” and can’t let current turmoil cloud their vision. She said the County of Essex has a solid financial foundation to maintain and enhance services like roads, regional planning, trails, bike lanes, EMS service, libraries and support services. The new hospital, the Gordie Howe International Bridge and the NextStar Energy battery plant are also still coming.
“Essex County is experiencing historic growth fueled by these investments. Our exceptional and affordable quality of life is also attracting newcomers to the county. Our population is expected to increase by as many as 3,900 residents a year – more than double the average of the previous 15 years. The county’s population could hit 315,000 over the next three decades. The number of jobs is likewise expected to grow, from 72,000 jobs to as many as 124,000 by 2051,” said MacDonald. “Our secret is getting out and people are flocking here like never before. We have a temperate climate, we are surrounded on three sides by water and all the views and recreational options it provides, we have incredible parks, natural spaces, golf courses and trails, and wineries, galleries and museums.”
Housing is still a priority for the county, the warden stated, noting the county’s updated Official Plan places an emphasis on ensuring there are a wide range of housing options that are affordable and attainable for county residents. Environment is another priority, she added, stating the county supports efforts to increase natural area coverage from nine per cent to 15 per cent. There are also plans to continue adding to the County-Wide Active Transportation System (CWATS).
“We recently took another big step forward in connecting communities when county council funded the Leamington to Windsor transit line. Council has also directed administration to establish a Regional Transit Working Group to engage all local municipalities regarding a regional transit system that would benefit us all. Transit Windsor already extends into LaSalle, Amherstburg, Tecumseh, Essex, Kingsville and Leamington, so the foundation for regional transit has been established,” said MacDonald. “We need to look at more and better connections between County of Essex municipalities. Right now, someone from Amherstburg can get to Essex or Leamington by transit but they have to go through Windsor. I envision a day when the bus can travel in other directions, providing residents in the county more options and faster and more reliable service.”
The County of Essex is also working on a review of its transportation master plan, MacDonald stated.
“We know we have to set the stage if we want more investment, so County of Essex planning staff is working on developing a Regional Employment Land Strategy and examining the potential for Community Improvement Plans to spur industrial, commercial and residential development. We are also working on a Regional Affordable Housing Strategy with the City of Windsor because we know the need for housing is great and growing. We are ready to meet the challenge with the support of our provincial and federal partners,” said MacDonald.
MacDonald told reporters after the luncheon that the county is working on possibly acquiring industrial property to try and spur further development and investment in the county.
“We have a history of agricultural and manufacturing excellence and ingenuity, we have a highly-skilled workforce and we have an enviable location at the nexus of the North American economy. We have only begun to leverage the full potential of the opportunity those strengths provide. We have a rich history of agricultural excellence and ingenuity. We have one of the longest growing seasons in Canada and hard-working farmers who know how to get the most of our fertile soil. We have more than 4,500 acres of greenhouse operations, making Essex County the largest vegetable greenhouse cluster in North America and the second largest in the world,” she said. “Our Official Plan will create conditions that allow our agri-business industry to continue to flourish and grow. The plan also supports the continued growth of agri-tourism, particularly along the County Road 50 corridor, which has an abundance of wineries with water access and spectacular views.”
Teamwork and supporting local business emphasized by warden
By Ron Giofu
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