Upload of E.C. Row Expressway on the agenda for an NDP government

(L-R) Lisa Gretzky, Rachael Mills, Gemma Grey-Hall, as seen on Feb. 14, 2025. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor)

The Ontario NDP have announced plans for southwestern Ontario, including Windsor-Essex.

Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles announced the plans on Tuesday which included a list of items she’d like to work on if elected as premier, with a number of items related to Windsor-Essex.

Stiles is running in the provincial election after current Premier Doug Ford called for a snap election just over two weeks ago, calling for an election nearly a year-and-a-half early.

Specifically for Windsor-Essex, the three local candidates introduced that plan on Friday.

- Hiring more family doctors: Over 47,000 people lack a family doctor in Windsor-Essex.

- Expediting the Windsor-Essex Regional Hospital so that people can get the healthcare they need.

- Helping people get around by uploading the EC Row Expressway to the province and cost-sharing public transit operating funding 50-50.

- Healthcare they need, sooner.

- Fixing schools. The Greater Essex County District School Board has a staggering $400 million in deferred maintenance. Our children deserve safe, well-maintained schools where they can learn and grow without disruption.

- Delivering on the Ojibway National Urban Park: The Ford government is reneging on its promise to transfer provincial lands to complete this new urban park. We will transfer the land and make the park a reality.

- Defending jobs and fighting tariffs. Work with the auto industry and labour unions, to defend every job. We’ll help businesses find new markets, promote Ontario-made goods and direct the government to procure locally. We’ll fight back hard with a smart, targeted tariff response as part of Team Canada because we’re stronger together.

The election will take place on Feb. 27.

— with files from Meagan Delaurier/AM800 News, AM800’s The Shift with guest host Kristen Siapas