John Millson reveals his platform for Windsor mayor

John Millson announced his platform for the upcoming municipal election in Windsor, Ont., on Friday, Sept. 19, 2014. (Rich Garton/ CTV Windsor)

Mayoral hopeful John Millson is looking towards collaboration to spur business growth in Windsor.

Millson unveiled his platform Friday morning, becoming the second frontrunner to show off his vision for the city this week. His major focus is getting Windsor off the list of cities with the highest unemployment rates in Canada.

"Job creation is exactly what I know about. I’ve been doing it throughout my career in government and in business,” he says. “Renewable energy, financial services, high tech and research and innovation are some of the drivers of the 21st Century economy."

Millson says trade, transportation and tourism are key sectors he would focus his attention on to attract and retain business in Windsor. He says 76 per cent of job creation comes from current businesses expanding.

“The mayor should always be asking business ‘what can we do to help?’ That’s what I want to do."

Millson, who was mayor from 1988 to 1991, says he's an ideas man – a lifelong entrepreneur. However, he says he's also a good listener and is willing to meet with the labour community and the business community once a month to discuss emerging opportunities.

“What I want to do is just wrap my arms around a lot of the businesses in the community – working together collaboratively, that is teamwork, that's how we move forward."

Millson’s wants to use several projects as jumping off points to spur job growth. He says he wants to use a new acute care hospital as a catalyst to create thousands of jobs in research, training and technology.

A similar plan is proposed for the University of Windsor’s Lumley Centre for Engineering. Part of this process would involve the creation of a mayor’s roundtable on advanced education.

Millson also sees much needed improvements in the downtown core. He believes by supporting the Downtown Windsor Business Accelerator, the city can create economic diversity.

While Millson’s plan focuses on 21st Century jobs, he says the auto industry won’t be left in the dust. Millson wants to work with the federal government, as well as labour leaders to develop a national auto strategy.

Millson joins 12 others as mayoral candidates in the Oct. 27 municipal election.