I emailed this to council: I am very concerned about Mayor Prue’s comments in the Windsor Star article re Windsor wanting to end the policing contract.

Prue is quoted as saying, “Council is going to have to look at all the options available to us,” he said. “We’re hoping that our CAO (chief administrative officer Valerie Critchley) can talk to the CAO (Joe Mancina) of Windsor and see if there’s anything that can be done. “And if not, then we have other options we’re going to have to explore.”

Council should first be exploring ALL options and then making a decision. Two previous council’s motions to obtain an OPP costing were never rescinded but also were not fulfilled which was a disservice to the taxpayers. Compared to savings of $1,742,205. over 5 years with Windsor, savings of around $10 million with the OPP would’ve been significant. 

Council’s December 5, 2022 recommendation and subsequent council motion was to extend the Windsor Police contract deadline to renew to March 31, 2023 so public consultations could be held.

No public consultations were held.

Then on February 8, 2023, council moved to direct the CAO to exercise the renewal clause in the contract for a five year period commencing January 1, 2024 to end December 31, 2028. 

During the February 8 meeting, Deputy Mayor Gibb stated there’s a significant cost difference to the OPP of around $2 million a year and he even provided me with the documents to support his statement.

I am requesting council to fulfill its fiduciary duty and obtain an OPP costing.