Election 2025: Tories join Windsor West all-candidates debate

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“For the love of God, please vote for someone good.”

Green Party of Canada candidate Louay Ahmad’s words on Tuesday drew laughter and closed out an otherwise calm debate between five men of different political stripes vying to represent Windsor West on Parliament Hill.

Hosted by the Windsor Essex Chamber of Commerce and moderated by Windsor Star managing editor Craig Pearson, the debate saw candidates pitch their approaches to immigration, housing issues, and U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs, among other things.

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During the debate, broadcast by YourTV, candidates took shots at incumbent New Democrat Brian Masse, who has represented Windsor West since 2002 and whose party has never formed government. Other candidates accused Masse of being ineffective and unable to get things done.

Masse rejected those claims and said cabinet ministers and all members of Parliament work with him “because they know I get results for our community in Windsor, Ontario, and also for our country.

“We are relentless, and we never give up.”

Masse said his party would use public lands to build affordable housing, engage with the U.S. and implement federal incentives for Canadians to buy Windsor-built vehicles, and reunite families separated through the immigration process.

Conservative candidate Harb Gill — the only Conservative to participate in Tuesday’s three debates at the Serbian Centre — said Windsor West needs “effective” leadership, something he said he could bring with his 30 years of experience as a police constable.

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The Conservatives would cut the sales tax on homes valued under $1.3 million, Gill said. The party would also implement dollar-for-dollar tariffs against the United States on goods and services “that can be easily provided in Canada or imported from a third country” and use revenues to support Canadian workers.

A proud immigrant, Gill said immigration “is about bringing diverse ideas to make the country greater, not poorer.” The country needs “smarter immigration policies that match housing and job opportunities,” rather than “unmeasured immigration that causes issues.”

Liberal Richard Pollock said his government would get back into the home-building business, like Ottawa did in a big way following the Second World War, and work with manufacturers of prefabricated homes.

Regarding Trump tariffs, the Liberals would fight with countertariffs, assist Canadian workers whose jobs are impacted by the trade war with a $2-billion investment fund, and incentivize manufacturers to remain and invest in Canada.

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Pollock, also an immigrant, said new Canadians “have fueled our economy in the past and have the potential to support our economic growth.” However, he said, he’s heard from people whose kids can’t find a job “because they’re being taken by international students.

“Our immigration system must be smart, agile, and well-planned. Mark Carney will do that.”

The Greens’ Ahmad said his party would cap mortgage and rent payments to 30 per cent of an individual’s income and build 1.2 million homes, mostly co-ops and public housing units, in seven years.

The Green Party would also increase trade with Europe, rather than looking toward “our weird neighbours to the south.”

Ahmad, whose family immigrated to Canada when he was a child, said that while there should be a limit on immigration, newcomers are necessary to grow Canada’s economy.

Jacob Bezaire with the People’s Party of Canada said his party would work to cut red tape around housing development, lift countertariffs placed on the U.S. and negotiate with Trump, and put a pause on accepting immigrants.

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Bezaire said voters shouldn’t support parties “that continue to waste our tax dollars and put us in a very vulnerable position.

“Civil unrest is at an all-time high. Unemployment is on the rise and affordability is non-existent,” Bezaire said. “The PPC is the only party working to save your jobs.”

Candidates for the ridings of Essex and Windsor-Tecumseh-Lakeshore also debated at the Serbian Centre on Tuesday.

Election Day is April 28.

tcampbell@postmedia.com

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