Windsor mayoral candidate Fred Francis calls for ‘equal policing’ across the city
AM800 News, Rusty Thomson:
Published October 6, 2026
A candidate for mayor of Windsor wants to see “equal policing across the city” and has released his plan to achieve that goal if he’s elected.
During a news conference Monday outside of Windsor Police headquarters, Fred Francis detailed his plan to address safety, security, and crime reduction in the city.
If elected mayor, Francis says he would conduct a comprehensive review of police patrol coverage, staffing, and response times by neighbourhood.
Mayoral candidate Francis pledges to beef up police patrol in every Windsor ward
Windsor Star, Taylor Campbell:
Published October 6, 2026
With safety issues a “constant” concern for some Windsor residents, mayoral candidate Fred Francis is promising to review how police patrol the border city.
Over the past several years, and at the doors, residents have told the current Ward 1 councillor that criminal activity has changed their neighbourhoods, an issue he plans to address in part by having at least one patrol unit in each ward of the city at all times.
Mayoral hopeful Francis unveils downtown revitalization plan
Windsor Star, Taylor Campbell:
Published October 3, 2026
Mayoral candidate Fred Francis is promising to expand support for Windsor’s homeless population and fill commercial vacancies downtown as part of an extensive plan for the neighbourhood.
On Thursday, the current Ward 1 councillor released a 26-point strategy to revitalize the city’s core.
Francis unveils plan to revitalize downtown Windsor
CTV NEWS, Rob Hindi: Published October 1, 2026
Mayoral candidate Fred Francis is now focusing on the downtown core.
He released his Downtown Windsor Revitalization Plan Thursday morning on Ouellette Avenue between Erie Street and Elliott Street as part of his mayoral platform.
“One of the reasons I’m running for mayor is not to bring downtown back to what it was but to bring forward a vision to what downtown can be,” says Francis.
Sparks fly as Windsor mayoral candidates clash over city’s future
Windsor Star, Taylor Campbell:
Published September 30, 2026
Jabs, accusations, and even an apology graced the stage at the Chrysler Theatre on Tuesday as two city council veterans and one political newcomer squared off in debate about Windsor’s future.
Incumbent Drew Dilkens, current Ward 1 Coun. Fred Francis, and small business owner and non-profit executive Kat Pasquach were invited to participate.
Mayoral candidate Francis vows to revive Windsor-Detroit tunnel bus
Windsor Star, Taylor Campbell:
Published September 25, 2026
If elected mayor this October, Fred Francis would reinstate the Windsor-Detroit tunnel bus, which was killed by his incumbent opponent as a cost-saving measure last year.
Speaking with reporters on Thursday, Francis said the will of the council majority “should be celebrated,” not overruled, and so should the city’s relationship with Detroit, despite tensions between Canada and the United States amid Donald Trump’s trade war.
Dilkens, Francis spar over jobs, economic development as Windsor mayor’s race heats up
Windsor Star, Taylor Campbell:
Published Sep 19, 2026
Windsor’s only two mayoral candidates with city council experience traded barbs this week after releasing separate plans to attract job-creating economic investments.
Following a campaign announcement about jobs, taxes, and economic growth by Fred Francis on Wednesday, incumbent Drew Dilkens called his opponent’s proposal a “word salad, full of lies and mistruths.”
Francis releases plan for city hall spending and job growth if elected mayor
AM800, Rusty Thomson: Published Sep 17, 2026
Windsor mayoral candidate Fred Francis has released his plan to address taxes, spending, and economic growth in the city if he’s elected.
During a news conference Wednesday at his campaign headquarters, the Ward 1 councillor released a detailed platform to address taxes and spending at city hall, along with measures he’d take to address job creation and economic growth.
Francis releases plan for taxes and economic growth
WindsorNewsToday.ca, Maureen Revait: Published: September 17, 2026
Windsor Mayoral Candidate Fred Francis announced his latest round of promises for a more affordable city hall that encourages job creation and economic growth.
His campaign platform includes holding the line on taxes while keeping the full "city hall bill" low for residents and businesses.
Mayoral hopeful Francis pledges 'open and transparent' city hall
Windsor Star, Taylor Campbell:
Published Sep 10, 2026
Limiting closed-door meetings, monthly news conferences, and pushing city council meetings to 4 p.m. are among Fred Francis’s plans to improve accessibility and accountability at city hall.
The mayoral candidate on Wednesday announced the first plank of his five-plank platform — a lengthy list of changes the current Ward 1 councillor believes will bolster transparency and civic engagement in the border city.
Fred Francis unveils Windsor mayoral platform, promising changes at city hall
CBC News, Desmond Brown: Published Sep 09, 2026
Windsor mayoral candidate Fred Francis unveiled his policy platform Wednesday, promising sweeping changes to the way city hall operates and positioning his campaign as a choice between the status quo and change.
Francis, a longtime city councillor, said he spent the past month speaking with residents, families, business owners and labour representatives before releasing his priorities.
Francis pledges culture shift at Windsor City Hall, again vows to scrap strong mayor powers
AM800, Dustin Coffman: Published: September 09, 2026
Windsor mayoral candidate Fred Francis is pledging a major culture shift at city hall if elected mayor.
Francis laid out the first detailed section of his platform Wednesday, focusing on government accountability, transparency and public access.
Fred Francis officially launches mayor campaign, focuses on affordability and ending strong mayor powers
Windsor Star, Trevor Wilhelm: Published Sep 04, 2026
Fred Francis officially launched his bid for mayor Wednesday with a pledge to kill the asset management tax, focus on building affordable homes over luxury condos and immediately ending the use of strong mayor powers.
“I won’t rely on strong mayor powers to get my way,” said Francis, 45. “I will go back to how things used to be and how I grew up in city government, where you need consensus around that council table and you need the mayor and five other people to raise their hands and agree with you. That’s how you reach a compromise.”
Affordability top of mind as Francis officially launches campaign for Windsor mayor
AM800, Meagan Delaurier: Published: September 03, 2026
A current city councillor has officially launched his campaign to become Windsor’s next mayor.
Fred Francis kicked off his campaign Wednesday night, surrounded by family, friends, and supporters after serving as the councillor of Ward 1 for the last three terms.
Francis, who was first elected in 2014, is one of 11 candidates running for mayor in the October municipal election.
Dilkens, Francis at odds over $24K city hall review as election looms
Windsor Star, Taylor Campbell: Published Aug 18, 2026
With 10 weeks until municipal election day, a mayoral candidate is taking issue with a decision by Windsor’s top bureaucrat to review and modernize city hall operations — and to hire the current mayor’s former chief of staff to do the work.
Ward 1 Coun. Fred Francis, who is running for mayor, said he and his council colleagues have been asked to participate in half-hour interviews with GT&Co, a public affairs agency single sourced by city CAO Ray Mensour for $24,000.
Francis and Dilkens clash over City Hall review survey
AM800 News - Published: August 17, 2026 at 6:05a.m. EDT
A review of how business is conducted at Windsor City Hall has become a contentious topic between the mayor and a city councillor.
The city has hired GT & Co. to examine the procedures and processes at City Hall and make recommendations to the next term of council aimed at improving productivity, governance and the efficiency of council operations.
Sole-source contract to review Windsor council procedures questioned by Francis
CBC News · Posted: Aug 14, 2026 6:25 PM EDT
Ward 1 city councillor and mayoral hopeful Fred Francis says he won't take part in an outside review of council procedures because it's led by Mayor Drew Dilkens' former chief of staff.
The $24,000 sole-source contract was awarded to GT & Co by city staff to address a list of concerns brought up by city council.
That includes looking at whether items can be deferred if delegates are present, how long staff have to file reports, and if time limits should be set for councillor's remarks.
Political odd couple? Fred Francis appoints Brian Masse as his mayoral campaign manager
Windsor Star, Trevor Wilhelm: Published Aug 09, 2026
It seems like an unlikely alliance.
Windsor mayoral candidate Fred Francis, a long-term city councillor with a seemingly conservative track record, has made former NDP member of parliament Brian Masse his campaign manager.
“That’s not the first time I’ve heard that,” said Francis. “It just goes to show the type of campaign I want to run, and if successful the type of mayor I want to be. Everyone is welcome regardless of political stripes, regardless of ideology, regardless of what ward you live in, regardless of anything. I want to have a big tent that’s diverse and inclusive of everyone.”
Long-time city councillor plans to run for mayor of Windsor
AM800 News - Published: August 04, 2026 at 6:10a.m. EDT
A long-time member of city council has announced his intention to run for mayor of Windsor.
Ward 1 Councillor Fred Francis plans to submit his nomination papers this week.
The three-term councillor was first elected to council in 2014 and is also the current executive director of the Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County.
Fred Francis to run for mayor of Windsor
Windsor Star Taylor Campbell: Published Aug 01, 2026
Windsor could have another Francis in the mayor’s seat.
After representing Ward 1 on city council for 12 years, Fred Francis told the Star he’s ready for a new challenge.
“I think we do need change. That’s the one resounding thing I’ve heard over and over again — we need a new voice, a new perspective,” the 45-year-old executive said. He’ll file nomination papers to run for mayor this coming week.
