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.
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.
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.
Windsor mayoral race grows as city awaits Dilkens' intentions
CBC News - Posted: Aug 10, 2026
Will he or won't he run for Windsor mayor again? That's the question hanging over Drew Dilkens in the run-up to the city's municipal election in October. Meanwhile, five other people - including Ward 1 Coun. Fred Francis - have announced their candidacy for the seat.
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.
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.”
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.
