Federal safety minister speaks to Windsor law enforcement during local visit

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Canada’s minister for public safety visited Windsor Monday, meeting with law enforcement agencies and local officials on the heels of a shooting in the city’s east end over the weekend.

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Minister for Public Safety Marco Mendicino (Liberal – Eglinton-Lawrence) met with local law enforcement officials, including Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers on Monday, speaking to the fallout of February’s Ambassador Bridge blockade and gun violence, after a shooting at an east-end bowling alley injured five people Saturday.

“We did talk about that shooting and I expressed my profound concerns,” Mendicino said. “For the five who were shot, I was relieved to hear that none of the injuries are life threatening. But while we’ve made a lot of progress, there’s still more work to do.”

Mendicino spoke to his government’s strategy on gun violence, which includes “responsible gun controls,” investments in law enforcement and more resources for community organizations — highlighting the $250 million Building Safer Communities Fund, which aims to tackle the root causes of gun violence by funding Proposals from community organizations helping youth and young adults.

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Mendicino toured the Ambassador Bridge to thank CBSA officials impacted by the Ambassador Bridge blockade.

“I can’t begin to describe the devastating impact of the illegal blockade on the local economy here,” Mendicino said. “I wanted to make sure that CBSA officers and local law enforcement… knew we were grateful for their stellar work in bringing about the end of the illegal blockade.”

Mendicino said that in discussions with the community, his government will be “looking very, very carefully” at ways to prevent and respond to any future disruptions at the Ambassador Bridge and other border crossings — including how to remove jurisdictional impediments between local police and provincial and federal law enforcement at the border.

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While visiting Windsor, Mendicino had breakfast with Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens and had lunch at a restaurant on Huron Church Road affected by the border blockade that had recently applied for federal relief funding.

Mendicino and MP Irek Kusmierczyk (L–Windsor-Tecumseh) also met with representatives from CrimeStoppers and visited the Safety Village.

“In general Windsor is a safe community but whenever you have these types of events, it really shakes everyone up,” Kusmierczyk said. “It’s about how we can work together, all levels of government, to rid our community of guns and gun violence.”

Kusmierczyk said they’ll be looking for partner agencies to tap into the Safer Communities funding for Windsor and Essex County, he said.

Kusmierczyk and Mendicino said that in addition to conversations about public safety and the border, they discussed the recently unveiled federal budget, including jobs, housing, climate change, affordable childcare and the Stellantis/LG Energy Solutions battery plant.

“It speaks to the most important priorities that all Canadians expect to see in their government, which is that they’re focused on jobs, on growth and on making life more affordable,” Mendicino said.

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