Petition Addressed to:

• Drew Dilkens, Windsor Mayor
• Office of the Mayor, Windsor
• City of Windsor, CAO
• Manager of Elections & Records, City of Windsor
• Integrity Commissioner, City of Windsor
• Ministry of Municipal Affairs, Ontario
• Campaign to Elect Drew Dilkens, 2022

We the undersigned residents and taxpayers of Windsor hereby petition, as follows:

UPON FILING NOMINATION PAPERS TO SEEK ELECTION IN THE 2022 MUNICIPAL ELECTION, WE DEMAND THAT DREW DILKENS' CAMPAIGN BE REQUIRED TO REIMBURSE THE CITY OF WINDSOR FOR ANY AND ALL COSTS* OF THE "TAX BILL LEAFLET".

_____

Background 

Windsor taxpayers have received their 2022 tax bill which contains campaign-style promotional material featuring Mayor Drew Dilkens. If Drew Dilkens has intention to run for re-election, he is inappropriately using taxpayer funds to campaign for himself.

Candidates in campaigns must use their own campaign funds. This is the law. Drew Dilkens, however, is circumventing this by pointing out that he is not (yet) a candidate in the election. He is doing so knowing that, if he runs, he has a clear advantage in the election by using taxpayer funds to promote himself.

The leaflet makes no mention of the City of Windsor or city council, who worked together to achieve the touted accomplishments.

Although the campaign period has started, the last day to file nomination papers for the October 24 municipal election is August 19.  Drew Dilkens has not yet registered as a candidate in that election and this is what he points to as his excuse:

"Clearly, everyone has to be sensitive to what they're doing when they're a candidate in the election," said Dilkens. "I'm not a candidate; I'm the mayor."

If Drew Dilkens had declared his intention to seek re-election before this leaflet was sent, he would be in violation of the Municipal Elections Act. Waiting to declare doesn’t make this conduct any less questionable.

"I think it's highly unusual for there to be campaign advertising in with your tax bill and it does raise questions about ethics, about you know, is this proper use of taxpayers' funds to essentially give free advertising to the mayor." (Lydia Miljan, political science professor at the University of Windsor).

When questioned about the ethics of this,  Dilkens said, "If someone thinks that I violated the code of conduct, they’re welcome to file a complaint with the integrity commissioner."

Here's the thing: investigations by Integrity Commissioner are suspended during campaign periods! In other words, Drew Dilkens is not in a campaign period for the purpose of bypassing election law to use municipal dollars but is in a campaign period to have the Integrity Commissioner review the conduct!

In all of his responses to media asking him about this situation, Drew Dilkens has been consistent in saying one thing: he will not apologize.

No one asked you for an apology, Mr. Mayor. We are asking for our money back.

_____

*Note about reimbursement amount: This petition is estimating the cost of the mail-out to be $25,000. It may be more. This estimate is based on Canada Post costs for mass mail out (at 17 cents per item), graphic design and printing. Drew Dilkens has said he does not know the cost of the mail-out. We will adjust the amount in the request for reimbursement in this petition to the accurate number when that is known. Updates will be provided as they become available.

_____

Sources

CBC Windsor: Windsor mayor stands by promotional insert sent with tax bills (June 27, 2022)

The Windsor Star: Tax bill notice featuring photos of Windsor mayor sparks backlash (June 27, 2022)

CBC Windsor News at 6: Video Clip (June 27, 2022)

Blackburn/Windsor News Today: Dilkens defends insert in property tax bill (June 28, 2022)

• Municipal Elections Act, Sections 12(2), 88.8(4)5
• Code of Conduct for Members of Council, Rule 7 and Rule 11

The Municipal Elections Act prohibits a municipality from making a contribution to a candidate. As a contribution may take the form of money, goods or services, any use by a Member of Council of the Corporation's resources for his or her election campaign would be viewed as a contribution by the municipality to the incumbent, which is a violation of the Act and could result in penalties.

_____

Photo Credit; CBC

Alt Text/Photo: Tax bill leaflet which has a photo of Drew Dilkens at a podium on left with title "delivering results" and references. on the right, the city's $1.7-billion, 10-year capital plan, new playgrounds and improvements for parks and investments in roads, trails and bike lanes. The leaflet is positioned on top of a municipal 2022 tax bill which has the City of Windsor corporate logo.