While Windsor West MP Brian Masse is disappointed he wasn't able to speak to Canada's prime minister in person during an expected visit, a couple of local issues have been communicated to Ottawa.
Masse said he was hoping to get a meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Windsor on Thursday, however, officials from the Prime Minister's Office told the MP that due to the tragic plane crash in Iran, Trudeau would not be travelling to the area.
Still, there are two main issues Masse would like to discuss with Trudeau -- Ojibway Shores and single-game sports betting.
"We're here to offer solutions so I'm not just here with anything routine or saying it's something that you should do because it's the right thing. We've offered particular courses of action," said Masse.
Ojibways Shores is a 33-acre green space along the Detroit River that is currently operated by the Windsor Port Authority, a crown corporation. The authority has expressed they are willing to sell the lands to the City of Windsor, however, Masse said this would be asking taxpayers to pay for land they already own.
"So what the government of Canada can do is it can have a change with a letters patent. It's a routine procedure that they can demand the Port Authority do to transfer this to Environment Canada," said Masse.
Masse said he'd like to see the land protected and turned into a National Urban Park.
Secondly, Masse said he would like to see single-game sports betting legalized quickly as Michigan has passed legislation that could see the practice in Michigan casinos by March. Masse said it could be done without parliament in session.
"The Order in Council that is required for this to immediately take place without parliament is simply adding the word 'or' and adding one paragraph to the Criminal Code," said Masse.
Even though the prime minister is not coming to Windsor on Thursday as hoped, the requests for movement on these two issues have been presented in writing to the Prime Minister's Office.
