Windsor mayoral candidate Chris Holt blames his opponent for a misunderstanding about his proposal this week to create a mental health emergency department downtown.
Soon after making the announcement, Hotel Dieu Grace Healthcare and Windsor Regional Hospital issued a statement criticizing Holt but not for the proposal itself.
"HDGH and WRH want to categorically state that neither organization has been involved, nor will be involved in any collaborative discussions or partnerships with any of the municipal candidates," it said. "It was inappropriate for a political candidate to make such a baseless claim."
Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, March 4, 2019. Blackburn News file photo.
Holt insisted he never implied a partnership was already signed and clarified he never spoke with anyone at either organization about his proposal.
"I talked to Hotel Dieu Grace Hospital to confirm the numbers that we were using when it came to funding and financing the plan," he explained. "We wanted to make sure that our numbers were correct and would accomplish the goals that we set out for ourselves. That's it."
Holt told WindsorNewsToday.ca he would never discuss a partnership while running for mayor.
"That's not what campaigns do," he said.
However, if he's elected, he said he would want to meet with mental health organizations within 100 days to discuss his plan.
"Unfortunately, it's gotten blown out of proportion," said Holt, referring to the controversy.
Mayoral Candidate Drew Dilkens during the 2022 municipal campaign, September 13, 2022. (Photo by Maureen Revait)
Holt's main opponent, incumbent Drew Dilkens, has already said a vote for Holt is a vote against the location of a new acute care hospital.
On September 13, flanked by five members of the current council, Dilkens said, "the location is a settled issue. But for those who don't like the location, and there are a group of them including Chris Holt, they could simply fumble the ball at fourth and goal and make sure the hospital doesn't happen."
Holt later said he considered the hospital a done deal and would not stand in the way of the project.
"My opponent has been very good at attempting to strike fear into the hearts of the electorate," said Holt on Friday. "This is nothing new."
Holt and Dilkens are running against five other opponents, Ernie "The Baconman" Lamont, Benjamin Danyluk, Aaron Day, Matthew Giancola, and Louis Vaupotic.
The municipal election is on October 24.
