Election day is right around the corner and if you're still not sure who you want to cast your ballot for, hopefully the results of a questionnaire sent to all four candidates in the riding of Essex by WindsorNewsToday.ca will help.
Questionnaires, which touched on topics like homelessness, the trade war, and the environment, were returned by three of the four candidates.
Here's what they wrote.
Incumbent Chris Lewis, Conservative Party of Canada
Why did you decide to run for Member of Parliament?
My passion is to leave the world a better place than I found it. I have had the honour to serve the great people of Essex as their Member of Parliament since 2019. It has been the most humbling and rewarding experience of my life. I believe in community, cooperation, and communication. I am fortunate to have an amazing team that has helped so many people in our riding and our region. I want to be part of the solution, not part of the problem. I will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that we take care of folks today, but also that future generations have an opportunity to prosper in our great country. I'm excited for our future. I believe in Pierre Poilievre's vision for our country and trust him with my grandchild's future. Therefore, I am very proud to put my name forward again this election under the Conservative banner.
What will your party do to address the rising cost of living?
Cut the carbon tax completely and for good by removing the Carbon Tax Act. Increase the basic personal amount for seniors by $10,000, saving working seniors who earn $34,000. Allow seniors who need or want to work to earn up to $34,000 tax-free and keep RRSP savings growing for an extra two years. Keep retirement age at 65, ensuring Canadians can retire with peace of mind. Workers will keep more of their paycheques with the "Bring It Home" tax cut, cutting income taxes by 15 per cent. Axe the sales tax on new Canadian-made automobiles. Axe the federal sales tax on new homes up to $1.3-million, combined with a plan to incentivize cities to lower development charges. Back 350,000 positions in trade schools and union halls to train red-seal apprentices to build homes and bring back the $4,000 apprenticeship grant.
How would your party address the crisis of homelessness, mental health, and addiction?
Fund treatment for 50,000 Canadians in treatment centres with a proven record of success at getting people off drugs. Funding will follow results. Ban taxpayer-funded drug dens from being located within 500 metres of schools, daycares, playgrounds, parks, and seniors' homes. Crackdown on the Liberals' reckless experiments with free access to illegal drugs that allow provinces to operate drug sites with no oversight. Pause any new federal exemptions until evidence justifies they support recovery. Existing federal sites will be required to focus on connecting users with treatment, meet stricter regulatory standards, or be shut down.
What kind of support should Ottawa offer border cities like Windsor tasked with border protection duties? (Windsor is still owed $900,000 for its action during the convoy protests)
Add at least 2,000 border agents and extend CBSA powers along the entire border, not just crossings. Install high-powered scanners, border surveillance towers, and truck-mounted drone systems to spot border incursions.
How do you think the federal government should support workers impacted by U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs?
The only thing we control is what we do at home. The best way to stand up to President Trump is to be strong here. Unleashing our industry, cutting taxes on workers, zero capital gains taxes on Canadian investment, and building more homes, LNG plants, pipelines, mines, and more to build our own economic fortress is the only way to stand up to President Trump. We are going to do this while implementing our plan to build more homes, get people off drugs, fix the budget to keep inflation down, cap immigration so we never again add people faster than we add jobs, and get criminals off our streets.
Now that the carbon tax is dead, how do you think the federal government should proceed in lowering emissions?
The Carbon Tax is certainly not dead. In fact, carbon tax relief on consumer goods is only a temporary measure under Carney's Liberals. A carbon tax on industry will continue to drive up prices on all of our goods. Pierre Poilievre also promised to use technology, not taxes, to protect our environment by expanding the eligibility of clean technology and clean manufacturing investment tax credits. Heavy industries that make products with lower emissions than the world average will be rewarded, bringing jobs and production home and bringing global emissions down.
How can Ottawa encourage developers to build new and affordable homes? Should Ottawa work directly with developers?
Conservatives will restore the promise of homeownership by building more, taxing less, and getting the government out of the way. We'll start by firing the gatekeepers who block housing construction instead of giving them massive bonuses. A Conservative government will require cities to free up land, speed up permits, and cut development charges to build 15 per cent more homes each year. If they miss their target, their federal funding will be withheld, equal to how much they miss their target. Conservatives will provide even more land to build on by selling 15 per cent of the federal government's 37,000 buildings and require these buildings to be turned into affordable housing. We'll also end federal delays by cutting bonuses and salaries and if needed, firing the gatekeepers at the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation if they fail to approve housing applications in 60 days or less. We'll make homes more affordable by axing the federal GST on new homes up to $1.3-million. This would save homebuyers up to $65,000 or roughly $3,000 each year in mortgage payments on the purchase of an average home in our big cities. It will also spark the creation of 36,000 extra homes annually, and combined with the announcement incentivizing municipalities to cut development taxes, will save $100,000 on an average home in our big cities.
Lori Wightman, New Democratic Party of Canada
Why did you decide to run for Member of Parliament?
I'm running because I know what it's like to struggle. I know Essex deserves better. I've spent my life standing up for working people, from the library picket lines to the frontlines of community service. I've seen families fall behind while billionaires get tax breaks, and politicians make promises only to disappear after election day. I'm not here for the title. I'm here to show up, to listen, and to fight for affordability, better healthcare, and a future where no one is left behind. The people of Essex deserve a representative who's one of them, and that's who I am.
What will your party do to address the rising cost of living?
The NDP has a real plan to make life more affordable. We'll put over $1,450 back in your pocket each year by cutting income taxes for working people and removing the GST on essentials like cell phone bills, diapers, and groceries. We'll deliver universal pharmacare and dental care to cut household costs. We'll take on corporate greed by ending unfair price hikes and grocery profiteering. Unlike Conservatives, who keep helping the rich, we're focused on helping you.
How would your party address the crisis of homelessness, mental health and addiction?
I believe housing is a human right. The NDP will build 500,000 affordable homes and convert unused buildings into housing. We'll expand mental health services by making them part of the public healthcare system, and invest in harm reduction, treatment programs, and community-based support. We'll also stop corporate landlords from inflating rents, implement national rent control, and increase support for Co-ops. This is a crisis rooted in inequality and it requires leadership that sees people with dignity, not as numbers.
What kind of support should Ottawa offer border cities like Windsor tasked with border protection duties?
Cities like Windsor shouldn't be left holding the bag. During the convoy crisis, Windsor took action and is still owed $900,000. That's unacceptable. The federal government must reimburse municipalities in full and develop a clear emergency fund for future events. Border cities shoulder national responsibilities and need ongoing federal investment in infrastructure, public safety, and staffing to manage their unique role. Windsor-Essex can't be an afterthought. It must be a partner.
How do you think the federal government should support workers impacted by U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs?
We need to stand up for Canadian workers, not fold to U.S. pressure. The NDP's Workers for Canada Plan provides direct support to affected workers through improved employment insurance, job protection, and retraining programs. We'll build up domestic manufacturing and supply chains, protect auto and agriculture jobs, and ensure public investments come with real job guarantees. We'll fight back with a Border Carbon Adjustment and stronger trade enforcement to protect Canadian industries from unfair competition.
Now that the carbon tax is dead, how do you think the federal government should proceed in lowering emissions?
The NDP supports ending the consumer carbon tax because families shouldn't be punished at the pump. But climate action can't stop there. We'll keep the industrial carbon price to hold polluters accountable, maintain the emissions cap, and eliminate $18-billion in oil and gas subsidies. That money will go into clean energy, transit and home retrofits. Our Border Carbon Adjustment will stop foreign polluters from undercutting Canadian jobs. Climate action should be affordable, fair, and effective.
How can Ottawa encourage developers to build new and affordable homes? Should Ottawa work directly with developers?
The private market hasn't solved the housing crisis, and it won't. That's why the NDP will launch a public, non-profit homebuilder to deliver affordable homes fast. We'll also support co-ops and Indigenous-led housing and offer incentives to developers only when affordability is guaranteed. Ottawa shouldn't hand out money without conditions. We'll tie federal investments to clear affordability targets and public benefit. We'll also help cities build by fast-tracking permits, funding infrastructure, and tackling speculation that drives up land costs. Everyone deserves an affordable place to call home.
Jason Henry, People's Party of Canada
Why did you decide to run for Member of Parliament?
I'm running to restore freedom and prosperity in Essex. The PPC's commitment to personal responsibility, lower taxes, and rejecting globalist policies like open borders or climate mandates resonates with Windsor-Essex's hardworking families. Ottawa's overreach, high taxes, and trade mismanagement hurts our border economy. I'll fight for a Canada First approach, securing our sovereignty and ensuring policies serve locals, not bureaucrats or foreign interests. Essex needs a voice against inflation-driving deficits and housing shortages fueled by mass immigration. As MP, I'd push to deregulate business, protect trade, and cut red tape. The PPC's principled stance against establishment waste, whether it's corporate welfare or bloated programs, offers real solutions. I want Windsor-Essex to lead as a trade hub, not be crushed by federal neglect. My campaign is about empowering residents to control their future, not Ottawa dictating it.
What will your party do to address the rising cost of living?
The PPC will slash personal and corporate income taxes, eliminate the GST on essentials like groceries and fuel, and end deficit spending to curb inflation. Windsor-Essex faces soaring costs because of government policies like the carbon tax and over-regulation. We'll deregulate energy, manufacturing, and agriculture, letting businesses like Essex's greenhouses and auto suppliers cut prices through competition, not subsidies. Our platform rejects handouts, trusting markets to create jobs and stabilize wages. By reducing government size, we'll stop wasteful spending that fuels price hikes. For Windsor commuters and farmers, lower taxes mean more money for bills. We'll also halt Bank of Canada money printing. Unlike other parties' bloated plans, the PPC's approach empowers Essex residents to keep their earnings, fostering economic freedom. Our goal is to make life affordable by unleashing markets, not tightening the government's grip on your wallet.
How would your party address the crisis of homelessness, mental health and addiction?
The PPC rejects government-led social programs that waste billions while failing Essex's vulnerable. We'd shrink federal bureaucracies, redirecting funds to Windsor-Essex charities and faith-based groups for efficient homelessness solutions rooted in community needs. Mental health and addiction demand voluntary care, not state coercion. We'd incentivize private clinics and non-profits to expand treatment and cut waitlists, unlike public systems. In Windsor, where overdoses strain hospitals, market-driven innovation can deliver faster recovery programs. We'd ensure police focus on crime, not social work, keeping streets safe. The PPC opposes forced institutionalization, valuing individual choice. Unlike other parties' top-down plans, we trust locals to solve local problems. By lowering taxes, we'd empower Essex residents to support charities directly. Our platform prioritizes results over rhetoric, fostering self-reliance and dignity. Homelessness, addiction and mental health improve when communities, not Ottawa, lead with freedom and accountability. Lastly, we will redirect foreign aid and put that money into our own social programs.
What kind of support should Ottawa offer border cities like Windsor tasked with border protection duties?
Windsor is seeking $900,000 from 2022 convoy costs. The city deserves Ottawa's full repayment and a permanent border city fund, as the PPC demands. Our Canada First platform prioritizes secure borders without burdening locals. We'd cut taxes for Windsor-Essex businesses hit hard by federal duties like trade security and reject Ottawa's overreach. As Canada's trade gateway, our economy needs infrastructure grants, not neglect. The PPC would streamline border operations, ensuring locals aren't stuck with costs for federal failures. Unlike other parties' vague promises, we'd reduce regulations, letting Essex's logistics and manufacturing thrive. We'd also push for local control over border policies, respecting Windsor's unique role. Our plan ensures Ottawa pays its share while empowering Essex to prosper. By prioritizing sovereignty and economic freedom, we'll strengthen Windsor as a trade hub, not a federal afterthought.
How do you think the federal government should support workers impacted by U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs?
The PPC opposes retaliatory tariffs, which hurt Essex workers more. We'd negotiate free-trade exemptions for Windsor-Essex's auto and agriculture sectors, protecting 30,000 jobs tied to the U.S. markets. Our platform cuts payroll taxes, helping businesses avoid layoffs and pivot to new markets. We'd fund private retraining for displaced workers, targeting high-demand fields like tech. We reject bailouts, trusting markets to adapt. Windsor's greenhouse growers and auto suppliers need freedom from red tape, not Ottawa's interference. We'd reduce federal spending to stabilize the economy, shielding workers from inflation. Our Canada First approach ensures trade policies prioritize Essex families, not globalist agendas. By fostering competition and innovation, we'll help workers thrive despite tariffs.
Now that the carbon tax is dead, how do you think the federal government should proceed in lowering emissions?
The PPC, having fought for the carbon tax's destruction, rejects climate mandates and green subsidies that cost billions while failing Essex. With the tax gone, we'd cut all federal eco-regulations, letting private innovation reduce emissions naturally. In Windsor-Essex, we'd support market-driven air and water cleanup. Our platform opposes globalist climate deals, prioritizing Canadian jobs over symbolic targets. We'd offer tax credits for businesses adopting cost-effective green solutions, not forcing compliance. Essex's auto sector can innovate without the government strangling it. We'd ensure energy stays affordable, avoiding price spikes from net zero fantasies, and we would pull out of the Paris Accord. The PPC focuses on tangible pollution fixes. Our plan keeps costs low for families and businesses, fostering prosperity while letting markets, not bureaucrats, drive environmental progress.
How can Ottawa encourage developers to build new and affordable homes? Should Ottawa work directly with developers?
The PPC opposes federal housing interference, blaming mass immigration for Essex's housing crunch. We'd cut immigration to 100,000 or 150,000, easing demand where homes average $600,000. We'll abolish the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, ending debt-fueled price spikes, and eliminate federal zoning rules, letting Essex build on 2,500 hectares of vacant land. Tax breaks for builders, not Ottawa deals, will spur low-cost homes without cronyism. Our platform rejects subsidies, trusting markets to balance supply. We'd deregulate construction, slashing costs for developers, and stop Bank of Canada inflation, stabilizing mortgages. Unlike other parties' bloated plans, we prioritize local control. By cutting taxes and red tape, we'll empower residents to buy homes. The PPC's plan ensures affordability through freedom, not government overreach, letting Essex families achieve ownership while preserving community character.
Chris Sutton, Liberal Party of Canada
Why did you decide to run for Member of Parliament?
As a millwright, farmer, and father, I've experienced firsthand the challenges our community faces, including rising costs, job insecurity, and the need for better support systems. I'm running to bring a practical, working-class perspective to Ottawa, ensuring that policies are grounded in the realities of everyday Canadians. Our region deserves a representative who understands the value of hard work and is committed to building a future where families can thrive.
What will your party do to address the cost of living?
The Liberal Party has a clear plan to make life more affordable for Canadians. We've cancelled the consumer carbon tax, bringing down gas prices and heating costs for families. We're also lowering the federal income tax rate on the first bracket, saving the average Canadian over $800 a year. These steps are part of a broader strategy to ease the financial burden on working and middle-class families, helping people keep more of what they earn.
How would your party address the crisis of homelessness, mental health, and addiction?
The Liberals are committed to treating mental health as a core part of Canada's healthcare system. We're expanding access to mental health services, funding community housing initiatives, and supporting harm reduction programs to tackle addiction. These investments will help prevent homelessness and ensure those struggling with mental health or substance use get the help they need because everyone deserves a safe place to call home and a path to recovery.
What kind of support should Ottawa offer border cities tasked with border protection duties?
Border communities, like ours, carry a national responsibility. That's why the Liberal plan includes hiring 1,000 new border officers, improving infrastructure, and investing in modern screening technologies. This ensures that our communities aren't left bearing the cost of federal responsibilities. It's about creating safer, more efficient crossings that support our local economy and keep people and goods moving.
How will your government support workers impacted by tariffs?
As someone who works with my hands and understands manufacturing, I know what these tariffs mean to real people. The Liberal government is fighting back with a $2-billion fund to protect auto and manufacturing jobs. We're also offering targeted relief for companies that keep jobs and investments in Canada. Our goal is to protect workers, secure our industries, and ensure no one is left behind when global trade gets tough.
How do you think the federal government should proceed in lowering emissions?
We need a practical and balanced approach to fighting climate change. The Liberal plan invests in clean energy and technology while keeping industry accountable through carbon pricing. At the same time, we've eliminated the carbon tax for consumers, cutting gas prices and making life more affordable. This approach protects the environment while supporting jobs and keeping our economy strong.
How can Ottawa encourage developers to build affordable homes? Should Ottawa work directly with developers?
Yes. The Liberal Party will act as a builder through the new Build Canada Homes agency to construct nearly 500,000 homes per year. We're unlocking public lands, streamlining approvals, and offering $25-billion in low-cost financing to developers. We're also cutting the GST on new rental builds and first homes under $1-million. Ottawa must work directly with builders to get shovels in the ground and homes built faster.