CBC recently posted an article called "Get to know the 15 people vying for Windsor’s empty Ward 2 council seat"While I encourage you to read every candidates answers, I have included mine below for easy reference! 1) Name:Jake Kelza Pollock2) Occupation:I work in sales and do social media marketing on the side via my community support …
While I encourage you to read every candidates answers, I have included mine below for easy reference!
1) Name:
Jake Kelza Pollock
2) Occupation:
I work in sales and do social media marketing on the side via my community support initiative,
Made in YQG.
3) Where do you live and what ward?
I currently live on the boundary of Ward 5 and 8. While I understand that living within Ward 2 is
important to many residents, the nature of my community work keeps me active across every
part of Windsor on a regular basis.
4) What is the biggest issue facing the ward?
The biggest issue facing Ward 2 is a lack of civic engagement. With a less than 20% voter
turnout in 2022, roughly 80% of residents had chosen to have no say in who represents them.
That’s a problem.
When so few voices are heard, it’s no surprise that so many people feel disconnected from city
decisions involving Ward 2.
5) What are your top three priorities?
1. Encouraging Civic Engagement
One of my main goals is to make the city council feel more approachable. With low voter
turnout, there is a huge disconnect between residents and representatives, it’s clear that people
don’t feel heard. I want to bridge that gap by encouraging open dialogue, showing up
consistently in the community and making local government feel like something residents can
actually engage with.
2. Advocating for Transparency and Accessibility
Transparency should be the standard. Council minutes, councillor votes and activity reports
should not only be easy for the public to access but also to understand. The City of Windsor’s website is outdated and difficult to navigate compared to other cities.
When elected officials are also blocking residents on social media platforms, it becomes almost
impossible for people to learn what’s happening or who represents them given that these posts
are not also officially documented elsewhere.
I want to push for a modern and accessible approach to communication and transparency so
residents can stay informed without having to dig for relevant information about their own city.
3. Bolstering the Sandwich BIA
Ward 2’s Sandwich BIA carries a unique challenge because so much of its business district is
city-owned property, which limits levy contributions to the BIA and holds back growth.
My goal is to work toward an agreement that allows the BIA to activate community spaces such
as the rental rooms at Mackenzie Hall and Mary E. Bibb Park at no cost to them, in lieu of
levies. This would allow improvements to make the area more inviting for residents, visitors and
potential investors, especially as the Gordie Howe International Bridge opens next year.
If Sandwich St. is being left in the dust, the rest of the ward suffers too. Strengthening Ward 2’s
main street is key to revitalizing the entire community.
6) Ward 2 was part of the residential rental license pilot. Landlords with four units or less
needed to pass city inspections to rent out units. Critics say the annual license cost of
$625 could be passed on to renters making housing more expensive. Supporters say it
led to safer units after 71 per cent of units failed inspection. Do you support or oppose
the program, and why?
I support the idea of the residential rental license program, but I believe it needs some
adjustments. The intent to hold landlords accountable and ensure safe and maintained housing
is important, especially given the current housing conditions in Ward 2.
However, this program likely exists because people are desperate for housing and have limited
options. If the city focused more on improving affordability and increasing the supply of quality
rentals, the market itself would encourage better landlord practices. When tenants have real
viable choices, landlords have to stay engaged and competitive.
Addressing the root causes should be just as much of a priority as enforcing compliance.
7) City council has approved the search for a new housing, homelessness and help hub.
Council originally selected a site in Ward 2 at Crawford Avenue and Wyandotte Street but
then backed out of the deal. Where does this site need to go?
There isn’t an easy answer to this issue and no matter where H4 is located, there will always be
concerns from nearby residents and businesses. During my time volunteering recently for the
Downtown Mission’s Bench Talks initiative, I spent 24 hours outside the Mission speaking with
community partners, EMS, police and local leaders about homelessness and related
challenges.
From those conversations, one thing became clear and that is the H4 needs to remain close to
essential downtown resources such as hospitals, police and social services. Accessibility is
critical for those seeking help. Splitting it into multiple smaller buildings only increases operating
costs which are not supported by current governement funding.
As for exactly where it should go – I’m not afraid to admit that I don’t have the answer. I believe
decisions like this should come from genuine community consultation and collaboration with
people on the frontlines who understand and deal with the realities of homelessness every day.
8) Windsor has been given Strong Mayor powers from the province to help build homes.
It allows the mayor to veto certain decisions that were approved by the majority of
council. Do you support these powers?
While we largely correlate the negative sides of strong mayor powers through decisions like the
Tunnel Bus veto, it’s important to recognize that the power to appoint or dismiss senior staff and
to restructure departments still looms. These powers are being actively used and have the
potential to create an extremely toxic environment for city staff.
Even recently, CBC reported that Mayor Dilkens used strong mayor powers related to the
employment of senior staff more than 30 times. He stated these decisions were made “in
consultation with the whole of city council,” but Coun. Fred Francis publicly noted that he’s “not
always consulted.”
When leadership holds this level of unchecked authority, it fosters a culture of forced support
and resentment rather than collaboration. City staff and councillors alike should be able to
question, advise and challenge decisions without fear of potential retaliation. Healthy
governance depends on transparency and mutual respect, not control.
While other candidates have written 5000 word essays on how strong mayor powers have the
“potential to reinvigorate local democracy”, strong mayor powers will never be anything more
than a slap in the face to democracy.
9) It’s a crowded field. How do you intend to stand out from your fellow candidates?
I’m not your average politician. I’m young, relatable and have already doing the hands-on
ground work that residents applaud councillors for doing. Most importantly, I’m not afraid to
speak up when something isn’t right.
“No Baloney in Sandwich Town” is my campaign slogan for
a reason.
10) Is there anything else you’d like to add?
I want everyone to keep in mind that this by-election is for a one-year term, with another election
coming next year for a full four year term. My platform is built around what I believe is
realistically achievable in the short term while setting the foundation for long term progress.
A vote for me is an investment in the future of accountable, transparent leadership in Windsor
that listens and delivers. I’ll continue to advocate for these things regardless of winning, and I
fully expect the community to hold me to those same standards if I do. That’s what true
representation looks like.
You can find my website jakekelzapollock.com or Instagram @jakekelzapollock
