Chamber mayoral debate: Dilkens, Francis and Pasquach at the Chrysler Theatre

Stability, change and ignored voices: what the three invited candidates pitched. The full recording is free on YouTube.

On Tuesday, Sept. 29 the Windsor Essex Chamber of Commerce, with the Downtown Windsor BIA, hosted its 2026 mayoral debate at the Chrysler Theatre, according to the Windsor Star, AM800 and the YourTV recording. Craig Pearson moderated. On stage were Drew Dilkens, Fred Francis and Kat Pasquach, three of 11 registered candidates. The Chamber says invitees followed a member survey and are not an endorsement.

Dilkens pitched "stability" and "proven leadership," preparation for Sandwich South, a Buy Canadian stance for City Hall purchasing, and opposition to four units as of right.

Francis pitched "change" and "basics before vanity," housing first, a permanent downtown central library, restoring the tunnel bus and no new taxes, and criticized the Asset Management Plan levy.

Pasquach pitched ignored voices, cooperative housing, citywide bike infrastructure and dignity for unhoused residents. She briefly lost an answer on diversifying the economy, then apologized on stage for a quip.

Dilkens and Francis had heated exchanges on Roseland and four units, a disputed claim about a CAO firing, the Village at The Barn and the cost of the tunnel bus. The full recording is free on the YourTV Windsor YouTube channel.