Windsor's outgoing council can still approve up to $119.4M in Sandwich South borrowing
In July, Windsor council gave its outgoing members the power to pass by-laws borrowing up to $119.4M for Sandwich South while it is a lame duck. City minutes and agendas show none has passed so far. Council's next regular meeting is Nov. 9.
Topics: Council and City Hall
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Windsor's outgoing council still holds the power to approve borrowing of up to $119.4 million for the Sandwich South lands before the new term starts Nov. 15, City records show.
The power
On July 27, 2026, council passed By-law 121-2026 (decision CR336/2026). It delegates authority to the outgoing council to pass by-laws authorizing debentures for the Sandwich South Development Capital Works through Ontario Infrastructure and Lands Corporation, known as Infrastructure Ontario, and lets the mayor, the City treasurer and the City clerk sign the documents. It applies from Aug. 21 to Nov. 15, 2026, unless council extends it, if council is a lame duck. Unofficial election results show it is.
The loan
On March 30, council approved applying to Infrastructure Ontario for up to $119.4 million to pay for phases 1 and 2 of the works. City report C 108/2026 says the application was under review and was tentatively set to go to Infrastructure Ontario's board in September. The report says the borrowing is to be repaid from development charge reserves, and that the authority would let the treasurer submit draw requests for project costs since March 30.
Why council did it
Under section 275 of the Municipal Act, a lame duck council can't make an expenditure or take on a liability over $50,000. City staff recommended the delegation "out of an abundance of caution," saying a delay in signing the financing agreement could hurt the City's cash flow.
The vote
The motion carried. Councillor Fred Francis voted no. Unofficial results show Francis was elected mayor on Oct. 26, and he takes office Nov. 15.
So far
No debenture by-law is among the by-laws council has passed since July 27, City minutes and agendas show (By-laws 125-2026 to 155-2026, at the Sept. 14, Sept. 28 and Oct. 23 meetings). Council's next regular meeting is Nov. 9.
Our 10 a.m. story on the full $280.2 million Sandwich South plan has the financing details.
