City did not answer questions on $2.6M housing budget cut by deadline

Accountability Watch: We asked the City of Windsor what the $2.6M homelessness and supportive housing cut (budget item 2026-0097) covered. The CAO's office acknowledged our complaint Oct. 29. The City did not reply with answers by the 5 p.m. Oct. 30 deadline.

Topics: Money and taxesCouncil and City Hall

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The City of Windsor did not answer written questions about a $2,626,537 cut to homelessness and supportive housing by the deadline of 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30.

The item is 2026-0097 in the 2026 budget. The proposed budget amendments in December 2025 listed it as an in-camera issue titled "Labour Relations." The approved budget lists it as "Homelessness and Supportive Housing Reduction," adopted under MD 03-2026. On Jan. 26, Mayor Drew Dilkens told CBC News the details would be made public after negotiations with staff.

Windsor News publisher Kyle L. Stewart first asked the City about the item on Sept. 30. On Oct. 22, City Treasurer Janice Guthrie replied that the matter went to Council in camera because it involved negotiations, legal advice and information supplied in confidence by another level of government. She said services to residents were not affected and that no further comment would be made at this time.

Stewart sent five follow-up questions the same day, asking what program area the reduction came from, the basis for saying services were not affected, and when details will be released. On Oct. 26, Guthrie replied that "no further comment will be given at this time" and said to file a freedom-of-information request.

That day Stewart sent a formal complaint to Chief Administrative Officer Ray Mensour asking for written answers to four of the questions by 5 p.m. Oct. 30, or a specific reason for any the City could not answer. The CAO's office acknowledged the complaint on Oct. 29 and said it would follow up. The City did not reply with answers by the deadline.

A freedom-of-information request for records on the item was filed Oct. 22 and is proceeding. Windsor News has filed a complaint with the Ontario Ombudsman. We will update this story if the City responds.

Track this and other open questions at windsornewsdesk.ca/foi/.