1. Councillor Sleiman Info
2. Councillor Sleiman coverage on Rose City Politics
3. 2022 Windsor Election Rose City Politics Candidate Questionnaire answers:

Councillor Sleiman Info

350 City Hall Square West, Suite 530
Windsor, ON
N9A 6S1
Phone: 519-944-7058
Email: esleiman@citywindsor.ca
Councillor Sleiman News and Biography
Website: www.edsleiman.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ed.sleiman.ward5
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ed_sleiman
Twitter: www.twitter.com/ed_sleiman

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Councillor Sleiman coverage on Rose City Politics

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2022 Windsor Election Rose City Politics Candidate Questionnaire answers:

1. What is your prior political experience?

Member Of Windsor City Council for Ward 5 For 12 Years

2. Why are you running?

My decision to seek re-election was an easy one. I love what I do. It is my passion to work diligently with my colleagues on council on numerous issues important to both my Ward 5, and the city of Windsor as a whole.

My lifetime experience in the construction industry makes me a most effective watch dog for taxpayers, to minimize any cost overruns on municipal infrastructure & building projects.

I worked diligently along with my colleagues on council to secure the $5-billion Electric Vehicle Battery Production facility investment in the City of Windsor, which will create over 2,500 new local jobs. 

This recent success requires continued leadership and experience to ensure the project remains on track, creates the promised jobs and capitalizes on future opportunities. 

Windsor is now poised to continue to grow and diversify the local economy and create more jobs and this will require to double down on my efforts implementing important economic and infrastructure projects to grow and diversify economic opportunities in our city. 

3. What do you do currently for a living?

Member Of Windsor City Council for Ward 5 full time

4. What is the biggest issue affecting the ward you are running for?

Investing in Ward 5 to improve the quality of life

• Past 12 years I have brought unprecedented levels of infrastructure spending on roads, sewers, & sidewalks in Ward 5 providing safety for pedestrians, cyclists & motorists.
• Delivering many enhancements & amenities for Ward 5 like dog parks, splash pads, enhanced community centres, enhanced lighting for parks, including George Avenue Park with its incredible playground, basketball court, and walking trail. 
• Continuing my commitment to an age friendly city while pursuing job opportunities for our young people.
• Affordable housing obviously impacts many in our ward.  I championed and focused effort on streamlining development approvals & building permits to attract more affordable housing being built for young families.

5. What is the biggest issue affecting the city of Windsor?

Economic diversification and job creation:  To remain competitive, to attract investment, build more housing options for families and be ready for more opportunities, we need to develop a plan that will ensure that Windsor is able to take advantage of the significant growth opportunities now present in our region. Without this, Windsor will be severely hampered in its efforts to compete for more jobs. 

Windsor is now poised to continue to grow and diversify the local economy and create more jobs.  This will require us to continue implementing important economic and infrastructure projects to grow and diversify economic opportunities in our city.

To remain competitive, to attract investment, build more housing options for families and be ready for more opportunities, we desperately need a major land servicing plan within our city limits. This plan will ensure that Windsor is able to take advantage of the significant growth opportunities now present in our region. Without this land being serviced and readily available, Windsor will not be able to compete for more jobs.

We need to partner with University of Windsor, St. Clair College and all skilled trade stakeholders to establish a dedicated incubator to help foster and grow Windsor’s tech entrepreneurs and skilled trades workforce.

We need to partner with the District Chamber of Commerce and District Labour Council as key stakeholders in developing an investment climate that is attractive to sustained new investment creating new high paying jobs.

We must also concentrate our efforts to work with government and private stakeholders to increase the supply of electricity to our region, making sure we have power when and where job creators need it. 

6. Are you seeking any endorsements?

Yes… from the most important special interest group of all… the residents of Ward 5

7. Have you received any endorsements?

Yes… for 3 terms, the residents of Ward 5 have elected me to represent their interests on City Council.

8. Will you continue the “hold the line on taxes” policy?

YES… I have always been fiscally responsible, transparent, accountable & approachable and I supported the role of the Auditor General & the Asset Management Plan to achieve efficiencies, cost control & environmental protection to provide quality public services at a cost taxpayers can afford.

I take the side of ordinary taxpayers when I vote, rather than special interests.

I fought to bring down our debt significantly, increasing our ability to pay as we go for many projects which means savings to taxpayers.   Taxpayer supported debt has been reduced from almost $150 million in 2011, to under $55 million. Our financial reserves increased from $149 million in 2011 to over $291 million in 2021.  This occurred despite the extra expenses incurred during the Covid pandemic.

9. Do you support the mega-hospital location?

YES… I do not wish to see this vital project for our community unnecessarily delayed any longer. 

10. Do you support strong mayor legislation?

There are some benefits to be sure.  However, time will reveal as to what pitfalls need to be addressed and what transitions need to be made to optimize its use for all residents of Ontario.

11. Should the city use taxpayers dollars to bring jobs to the area?

YES… in order to continue to grow and diversify the local economy and create more jobs and this will require implementing important economic and infrastructure projects to grow and diversify economic opportunities in our city. 

• We are in the enviable position to continue to grow and diversify the local economy and create more jobs and this will require implementing important economic and infrastructure projects to grow and diversify economic opportunities in our city. 
• To remain competitive, to attract investment, build more housing options for families and be ready for more opportunities, we need a major servicing plan within the City of Windsor limits. This plan will ensure that Windsor is able to take advantage of the significant growth opportunities now present in our region. Without this land being serviced, Windsor will not be severely hampered in its efforts to compete for more jobs. 
• Renew and invest additional funding to the Community Improvement Plan (CIP) program like I championed in Ford City, to help fund more redevelopment and investment in established neighbourhoods and Business Improvement Areas to attract new business and grow existing ones. 
• Spending on amenities needs to be a priority as well.  Now, more than ever, amenities have become an integral part of infrastructure to attract new companies with highly skilled jobs.  They are attracted to cities that have an excellent quality of life with a wide spectrum of great amenities ranging from cultural venues to sports, entertainment and leisurely pursuits.   Windsor needs to be seen as not only offering a business-friendly climate, but because we also offer these very same amenities for their employees.
• Great neighbourhoods make great cities! We need to continue to invest in our neighbourhoods to improve the quality of life. They are places where people live, and they should be GREAT! We need to create a healthy, vibrant, and resilient city for our citizens to be able to work, raise a family and enjoy the amenities Windsor provides.  We must continue the path of being an age friendly city while pursuing job opportunities for our young people.
• I believe that I have always shown leadership in this area by securing a significant share of the entire city’s budget for infrastructure being spent in Ward 5.
• I have also delivered many enhancements to amenities for Ward 5 like dog parks, splash pads, community centres, and saving Seminole Branch library. We just completed George Avenue Park with its incredible playground, basketball, baseball diamonds and walking trail. 

12. If you are running in a ward with an incumbent who is also running, why is change necessary, and why are you the person to deliver it?

I believe that my experience will continue to be the steady hand required to finalize and deliver on the Stellantis/LG battery plant to create thousands of new jobs as well as stay on track for the construction of a multi billion-dollar health care facility/hospital for the City of Windsor.

We can’t afford to have inexperience jeopardize the progress we have made. Canada to secure the $5-billion Electric Vehicle Battery Production facility investment in the City of Windsor, which will create over 2,500 new local jobs. 

This recent success requires continued leadership and solid experience to ensure the project remains on track, creates the promised jobs, and capitalizes on future opportunities. 

13. How many hours per week do you plan to allocate towards council business if elected?

Admittedly, I am a workaholic working hard full time, dedicating over 60 hours a week – to give the residents of Ward 5 the representation they deserve.  I am literally on call literally 24 / 7.

14. Do you live in the ward you are running for?

YES… for over 35+ years

15. What agencies, boards, or committees do/have you served on, and in what capacity?

A few of my extensive city committee & community involvement and I have served as the chair on a number of these:

• Planning & Economic Development Standing Committee,
• Windsor-Essex Community
• Housing Corporation,
• Windsor-Essex County Health Unit,
• Essex Region Conservation Authority,
• Ford City & Pillette Village BIA,
• Habitat for Humanity,
• Transit Windsor Advisory Committee,
• Social Development,
• Health & Culture Standing Committee,
• Windsor Licensing Commission,
• Seniors Advisory Committee,
• Windsor Accessibility Advisory Committee,
• Essex Windsor Solid Waste Authority. 

My background also includes:

• University of Windsor – Bachelor of Applied Science in Industrial Engineering.
• University of Michigan – Associate Degree in Industrial Training.
• St. Clair College Studied Management.
• Taught trade related courses to Journeymen and Apprentices.
• Past member – Professional Engineers of Ontario, American Institute of Industrial Engineers, and Canada Green Building Council.

16. What person, animal or fictional character should be Windsor’s unofficial mascot?

Picture of the New Gordie Howe Bridge that is animated to illustrate a “Bridge to Our Future!” leading to bright Sunshine horizon.