Darcie Renaud

Phone: 519-903-6091
Email: renaud4ward1@gmail.com
Website: www.darcierenaud.ca
Facebook: www.facebook.com/darcierenaudwindsor

2022 Windsor Election Rose City Politics Candidate Questionnaire answers:

1. What is your prior political experience?

I worked for the late Bruce Crozier, MPP for over 10 years both in his Queen’s Park office and in his Essex Constituency office. I also ran for council in Ward 1 in 2018.

2. Why are you running?

There are a couple reasons. First, I love politics and public policy. I always have. Working for Bruce Crozier was one of the most rewarding jobs I’ve ever had. I can remember the first time I walked into Queen’s Park as a member of his staff in complete aww of that place and what an honour it was to be able to work there making good things happen for the community. Bruce was pragmatic, incredibly hard working and was able to work with people from all parties to get things done for his constituents. I’m concerned about the direction politics is going lately. It’s more divisive than ever and it’s not the kind of politics Bruce taught me. I want to help change that, in my own small way.

Second, we need more women on council. I have heard this from both women and men at thousands of doors I’ve knocked on. One of 11 is not enough. The only way to change this is for more qualified women to run.

3. What do you do currently for a living?

I work in planning, performance management, and continuous quality improvement at the Windsor Essex County Health Unit.

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

It really varies by neighbourhood in Ward 1. Knocking on doors I have heard that traffic calming, safety, affordability, increasing access to recreation closer to home, improving our local health and mental health care system, homelessness, and revitalizing our downtown core – to name a few – are all important. The biggest issue is how we find the resources to address these things. This is one of the focuses of my campaign. We need strong voices at the council table that can set priorities and help find the savings and efficiencies necessary to make important investments in our community.

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

Talking to residents in Ward 1, the biggest city-wide issues that have come up at the door are: health care, homelessness, and revitalizing our downtown core.

6. Are you seeking any endorsements?

Yes, from the residents of Ward 1.

7. Have you received any endorsements?

Yes! I am so grateful to the residents of Ward 1 for their willingness to open their doors and have conversations with me about what’s important to them, to our neighbourhoods, and to our community.

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

I’d like to avoid tax increases. That said, there are investments that need to be made in our community and we need to find the resources to make those investments. That’s why we need to better prioritize the way we spend our tax dollars to free up resources for the things that matter.

9. Do you support the mega-hospital location?

We need the new hospital badly. The location should not be up for debate at this point. I will work hard to secure funding from all levels to move the project forward quickly at the chosen site on County Road 42. However, the new hospital is years away and I think there is more that our municipality can do to improve access and quality of care now, not just in years from now when the hospital will be completed.

10. Do you support strong mayor legislation?

I’m concerned about the effect of centralizing power on our democratic system.

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

Yes, to some extent – as long as we are confident there will be a return on our investment. This is sometimes necessary when we are competing for jobs with other municipalities, including those in the US, doing the same.

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 think that in order to continuously improve, it’s important to have new voices and fresh perspectives at the table. I live in Ward 1 and I understand the challenges of my neighbours and my community. My experiences have helped me to look at ways we can make things better and more efficient, and I can build good working relationships to make that happen.

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

Whatever it takes to get the job done.

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

Yes.

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

I’m a Board member and Chair of the Program Advisory Committee at Julien’s House, a local charity that provides support to those affected by the death of a loved one.

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

I posted on social media because I was having trouble with this question. Here’s the winning answer taken directly from TJ Bondy: A peregrine falcon named rosebud. They are small in appearance but often underestimated. They are one of the fastest animals on the planet and when hunting, punch way about their weight.