Election over, work begins: Windsor-Essex MPPs on their plans for another term

Following Thursday’s provincial election, all the incumbents keep their seats - but what can we expect going forward? CTV Windsor’s Sanjay Maru explains.

With the results now official, attention turns to what lies ahead for these representatives and the communities they serve.

Lisa Gretzky, re-elected in Windsor West despite clear messaging from the Ontario PC Party that they were targeting her seat — the only riding west of London not held by a Conservative — said her constituents expect their MPP to be a strong voice against Doug Ford’s policies.

“They want investments in public healthcare and education. They’re fed up with rising costs and struggling public services,” she said minutes after results were announced Thursday.

She pointed to the financial struggles families face and the need for urgent government action as reasons why Windsor West voters rejected a shift to the PCs.

“After seven years of Doug Ford, we have a health care system in crisis. We have an education system in crisis. We have more people who are experiencing homelessness and going to food banks than we did before,” said Gretzky.

She pledged to fight against healthcare privatization and continue pressing for additional school funding. She also reaffirmed her commitment to bringing local issues to Queen’s Park.

“Every single piece of legislation I tabled last session came directly from people in Windsor West,” she said.

Andrew Dowie, re-elected in Windsor-Tecumseh, said he is eager to push forward key infrastructure projects, with the regional hospital at the top of the list.

“We’ve seen progress, but we need to move even faster,” he said.

Dowie emphasized that healthcare remains a major priority for the PCs, recalling his own experiences in local hospitals.

“I’ve spent a lot of time in that hospital. My time with my dad always sticks out with me—it wasn’t the staff’s fault, it was the building’s fault,” he said, stressing the need for a modern facility with better infection control.

While he aims to accelerate the hospital project, Dowie also plans to focus on the economy, defending local industries against potential U.S. tariffs.

“The economy is the way we pay for health care,” he said. “We need to keep investments flowing.”

In Essex, Anthony Leardi won by a decisive margin, crediting Doug Ford’s leadership and the government’s focus on manufacturing investment and job creation.

“Protecting Ontario workers and businesses will be our top priority, especially with the looming threat of tariffs,” he said.

Leardi believes a strong stance in negotiations with the U.S. is critical, “We don’t want a tariff war. They don’t want a tariff war. We want to negotiate. We are best friends. We are best allies.”

Beyond trade, he said he wants to ensure Essex County’s infrastructure supports future economic growth, pointing to the importance of investing in roads and transportation. Leardi also plans to continue fostering relationships with trade unions.

Trevor Jones retained his seat in Chatham-Kent—Leamington, calling his victory a mandate for stability and economic growth.

With tariffs and trade uncertainty looming, he said his role will be to ensure local industries, particularly manufacturing and agribusiness, are protected.

“We need leadership to deal with these economic challenges. The business community needs stability, and now they have it,” he said.

Looking ahead, Jones said he wants to strengthen rural infrastructure and ensure farmers and small business owners get the support they need, “Listening to our leaders, taking that information back to the seat of government, and acting on it—that’s how we make a difference.”