BlackburnNews.com file photo, Transit Windsor Tunnel Bus sign at the city's downtown bus terminal.BlackburnNews.com file photo, Transit Windsor Tunnel Bus sign at the city's downtown bus terminal.
Windsor

Dilkens to use veto power to end tunnel bus service

Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens announced he intends to use his veto power to end the operation of the Windsor-Detroit tunnel bus.

Last week, council members voted to keep $1.4 million in the 2025 city budget to continue operations.

"I just cannot rationalize having tax taxpayers in the City of Windsor subsidize bringing people over to the United States to spend their money and help the US economy when our economy as a country, our economy certainly here locally as a community, is under direct attack," said Dilkens.

Dilkens has until Thursday to veto council's decisions on the budget. City Councillors then have another 15 days attempt to override the mayor's veto.

Once the decision is finalized, Dilkens says they will wind down the service and provide at least 30 days notice before seizing operations.

Dilkens also clarified that he intends to keep the license active so the city can resume services if it makes economic sense in the future.

Dilkens also announced the city will pull its $50,000 sponsorship of the Detroit Grand Prix.

"I don't want to be seen and I want to make sure the residents in our city know that we're not sponsoring events in the city of Detroit in the United States if this city and this community are under economic assault by the president of the United States," said Dilkens.

City administration has also been instructed to review the city's purchasing agreements and make adjustments to buy Canadian where possible.

"Where ever we have an opportunity to substitute we will look at that and we will make the appropriate decision to make sure that we're procuring whatever we can from Canadian sources as appropriate," said Dilkens.

Windsor City Council was scheduled to hold a special meeting Monday to discuss the city's procurement policies. The meeting was cancelled as the Prime Minister and President Trump were scheduled to speak again Monday afternoon.

The topic may be discussed at the next council meeting on February 10.

Editor's Note: This story was written prior to the late afternoon announcement that tariffs are being paused for 30 days.

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