Mayoral hopeful Marchand resigns from Chamber of Commerce post
Mayoral candidate Matt Marchand has resigned as president and CEO of the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce to run for the city’s top job.
The Chamber sent out a news release at 10 p.m. Friday stating it had accepted Marchand’s resignation, effective July 3.
“The Chamber Board thanks Mr. Marchand for his six years of dedicated service,” the release reads. Marchand said he’s concentrating full time on his mayoral bid. “It’s full speed ahead for the mayor’s race 2018,” Marchand said Saturday, before embarking on a warm-up triathlon swim in Lake St. Clair. “I am 100 per cent focused on vision, action, plan for the mayoral campaign.” Marchand announced on June 19 his candidacy for mayor of Windsor, which sparked some confusion about his job. The Chamber quickly announced that past board chair Janice Forsyth would assume the role of acting president and CEO. But Marchand, a former policy assistant to Mayor Mike Hurst from 1992 to 2003, originally said he was on vacation and still employed at the Chamber and that it would all be worked out soon. According to the Friday night release, Forsyth will assume the reins of the organization for the time being.
“As a past-Chair of the Chamber, we are confident Janice, with the support of the Chamber board and staff, will continue to effectively serve the needs of our members and the Windsor-Essex Region,” the Chamber’s news release reads. “As the policy of the WERCC is that it does not comment on personnel issues, there will be no further comment on this matter.” Chamber board chairman John Clark has previously said that it’s important for the organization to remain politically neutral and to not be seen as endorsing any election candidate.
The Ontario municipal elections will be held Oct. 22.
“I’ve enjoyed my six years as president and CEO of the Chamber, and I’ve used that knowledge and experience to serve our community,” Marchand said. “I wish Janice well. I’ve known her for a long time and she’s going to do a great job.”