Kaschak to run for provincial Liberals as candidate for Windsor-tecumseh
Windsor city councillor Gary Kaschak has been named the Liberal candidate for Windsor-tecumseh in the upcoming provincial election.
The retired Canada Border Services Agency administrator currently representing Ward 8 at city hall was acclaimed as the Liberal candidate during a nomination meeting Monday night.
“I am looking forward to taking my advocacy and continued hard work to the next level as your MPP for Windsor–tecumseh,” Kaschak said. “There are many quality of life improvements that I will advocate for on behalf of the residents of our riding.”
Born and raised in Windsor, Kaschak began working in the public service sector in 1980. He retired in 2018 after being elected in Ward 8, fulfilling a campaign promise that he would become a full-time city councillor if elected.
If elected, Kaschak's top priority will be working to have a new hospital built in Windsor — one of three “cares” he said are “really big” in his platform: health care, child care and long-term care. He also has his sights set on securing another platform to Windsor Assembly Plant as well as bringing an electrical vehicle plant to the region, something he called “a must for Windsor.”
Kaschak, 62, said he loves being a city councillor and feels he could still represent his constituents in Ward 8 “but also at a higher level” in the Riverside and Forest Glade areas and in Tecumseh as a member of provincial legislature.
“I'm very connected to the Windsor-tecumseh riding and I think I can make a difference at a higher level. It would be an honour,” he said.
Kaschak described himself as a “real community guy,” having coached his two sons' youth baseball and hockey teams in the Riverside area.
“Gary is a fantastic city councillor with a strong passion for helping his community and those that call Windsor home,” said Ontario Liberal Party Leader Steven Del Duca in a statement. “I am very happy to have Gary on our team
and I look forward to working alongside him to make Ontario a better place for all.”
Percy Hatfield (NDP), Windsor-tecumseh's current MPP, announced his political retirement in July 2021, leaving the riding without an incumbent in the June election.
Other candidates in the riding include Gemma Grey-hall (NDP) and Tecumseh councillor Andrew Dowie for the Progressive Conservative Party.