Community Benefits Must Address Border Impacts in Community Most Affected
Windsor – This week Brian Masse M.P. (Windsor West) launched a campaign raising the issue of border impacts in Sandwich Towne. International truck traffic has had a devastating impact one of Canada’s most historic neighbourhoods, the Community Benefits Framework as outlined in the Crossing Agreement for the Gordie Howe International Bridge was created to mitigate the impacts of border infrastructure construction and traffic in the region.
Masse has developed outreach tools to help inform the community around the Community Benefit Framework and Process. He has organized a rally for November 18th in Sandwich Towne where he is seeking to bring together community stakeholders impacted by international border infrastructure and to further inform residents about the Community Benefits Framework.
Masse talked about his rationale for launching this outreach initiative: “As the host community to the busiest commercial border crossing along the Canada-United States border, the Windsor-Essex region as whole has experienced a range of negative impacts including traffic congestion, environmental degradation, reduced public safety that has had devastating impacts in Sandwich Towne in particular. This neighbourhood has lost residents, businesses, schools and other public services all as a direct consequence of being the in the shadow of a major international border crossing. The Community Benefit Framework is our one opportunity to mitigate these impacts to some extent.”
Masse intends to further inform residents of Sandwich Towne about the Community Benefits process and to help the community articulate its priorities to the range of decision makers at senior levels of government: “I want to give both the community and the decision makers the best opportunity to understand how this border infrastructure has impacted people’s lives and what can or should be done to improve the quality of life in our community; particularly for those who have been so significantly impacted. We are only going to get one opportunity to get this right. I want to make sure that we collectively do everything we can to secure a bright future for everyone.” Masse added.
Masse will be asking stakeholders in Sandwich Towne for direct feedback regarding the Community Benefit Framework. He intends to report the results of this outreach to the Federal Government.
Here’s a link to short video that touches on the impact the border has had on Sandwich Towne:
YOU’RE INVITED TO A COMMUNITY DISCUSSION ON COMMUNITY BENEFITS
WHEN: Saturday, November 18th
TIME: 10 am – Noon
WHERE: Mackenzie Hall – 3277 Sandwich St.