Drew Dilkens was elected mayor in the city's 2014 municipal election.
23 Facts About Drew Dilkens
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Drew Dilkens studied at the University of Windsor, earning a Bachelor of Commerce degree and a law degree.
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Drew Dilkens then studied at Wayne State University where he obtained a Master of Business Administration, and at the International School of Management in Paris, where he obtained a Doctorate of Business Administration.
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Drew Dilkens holds the designation of Certified Human Resources Leader, and has training certificates from the Canadian Foreign Service Institute and the Canadian Securities Institute and Federal Bureau of Investigation in the United States.
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Drew Dilkens was criticized for promoting a $3 million dollar project to create a Christmas lights display amidst the mass flooding.
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When running for re-election in 2018, Drew Dilkens promised to "hold the line" on taxes, meaning to keep the municipal tax rate below the rate of inflation.
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Drew Dilkens claimed that the city's tax policy has helped save taxpayers $659-million since 2008.
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In March 2022, Drew Dilkens helped in securing a $5-billion investment for Canada's first domestic EV battery manufacturing facility.
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In May 2022, Drew Dilkens joined Premier Ford, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, cabinet ministers, and Stellantis executives to announce Stellantis' $3.6-billion investment towards modernizing their assembly plant to accommodate for the production of electric vehicles, while building two new research and development centres.
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In 2019, Drew Dilkens was criticized for social media comments which appeared to dismiss vandalism perpetrated against one of the CAMPP supporters.
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In 2015, a petition garnering 12,000 signatures urged Drew Dilkens to retract municipal approval for a commercial development near the Ojibway Prairie Complex.
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In 2017, Drew Dilkens rejected a related proposal to close Matchette Road, which runs between Ojibway Park and the Ojibway Prairie Provincial Nature Reserve.
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Drew Dilkens stated: "To move forward with closure of Matchette Road at this time would certainly have put this corporation in a great deal of jeopardy".
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Drew Dilkens defended his position, claiming that panhandling makes residents and families uncomfortable and stating that it is "incumbent upon us" to create a safe and welcoming environment downtown.
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The Windsor Police Services Board, which Drew Dilkens is chair of, made the decision to appoint her.
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In 2019, Drew Dilkens was asked by local reporters his stance on an unsanctioned overdose prevention site, which had been set up to help combat the opioid epidemic.
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In 2022, Drew Dilkens voted against a drug consumption and treatment site, breaking a tie between the 10 city councillors.
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Drew Dilkens cited concern over the location and the impact the site would have on neighbouring businesses.
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In 2022, Drew Dilkens appointed Theresa Sims as the inaugural Indigenous Storyteller, and Teajai Travis as the first Multicultural Community Storyteller.
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In July 2022, in honour of Hiram Walker's 206th birthday, Drew Dilkens unveiled a bronze statue of Walker at Hiram Walker Parkette.
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In November of 2023, the mayor used the strong mayor powers to dismiss city Engineer Chris Nepszy and city solicitor Shelby Askin Hager, this comes after Drew Dilkens previously promised to not use the strong mayor powers and remain collaborative with city council.
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Drew Dilkens tabled his 2025 budget for the city on January 3 2025.
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Also included in Drew Dilkens' 2025 budget is a $1.4 million cut to public transit funding.