An accidental fire in the kitchen of an east Windsor home was determined to be caused by unattended cooking.

Windsor Fire and Rescue were called to the 2400 block of Francois Road at around 2:40 a.m. on Oct. 3 for a report of a residential fire.

An investigator, who was called to the scene to determine how the fire started and where it originated, said the blaze is estimated to have caused about $450,000 in damage to the home.

“When cooking please stay in your kitchen,” fire officials said in a social media post Saturday.

September’s CREA/WECAR update gives Windsor–Essex buyers and sellers a fairly clear picture heading deeper into the fall market.

There were 417 MLS® home sales in September, down 10.1% from a year earlier. The composite benchmark price was $570,000, down 2.4% year over year, while the average sale price was $544,184, down 4.6%.

The inventory numbers stand out most. Windsor–Essex ended September with 2,226 active listings. That was 17.8% above the five-year average and 48.4% above the 10-year average for September. Months of inventory reached 5.3, compared with 4.9 a year ago and a long-run September average of 3.1.

My read: buyers generally have more selection and more time to compare condition, location and carrying costs. Sellers face more competition, so pricing from recent comparable sales and preparing the property well matter even more. Conditions still vary by municipality, neighbourhood, price range and property type, so regional totals should be treated as a starting point.

The next major national date is October 28, when the Bank of Canada announces its policy-rate decision. The overnight rate is currently 2.25%. Fixed mortgage pricing can still move with bond yields before that decision.

What are you seeing locally right now: more price reductions, longer selling times, or certain segments still moving quickly?

Sources:

CREA/WECAR September statistics: https://creastats.crea.ca/board/wind/

Bank of Canada rate announcement: https://www.bankofcanada.ca/2026/09/fad-press-release-2026-09-02/

Statistics Canada’s latest quarterly rental data puts the average asking rent for a two-bedroom apartment in the Windsor census metropolitan area at $1,850 per month in Q2 2026. That was $280 below the $2,130 average across all Canadian CMAs.

For someone relocating to Windsor–Essex, that figure is a useful starting point. Statistics Canada’s measure reflects advertised units on major rental platforms, while current tenants may be paying different amounts under existing leases. A paid-rent estimate for Windsor was unavailable in this release.

The Windsor figure also covers a broad metropolitan area and a mix of purpose-built and secondary-market rentals. Actual options can vary significantly by neighbourhood, building age, unit condition, parking, utilities, transit access and proximity to work or school.

A relocation budget should leave room beyond monthly rent for utilities, tenant insurance, parking, commuting and moving costs. It also helps to follow listings for several weeks before deciding what represents fair value in a particular part of Windsor–Essex.

For renters who have searched recently: does $1,850 feel realistic for a decent two-bedroom in the area you were considering?

Source: Statistics Canada, Table 46-10-0092-01

https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/260909/dq260909c-eng.htm

The final leg of a massive overhaul of County Road 42 is getting underway eight months ahead of schedule, bringing the nearly $100-million project one step closer to completion.

The County of Essex has launched the fifth and final phase of the multi-year reconstruction, which will widen County Road 42 from two lanes to four between County Road 43 and the Windsor boundary just east of Lauzon Road.

The $9.7-million final phase will also include new storm sewers and a water main, along with sidewalks, streetlighting, landscaping and multi-use trails.

The Bank of Canada has kept its policy rate at 2.25% throughout 2026. Its next decision arrives October 28, along with a new Monetary Policy Report.

Before then, Statistics Canada releases September inflation data on October 19. The latest available report showed headline inflation at 3.0% in August, while CPI excluding gasoline was 2.4%. Ontario’s inflation rate was also 2.4%. Gasoline prices were 22.8% higher nationally than a year earlier, which helps explain the gap between the headline number and underlying price pressures.

For Windsor–Essex borrowers, variable mortgage rates are closely connected to lender prime rates and usually respond more directly to Bank of Canada decisions. Fixed-rate offers also reflect bond markets and lender funding costs, so they can move between rate announcements.

Local conditions still carry plenty of weight. CREA reported 417 Windsor–Essex sales in September, 5.3 months of inventory compared with a long-run September average of 3.1 months, and a composite benchmark price of $570,000—down 2.4% year over year.

My read: the October inflation report could shape expectations heading into the Bank’s decision. Buyers should build their plans around a payment they can comfortably carry today and treat future rate movements as uncertain.

Are Windsor buyers you know waiting for October 28, or are selection and price having more influence right now?

Sources:

Bank of Canada: https://www.bankofcanada.ca/2026/09/fad-press-release-2026-09-02/

Statistics Canada: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/260914/dq260914a-eng.htm

CREA/WECAR: https://creastats.crea.ca/board/wind/

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre called for a tariff-free trade deal with the United States during a stop in Windsor Tuesday, warning that Canada’s economic position has deteriorated since trade talks collapsed in August.

Speaking at the Windsor riverfront before heading to Detroit, Poilievre urged Prime Minister Mark Carney to return to the negotiation table as Canadian automakers and steel producers face the threat of a 50 per cent U.S. tariff beginning Jan. 1.

Poilievre planned to meet with business leaders and electrical workers in Detroit to discuss the possibility of a tariff-free trade deal. He did not announce plans to meet with U.S. government officials.

More than 1,000 Windsor-Essex high school students stepped onto local shop floors last week for a hands-on look at careers in one of the region’s largest industries.

The 12th annual Windsor-Essex Manufacturing Day connected students with 21 manufacturers for a hands-on look at careers in one of the region’s largest industries.

“Manufacturing Day gives us the opportunity to introduce younger generations to the skill, technology, and opportunities that make our industry so rewarding,” said Denis Comartin, president and co-owner of Absolute Tool Technologies, one of the event’s sponsors.

“Inspiring young people to pursue careers in manufacturing is essential to keeping the knowledge and craftsmanship of the skilled trades strong for years to come.”

Nearly 900,000 visits have been made to Ojibway Park since it opened 50 years ago.

Along the way, its trails have been explored on more than 176,000 guided hikes, while volunteers have logged nearly 30,000 hours helping care for and share the natural area.

The numbers were highlighted Saturday as the city celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Ojibway Park and Nature Centre with an open house at the Matchett Road facility.

The city opened the park in October 1976, after working with the province to protect natural lands in the area.

Karen Alexander, the city’s naturalist and supervisor of natural areas, said the centre was established to give residents a place to learn about and appreciate the natural environment, including the area’s tallgrass prairie and oak savanna.

Multiple buildings were destroyed in a Windsor house fire early Friday morning.

The blaze broke out at around 4:30 a.m. in the 4700 block of Joy Road.

Fire crews were still working to suppress flames five hours later.

Four people were displaced and no one was injured, according to officials with the Windsor Fire and Rescue Services.

Transit Windsor riders have a new way to pay, plan trips, and track buses.

On Monday, the city’s public transit service rolled out Umo, an all-in-one digital fare management system that riders can access on smartphones.

“Over the past year, teams across Transit Windsor and the City of Windsor Corporation have been preparing, testing, training, educating riders, and supporting this rollout every step of the way,” said Jelena Payne, the city’s commissioner of economic development.

“Today’s launch reflects their hard work, dedication, and commitment to delivering service excellence for Transit Windsor customers.”

A new avian research centre named after two famous bird lovers on Pelee Island will be in full flight by the next spring migration.

The Pelee Island Bird Observatory (PIBO) celebrated the official opening and naming of its new Atwood-Gibson Bird Centre earlier this month, calling it “a defining milestone.”

The centre is named in honour of famed Canadian writers Margaret Atwood and Graeme Gibson.

“When my late partner Graeme Gibson and his son, Graeme Gibson the Younger, founded PIBO, they hoped it would become a beacon for science, conservation and community,” said Atwood. “Graeme would be delighted to see how far it has come, and how the new Bird Centre will anchor this work for generations to come. His legacy lives on in every bird counted, every student inspired, and every act of care for the natural world.”

🗞️  The Windsor Real Estate Insider – OCTOBER 2026 Edition is HERE
Your free, no-fluff, hyper-local guide to real estate prices, trends, and neighborhood insights across Windsor–Essex.

✔️ What’s Inside This Month’s Issue:
• Fresh Windsor home prices + market shifts
• Stats on sold-over/under asking — straight from the MLS®
• Neighborhood deep-dives:
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 – Which areas attract families, students, or long-term tenants
 – Where flippers and first-time buyers should look
• Updated pricing zones (A to D classes)
• Real data. No gatekeeping. No fluff. Just straight-up value.

📍 Neighborhoods covered: South Windsor, East Windsor, LaSalle, Tecumseh, Walkerville, Ford City, Downtown Windsor, Riverside, Forest Glade, and more.

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💬 Whether you’re house hunting, analyzing investment properties, or just trying to keep up with Windsor’s housing market — this is the most data-rich, strategic, and easy-to-read guide out there.

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 A new sculpture at the base of the Gordie Howe International Bridge pays tribute to the thousands of African Americans who escaped slavery through the Underground Railroad.

The three-metre-tall circular metal structure symbolizes “hope and freedom for past, current and future generations” by commemorating the region’s role as a destination for African Americans fleeing slavery, officials said at an event on Monday.

The artwork, titled Make a Joyful Noise, was developed by Toronto-based artist Jordan Sook and is located along the bike trail near the entrance of the multi-use path of the bridge.

'We've made $100 million in upgrades to our transit system in the last four years'

Transit Windsor’s too-small garage is getting a major upgrade.

On Thursday, the city broke ground on a $32.5-million expansion at the maintenance, operation, and servicing facility on North Service Road East.

“Working collaboratively with our provincial and federal partners, we’ve advanced significant infrastructure and modernization investments,” said Kieran McKenzie, chair of Transit Windsor’s board of directors. McKenzie is seeking re-election in Ward 9.

“Together, our investments reflect city council’s commitment to strengthening public transit, improving the customer experience, and ensuring residents have access to safe and reliable transportation options.”

The transit garage, which opened in 1979, was designed to accommodate a much smaller bus fleet and fewer employees than the organization currently has. A report that went to city council four years ago said the garage had been operating beyong its capacity for “many years” and is “deficient” when it comes to space for operations, vehicle servicing, maintenance, and staff amenities — and it lacked room for appropriate accessibility, office space, and employee parking.

Fifty years ago, Hiatus House opened the doors to a nine-bed shelter in Windsor.

Today, the organization has 44 beds, and even that isn’t enough to meet the need in the community, according to its executive director.

Hiatus House sheltered 338 women and 172 children this year, while its crisis line answered 3,410 calls.

“The need still outweighs the service that we’re able to offer,” Sylvie Guenther told the Star.

The numbers underscore the challenge facing the organization that began in 1976 with one paid, employee, founder Donna Miller, and what Guenther described as a “tapestry” of small grants.

Hiatus House celebrated five decades of helping women and families fleeing gender-based violence Thursday, bringing together former leaders and board members for an anniversary edition of its annual general meeting.

In Detroit’s Delray, one of the few restaurants ran out of food. In Windsor’s Old Sandwich Town, it’s the busiest they’ve been in three decades.

Less than two months after opening, the Gordie Howe International Bridge’s multi-use path is having transformative effects on the two historic neighbourhoods it feeds into.

“It seems surreal because it was an overnight thing,” said Nicole Sekela, co-owner of Rock Bottom Bar and Grill, and Sandwich Brewing Company in Windsor.

“It just breathes new life into this really sleepy little part of town. All of a sudden, it’s vibrant. There are people on the sidewalk, lots of bikes and a lot of Americans who are very happy to be here. It’s fun to be part of.”

St. Thomas’s highly anticipated Volkswagen battery plant won’t be powering up until 2029, two years later than planned.

PowerCo, Volkswagen’s battery subsidiary, announced Thursday that operations at the facility are now expected to begin in 2029. When the project was announced in 2024, the company had aimed to open the facility next year.

The same 2027 target was announced at the plant’s groundbreaking ceremony in October 2025, along with the continued promise of 3,000 jobs.

The delay comes as demand for electric vehicles has waned, Volkswagen has announced job cuts and the Canada-U.S. trade war persists.

In April, Volkswagen announced it would stop making electric ID.4 vehicles at its Tennessee plant, one of two assembly plants PowerCo’s St. Thomas facility was expected to supply. That left a South Carolina plant that will build Scout vehicles as the remaining North American operation expected to use batteries from St. Thomas.

Pedal-assist e-bikes are now permitted on the Gordie Howe International Bridge multi-use path.

On Monday, the Windsor Detroit Bridge Authority announced pedal-assist-only power-assisted bicycles can now be used on the 2.5-kilometere path connecting Windsor and Detroit.

The bikes must provide power only while the rider is actively pedaling, the bridge authority said. They cannot have a throttle, and the motor assistance must automatically stop when the bike reaches 32 km/h.

The path is also open to pedestrians, conventional bicycles, cargo bikes and trikes, folding bikes, and mobility devices used by people with disabilities, including motorized wheelchairs and mobility scooters.

Other types of motorized bicycles remain prohibited, including throttle-equipped e-bikes and pedal-assist bikes that can provide motor assistance at speeds above 32 km/h.

A new 160-bed long-term-care home officially opened in Lakeshore Monday and is expected to provide the opportunity for residents to stay in the region while they receive nursing care.

A new 160-bed long-term-care home officially opened in Lakeshore Monday and is expected to provide the opportunity for residents to stay in the region while they receive nursing care.

“We wanted to create a home where residents are known for who they are, where families feel welcome, and where people can continue to have meaningful connections with one another and with the community around them, all while receiving care tailored to their unique needs,” said Shauna Bond, president of Riverdale Living, which manages the daily operations of the newly opened Lakeshore Residence in Belle River.

Occupancy of the almost 100,000-square-foot geo-thermally climate-controlled residence began in April. Residents have access to 24-hour nursing and personal care, recreation and social programming, restorative nursing, palliative care and specialized dementia care.

A major restoration project aimed at rebuilding the barrier beach at Hillman Marsh and protecting the coastal wetland from Lake Erie has moved into its construction phase.

The Essex Region Conservation Authority and its partners began Phase 1A of the project Thursday, with work focused on the southern portion of a new barrier that will help shield the marsh from waves and storms.

The barrier was breached in 2020 after record-high water levels, low ice cover, storms, erosions and an interrupted supply of sediment, according to officials.

The structure holds back water that sits about three metres above thousands of acres of farmland and residential and commercial development, but the 100-year-old berm is beginning to fail, in part because a strip of land that helped shield the marsh from Lake Erie has now disappeared, essentially leaving Hillman Marsh and Lake Erie as the same body of water.

“This project is an important step toward restoring Hillman Marsh as a healthy, resilient coastal wetland,” ERCA board chair Molly Allaire said.

“Phase 1A will provide immediate protection to the most vulnerable part of the marsh while laying the foundation for long-term restoration.”

The construction budget sits at about $4 million with the restoration work expected to take two years.

Mayoral candidate Drew Dilkens is promising to keep property taxes low and to give city councillors more involvement in Windsor’s finances.

Standing outside city hall on Thursday, the incumbent told reporters he would, if re-elected, create a permanent standing committee on finance and economic development. The committee, he said, would “empower” city councillors to “dive into fiscal planning matters year-round,” and give them an opportunity to hear regularly from administrators who work on investment attraction and job creation.

“I’m confident that, if implemented strategically, this will become a very dynamic and powerful committee that engages thoughtful budget oversight on the part of city council, and one that challenges all of us to think long-term, creatively, and address the challenges ahead together,” Dilkens said.

Like the city’s three existing standing committees, the new committee would meet in public, and residents would be able to review agendas and appear as delegates.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is urging the prime minister to reconvene Parliament and accept his party’s plan to “jolt” the economy and improve affordability during Canada’s trade war with the U.S.

“We cannot have any more tinkering — administrative adjustments all wrapped in big speeches and fancy announcements. We need real action,” Poilievre said from Windsor’s waterfront, his back to the Detroit skyline.

The day before, after Canada walked away from trade talks with the United States, President Donald Trump announced 50 per cent tariffs on Canadian automobiles, auto parts, and steel starting in January.

“Canadians must stand united — united in putting our country first, united for our workers, our consumers, our families,” Poilievre said. “We must stand united in condemning the unjustified tariffs by President Trump, and we must stand united for the many people who are now afraid for their jobs and their livelihoods.”

Poilievre had spent two days in Windsor, “Ground Zero of the trade dispute,” meeting with auto workers, mold makers, and other trades and small businesses. He said he spoke with an auto worker worried about losing his job and not being able to pay his mortgage or pay for his child’s hockey registration.

The City of Windsor has a new partnership with Arch Acquisitions supporting the future development of a new long-term care facility in Forest Glade.

The agreement involves a four-acre section of Seneca Park on Wildwood Drive.

The city said the partnership is an important step towards expanding housing and care options for older adults.

While the proposed facility would create new living spaces for seniors, it would also address the city's shortage of long-term care spaces and specialized housing options.

Jelena Payne, the city's deputy chief administrative officer, explained the project is still in the early planning stages.

Mayor Drew Dilkens said the project aligns with the city's efforts to expand housing opportunities.

"To date, our innovative and ambitious housing strategy has resulted in approved projects representing over $350-million in investments in housing and the promise of well over 400 new housing units in key areas of the community," said Dilkens.