Transit Windsor's rejection of Save Ojibway ad sparked flurry of emails
City won't release 28 email threads about rejecting Save Ojibway ad
A Save Ojibway ad rejected by Transit Windsor wasn't in violation of its advertising policy and sparked a flurry of emails between city staffers.
The simple poster showing two children holding hands while walking through a grassland was rejected in March because the organization didn't "advertise political messages," executive director Pat Delmore said at the time.
Questions about why that specific ad was different than other political ad campaigns — including ads by CUPE protesting the outsourcing of custodial workers and the city's own Greenlink campaign — have gone unanswered.
Policy allows political ads
Documents obtained by CBC News through a Freedom of Information request reveal Transit Windsor does have an advertising policy which specifically allows political ads.
The policy also states ads, political or otherwise, are allowed as long as they are not offensive and have to meet national regulations. But there is a safety valve — staff have the final say over any ads, a tool officials say was used to bar the Save Ojibway ad.
"All advertisements are subject to the discretion and consent of Transit Windsor," the policy reads, adding all of the organization's decisions are final and cannot be appealed.
The ad in question read: "Protect Canada's biodiversity, clean air, water and create a new trail. Let's look at closing Matchette Road."
Upon learning the ad she proposed did not contravene Transit Windsor's policy, Nancy Pancheshan from Save Ojibway said she was insulted.
The ad wasn't political, it just showed what Matchette Road could be, she explained. On the other hand, she sees the transit authority's decision to block her ad as pure politics.
"Not only was it political, it also hurt the campaign for more radio ads and Transit Windsor ads to promote this wonderful idea," she said.
City won't close Matchette Road
On Monday city council officially killed any hope the busy road that runs along the Ojibway Prairie Complex would be closed due to concerns that Coco Group, which as planning a big box development nearby, could take legal action.
Critics, including Pancheshan, said city officials let the company "bully" them and that endangered species will continue to die on Matchette Road.
On Tuesday, Delmore stood by Transit Windsor's decision saying, "We felt this was a contentious issue in the community, and we did not want to take a stand."
Delmore also admitted he was told not to talk about internal discussions about the contentious ad.
CBC requested access to emails between the executive director, his boss at the time Carolyn Brown, the Mayor's office and City Hall.
That request led to information about 28 email threads surrounding the decision. The city is refusing to release the contents of those emails and is also refusing to say who sent or received them.
Windsor's manager of records said the city doesn't have to release the emails because they involve advice, a third party or personal privacy.
Pancheshan said that lack of communication is a symptom of a bigger issue plaguing Windsor's city hall.
"It's not a democracy we have on council anymore, we have an oligarchy," she said. "If your ideas aren't deemed acceptable then it just seems the people that have these ideas are insulted."