When Optics Tell a Different Story, Part 1

A lack of diversity plagues hospital decision making in Windsor-Essex Part 1

Decision making for the new Windsor Essex hospital system rests in the hands of a small group of elite and politically connected power brokers. This group bears little resemblance to the region's increasing ethnic and socio-economic diversity. Elected and unelected officials have created a tightly controlled power structure to promote the deeply flawed exurban development plan. Their top-down approach and highly selective messaging are designed to satisfy a homogenous, mainly middle class suburban and rural audience. This strategy has not only created a deepening divide in the community; it has served to bury the voices and healthcare needs of tens of thousands of residents. Especially affected are those on fixed incomes, those with impaired mobility, and those who are dependent on public transit for their transportation needs. However, this small group of decision makers - among them Windsor mayor Drew Dilkens and Windsor Regional Hospital (WRH) CEO David Musyj -- wish you to believe otherwise...

For example, Mayor Drew Dilkens recently declared his commitment to diversity when he wrote in a Facebook post, "It is important to talk with people who can make us see the world differently." Indeed. He had participated in a June 19, 2020 online panel with local Black, Caribbean and African leaders. The panellists discussed "barriers to justice and equality and opportunities for Windsor to be the most inclusive, respectful, loving and connected community possible."

Mayor Dilkens' stated desire for inclusivity echoes WRH CEO David Musyj's promise from a May 2015 CBC interview: “...the most inclusive, transparent, fullsome process that will result in the best decision for the location of the new hospital. What we have been told is that we have put together such a process up this point by trying to get the community involved.”

Perception is Reality

Optics (and actions) that tell a different story Completely contrary to these laudable stated goals, the decision making process for the planned new regional hospital system has been tightly dictated by a small group with little of the racial, economic or cultural diversity that characterizes the Windsor-Essex population.

"Currently there are over 170 ethnicities and 70 spoken languages making Windsor the fourth most ethnically diverse city in Canada."                         -- City of Windsor, Cultural Mapping Community Stories

1.  A Narrow, Privileged and White Demographic

One glance at the members of the WRH site selection committee confirms an astonishing lack of diversity. Six of them are current or former WRH Board members. They share an abundance of high profile professional backgrounds and prominent board appointments, representing a narrow, privileged and largely white demographic.

One of the members professed a desire to speak for the Francophone community. While that's admirable, who represents BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour) or newcomers to Canada, and those who live in the region's most densely populated neighbourhoods (clustered near Windsor's downtown and the city's west end)?

Another member went on to become the president of the Essex Riding Association of Maxime Bernier's People's Party of Canada (PPC), known for its hardline stance on immigration and refugees, as well as its denial of human contributions to climate change. Openly racist social media posts by the Essex candidate caused this riding to come under fire during the 2019 federal election.

Who speaks for the particular challenges of those who are wheelchair bound or dependent on public transportation to get around? Are any of the committee members single parents, perhaps with limited resources and several children? Or is anyone on the committee disabled, with no family support system to rely on? Was this committee ever capable of truly understanding, predicting and planning for the entire community's future needs?

2.  The Men Wielding The Most Power More disturbingly, our regional diversity isn't reflected among those steering the hospital planning through the municipal and provincial approval and oversight processes. These men are the ultimate decision makers. These spokespeople and process gatekeepers have the loudest and most persistent presence in the local media. They are the power brokers who directly speak for the "entire" community at the Ministry of Health and in Queens Park.   But do these men truly represent everyone?

From the top, in clockwise direction: David Musyj, co-chair of the new hospital steering committee and CEO of Windsor Regional Hospital, Gary McNamara, Mayor of Tecumseh and Warden of Essex County,Tom Bain, Mayor of Lakeshore and former Warden of Essex County, Glenn Ackerley, Fairness Advisor, Drew Dilkens, Mayor of Windsor, Dave Cooke, co-chair of the new hospital steering committee and former chair of the Erie St. Clair LHIN.

3.  A "Father Knows Best" Approach To Communication The Windsor Essex Economic Development Corporation (WE EDC) recently hired the lobbyist firm Crestview Strategy ("We make, change, and mobilize public opinion") to "stage" a taxpayer-funded "grassroots" campaign. This approach perpetuates the monolithic top-down PR style (complete with bait and switch tactics) that characterizes nearly a decade of hospital planning and decision making:

"...now we’re providing a platform for a more co-ordinated and effective message.”            -- Stephen MacKenzie, CEO, WE EDC, describing his organization's six-figure taxpayer funded campaign to manipulate residents into supporting the exurban hospital plan.

The ethnicity and professional backgrounds of the four people in the video testimonials posted in June 2020 to promote WE EDC's "interactive grassroots campaign" certainly don't represent the reality of Canada's fourth most diverse city:

From the top left, in clockwise direction: Karl Lovett, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 773 Joe McParland, Forward 42 Karen Riddell, WRH Vice President, Critical Care, Cardiology, Regional Stroke, Trauma and & Clinical Support Services Kevin Marshall, WRH Director, Facilities & Capital Planning

Stay Tuned! In Part 2, we'll look further at those influencing the push for the County Road 42 new hospital location. We'll also discuss ways greater diversity in decision making can be immediately achieved -- without resorting to tokenism -- and without negatively affecting the provincial funding for our new hospital.