The Town of Tecumseh has partnered with Community Mediation Windsor-Essex (CMWE) for a one-year pilot project providing conflict resolution services for issues that fall outside the scope of the Town’s by-laws or regulations. The program is offered free of charge and is a completely voluntary conflict resolution process.

“We are pleased to be working with Community Mediation of Windsor-Essex on this important service for our community,” said Gary McNamara, Mayor of Tecumseh. “As we have found over the years, not every neighbourhood dispute involves a Town by-law or regulation and for many cases, having an independent mediator with expertise in conflict resolution can help settle disputes.”

Community Mediation is a collaborative process where volunteer Community Mediators help people with a conflict/disagreement resolve the situation themselves through the use of safe, voluntary and mutually agreeable decision making. The service can also assist with rebuilding relationships and empowering parties to resolve future conflicts.

The process to set up Community Mediation is simple and quick. Members of Tecumseh’s staff and the OPP have been trained in the program and will direct individuals to the Town’s dedicated webpage to contact Community Mediation of Windsor-Essex. The Town will provide meeting space for the sessions to be held within Public Health Guidelines. At the meeting, co-mediators will work with everyone involved through shared, open dialogue that respects all parties involved.

“We are excited to offer this service in the Town of Tecumseh, the first local municipality to launch the program,” said Judy Lund, Strategic Development Manager, Family Service Windsor-Essex. “Other municipalities in Ontario have found a benefit in using this type of service for neighbourhood disputes and we are hopeful it will have the same success locally. Many property owners do not realize that a situation that may seem large and hopeless can be resolved simply by working through the concerns and reaching an amicable solution together.”

The Community Mediation program will run for one year with a report to Council on on uptake, success and contact rates. Individuals or groups who wish to utilize the program may do so by following the link or reaching out to Community Mediation Windsor Essex directly at 519-966-5010 or info@cmwe.ca

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Media Contact:  Brian Hillman, Director Building and Planning Services, 519-735-2184 Ext. 131

Program Contacts: Judy Lund, Strategic Development Manager, Family Services Windsor-Essex, 519-966-5010 Ext. 1046

Elizabeth Strutt-MacLeod, Professor/Coordinator St. Clair College, 519-972-2727 Ext. 4415

French Language Contact: Kevin Pinsonneault, Directeur general WEBLC  (519) 253-3526 ext.4024