SPECIAL HAVE A CUP OF JOE WITH JOE

THE GORDIE HOWE INTERNATIONAL BRIDGE . . . JOINING TWO NATIONS TOGETHER

Few recent Canadian infrastructure achievements carry as much significance for Windsor Essex, southern Ontario, and the national economy as the Gordie Howe International Bridge (GHIB).

“The Gordie” is a once-in-a-generation milestone for Canada.

At a cost of $6.4 billion, the bridge is more than a major construction project. It is a long-awaited trade corridor, a source of civic pride, and a transformative public work that will reshape cross-border movement between Canada and the United States.

The Windsor–Detroit border is widely regarded as North America’s most economically significant international land crossing. For nearly a century, it has anchored the continental economy and served as a vital link in the just-in-time supply chains that sustain the automotive, manufacturing, and agricultural sectors. Historically, this corridor has carried roughly 25 to 30% of all surface trade between Canada and the United States. On a typical day, between $300 and $325 million in goods cross the Detroit River. Since auto parts often move across the border multiple times during vehicle assembly, even short disruptions can ripple quickly through factories across Ontario, Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana.

Marta Leardi-Anderson — a prominent figure in regional infrastructure and cross-border policy — is the Executive Director of the Cross-Border Institute at the University of Windsor. The institute was founded in 2008 and is dedicated to research, education, and public outreach related to the movement of people, goods, and funds across borders.

Leardi-Anderson comments on the importance of the GHIB: “The Gordie is built for purpose infrastructure; created specifically to manage commercial and passenger traffic with efficiency and the highest levels of security. It will be a critical part of the very successful Canada-U.S. trade corridors and those crossings currently providing border services for the movement of goods and people, some at the busiest land border crossings in Ontario.”

What follows is an overview of the bridge’s defining features, along with a look back at the decades-long effort that finally brought the project to completion.

This summary draws on official fact sheets, news releases, published reporting, and project materials to provide readers with a concise and accessible account of the Gordie Howe International Bridge (See their website stocked with all kinds of wonderful details, but do this after reading my article, LOL!).

The GHIB is the longest cable-stayed bridge in North America, with an 853-metre main span over the river between its two towers. Its distinctive A-frame design supports a cable-stayed deck with a minimum clearance of 42 metres (approximately 138 feet) above the Detroit River’s high-water level, allowing commercial shipping to pass below without interruption. The two main towers rise about 220 metres (722 feet), rivaling the height of Detroit’s Renaissance Center.

It isn’t just the bridge itself; it also encompasses the Port of Entry (POE) customs facilities on both sides of the river. The Canadian POE is situated on 130 acres, while the U.S. POE sits on 167 acres. Including its approach ramps and direct highway connections to the Right Honourable Herb Gray Parkway/Highway 401 in Windsor and I-75 in Michigan, the full highway-to-highway transportation corridor stretches 16 to 17 kilometres (10 to 10.5 miles).

For both Windsor and Detroit, the new crossing promises long-needed relief from truck congestion that has burdened inner-city streets for decades.

The bridge is built to manage high volumes of commercial and passenger traffic while allowing for future growth. It has six vehicle lanes — three in each direction — at standard highway width to accommodate heavy long-haul trucks, which account for a large share of Windsor-Detroit corridor traffic.

Unlike the older Ambassador Bridge, the GHIB includes a dedicated Multi-Use Path (MUP) for cyclists and pedestrians on its east side, separated from vehicle traffic by a concrete barrier for safety. The path connects to Windsor’s local trail network, including the Herb Gray Parkway Trails, and to Detroit’s Iron Belle Trail system. The Multi-Use Path is toll-free.

“The Gordie Howe International Bridge and its Multi-Use Path speak to the growing connectivity between Windsor and Detroit, and the exciting opportunities it creates for visitors to experience our destination in new and active ways such as cycling across an international border,” expresses Gordon Orr, CEO of Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island.

COVER STORY CONTINUES ON PAGE 18 OF THE JUNE 2026 EDITION

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In Safe Hands: The Local Experts Protecting Our Workplaces

Each year, on April 28, Canadians observe the National Day of Mourning to honour workers who never returned home or whose lives were permanently altered on the job.

Along with remembrance, the day serves as a reminder of the work still needed to ensure workplace injuries and deaths become a thing of the past.

While workplace safety is important year-round, Safety and Health Week (May 4–9 this year) is an ideal time for businesses and organizations to refocus their efforts and prioritize keeping employees and worksites safe. Remember, it is better to be safe than sorry!

Keep reading as we introduce you to several of the professionals who guide and support Windsor Essex and Chatham Kent businesses and organizations in preventing injuries and promoting safe and healthy workplaces.

SafestWork Consulting Inc.
After a decade working as a labour inspector with the Ministry of Labour, Adrien LeBlanc, BA, opened SafestWork Consulting Inc. The company started as a sole proprietorship in 2016 and was registered
as a corporation in 2017.

LeBlanc worked in enforcement across the Ministry’s two main programs — industrial safety and construction safety — before becoming President of SafestWork. He now leads the operation as Principal Consultant alongside his wife, Paula LeBlanc, BFA, Vice-President, whose background in marketing, advertising, and graphic design allows their team to provide clear and concise training. SafestWork Consulting Inc. provides health and safety training for workers and supervisors, consulting services (including policy management, inspections, and incident investigations), and complex project management support, with experienced safety professionals working on-site with project managers to help ensure compliance with safety requirements.

The LeBlancs have a staff of 12, with four handling administration and eight working in the field. Each senior consultant brings more than 25 years of experience, with backgrounds in medical care, ergonomics, manufacturing, construction trades, and general health and safety. The business is a CPO-approved training provider, which means it is recognized by the Chief Prevention Officer of Ontario’s Ministry of Labour. This allows SafestWork to deliver specific health and safety training programs such as Working at Heights.

Their large classroom is well equipped with all the equipment needed to deliver hands-on, practical sessions, including access to heavy equipment for forklift and elevated work platform training.

To complement its in-person training, SafestWork is launching its online training platform this month. This added service helps reduce in-person training hours and minimizes time away from work. Training can also be delivered on-site, with trainers available to provide mobile services.

“We have gone to great lengths to make sure that our programs are aligned with the most recent standards to ensure that workers get the most accurate information available,” Adrien indicates. “Workers also get the benefit of convenient access to the in-person, hands-on practical elements that they can’t get elsewhere.”

Safety challenges are part of every business, and he points to tight budgets as the culprit for those with shortcomings.

“Often the contracts are awarded to the lowest bidder — so companies always have to find ways to cut costs, and safety programs are often a casualty of that approach,” Adrien comments.

He continues by stating: “We find that companies often think of safety protocols as an added cost. We engineer the safety precautions into the regular tasks so that they create efficiencies to either save time and money or avoid the costs and delays that safety incidents will ultimately cost the company.”

A positive trend Adrien has noticed is that companies are becoming more selective in choosing their safety partners.

“Increasing fines for non-compliance have many managers checking to make sure the training provided is actually meeting the standards,” he mentions. “We have also been re-training workers who initially got a
certificate from some other sources that didn’t meet current standards.”

Unfortunately, falls from heights are still a major cause of injury and death in the workplace.

“Proper training is proving effective in lowering injury rates, but a single death is one too many,” says Adrien. “Investigators are finding that those who are getting injured or killed often did not receive the required training.”

SafestWork Consulting Inc. encourages companies to regularly review their operations to identify opportunities to improve safety programs, procedures, and training. They also emphasize the importance of ongoing training, particularly for new workers and new Canadians, to make sure they understand their rights and how to report concerns. In addition, Adrien notes that WSIB claims must be properly managed
through a clear Return to Work program to support timely medical treatment and a safe return to regular duties: “This means that our clients who may have had penalties from the WSIB in the past are now able to apply for rebates.”

To partner with a certified safety provider, register for training, or book on-site services, visit the new location of SafestWork Consulting Inc. at 2825 Lauzon Parkway, Suite 212, Windsor.

READ MORE FROM TW SAFETY CONSULTING SERVICES INC.ERGONOW INCORPORATED, LUCIER GLOVE & SAFETY PRODUCTS INC. AND DOVER DUDS IN THE COVER STORY THAT CONTINUES ON PAGE 18 OF THE MAY EDITION BY CLICKING HERE.

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SPECIAL ASK THE EXPERTS – Extinguishing Danger Before It Ignites: Fire Prevention In Our Homes

Anyone who has lived through a house fire can attest to the trauma experienced when they realize their home is burning.

The minutes prior are likely typical and calm, just as they would be during any other ordinary moment spent in the sanctity of your home. A flash of ignition, however, is another thing entirely!

Whether the fire originates quickly from a cooking source or slowly from a smouldering wire within a wall, the second you see the flames, it’s another level of terror.

We at Biz X sincerely hope none of our readers endure this type of tragedy, and with this in mind, we have set out to provide you with pertinent information designed to assist in preventing fires, as well as guidance if you do experience a fire on your property.

To understand the likelihood of a fire in your residence, we contacted John Smith, the Chief Fire Prevention Officer for Windsor Fire & Rescue Services and discovered there were 710 residential fires in Windsor during the period between 2020 and 2024.

These fires resulted in 315 injuries, 12 fatalities, and $73,917,689 in property damage. It is interesting to note that 2020 was the lowest amount at $8,061,633, with figures increasing to the highest in 2024 at $18,664,150! (Note: residential fires are occupancies basically where people sleep that do not need any care and include houses, duplexes, semi-detached homes, and apartment buildings).

“Windsor Fire and Rescue Services (WFRS) was formed in 1935 after the amalgamation of Windsor, Walkerville, Sandwich, and East Windsor,” recounts Smith. “Personally, I have 27 years with WFRS with 12 years in the fire prevention division. Our organization is active in various areas such as fire suppression, specialized rescue, medical assistance, and fire prevention/education services.”

The stats previously mentioned are staggering, and last year’s numbers appear significant as well.

“Statistics for structure fires in Windsor in 2025 have not yet been officially complied by the Ontario Fire Marshal’s office, but from internal calculations, 2025 was a busy year for firefighters again,” notes Smith. “Responses to unattended cooking/pot stove fires alone accounted for 180 of those calls. Kitchen fires can result in very minor damage, from light smoke to a total loss of the occupancy. I can confirm that there was one fatality in 2025. As the Chief Fire Prevention Officer, I want to see that number at zero every year.”

The Fire Prevention Division’s complement has 10 Fire Prevention Officers, one Public Education Officer, and a Chief Fire Prevention Officer. The Fire Prevention Division is also responsible for Fire Origin and Cause Investigations. WFRS also incorporates an Emergency Communications Centre, Training Division, Apparatus Division, and an Administrative Division.

“Currently in Windsor, the leading cause of fires is unattended cooking/pots on the stove, resulting in kitchen fires, however, careless smoking is the leading cause of fire-related fatalities across the province,” states Smith. “When it comes to kitchen fires the best advice is to stay in the kitchen while you are cooking on the stovetop. Distractions that pull you away from attending to what is on the stove can result in the water boiling away when boiling eggs, oil becoming overheated and igniting into flames, or bacon overheating and igniting. Of course, always make sure your cooking appliances are turned off when leaving the home. When it comes to smoking, always discard smoking materials into a metal container after wetting them down with water.”

There are several other potential causes of residential fires that can have a severe effect on our lives, but there are measures we can take to mitigate these hazards.

“Only use extension cords as a temporary power supply and do not overload electrical plugs with multiple appliances and devices,” Smith advises. “Do not charge cell phones under pillows at night, use only approved chargers, and make sure all charging devices are CSA or CAN-ULC rated.”

He adds: “Check your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms monthly by pressing the test button. Replace the unit within 10 years after the manufacture date and if you rent, inform your landlord of any problems with an alarm.”

Firefighters are in contact with the public daily and relay fire and life safety measures. They also check homes to make sure smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are located on each level of the home.

“The Fire Prevention Division offers public education messaging at local schools, The Safety Village (7911 Forest Glade Drive, Windsor), young adult groups, new Canadian groups, mature adult organizations, public events, and through social media,” informs Smith. “WFRS participates in the annual province-wide Fire Prevention Week which is happening this year from October 4 to 11.”

READ TIPS FROM Red Seal Fire Protection Ltd.; Nussio Electrical Ltd.; Superior Plumbing & Home Comfort; Spadafora Insurance Services Inc. and Supreme Services in the cover story…

READ THE ENTIRE COVER STORY ON PAGE 18!

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The Movement To Keep Girls In Sport And Create Lifelong Participation

Photos By Sanja Tabor, unless marked

To celebrate International Women’s Month in March, we drew inspiration from the 2026 theme — Give to Gain — as a reminder of the power of support, mentorship, and collaboration, especially when it
comes to sport. For trainers, coaches, and clubs who invest in the health and development of girls and women, the impact extends far beyond the field, rink, or gym.

Sports offer tremendous physical, mental, and social benefits, helping young people develop leadership, resilience, and strategic thinking. Many women credit their athletic background with providing the confidence and skills needed to shape a successful career and life.

Despite the benefits, participation rates among girls tend to decline with age. Girls step away from activities they once loved, with the drop-off becoming particularly noticeable in their teen years.

Data shows that factors like body image, lack of confidence, fatigue, injury, cost, and lack of inclusive environments are barriers to continued involvement. As a result, many young women miss out on the benefits of being active.

We reached out to local mentors, trainers, and coaches to learn how they are strengthening participation, improving retention, and working to create a lasting impact for girls and women in fitness and sport.

Cross Border Swim Training

After coaching youth swimming for more than 35 years, Stacey Kane recognized an opportunity to specialize in training adults looking to excel in — or return to — the sport.

In the summer of 2025, she decided to exclusively coach Masters for swimmers 18 years and up and launched Cross Border Swim Training to accommodate her new students.

Along with training athletes for competition, the group also welcomes adults who want to stay active in a faster-paced environment. As the only Canadian-owned and operated U.S. Masters Swimming training group and team under Michigan Masters — and with the Windsor International Aquatic and Training Centre as her facility — Kane has attracted not just Ontario swimmers, but also Michigan athletes who prefer training in nearby Windsor over using school or community pools.

Kane competed in swimming in high school and then dived into teaching swimming and lifeguarding. She found that leading children (particularly teens) was something she really enjoyed. Eventually, after she graduated and ventured into life beyond school, she left swimming behind.

Many years later, when it was time to enroll her own children in a Learn to Swim program, she felt the need to get back into coaching.

As a certified Pilates instructor, Kane also began to include movement work into her training sessions. While the men initially thought it was an exercise just for the girls, they quickly realized the benefits and the impact it had on their training.

She had always noticed that the girls were dropping out faster than their male counterparts and returning to the sport revealed the same challenges in retaining young women.

Influences like anxiety, peer pressure, and social media all played a part in changing an athlete’s perspective. “Even pressure from their own teammates about how they look was a factor,” Kane adds.

It was imperative that she instilled a sense of belonging within her program, ensuring that all athletes felt they were welcome, especially the girls. When it was time to engage in difficult conversations, she knew
that her gender played an important role in creating a space for open conversations.

“I found that the female athletes wanted to talk more so I made it easy to talk about their concerns,” Kane mentions. “As a female coach dealing with females, we can be more empathetic and understanding because we have experienced the same thing with our own development, self-doubt, and changing bodies.” Even now training adults, Kane still emphasizes to the athletes that everyone will develop differently, especially since each has their own goals.

Some swimmers want to focus on a stroke or technique as they prepare for an upcoming competition, and others just want to prove something to themselves. It has become a busy and varied group with participants ranging in age from 18 to 80!

“I love that there’s this cross section and I’m just excited they want to get back into the water,” she expresses. Kane feels the next natural step is to get women back to coaching. Despite a lot of women competing in swimming, most coaches at the higher levels are men. Unfortunately, she has seen great women leave coaching due to burnout or because of how they were treated by their male counterparts.

“We need to support each other, and we need to support women coaches so we can keep them in the sport,” says Kane. “Seeing a woman coaching does a lot for the girls. It creates a space where the athletes feel supported and can build confidence. It’s also easier for them to envision themselves doing something like coaching in the future.”

Being a role model and creating an environment of inclusivity and growth where all of her athletes excel, is exactly why Kane remains committed to the sport: “I’m lucky to work with amazing athletes. I really love what I do.” Visit their website to learn more about training or getting back to the pool to improve your technique (you must be over 18).

Three additional organizations and one business share how they’re opening doors, building confidence, and changing the game for girls in sports: Windsor West Little League (Softball); Windsor City FC
(Soccer); Sam McIntosh (Personal Training & Yoga Instruction) and Sun Parlour Female Hockey Association . . .

CONTINUE READING THE COVER STORY ON PAGE 18

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A Triple-Threat Local Dessert Lineup . . .Cheesecake, Cookies & Candy, Oh My

By Laurie Reybroek

February is the month of LOVE, whether it be for a special someone, family members, children, friends, co-workers, or simply for some self- directed appreciation . . . there’s no more thoughtful gesture to show you care than with a sweet cheesecake-y surprise!

In January 2022, Biz X published a Cover Story on several scrumptious local bakeries. Now four years later, we sink our teeth into specific offerings such as cheesecake, pastries, cakes, candies, cookies, and chocolate, all found in the Windsor Essex and Chatham Kent regions.

However, the “big cheese” of this story — and the item in common for all businesses profiled — is cheesecake, a culinary item that is believed to have Greek origins.

Thousands of years ago, “plakous” was made from cheese, flour, and honey, often serving as a source of energy for Olympic athletes. The Romans adopted plakous and adapted it to “libum,” utilizing several
types of cheese and incorporating eggs and spices into the concoction. Libum was often served at celebrations and feasts.

As the cheesecake ancestor spread throughout Europe, sweeteners such as sugar — an expensive item at the time — were added to appeal to a broader range of tastes.

In the 19th century, European settlers brought their recipes and techniques to the United States. Years later, the New York-style cheesecake was born when Jewish immigrants began adding cream cheese into the mixture and serving it on top of a crushed graham cracker crust. Thus, the modern-day cheesecake came to be. Fast forward to 2026 and let’s begin the exploration on cheesecake creations in the area and the many more desserts tempting tastebuds along the way.

The entrepreneurs featured next represent only a limited number of the plentiful and diverse small businesses in the baking industry, but we also must mention that the yummy treats they sell are not the only things sweet! These business owners are the cream of the crop: amazing, industrious, and driven individuals.

So, put aside those carefully crafted New Year’s resolutions as we dig in fork-first to the decadent offerings in our community, but keep in mind the following . . .

WARNING: THIS “CHEESY” STORY MAY CAUSE INTENSE CRAVINGS!

Learn about six area businesses — Gluten Free Pantry; Just POP On In; Leamington Food Outlet Ltd.; Luke The Cheesecake Guy; Sweet Moments and Whiskingbabe — who will steal your heart and fulfill your sweet cravings in our Cover Story!

CONTINUE READING COVER STORY ON PAGE 18

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