A political science professor at the University of Windsor believes it could be an uphill battle for Mayor Drew Dilkens during this council term.
Lydia Miljan says a new dynamic on council could mean different outcomes compared to what residents have been used to seeing for the past four years.
The comment comes after council voted to reintroduce fluoride to the city water supply by a vote of 8-3, with Dilkens one of three votes against the measure.
Miljan told AM800's The Afternoon News it's going to be tougher for Dilkens to get things done.
"It seems like there is a shift in the power dynamic on city council. Even though Drew Dilkens is an incumbent and he was able to be re-elected, the fact that the balance of power on council itself has changed, I think is going to show that his power is going to be greatly, maybe not diminished, but restrained," she said.
University of Windsor Political Science Professor Dr. Lydia Miljan (image via UWindsor website)
Miljan believes collaboration is going to be more important this term.
"He's going to have a lot more finessing he's going to have to do. It's not going to come as easily and he's going to have to really listen to the concerns of all council," she said. "I think in the past he was able to maybe not play nice with everybody and that's going to be his biggest challenge moving forward."
She also thinks the shift in power may force Dilkens and his allies to re-think their strategy.
"I think a lot of times it really is different ideas and different perspectives and it's all well and good to say you want to get your agenda through, but if the other people who are elected disagree with those things, as in the case of fluoride, then that's not going to happen," said Miljan.
She believes the the next interesting vote will be the future of retail cannabis stores as Dilkens has publicly stated he's against them, but the majority of council may not be.
Windsor Council will discuss the issue at either its January 7th or 21st meeting.
The city must inform the province of its decision by January 22.