Windsor West riding snapshot: Jobs top of mind

This is the first of three riding snapshots CBC Windsor will post this week. Wednesday, we'll look at Windsor-Tecumseh. Thursday, we'll look at Essex.

The people living in the riding of Windsor West are hearing from candidates who want to bring more jobs to the area.

The question is how to make that happen.

• Head here to see what happened in Windsor West last election

Brian Masse, the New Democrat candidate and the long-time incumbent in the riding, believes Ottawa needs to be more proactive in reaching out to the auto sector.

But the New Democrats also want to help small businesses thrive.

"We want to lower small business tax because small business accounts for 80 per cent of the Canadian economy,"he told CBC News in an interview.

Liberal candidate David Sundin, meanwhile, says that investing in infrastructure could be beneficial for the region.

"If you walk around the city right now, you're going to see infrastructure that's in a serious state of disrepair and decay,"he said.

He said investing in infrastructure would bring inimmediate jobs throughthe completion of the projects themselves, while improved infrastructure will make the city more competitive.

Sundin, who is a lawyer, also believes that Windsor must diversify its economy to some extent.

Henry Lau is representing the Conservatives in Windsor West in this election. He told CBC News that his business experience would help him attract investments.

"My specialty is my working experience,"said Lau, who is a mold-maker by trade, noting that he is able to identify the advantages that Windsor holds for business.

Lau also said he has a better grasp on the auto sector than the incumbent.

"He doesn't understand how the auto sector works. I do,"said Lau, referring to Masse.

Also in Windsor West, Margaret Villamizar is running as the Marxist-Leninist candidate, while Cora LaRussa is seeking the seat for the Green Party.

• On mobile? Click here for a graphic examining Windsor West.

Windsor West, which is sandwiched between the ridings of Windsor-Tecumseh and Essex, has been represented by Masse for more than a decade.

Masse was elected in the 2002 byelection that was called when Herb Gray resigned from Parliament.

Before that, Gray had held the riding for the Liberals since 1968.