Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority names André Juneau new COO

André Juneau has been named new Chief Operating Officer of the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority.

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"He was brought on to assist the senior leadership team with the important work we have to do now," said spokesperson Mark Butler. "Clearly the board had wanted to have some direction at a senior level to help with the other senior managers."

His new role includes the duties of WDBA President Michael Cautillo, who is on a personal leave.

"This job is a completely different job than that of CEO and President, it's an important distinction," Butler stated, adding Juneau has been working with senior management for the past number of weeks. 

Windsor West NDP MP Brian Masse said this is the first time in weeks he's had "any idea as to who is running the show" at the WDBA.

"I see this as a hopeful appointment process where we can shed some light on positions that should be accountable to the public, because they are paid by the public," said Masse.

Masse said he wants the crown corporation to "build a trusting relationship with the public," adding that he hopes that Juneau will advocate against a public-private partnership that he believes would slow down the building process and mean more tolls.

"That's not the normal process of building a bridge between Canada the United States, this is an exception. So we have the opportunity to actually hasten the project," Masse said.