Christopher Leclair - A Conservative

Last week, I wrote about why governments should not be allowed to vote on their own pay raises.

On May 13, 2026, Cornwall City Council voted in favour of increasing their own salaries. City councillors will now make $32,699 instead of $28,699, while the mayor’s salary will increase from $73,260 to $90,260.

I do not believe this is reasonable, and I will continue standing by what I have always believed: governments should not be allowed to vote on their own pay raises.

We have much bigger issues in our city that need attention, including homelessness, fixing our streets, paying down city debt and getting Sunday bus service.

Coun. Elaine MacDonald once again supported this motion and was one of the strongest supporters of the pay raise. This is also the same councillor who supported additional spending on the art centre by saying, “life happens.”

Taxpayers deserve accountability and responsible spending.

The six councillors who voted in favor of the pay increase were:
* Councillor Elaine MacDonald ( seeking re election
* Councillor Carilyne Hébert
* Councillor Claude McIntosh
* Councillor Sarah Good
* Councillor Syd Gardiner
* Councillor Denis Sabourin ( seeking re election )

The five members who voted against the motion were:
* Mayor Justin Towndale
* Councillor Dean Hollingsworth
* Councillor Maurice Dupelle
* Councillor Todd Bennett
* Councillor Fred Ngoundjo

If you are not aware, City Council voted last summer to put even more taxpayer money toward the Art Centre project. The additional amount approved was $2,205,218.20.

The final cost of the Art centre will likely be over $ 20,000,000. The project originally started at $7 million.

During discussions, Coun. Elaine MacDonald stated, “life happens,” regarding the increasing costs to taxpayers.

My solution would be to sell the building once it is completed. We cannot stop the project now because it would create too many legal and financial issues.

By selling the building, taxpayers would save on yearly upkeep costs, staff salaries, benefits, and pensions. It would also reduce the long-term financial burden on the city while allowing the property to still be used and developed.

We also don’t know if they would be willing to spend more money if that ever came up again.


For spending additional money

1. Sara Good
2. ELAINE MacDonald ( re seeking election)
3. Maurice Dupelle
4. Syd Gardiner
5. Carlyne Hébert
6. Todd Bennett (re seeking election)
7. Claude McIntosh
8. Fred Ngoundjo (re seeking election)
9. Denis Sabourin ( re seeking election)

Voted against additional spending.
1. Dean Hollingsworth

Taxpayers deserve transparency and accountability when millions of extra dollars are being spent.

Should City Council get a pay raise?

As of 2026, Cornwall’s mayor earns $71,127 and councillors earn $27,827.

With the rising cost of living, inflation, and higher property taxes, I would not accept a pay raise if I were elected to council.

Anyone who runs for office knows exactly what the salary is before filing their nomination papers. Public service should be about representing residents not voting yourself more money while families are being asked to pay more every year.

This is not about whether councillors work hard. It is about timing and priorities.

When residents are stretching every dollar to cover groceries, rent, and bills, council should be focused on responsible spending, not higher salaries.

Cornwall families deserve leadership that understands what people are facing every day.

Lastly, politicians shouldn’t be voting on their own pay raises; that decision should come from the public. It’s too easy for someone to vote in favor of increasing their own salary most people would. Also, just because council was reduced by two seats doesn’t automatically justify pay increases, especially if the original plan was to save money.

Key Details on the 2024 Vote for a pay raise.
* For the Increase: Sarah Good, Claude McIntosh, Elaine MacDonald, Syd Gardiner, Carilyne Hébert, Glen Grant.
* Against the Increase: Todd Bennett, Maurice Dupelle, and Mayor Justin Towndale.
* Absent: Councillors Dean Hollingsworth and Fred Ngoundjo.

Endorsement update ‼️‼️‼️‼️

We did it, together, we reached 25 signatures. I received the final 25th signature needed.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to support me during the endorsement process. Your encouragement, conversations, and confidence in me mean a great deal.

Now it’s time for the final step and to get everything officially underway. Then the hard work will continue while climbing the hill.

Not long ago, our current city council voted to reduce the number of councillors from 10 to 8.

Why am I against it?

Because it takes important voices and perspectives away from the table, especially when Cornwall continues to grow and now has 53,000 residents.

Fewer councillors means fewer voices representing neighbourhoods, fewer perspectives during major decisions, and less accountability to the people.

If council believes this move will save money, I believe they are looking at the wrong problem. This is not a revenue issue it is a spending issue.

If anything, Cornwall should be moving toward a ward system. A ward system would give residents stronger local representation and make sure every part of the city has a clearer voice at the council table.

Endorsement update: 🚨

We’re now at 23of 25 signatures — only 2more to go.

Thank you to everyone who has signed and shown support so far. Every signature matters, and we’re getting closer to the goal.

For an endorsement all you have to do is give your name, address and sign it.

If you want to help push us over the line, reach out today. I’ll come to you for a signature.

Cities of comparable size, such as Belleville, already provide Sunday bus service to their residents. This demonstrates that offering seven day transit is both achievable and beneficial for communities like ours.

Currently, Cornwall Transit charges $3.25 per single ride and $70 for a monthly pass. In comparison, Belleville charges slightly higher fares while still maintaining Sunday service. Based on this, a modest fare adjustment in Cornwall such as a $0.50 increase per single ride and a $20 increase to the monthly pass could help offset some of the operational costs associated with adding Sunday service.

The benefits of Sunday transit service would be significant:

* Allow residents to travel to and from work, particularly those in retail, food service, and healthcare

* Improve access to essential services and daily errands

* Independence and mobility for residents without access to a vehicle

* Support local businesses and employers by improving workforce availability

As a starting point, I propose a limited Sunday schedule with buses running each route once per hour from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. This approach would help manage costs while still providing reliable service.

Staffing could be addressed by utilizing part-time or casual employees, or by implementing a rotating schedule among existing drivers.

It is also important to note that residents have recently voiced their support for Sunday transit during Cornwall Transit discussions. There is clear community interest in expanding this service.

Attending a City Council meeting should come with transparency and accountability.

Under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Canadians have the right to freedom of expression, (under Section 2(b) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, guaranteeing media freedom of expression, publication, and information gathering).

This includes the ability to record public officials while they are carrying out their duties in a public meeting.

If someone is quietly recording from their seat and not disrupting proceedings, they should not be told to stop or asked to leave. Doing so raises serious concerns about openness and respect for the public’s right to hold elected officials accountable.

Municipal governments are there to serve the people not operate behind closed doors or restrict transparency when it’s inconvenient.

Residents in Cornwall deserve clear, consistent policies that support openness, not limit it.

Accountability isn’t optional it’s the foundation of public trust.

The City of Cornwall is facing a major infrastructure challenge. Within the next year, we must find approximately $10 million to fund our portion of a new secondary water intake system a $40 million project, with $30 million already committed by senior levels of government.

This is a necessary investment to protect our drinking water and support future growth. However, it also raises an important question: how do we move forward without placing an unfair burden on taxpayers?

At the same time, we must start planning for the future of waste management. Our current landfill is only expected to last until 2047. If we don’t act early, the cost of developing new landfill space will be significant.

We need to start thinking long-term.

One idea worth exploring is a waste-to-energy facility, such as an incinerator. While the upfront cost is high, it has the potential to reduce landfill use, extend its lifespan, and generate energy. However, for a city our size, this type of project would only be realistic through a regional approach.

That’s why I believe collaboration is key.

By partnering with SDG Counties, we can share the cost of major infrastructure projects whether it’s waste management solutions or other regional services. Working together allows us to reduce duplication, lower costs, and create more efficient systems that benefit everyone.

What does an incinerator do ?

An incinerator reduces landfill waste volume by approximately 90% through high-temperature burning (up to 1,000°C), converting trash into ash, flue gas, and heat. Often used in waste-to-energy facilities, they turn waste into electricity and heat, while reducing the need for landfill space, managing hazardous materials, and destroying pathogens

We need responsible planning, smart investments, and regional cooperation to keep Cornwall affordable while still moving our city forward.

What are your thoughts?

Municipal lawn care, maintenance by Laws could be unconstitutional .

Duck v. City of Mississauga (2026 ONSC 73).

Natasha Bulowski, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Canada's National Observer Jan 16, 2026

The case was brought by Mississauga resident Wolf Ruck, who argued that maintaining a naturalized garden was a form of personal and environmental expression.
Why it was Unconstitutional: The court found that the bylaw's rigid standards were not "minimally impairing" of Charter rights and were not justified for health or safety reasons.
Significance: This ruling establishes that, in Ontario, citizens have a right to cultivate naturalized gardens (sometimes called "wild" gardens) as a form of expression against traditional, chemical-dependent lawn culture.
Context: This is the third time Ontario courts have ruled on this issue, following similar cases in the 1990s (Bell v. City of Toronto) and early 2000s (Douglas Counter case) that upheld the right to natural gardens.

I understand a residents in the city of Cornwall may not like yards not maintained, but they also have to realize, there are laws in the charter of rights and freedoms protect that.

Property owners should also realize that By Law officers could be violating Trespass to Property Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. T.21 if not welcomed. If you ask them to leave, they must follow your requirement.

Today, I want to take a moment to help people better understand the responsibilities of a municipality.

Municipal government plays a direct role in many of the services we rely on every day.

1. This includes development, building permits, local fees, and enforcing by-laws that help keep our community running smoothly.

2. Cities are also responsible for family and community support services. While funding is shared. roughly 20% from the province and 80% from the municipality, the City carries most of the responsibility for delivering these programs locally.

3. When it comes to policing, municipalities must ensure coverage. In many smaller communities like Hawkesbury or Alexandria, this is often done through the OPP, while larger cities operate their own local police services.

4. Your City is also responsible for maintaining and improving local roads, as well as providing parks, trails, and playgrounds for residents to enjoy.

5. On top of that, municipalities manage essential services like property taxes, water and sewer systems, and waste collection while including weekly garbage pickup. In Cornwall, these combined costs are projected to rise by nearly 12% in 2026.

6. Other key responsibilities include protective services, senior supportive housing, geared-to-income housing, recreation facilities, and public transit.

At the end of the day, municipal government is the level of government closest to the people and its decisions impact your daily life more than you might think.