Christopher Leclair - A Conservative

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.