CORNWALL, Ontario – Affordable housing, lower taxes and attracting investment opportunities were major points of discussion at the mayoral debate on Wednesday, Oct. 3.
The Seaway Valley Community Health Centre hosted the debate in partnership with Centre de santé communautaire de l’Estrie and St. Joseph’s Continuing Care Centre (SJCCC). The debate, held at SJCCC, ran from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and attracted slightly over 50 attendees.
Candidates were asked how they would contribute to the City’s poverty reduction strategy. Mayor Leslie O’Shaughnessy said that efforts to fulfill the Cities Reducing Poverty Charter signed in Dec. of 2016 have taken time to come to fruition.
According to O’Shaughnessy, the Social Development Council has held successful brainstorming sessions where information and feedback was complied and analyzed. He reinforced the importance of planning and understanding, suggesting that the council plans to adopt a strategy followed within other municipalities.
Coun. David Murphy related the question back to some of the most common themes discussed throughout the evening: increased education opportunities and affordable housing. When looking for funding for the enhancement of social housing, Murphy believes that partnerships will help to garner and attract investment opportunities.
“We should bring our partners in from SDG and Akwesasne, and why not partner with the school boards as well?” said Murphy.
Nicole Spahich discussed the definition of poverty, suggesting that ‘living from cheque-to-cheque’ and requiring more than one job classifies as poverty. She empathized with citizens who don’t receive pay for time taken off of work due to illness and alluded to how there should be guarantees monetary compensation.
Coun. Clement spoke about how the Social Development Council was created following the closure of Domtar in 2006 as the province was concerned for residents of our city. She believes that social development is conducive to economic development, thus the City must continue to work with the council to promote vibrancy and strategies that make communities resilient and better able to face poverty.
“We have to have transit so people can get to work and contribute. We have to have arts festivals and music festivals so people feel connected to their community and eachother,” said Clement. “There is not just one answer here.”
The Social Development Council held a job fair on Oct. 3 that attracted 40 different employers and 17 service providers, offering around 400 jobs. Hundreds of residents were in attendance.
“Turnout at municipal elections is lower than federal and provincial. Casting your own ballot is not enough,” said Hugo Rodrigues who moderated the event. He encouraged everyone to motivate five friends or family members to vote.
A livestream of the debate can be viewed on the Seaway Valley Community Health Centre’s Facebook page.
