CORNWALL, Ontario – Citizens of Cornwall had a chance to hear from their municipal election candidates at the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce candidates meet & greet and mayoral debate on Wednesday, Oct. 10 at the Civic Complex. The debate was broadcast live on YourTV
During the debate Cornwall’s four mayoral candidates, Nicole Spahich, Bernadette Clement, David Murphy and incumbent, Leslie O’Shaughnessy outlined their visions for the future of Cornwall on issues as diverse as taxes, tourism, wards, the waterfront and more.
On the issue of taxes, both Mayor O’Shaughnessy and Councillor Murphy said that while no one likes taxes, a zero percent increase was unfeasible.
Councillor Clement went further and criticized the city’s auditing efforts.
“We’ve not been doing scheduled audits,” she said. “That’s where we’ve dropped the ball.”
Clement also said that taxes were necessary in order to make much needed investments into Cornwall’s infrastructure.
In terms of wards, Mayor O’Shaughnessy said he was not in favour of introducing a ward system, and that this was not an issue he had heard much about from constituents.
“People feel more confident that they can call 10 people instead of one,” he said.
Clement disagreed and said that the people she’s spoken to have taken an interest in the topic.
“I would commit to raising that,” she said. “I think it is a symptom of a larger problem. People are disengaged.”
“Let’s put it back to the people so let’s have a referendum on the ward system,” said Murphy, who explained that he could see Cornwall reduced to 5-6 wards with 2-3 floating councillors for a total of eight. “I’m all in favour of less government.”
“You both had the opportunity to bring this forward in March, why didn’t you do it then,” O’Shaughnessy responded.
The candidates also made their views clear on marijuana sales in the municipality, with Councillor Murphy asking why it should be any different than alcohol or tobacco.
“If we opt out until we know all of the rules and regulations, we can always opt in later,” said O’Shaughnessy.
“I believe we should opt in,” said Spahich. “Hop-in and make your money and regulate what you have.”
This debate was the third of the election so far, with a seniors debate held the following day at the Civic Complex.
Early voting opened on Oct. 11. Information about early voting can be found here.
