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.