The Cornwall & Area Chamber of Commerce (The Chamber) and the Social Development Council of Cornwall and Area (the SDC) are coming together to co-host a Provincial Election Debate about issues important to their members. The community is invited to attend this debate geared towards issues faced by local business owners, and residents along with economic and social development concerns.

“Public debates are a key part of any election campaign, and by hosting a business specific session, the Cornwall and Area Chamber of Commerce is ensuring the voice of the business community will be highlighted. We’ve heard from our members that they want to hear about economic recovery and growth from the effects of the pandemic, labor shortages and provincial economic investments to our community. The responses from the candidates will better help our members to make a more informed decision when they step up to the voting polls.” Angela Bero, Cornwall and Area Chamber of Commerce.

Along with opening and closing statements candidates will be asked 8 questions shared between The Chamber and the SDC. The candidates will have received the prepared questions 1 day prior to the debate. Time permitting, questions from the audience will be permitted at the end.

“We have recently completed the Vibrant Communities; Our Safety and Well-being Plan that includes 52 strategies to be implemented to address the largest societal needs in our region. We have worked with our Lived Experience Advisory Council to craft questions relevant to their lives focused on 3 of our priority pillars; mental health, health services and poverty.” Carilyne Hébert, Executive Director of the Social Development Council.

The debate is taking place at the Cornwall Public Library in the reading room on the first floor on Wednesday May 25^th from 5:30pm to 8:15pm.

All candidates have been invited to participate. Regrets have been received by Claude Tardif from the New Blue and Remi Tremblay from the Ontario Party . The following candidate will be present;

Kirsten J. Gardner, Ontario Liberal Party
Jacqueline Milner, Green Party of Ontario GPO
Nolan Quinn, PC Party of Ontario
Wendy Stephen, Ontario NDP

This event will also be televised on YourTV Cogeco and streamed live on their YouTube page. This debate is made possible by the sponsorship from the Cornwall Public Library. If you have any questions please contact Angela Bero, Office Manager for the Chamber or Carilyne Hébert, Executive Director of the SDC. The contact can be found below.