Meet the Candidates: Christopher Leclair
Municipal Elections are taking place in October. As one of the main media outlets in the City of Cornwall, The Seeker is always eager to getting to know the candidates. As such, we send each candidate a questionnaire requesting for them to give their position on the most pressing issues near and dear to you, our readers. During the upcoming weeks, we will be publishing the answers from each candidate who choses to respond. Every candidate was sent 11 questions, penned by our own, Jason Setnyk. They can chose to answer as many as they want. We will post them online as they come in. Here are Christopher Leclair’s Questions and Answers. Click on any question to reveal the answer.
1 – Please give us a brief biography / tell the readers about yourself.
(e.g., work/family/education/experience)
My name is Christopher Leclair and I was born and raised in the City of Cornwall. I am currently studying Real Estate through Humber College with a background in General Arts and Science that was taken place at SLC in Cornwall. I also work in the logistics industry like a regular middle class person. I am also not a career politician looking to work for the people of Cornwall.
2 – If you were on Council the previous term, tell us about your accomplishments during the past four years. If you were not on City Council this last term, please tell us why you are running and what you hope to accomplish.
I am looking to bring a transparent and honest attitude down town while working for the people. I also will not be afraid to hold the gate keepers and bureaucrats responsible with my conservative values.
3 – With rents skyrocketing, what can City Council in Cornwall do to prevent renovictions like those at Cumberland Gardens that have impacted many in our community?
The City of Cornwall should be looking into building more affordable housing and talk with their provincial partners on how to protect tenants better in the future. The tenants act should be updated and MPPs should forward new legislation.
4 – In 2018, the City of Cornwall purchased the old Bank of Montreal building in our downtown for $450,000 as the future home of Cornwall’s Art Centre. In 2019, Council heard a report that renovations would cost an additional $4 to $6 million dollars. In addition to the fundraising already being done, will you support some public tax dollars going towards a Cornwall Art Centre, or should the municipality pause any additional financial support?
I support the idea of a local Arts Centre in the City of Cornwall but I do not support funding it with tax paying dollars. There are other ways to fund the arts centre such as fundraisers. Public funding should be going to a local homeless shelter since we have a homeless issue in the City of Cornwall.
5 – Post-pandemic, what can Council do to improve Economic Development for the city and support existing businesses?
The City of Cornwall should be offering property tax deferrals to business owners with a one hour free parking down town for the next year post pandemic. If we do not have a health economy we will not have one at all. I would also like to see the city drop business taxes or at least freeze any tax increases for at least 2-3 years.
6 – What are your thoughts on the McConnell Medical Clinic closure? Although health care is a provincial issue, is there anything Council can do to attract more doctors and nurses to our city?
The city of Cornwall should offer doctors yearly bonuses and re hire all the health care workers who were fired over vaccine mandates. There are cities now in Ontario dropping vaccine mandates due to the current updated science.
7 – While climate change is a global issue, what can the City do locally to keep our neighborhoods cool and protect natural resources like the St. Lawrence River?
Strong By-law fines for those who litter and the City should be looking into new land for a new dump.
8 – Many City businesses are open on Sundays, and many events happen on Sundays. Do you support Sunday service for Cornwall Transit?
I am not sure I can comment on a Sunday bus service. I am not sure we have enough riders for a bus service and a re search project should go out regarding this matter. but if we can afford it I think it could benefit the people.
9 – What can we do to improve social services in Cornwall? Examples include but are not limited to Cornwall Transit, childcare spaces, or LTR spaces.
The City of Cornwall should of never closed Richelieu day care this took away a lot of daycare spots. Children are the future of the city. The City should also offer seniors a bigger discount for Cornwall Transit and cabs should be included. I think a 50% discount would help seniors get around town. This would be a great tool to fight record breaking inflation.
10 – Do you support keeping tax increases to a bare minimum? If yes, where would the savings come from, and would you support reducing some services? If you do not support keeping tax increases to a minimum, explain your reasoning why.
I do not support tax increases and I would never vote for tax increases if elected by the people of Cornwall. Cornwall is already one of the highest taxed cities. In 2022 the taxes were increased to 2.9% and water meters also won’t help.
11 – How can candidates contact you? Please provide a phone number and/or email and/or one website (or one social media link).
Ch*****************@ho*****.com
Facebook at Christopher Leclair – Candidate for Cornwall City Council
