Meet the Candidates: Patrick Dussault
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 Patrick Dussault’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 Patrick Dussault. I am a candidate for a position of City Councillor in the upcoming municipal elections because I believe in fully representing the residents of Cornwall trough the promotion and implementation of real values, accountability and transparency at all times. After 30 years of service with the Ontario Provincial Police, I retired in 2018 with a reputation of integrity and hard work.
I have been living in the area since 1991 and during that time I have been involved in the community in several organizations. After my retirement, I increased these activities with additional organizations such as (to name a few):
– Part-time Teacher at St-Lawrence College (police Foundations)from 2004-2022
– Manager for Cornwall Colts Minor Hockey “B Rep” (travelling 2008-13) where I was named manager of the year twice).
– Active member at Ste-Thérèse-de Lisieux church/parish.
– Member of the Cornwall and Area Human Trafficking Task Force AND the North Country Human Trafficking Task Force.
– Former O.P.P.Association representative at work (Police officers don’t have Unions, they have Associations).
– Vice-President of the Federal Conservative E.D.A. of S.D.S.G. since 2013
– Anti-Human Trafficking Liaison for the Akwesasne Familly Wellness Program from January 2019 to March 2020 (Covid-19 worldwide pandemic). July 2022- current.
– Board of Directors, Logements Marguerite D’Youville since 2018
– Recipient of the S.D.G. Volunteer award in 2018 by MP Guy Lauzon
– Volunteer driver for C.A.S. since 2020
– Part-time Sub teacher at école Notre-Dame since 2021.
– Board of Director for Inspire Community group since 2021
– Volunteer with the Children Treatment Center for special events
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.
SOME OF MY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES:
FINANCIAL:
– Fair contract for municipal employees in order to retain and attract a proper workforce. During the pandemic, city employees had to physically report to the workplace, had their schedules modified on a very short notice, worked away from the area (such as vaccination clinics in Limoges, Winchester, Alexandria, etc.) I pledge to never walk away from negotiations, discussions and/or situations during my term. It is the duty of an elected official to find solutions when faced with issues affecting the citizens.
– Freeze on salaries of the Mayor and council members (as this current council voted to receive a 6% raise during a pandemic).
– Taxes to remain competitive for businesses and homeowners while promoting Cornwall as a place to live, work, play and establish/attract new businesses.
– Implementation of wards for the City: 7 Wards, 1 deputy mayor which would be a councillor “at large” and 1 mayor. This would reduce the size of council from 11 to 9. It would also eliminate the “Acting Mayor” on a monthly basis.
– PUBLIC SAFETY:
– The retention of the Cornwall Police Services is crucial. I will oppose the City to go on contract with the O.P.P. as the City would lose a lot of input on how to serve the community with our police service. Possibly to explore a bid with the Counties for a Cornwall regional Police
– Extension of hours for the By-Law officers, including into the evenings and weekends
– I will strongly object to any strip clubs, escort agencies and/or massage parlours coming into the City, These places are a hub for sex trafficking. I pledge to make a by-law to prevent them from coming into the City
– ENVIRONMENT:
– City to purchase (large scale) compost boxes and make them available (for sale) to residents “at cost” AND City to look into recycling styrofoam.
– Promote Cornwall Transit by offering “free days” on special events such as Rib Fest, Poutine Feast, etc. Purchase Hybrid vehicles (and electric. if possible) for the City’s fleet.
– The water meters project is already in a deficit of 225 000.00$. I will look into the possibility to repeal this deal if legally and financially possible to do so. Water conservation strategies should be implemented to curb the waste of water and save money.
– For example: Lawns should be watered only between 7:00pm and 9:00pm. Even “days” for even home numbers and “odd” days for odd home numbers during the summer. Sod or new grass with a special permit. Vehicles can be washed anytime with a nozzle that has and on/off feature.
– Continue with the “cash back” rebate for Home that would install a “low flush” toilet and provide assistance to homeowners that would like a rain barrel
TASK FORCES FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE CITY OF CORNWALL’S ADMINISTRATION
Within 90 days of the new council in place, I will table a motion to have 2 task forces
The 1st Task Force will address am in-depth review of all expenses on the budget for the purpose of finding areas where costs could be lowered or even eliminated to reduce the burden on the taxpayers.
The 2nd Task Force will examine the rules of issuance of permits issued by the City of Cornwall as well as the time frame for such issuance while the City is safe from harmless from future liabilities. The goal is to make the issuance of permits in a faster and easier way so that obtaining such permits will generate and attract new businesses and residents.
– These task Forces could be composed of members from City Council as well as of the administration. We shall call upon interested members to contribute ideas and suggestions. A final report should be presented to Council in a proper time frame.
– PARTNERSHIP:
– Continue to work with our M.P.P. and M.P. for projects and issues relevant to Cornwall.
– Continue to develop and foster relations with Akwesasne as they are next door to us and they are friends and partners in many issues.
– Continue to work with the United Counties and Townships for projects and issues that are relevant to Cornwall.
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?
This is a difficult issue- as the market dictates the prices. We are an inflation rate that we have not seen in over 40 years. Too many dollars chasing fewer goods and the result is painful. The inflation goes to the Federal government at the Bank of Canada. We need to look at new strategies and think outside the box for this. We are in a crisis.
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 will NOT support this project. The City is running a string of deficits. A healthy economy is necessary before anything else. We have more pressing issues (housing crisis for example).
5 – Post-pandemic, what can Council do to improve Economic Development for the city and support existing businesses?
–As stated above…… Taxes to remain competitive for businesses and homeowners while promoting Cornwall as a place to live, work, play and establish/attract new businesses. The 2nd Task Force will examine the rules of issuance of permits issued by the City of Cornwall as well as the time frame for such issuance while the City is safe from harmless from future liabilities. The goal is to make the issuance of permits in a faster and easier way so that obtaining such permits will generate and attract new businesses and residents.
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?
Very sad about this closure as my wife and I do not have a family doctor anymore due to retirement. A doctor/clinic is a “business’- again, see above!!! Make it competitive and cut red tape !!
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?
If everybody does a little bit- nobody has to do a lot!!! As above:
– City to purchase (large scale) compost boxes and make them available (for sale) to residents “at cost” AND City to look into recycling styrofoam.
– Promote Cornwall Transit by offering “free days” on special events such as Rib Fest, Poutine Feast, etc. Purchase Hybrid vehicles (and electric, if possible) for the City’s fleet.
– Water conservation strategies should be implemented to curb the waste of water and save money.
– Continue with the “cash back” rebate for Home that would install a “low flush” toilet and provide assistance to homeowners that would like a rain barrel
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 opposed BUT it would require a discussion with the union and see if it is a good option for all affected.
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.
Council is not “the boss” of the citizens. Surveys are an excellent way to find out the “need and want”- which should be considered after the responses have been received.
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.
Yes. FREEZE on City Council/Mayor salaries and reduction of the size of council. Cornwall Police can “double up” at night using less fuel/car usage as examples. I MAYBE support reducing some services- I am open to a discussion on this. Some services can NOT be reduced. Let’s have a chat!!
11 – How can candidates contact you? Please provide a phone number and/or email and/or one website (or one social media link).
To share an idea or suggestion, to volunteer, to obtain a lawn sign or make a donation- contact me by phone or text message at 613-571-7400 or visit my Facebook page for up-to-date information at “Patrick Dussault, candidate for councillor”
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