Why voting in the Municipal Elections is your best bet to bring about real change

Federal and Provincial elections came and went. Nothing has changed. And even if it had, it probably wouldn’t make that much of a difference in our day to day lives. Yet, those elections are the ones we always focus on, the ones we truly feel matter, when I could argue that real change begins at your municipal level.

Who runs your city determines so much of your immediate surroundings. From getting an Art Center, to building a new splash pad, to repairing the roads, or implementing water meters, all proposals are presented to city council who approves or denies, then hands over to administration who hands over to the proper department.

City council sets the taxes you pay, decides on the services you get, earmarks money for law enforcement, infrastructure, leisure and waste management, makes sure climate change is taken seriously. Voting in Municipal Election is the best way to make an impact on your present, and guarantee your future.

Your council, along with City Administrators, lobbies governments on your behalf. If your city is struggling with affordable housing, who will ask your MP and/or MPP to push to get more money? If you lack healthcare providers and social services, who will press Ottawa or Queen’s Park for our people not to be left behind? And who will ask tough questions to the City’s CAO to make sure your tax dollars are spent responsibly?

Your City Council.

Sadly, Municipal Elections are not a popular thing. In 2018, only 38% of eligible voters turned out in Cornwall, the vast majority over 60, and voters under 30 represented a maigre 4.7% of all ballots!

Correct me if I’m wrong, but the housing crisis is hitting young families in a way never seen before. “Renovictions” are becoming a common issue and while it’s great to see large corporations such as Devcore come and invest locally, it also raises questions about the gentrification of Cornwall’s East-end. We’re paying Ottawa rent prices, but we don’t get the level of services that comes with that price tag, nor do we have the Ottawa Job Market. It is fine to want to attract people to “live, work, play” in Cornwall, but retaining our youth should also be a main focus of the future council.

Who represents us can make a world of difference, so if you’re under 30, get out and vote! And if you’re over 30? Get out and vote too!

On another note, The Team @ The Seeker would like to send moral support to David Murphy who is battling lung cancer. Dave was diagnosed a few years ago and has been fighting ever since. Dave, please focus on what matters, spend your every minute with the people you love. We hope you find peace and comfort in knowing just how many lives you have touched and how much you are loved. The entire community is behind you. #TeamMurphy

CORNWALL VOTES:

Advance Polls:
October 6,7 and 8, 2022
from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

October 11, 12 and 13, 2022
from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Voting Day

October 24, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Choose your voting location!

Benson Centre, 800 Seventh Street West
Cornwall SDB Paramedic Services Building, 601 Campbell Street
Cornwall Square Shopping Centre, 1 Water Street East
St. Felix Church Hall, 620 Glengarry Boulevard.