Cornwall’s Interim Control Bylaw needs Clearer Messaging

Last November, the City Council of Cornwall passed an Interim Control Bylaw to address the issue of homelessness. With estimates ranging between 125 to 250 homeless individuals, the bylaw aims to pause the approval and development of new emergency shelters (with some exceptions) until proper planning can be established. This move was necessary because the City’s Official Plan lacked guidelines to protect the integrity of homeless shelters and ensure the safety of their occupants.

To address this, the City hired Public Urbanism consultants to conduct a comprehensive study. The study involves reviewing existing policies, examining how other municipalities handle homelessness, and consulting with local organizations, the homeless community, and the general public. The goal is to develop a solution tailored to Cornwall that ensures a safe and humane approach to homelessness.

A preliminary study has been done and a finished proposal will be presented to City council in late summer or fall 2024. On Tuesday, June 18th, around 40 people attended a public information meeting at the Benson Centre to provide input for the study. The preliminary study is  available on the City’s Engagement website, highlighting that the cost of housing in Cornwall is slightly higher than the national average, while the vacancy rate for rental units is lower. It also points out that the homeless situation has worsened, especially among elderly individuals on fixed incomes and two-wage minimum-income families who are struggling to make ends meet.

The City is taking a “housing first” approach, aiming to provide decent accommodation throughout the community with access to schools, transit, and amenities. However, the report notes a concerning trend where social service providers view neighborhood opposition (NIMBYism) negatively.

After integrating local input from written comments and the public meeting, the study’s authors will recommend changes to the City’s Official Plan and Zoning By-laws. Notably, no City Councillors attended the 90-minute meeting, which some may find significant.

You can share your thoughts about the new Bylaw until June 25th by logging onto www.haveyoursaycornwall.ca and registering to comment.

My Take

The public meeting, unfortunately, fell short of expectations and was not very informative.

First, the term “Interim Control Bylaw” used on the Engagement website was confusing and did not clearly convey the meeting’s intent to address homelessness. This caused confusion and frustration among attendees who thought the meeting would focus on concerns about Massey Commons and other proposed public housing sites. When asked about the terminology, City representatives only responded that it was the legal term.

Second, the meeting lacked proper introductions and organization. Attendees were greeted by six English-only panels (despite Cornwall’s bilingual status) and consultants without name tags who merely repeated the report’s contents. No reports were available at the meeting, and social service representatives who eventually appeared also failed to introduce themselves or provide a clear outline. This led to an unstructured and confusing experience for attendees.

The disorganization of the meeting, one of the least organized municipal public meetings I’ve attended in over 40 years, raises questions about the City’s commitment to genuinely seeking public input. It is crucial for the City and its consultants to take communication seriously and provide clear, accessible opportunities for public engagement. The City can and must do better.