LTE: Investing in What Really Matters: Our Community

Dear Editor,

I recently read a piece that argued that the real problem facing many cities isn’t a lack of growth or investment, but a lack of care. That struck a chord, because here in Cornwall, we’re seeing exactly that play out.

Over the past few months, our downtown has seen multiple break-ins, including at Joe’s Quality Meats, and yet little seems to be changing to make the area safer or more inviting. Behind the old Pedro’s building, garbage piles up in a city-owned parking lot for weeks before it’s cleaned up, even though bylaw officers are there daily issuing parking tickets. It’s hard not to see the misplaced priorities.

Three years ago (Fall 2022), The Cornwall Seaway News published an anonymous opinion letter that said, “To be consistently great the downtown needs the support of the city. There has been criticism of the interlocking bricks that dominate some of the downtown sidewalks. Such a project will cost megabucks, and probably isn’t the priority at city hall that most downtown merchants demand… There may be opportunities on the horizon to better our downtown. There is just as likely to be more arguing and negativity – which doesn’t help anyone. Tread carefully, all.”

And here we are, three years later, and nothing has changed. The bricks are still cracked and heaving, sidewalks are still uneven and another story of a small business owner trying to open their doors downtown, being faced with hurdle after hurdle, has emerged. 

Downtown continues to struggle while millions are being set aside for the business park. Some of this funding is to attract an American company, Great Wolf Lodge, in the middle of an “Elbows Up” trade war. Where is that same energy for revitalizing our city’s core or supporting our BIAs (including Le Village’s BIA), especially when local businesses are struggling under tariffs, job losses in the community and rising costs? 

Every December, the Year in Review event proudly highlights how well businesses are doing in Cornwall. That’s wonderful, and it’s important to celebrate success. But what about the rest of the year? When our city’s average salary is 27% lower than the Ontario average, people simply have less money to spend at local shops and restaurants. What about the massive layoffs at Ridgewood or the City itself? If we truly want our citizens and businesses to thrive, we need to make it easier for residents to live, work, and spend here all year long. We are even seeing jobs in Brockville being advertised on the choosecornwall.ca/jobs Job Board, giving the impression there aren’t too many great paying jobs here.

Where is the effort to attract higher paying jobs, whatever happened to the remote work strategy council and administration were so focused at the beginning of the pandemic? Why is council not asking these questions of our Economic Development department, is it not easy to take a look at the numbers and ask for accountability and follow-through on the priorities? If we have affordability issues – leading to homelessness, shouldn’t we be figuring out how to bring in more money and opportunities for residents? 

If we want Cornwall to be a place people care about, we need to show that care ourselves through cleaner streets, safer spaces, and steady investment in the heart of our city. Civic pride can’t be imported or built on press releases or slideshows at movie theatres. It grows when people see their city taking care of itself and of them. 

Sincerely,

Kelly Bergeron
Cornwall, ON