There are two events every year that I genuinely look forward to because they shine a spotlight on all the positive things happening in Cornwall. Both events also have something else in common — they happen very early in the morning, yet somehow still manage to fill a room with energy, conversation, community spirit, and of course, a great breakfast before the presentations begin.
The first of those events took place on Wednesday, May 20th, at the Best Western Parkway Inn & Conference Centre and was the always well-attended Cornwall’s Mayor’s Breakfast Update hosted by The Cornwall and Area Chamber of Commerce. The second event I always enjoy is the City of Cornwall’s Year in Review, held each December at the Galaxy Cinemas Cornwall.
The Cabaret Room at the Best Western was packed for this year’s Mayor’s Breakfast, with community leaders, business owners, politicians, and residents gathering bright and early to hear updates about the city’s progress and future plans.
The morning’s presentation began shortly after 8 a.m. with Chamber Executive Director, Angela Bero, delivering the Land Acknowledgement, followed by opening remarks from Eric Tremblay, President of the Cornwall and Area Chamber of Commerce.
Eric warmly welcomed everyone to the annual breakfast and thanked the sponsors and partners who helped make the event possible, including the event sponsor, Conseil Scolaire de district catholique de l’Est ontarien (CSDCEO), along with long-time community partner Enbridge.
He also welcomed our member of parliament Eric Duncan, who was in attendance and invited the Chair of Conseil Scolaire de district catholique de l’Est ontarien, Jean Lemay, to say a few words, while recognizing the strong partnership between the business community and local educational leaders.
Before introducing the keynote speaker, Chamber President Eric Tremblay took a moment to acknowledge the hard work of the many volunteers and organizers behind the scenes who helped bring the event together. He then invited attendees to welcome the morning’s featured speaker, Cornwall’s Mayor, Justin Towndale, to the podium.
At this year’s Mayor’s Breakfast, Justin Towndale shared an optimistic and heartfelt look at where Cornwall is heading. While he acknowledged that growth can sometimes feel slow, he reminded everyone that change is happening all around us — from new apartment towers and housing developments to expanding businesses and major infrastructure projects.
One of the biggest topics of the morning was housing. Mayor Towndale spoke about the need for a mix of housing options for people at every stage of life, including affordable and transitional housing projects like Massey Commons. He also talked about how the city is working with provincial and federal governments to encourage more housing development through grants and reduced development charges.
Infrastructure and quality of life were also front and centre. The Mayor highlighted investments in roads, water systems, public transit, parks, and recreational spaces, including the new Alexandria Park Youth Space and discussions around a future dog park. He also shared updates about waterfront development projects that could eventually give the public access to areas that have been closed off for generations.
Mayor Towndale touched on Cornwall’s growing economy and the attention the city is receiving both provincially and nationally. He spoke about exciting opportunities such as the return of the 2027 Ontario Women’s Curling Championship and the announcement that the OHL will host two regular-season games in Cornwall — something he hinted could lead to even bigger opportunities down the road.
He also addressed some of the tougher issues facing the community, including homelessness, healthcare recruitment, infrastructure pressures, and rising costs. However, he stressed that progress is being made through partnerships with organizations like Centre 105 and the Salvation Army, along with successful efforts to recruit more doctors to the area.
Although the Salvation Army Church and Food Bank will be closing, we were reassured that the Salvation Army Thrift Store will remain open and continue supporting the community in important ways. Funds raised through the thrift store help provide disaster relief and assistance to people facing difficult situations, including those who lose their homes in events such as house fires.
One important detail Mayor Justin Towndale shared was that individuals and families affected by a house fire can contact the Salvation Army for support, including vouchers that allow them to obtain essential household items such as dishes and other necessities from the thrift store free of charge — a valuable community service that many people may not realize exists.
One thing that stood out throughout the speech was the Mayor’s message about community pride. He encouraged residents to stop focusing on old stereotypes about Cornwall and instead recognize the positive momentum happening here. He spoke about the importance of kindness, respect, and working together, especially during times when negativity can feel overwhelming.
To end the morning on a personal note, Mayor Towndale joked that he could “see the hook coming out” as Chamber President Eric Tremblay approached the podium, but before finishing, he took a moment to thank his girlfriend Sara, who attended the breakfast in a wheelchair, for always supporting him. He ended with a heartfelt “I love you,” showing a warm and genuine side that many appreciated.
Personally, I thought Mayor Towndale did a great job keeping what could have been a very formal speech light, engaging, and easy to follow. Rather than reading from a script, he spoke naturally, added humour throughout, and genuinely seemed to speak from the heart.
Eric Tremblay closed the event by thanking the Mayor, sponsors, volunteers, organizers, and everyone who attended, reminding the crowd about the importance of collaboration, leadership, and community as Cornwall continues building toward a stronger future.
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