Municipal elections are October 26 in Ontario. To help voters make an informed decision here in Cornwall, the editorial board of The Seeker has put together 10 questions for candidates seeking a seat at the municipal council table, whether as Councillor or as Mayor. To ensure fairness, the same questions were sent to every candidate. We sent a total of 10 and they had the option to answer all of them, or pick a minimum of 5. Their answers will be published in their entirety, in the order they are received. We will not edit, correct or modify any responses.
These are Denis Sabourin’s Answers. He is running for councillor.
Who are you? Where are you from? What education do you have? What relevant experience do you have?
My name is Denis Sabourin and I’ve been a resident of Cornwall since 2013. I’m originally from Monkland where my parents operated a food processing business, Monkland Egg Grading Station. We sold eggs and other food products under the Blossom Brand label to many restaurants and grocery stores in Cornwall, throughout Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec. I’m a graduate of the Algonquin College Radio and Television Arts (Journalism) program. I’ve worked in radio and network newsroom in several large Canadian markets. I’m also a graduate of the Herzing College, Ottawa Campus Paralegal program. I’m licensed by the Law Society of Ontario. I currently operate my own paralegal business, SDG Paralegal Services. I’ve also worked over 20 years as the Chief of Staff to several Members of Parliament in Ottawa. Eleven of those years were with M.P. Bob Kilger which resulted in working on a number of issues important to Cornwall and S.D.G. In addition, I served as a catholic school board trustee for 15 years. I believe my background and previous professional experience has enabled me to contribute to the municipal political scene in a positive, meaningful way to the betterment of the city of Cornwall.
In the Seeker’s poll asking constituents about the most important issue facing them, a large majority of respondents answered “taxes/affordability.” What would you do as a Councillor/Mayor to make Cornwall more affordable, and what city services or spending if any, would you be willing to reduce, change or eliminate to keep tax increases under control?
The one constant in politics is that no one likes paying taxes, yet we all want the best services possible. In that respect, I would like to see the city adopting a multi-year budget program where residents will know what the budget forecast is from year to year ahead of time, and how costs are being kept in line in accordance with the priorities that must be addressed within the budget. In developing the budget business plan the council must identify the most pressing expenditures that need to be addressed. The list must be focused and cannot contain a number of non-essential items that would be nice to have. If an unexpected situation presents itself that must be addressed, then an item from the priority list must be dropped from the order and brought back at a later date when it is feasible.
The city of Cornwall has nearly a billion dollars in assets and an annual budget of $ 250 million dollars. With the make up of the new council I would like to see the establishment of a “Finance and Corporate Services Committee,” The committee will provide direction on strengthening financial and administrative practices, identifying corporate goals and providing guidance on economic development issues. The committee will be responsible for the city’s high-level fiscal and management policy issues, including the development of the fiscal framework, reviewing efficiency and investment reports, providing guidance on corporate performance measurement policies, and ensuring the financial sustainability of the Corporation, that is the city of Cornwall.
In regards to the city debt, the province sets the limits on how much debt a municipality can take on, which becomes our annual repayment limit. Currently, the city is below the limit. The city pays off millions of dollars of old debt every single year while at the same time approving debt for projects that have yet to begin so it is money that has not been spent yet. This allows the administration to determine borrowing limits, while seeking financial support from the government by way of provincial grants.
Over the past few years, many constituents have expressed concern that the city’s homelessness situation has significantly worsened. What would you do as a Councillor/Mayor to address this issue?
We have to work in partnership with other levels of government to address the many root causes of homelessness ensuring that support services are in place in the community for mental health, addiction, and poverty. The city has been proactive on this file in many ways. We will soon be opening the transition housing at Massey Commons; we have purchased the former Parisien Manr and will make the necessary improvements to the facility to accommodate those seeking a transition from homelessness to a more meaningful existence. The facility will be able to operate as a warming shelter throughout the winter months and a cooling center during the summer. We also need to work with landlords so that we can access programs that will allow for more geared to income housing in the city which is another way of easing the homelessness situation.
Why are you running for council? What is the most important issue facing the City of Cornwall today?
I’m running for council because I believe in Cornwall and I want to be part of the team that will help the city develop its potential.
There are a number of important issues facing the city and one of the first challenges for the new council will be to lay out a strategic plan to address our priorities. A key element in the strategic plan will be to establish an economic development strategy to help grow the city’s financial base. The city is well established as a logistic hub but it is time to diversify our industrial base and attract new industry that will bring secure, well-paying jobs to Cornwall. An added important factor in developing the economic development strategy is to capitalize on the opportunity that will come when Great Wolf Lodge opens its doors before the end of the term of the next council. To do that, we must ensure Cornwall is “Great Wolf Lodge ready.” The marketing associated with Great Wolf Lodge projects 600,000 visitors to the city over the course of a year. That translates to roughly 1,600 visitors to Cornwall on a daily basis. What can we do to invite these tourists to visit our stores, restaurants, arts and entertainment, our waterfront, other activities and attractions to make their stay at Great Wolf Lodge even more meaningful when they visit the rest of Cornwall and plan on coming back time and time again.
Many constituents have expressed concerns about accountability and controversy surrounding council. What could you do as a Councillor/Mayor to improve transparency and accountability?
As a person who worked for a number of years in the media and covered governments at all levels, I find it unfortunate that most people do not seem to understand how government works let alone the role they can play in how government operates. Yes, it starts with voting but what happens after the vote. City council and committee meetings are open to the public. If you can’t attend, the council meetings are carried live on Cogeco Your Community TV or live streamed on the city web site. I have demonstrated myself to be accessible to residents who asked questions about council issues, policy or raised concerns that they would like to see addressed. These exchanges have been in phone conversations, e-mails, after a council meeting, while shopping or out for leisure activity in the city. We might not always agree, but discussions have been respectful and informative. As a former media person, I find it unfortunate that we do not have the same media presence that we once had not that long ago when city hall stories were a daily item in the local newspaper, when the radio station had hourly newscasts keeping residents up to date on the issues at hand. The city has to develop cost effective ways to reach out to its residents and keep them in the know. I believe the publication of an electronic newsletter that residents can subscribe to free of charge is one such way. For those who don’t use a computer then possibly looking at making such a newsletter an insert with a local publication. I still favour the old fashioned one to one contact, your councillor’s contact information is public information on the city website so feel free to pick up the phone and call, send an e-mail, write a letter or just introduce yourself in passing by, I am accessible and accountable to you.
We constantly hear about the Art Centre and water meters. Many residents have expressed the view that these were bad decisions on Council’s part. Both projects are being implemented, but they remain a sore spot for some voters. Would you consider revisiting or changing decisions made on those projects.
The simple answer to both projects is no. The decision on water meters was made by the previous council in September 2021. Its objective is to bring a balanced approach to what we pay in water taxes. The more you use, the more you pay. It is fair when one considers the present system does not deter those who abuse water use and are not paying what they rightfully should. In deliberations around the current council table, it became evident that any effort to cancel the water meters would end up costing the city money and we would still have to deal with an issue of an equitable water billing process.
The Arts and Culture Centre were approved by this council in February of 2023. The vote was carried 10 to 1. The successful awarded bid was just over 10.3 million dollars. Officials in administration were surprised that the bids came in so low at the time. A court case that delayed construction plus the finding of unknown architect below the foundations have affected the construction cost and completed time line. For many in the community it has become obvious there is a demand and support for an Arts and Culture Centre in the city just as there is for sports and recreation facilities and events. The Arts and Culture Centre brings an added dimension to the Cornwall lifestyle.
What would you do to improve our relationship with Akwesasne? What does Truth and Reconciliation look like to you? Explain how Cornwall can take steps toward it?
The Association of Municipalities of Ontario has made several recommendations for communities to address Truth and Reconciliation. The recommendations are:
Strengthening municipal relations with Indigenous communities to support reconciliation efforts. This city council has met with and attended circle discussions with the Grand Chief, Chiefs and community leaders to work towards this very goal.
Developing Indigenous Municipal Relationship Agreements to formalize and enhance these relationships. While this is still a work in progress, I suggest the Portlands partnership with the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne could be the first example of achieving this goal paving the way to more agreements of this nature.
Recognizing National Orange Shirt Day on September 30th to honour the stories of residential school survivors and their families. Before I was elected to council the city had already recognized National Orange Shirt Day and events have been held in every September 30th in Lamoureux Park bringing Akwesasne and Cornwall together in the spirit of reconciliation.
Encouraging Council and Staff training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights and anti-racism. This is an ongoing effort within city administration.
Exploring formal and informal relationship agreements between municipal government and First Nations to improve social equity and community well-being. In this respect I hope that in the not too distant future our two councils will be able to come together and explore the development of a “Friendship Center” that will keep us mindful of the importance of the principles of Truth and Reconciliation.
There is a meaningful effort on the part of the city to meet the above-mentioned objectives in partnership with the MCA and I sincerely believe as we continue to implement these objectives, we will be a stronger community as a result.
Cornwall’s municipal government relies on experienced and qualified staff to deliver services to residents. What would you do as a Councillor/Mayor to ensure the city can attract, retain and support the best possible people in senior positions?
There are two ways to address this issue. One, be prepared to be aggressive in recruitment efforts bringing the qualified people in from other municipalities and paying them the top dollar salaries people in these positions can demand and expect. It is a competitive market place for skilled, qualified, experienced professionals. In as much as we may find the right talent for a specific position, the individual will be coveted by another municipality. We must give them the tools, support and challenges they are looking for to realize a career with the city of Cornwall can be a meaningful and rewarding career move.
The second way is to grow our own talent from within giving them the professional development opportunity to strengthen their knowledge and skills. At the same time show them they have a career path that can see the individual move up in responsibility, authority and management.
Healthcare is primarily a provincial responsibility, but access to healthcare is a major concern for Cornwall residents. What can the city of Cornwall realistically do to help improve healthcare access, and would you make it a priority as a Councillor/Mayor?
This term, I had the pleasure of serving with the Mayor, Justin Towndale and councillor Dean Hollingsworth on the Mayor’s Task Force on Medical recruitment. Over the past four years, Cornwall has welcomed 11 new doctors to the city with more to come. A key part of that success can be attributed to the scholarship program that helps doctors to be carry out their studies and commit to coming back to Cornwall upon the completion of their studies. At the recent AMO conference in Ottawa officials of the Ontario Medical Association met with council representatives and complimented them on this initiative.
The Task Force presented a report to council this past year that calls for a continued commitment to the scholarship program. It also recommends those studying to become nurse practitioners be allowed to apply to the scholarship. Another recommendation studying the possible creation of a city administered clinic that will allow doctors to be doctors and the burden of office administration be carried out by qualified staff. If re-elected, I definitely want to continue on with this work and serve as a member of the Mayor’s Task Force on Medical Recruitment. I see no reason why the end goal of this task force should be to ensure there is a doctor and/or nurse practitioner to meet the medical needs of every resident of this community.
Many residents are concerned about crime, vandalism, drug use and a general decline in their sense of safety. What can the city realistically do to address these concerns, and where should municipal responsibility end and provincial or federal responsibility begin?
Police services within the community are under the direction of the Cornwall Police Board. The mayor, a councillor and resident at large as well as two provincial appointments make up the Board. The Police Service answers directly to them and not to council. As a council we are charged under provincial legislation with the responsibility to make sure that the police service has the budget necessary to carry out their mandate. The council is always supportive of the police service and the work they do but we will soon have to address their infrastructure needs, specifically a new police headquarters to replace one that does not meet their needs and standards required for the work that they carry do.
As a council we will have to lobby the provincial government for financial assistance in realizing this goal.
The Cornwall Police Service has an excellent reputation in partnering with other forces and agencies in delivering local solutions to complex problems. There is always a need for more individuals in uniform and this will also be an issue that is raised in almost every budget, but with the growing population in Cornwall the manpower needs of the force should be assessed and addressed accordingly.
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