Here are five stories to know today, with the focus first on Cornwall, SDG&A and Akwesasne, then on new charges in a fatal South Glengarry home invasion and the federal budget watchdog’s latest economic outlook.
Cornwall council orders a closer look at a vacant home tax
Cornwall city council has directed staff to look into possibly vacant residential properties and to consult the public on a potential vacant home tax, Cornwall Seaway News reports. The motion was brought forward by Councillors Sarah Good and Carilyne Hébert, and council did not approve a tax rate or a start date. Supporters say such a tax could encourage owners to live in, rent or sell unused homes, with revenue possibly going to affordable housing; Good said the goal is getting homes occupied and fixed up, not making a profit. Because the city has no inventory of vacant homes, staff cannot yet estimate revenue, and a program would mean identifying properties, reviewing occupancy every year, handling appeals and collecting payments, with staff preferring a complaint-based approach. Councillors Syd Gardiner and Elaine MacDonald questioned whether there are enough vacant homes and how much work a program would take, and Good said she hopes the next council will make an informed decision. Source: Cornwall Seaway News.
Firefighters’ association edits mayoral endorsement graphic after city concern
The Cornwall Professional Firefighters Association has corrected a social media graphic endorsing mayoral candidate Justin Towndale after the City raised concerns about municipal branding, according to Cornwall Seaway News. The image showed a city fire station with the fire service logo visible, and the association said the municipal election team asked it to remove or edit the picture under the city’s election neutrality policy. The association called the crest in the background “an oversight on our part,” said it fixed the image immediately, and said the photo was taken off duty from outside station property with no money spent on the post. The City confirmed the association is a registered third-party advertiser but did not say whether the graphic broke the policy or whether any penalty applies. Separately, the Cornwall and District Labour Council has endorsed mayoral candidate Sarah Good, as groups line up behind candidates in the race. Source: Cornwall Seaway News.
Chamber names finalists for its Business Excellence Awards gala
The Cornwall and Area Chamber of Commerce is scheduled to hold its 38th Business Excellence Awards and 54th Citizen of the Year Gala on November 6, Cornwall Seaway News reports. Finalists for Large Business of the Year are Bourgon Construction, Longevity Acrylics and the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation. In the Tourism category, Devfest, LouLou Lavender and Mohawk Journeys are in the running, while the Environmental Impact finalists are Justin Rodrick, Pure City Project and Transition Cornwall+. Other awards cover small and medium-sized businesses, entrepreneurs, new businesses, young professionals, inclusion and diversity, and community impact. Tickets are available at cornwallchamber.com/awards, and the list gives a snapshot of the local businesses and groups being recognized this year. Source: Cornwall Seaway News.
Three charged in fatal 2025 South Glengarry home invasion
Ontario Provincial Police have charged three people in connection with a February 2, 2025, home invasion on Old Highway 2 in South Glengarry Township that left two people dead, according to Cornwall Seaway News. Police say three men were involved: two were shot and pronounced dead, a third fled before officers arrived, the residents were not hurt, and police believe the incident was targeted. A 40-year-old Valleyfield man and a 36-year-old Coteau-du-Lac man face charges including conspiracy, armed robbery and firearms offences and remain in custody, while a 34-year-old St-Jérôme woman is charged with being an accessory after the fact and obstructing justice and was released after a bail hearing. Court appearances in Cornwall are scheduled for October 27 and November 17, and the charges have not been proven in court. Anyone with information can call SD&G OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. Sources: Cornwall Seaway News and CTV News Ottawa (2025 background).
Budget watchdog cuts growth forecast as tariffs weigh on Canada’s economy
Canada’s Parliamentary Budget Officer released its October economic and fiscal outlook on October 20, projecting real GDP growth of 0.9 per cent in 2026 and 1.5 per cent in 2027, down from 1.1 and 1.6 per cent in its June forecast. The PBO estimates trade measures since early 2025 could reduce real GDP by about 1.4 per cent over the medium term compared with a scenario without tariffs, and says the average effective U.S. tariff on Canadian goods has risen to 7.7 per cent from 5.3 per cent since June. It projects a federal deficit of $63.3 billion for 2026-27 and $67.8 billion in 2030-31, which is $9.5 billion higher than its June estimate. Federal debt per person is projected at $33,436 in 2026-27, rising to $39,191 by 2030-31. For a border community like Cornwall, the outlook is another sign that tariffs continue to slow the economy households and businesses depend on. Source: Parliamentary Budget Officer.
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