Here are five stories to know today, with the focus first on Cornwall, SDG&A and Akwesasne, then on a federal benefit payment arriving Monday for lower-income households.
Towndale explains his role after court keeps Sarah Good on the mayoral ballot
Court documents filed in the case over Councillor Sarah Good’s 2022 campaign finances show that Mayor Justin Towndale was the person who raised the missing auditor’s report with the City Clerk on nomination day, August 21. According to an affidavit from the City’s municipal elections lead, Towndale said he had the information before that date but had not raised it earlier. The filing also notes that Towndale’s own 2022 return initially lacked an auditor’s report and was corrected later. In a statement released Saturday, Towndale said several residents had flagged the issue to him, that he did not file a formal complaint, and that he was shocked the City took the matter to the Ontario Superior Court. He said he respects Good and agrees with the court’s decision, which keeps Good on the ballot for the October 26 election. Sources: Cornwall Seaway News and Cornwall Seaway News (Towndale statement).
Big Brothers Big Sisters names new executive director, moves to Montreal Road
Ashley McKay has been appointed executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cornwall and District after serving on its board since 2023, including as chair and interim executive director. A registered social worker since 2014, McKay founded Central Healing Counselling and sits on the Agapè Centre’s board. She says her priorities are stability, stronger community partnerships and reaching more young people dealing with mental health challenges, isolation and family stress. The agency is relocating to 12C Montreal Road and reopens there on October 5, with the same phone numbers and programs. Young people are currently waiting to be matched, so the organization is looking for more volunteer mentors from the community. Source: Cornwall Seaway News.
Former United Way SDG leader takes over City’s Human Services department
Juliette Labossière, the former executive director of the United Way of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, is now the City of Cornwall’s interim general manager of Human Services on a six-month contract that began September 8. At the United Way, she co-led the Regional Emergency Strategic Response Council and helped create the IDEA Coalition and the SDG Last Resort Fund. She previously worked as a service planning coordinator at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, supporting families with complex needs. Labossière replaces Louis Savard, who returns to his role as director of IT, Innovation, Digitization and Special Projects. Human Services oversees programs many local households rely on, so the appointment brings someone with deep ties to the region’s social agencies into a key city post. Source: Cornwall Seaway News.
Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe condemns border remarks in U.S. congressional campaign video
The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe has condemned comments made in a campaign video for Anthony Constantino, the Republican candidate in New York’s 21st Congressional District, in which Akwesasne and other Native lands were portrayed as a weak point for cross-border smuggling. The video, featuring Franklin County GOP chair Jason Ellis, was posted Monday on the campaign’s Facebook page and taken down by Thursday. In a statement, the Tribe called the mischaracterization of its community “unacceptable” and pointed to roughly $43.5 million a year that Akwesasne contributes to the surrounding economy, citing a 2013 report. Ellis apologized Friday, saying he was speaking about northern border security in general, while Constantino did not apologize and called the Tribe’s statement a political attack. With Akwesasne straddling the border next to Cornwall, how U.S. politicians frame border security directly affects the community and its neighbours. Source: NNY360.
Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit payment arrives Monday
The next quarterly payment of the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, which replaced the GST credit in July, goes out on Monday, October 5, by direct deposit or mail. Eligibility is based on 2025 family income, with cut-offs starting at $60,012 for a single person with no children and rising with family size. For example, a single parent with two children and income of $45,000 or less receives $339.50 for the quarter, and a couple without children earning up to $46,432 receives $222.50. Recipients must have been Canadian residents for tax purposes in September and on October 1. With grocery bills still squeezing many budgets, eligible Cornwall and SDG households should watch for the deposit or cheque on Monday. Source: Global News.
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