Municipal Election 2022 – Making Communities Stronger

By John Towndrow, Chair, Transition Cornwall+

In the 2018 Municipal election, Transition Cornwall+ posed four questions and invited all the area candidates to respond on-line.

Most of the candidates took time to answer the questions and over the last four years many municipalities have taken action on climate change, active transportation, tree canopy, waste management and food security.

In preparation for the 2022 municipal election Transition Cornwall+ has prepared four new questions for candidates in the City of Cornwall and the six municipalities in the Counties of Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry.

Transition Cornwall+ supports all local/regional communities in facing the challenges posed by the climate crisis, the rising cost of energy and food and financial uncertainty. The group believes that by working together we can create a more affordable, caring, healthy and secure future for all. As a grassroots, community-led group our aim is to inspire everyone in our region to work together to increase our communities’ capacity to not just survive but thrive in the face of these challenges.

During this 2022 municipal election we are reaching out to all municipal candidates to gain a better understanding of their vision and action plan related to sustainability and community vibrancy, unique to their municipality. We plan to share their responses so that voters can make an informed decision about who they want to govern over the next four years.

The survey is comprised of four questions. In filling out the survey candidates are giving their implied consent to Transition Cornwall+ to publish and share their responses via various communications channels. Responses will be posted on the Transition Cornwall+ website; shared on Facebook page; and via our mailing list.

Here is the link to answer the questions: https://chkmkt.com/TC_Plus_elections2022

Questions For Candidates Active and Connected Municipalities– Focused on sustainable transportation. Municipal transportation systems have the potential to contribute to life satisfaction and overall health and wellbeing. If elected, how will you ensure people of all ages and abilities in your municipality are provided with safe, accessible, affordable and attractive transportation options including active modes (e.g., walking, riding a bicycle) and transit all year long?

Greening Municipalities– focused on green space and trees. The current minimum recommended municipal tree canopy coverage is at 40%. If elected, how will you prevent further deforestation and ensure the municipal tree canopy is protected and increased to meet or exceed the minimum recommended level? For those in rural areas, how will you work with the agricultural community to do this?

Waste management– focused on reduction and diversion. All municipalities are facing the need to increase diversion to extend landfills’ lifespan as much as possible. If elected, what waste management actions would you commit to reducing waste, increasing waste diversion, and what targets would you set for your municipality?

Food Security– focused on locally grown food. Access to fresh, affordable food is a fundamental human right. If elected, what action would you take to help support, promote and increase the production and use, by your community, of sustainable and environmentally sound, locally grown food?

On October 24th, be sure to not only vote, but be an informed voter! Check out candidates answers that will posted at https://transitioncornwall.com and on Facebook.