Jason Mousseau

Background

My name is Jason Mousseau. I moved to Cornwall a little over a year ago to build a live-in program for at-risk youth. I've spent close to 30 years working with young people and families in youth services, schools, the justice system and community programs, in both front-line and management roles. I'm also a foster parent here in Cornwall. I'm still fairly new to the city, and I don't want to pretend otherwise. I've been making a real effort to meet people, listen and get involved. I chose to make Cornwall my home, and I want to contribute to its future.

Top Priorities

1. Affordability and responsible spending. We need to protect the services people use while looking for efficiencies, controlling project costs and making sure taxpayers get value for their money. 2. Safer neighbourhoods and effective responses to homelessness. People should feel safe in their parks and neighbourhoods. We also need to help people struggling with homelessness, mental health and addiction move toward stability. 3. Housing and local opportunity. Cornwall needs more housing at different price points, support for local businesses, and good jobs that give young people a reason to build their lives here.

1. The 2026 Budget & Property Taxes: The 2026 municipal budget passed with a 5.41% increase to the property tax levy, bringing the "average" residential property tax bill to nearly $3,270. As a City Councillor, how will you approach future budget deliberations to balance the necessity of maintaining essential city services while ensuring the commercial tax rate remains competitive enough to attract new investment?

People and businesses can only absorb so many increases. I would ask the same questions I raised in my earlier public answers: Are jobs or tasks being duplicated between departments? Are we paying outside consultants for work we could do ourselves? Can departments share resources or purchase together with neighbouring municipalities? I would look for savings in administration and the way the City operates before cutting the services people actually use. At the same time, roads, water and other essential infrastructure have to be maintained. Putting off needed repairs can leave taxpayers with a larger bill later. We also need to grow the tax base by supporting existing businesses and attracting responsible investment. I would want Council to understand the effect of its budget choices on both households and commercial taxpayers, and to explain clearly when major projects change in cost.

2. Red Tape & Business Licensing: The City has been working to modernize its Business Licensing By-law to consolidate decades-old regulations and reduce licensing categories. If elected to Council, what specific steps will you champion to further streamline the permitting, zoning, and licensing processes and reduce the administrative burden on small business owners?

If someone wants to open or expand a small business in Cornwall, they should be able to find out what approvals they need, what they will cost and how long the process should take. I would support plain-language checklists, a clear point of contact, online access to forms and application status, and reasonable service timelines. I would also sit down with business owners and City staff to find out which steps are causing delays or requiring people to submit the same information more than once. We still need rules that protect safety and ensure appropriate land use, but the process should be easier to understand and more predictable.

3. Infrastructure Prioritization: The City's Asset Management Plan indicates a significant backlog of infrastructure renewal projects. Which specific municipal infrastructure investments (e.g., road maintenance, transit expansion, water/wastewater upgrades) will you advocate for as an immediate priority over the next four years to support local industry and residents?

I keep coming back to the same phrase: fix the basics first. Roads, sidewalks, water and sewer systems, and the everyday services people depend on need proper maintenance. I would use the City's asset-management information to focus first on infrastructure in poor condition, work that prevents more costly failures, and routes and services that matter to residents and local employers. Transit is important too. People depend on it to get to work, school, appointments and shopping. I would work to keep it reliable and affordable while reviewing the costs and benefits of any expansion.

4. The Port Lands Development: The 16-acre Port Lands, jointly owned by the municipality and the Akwesasne First Nation, is a major waterfront asset. What is your vision for the future development of this parcel, and how will you work within Council to ensure the partnership fosters mutually beneficial economic growth for the region?

Cornwall has a beautiful waterfront, and I don't think we're seeing its full potential yet. The Port Lands are an opportunity to change that, but the vision cannot be Cornwall's alone. I would work with the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne as a full partner in decisions about the jointly owned lands and listen to what both communities want from the site. I'd be interested in a mix of public access and economic activity that brings people to the waterfront and supports local businesses. Before committing public money, Council should hear from residents and businesses, understand the environmental and infrastructure needs, and see a realistic financial plan. The benefits should be shared by both communities.

5. Housing Supply & Affordability: Cornwall is facing a critical housing shortage across all income brackets. What specific municipal actions will you advocate for at the Council table (e.g., zoning amendments, targeted development incentives, utilizing city-owned land) to accelerate residential development and ensure a mix of affordable options?

We need more housing at different price points: rentals, smaller homes, family housing, affordable ownership, seniors' housing and supportive housing. I would look at whether zoning or approval delays are getting in the way of appropriate development, while still maintaining proper planning and standards. I would also have the City assess land it owns for potential housing and explore partnerships that could create truly affordable units. If an incentive is proposed, I would want to know what it costs taxpayers and what housing we will actually get in return. More units matter, but so does whether Cornwall residents can afford to live in them.

6. Addressing Homelessness: Complex social issues like homelessness affect vulnerable individuals and impact the downtown business community. As a Councillor, what is your strategy for ensuring the municipality effectively supports collaborative community initiatives (like The Stepping Stone project), and what specific city resources or policies will you commit to reducing the number of unhoused individuals?

The Stepping Stone Project is an example of the City and community partners working together to provide temporary housing and connect people with services. I would want current information on how it is working, including how many people have moved from transitional housing into stable homes, so we can learn from it and decide what additional support is needed. Simply moving people from one public space to another doesn't solve homelessness. We need housing along with mental-health, addiction and social supports. The City should work with the province, service providers, police where appropriate, and community organizations, while examining what municipal housing services, facilities and partnerships can contribute. Residents and downtown businesses also have a right to feel safe and to use public spaces. I believe we can treat people who are struggling with compassion while taking those concerns seriously.

7. Youth Retention & Workforce Development: A common challenge for local businesses is attracting and retaining skilled talent. How will you use your position on Council to work with local institutions like St. Lawrence College and the business community to encourage youth to build their careers in Cornwall rather than relocating to larger urban centers?

I've spent most of my career working with young people. If we want them to stay in Cornwall, they need to see a real future here: training, a job that pays enough to live on, and housing they can afford. I would like the City, St. Lawrence College, schools, labour and local employers to talk regularly about the skills Cornwall needs. Apprenticeships, skilled trades, placements and first-job opportunities can help young people make connections with employers here. Supporting businesses already in Cornwall is just as important as attracting new ones.

8. Industrial Expansion & Logistics: Cornwall has a strong history as a logistics and industrial hub, recently seeing investments like the Michelin Distribution Centre, but the city must remain competitive. How will you support the transportation sector and advocate for infrastructure improvements that meet the evolving needs of local industry?

Our location and transportation connections are real strengths. To build on them, we need to keep the roads and utilities serving our industrial areas in good condition and plan ahead when new development will put more demand on them. I would listen to existing employers and transportation operators about bottlenecks, work with Council to prioritize the most useful improvements, and advocate for provincial and federal help with major infrastructure costs. I want growth that brings good jobs and benefits Cornwall residents, with the full cost to the City understood before we make commitments.

9. Tourism, Events, & Local Initiatives: Tourism is a significant economic driver for our local hospitality and retail sectors. How can City Council better support local events, festivals, and community initiatives to drive tourism, and what municipal resources or support do you believe should be provided to ensure their success?

Our waterfront, arts, festivals and local businesses give people plenty of reasons to visit Cornwall. I think Council can do a better job of helping organizers navigate permits and City services, promoting events, and connecting visitors with downtown shops, restaurants and accommodations. I would listen to organizers about the practical barriers they face. Where City support or funding is proposed, I would look at the cost and the benefit to the community. A successful event can bring people together and help local businesses, but we should still be responsible with public money.

10. Council Dynamics & Community Voice: The 2026 municipal budget was passed utilizing provincial "Strong Mayor" powers. Regardless of your stance on those specific powers, how will you ensure that as a City Councillor, you effectively represent the voice of the public and the business community in major municipal decisions, ensuring accountability and transparency at City Hall?

A councillor's job is to listen to residents and businesses, ask questions and explain their decisions. I would make myself available between elections, not just when I want someone's vote. I would like as much City business as possible discussed publicly and made part of the public record. I understand some legal and confidential matters must be handled privately, but people should have meaningful opportunities to be heard on major decisions and be able to see what those decisions will cost. I won't pretend to know the answer to every question. If I don't know, I'll say so, find out and get back to the person. People may not always agree with how I vote, but they should be able to ask me why and get a straight answer.

11. Maintaining Decorum and Handling Misinformation: City Councillors are increasingly subject to intense public scrutiny and are often the target of misinformation or disinformation spread across social media. Additionally, this scrutiny can sometimes escalate into harassment or abusive language. The City’s Code of Conduct requires Councillors to treat everyone with respect and maintain professional decorum, even when facing hostile or factually incorrect public discourse. How will you personally handle the pressures of social media, combat local misinformation without escalating conflicts, and ensure that your interactions—both online and offline—foster a respectful, constructive environment that upholds the integrity of City Council?

Public office comes with criticism, and people have every right to question me or disagree with a decision. If something being shared online is wrong, I would check the facts and respond with accurate information without turning it into an argument. I would not share a claim I haven't verified. If someone becomes abusive, I can set a boundary and still take the underlying concern seriously. I have spent much of my career working through difficult conversations with people who see things differently. I would bring that same approach to Council: listen, stay respectful and focus on solving the problem.