Jason Riley

Background

My name is Jason Riley, and I am running for Cornwall City Council. I was born and raised in Cornwall. I am a proud graduate of St. Joseph’s Secondary School and St. Lawrence College where I learned the value of hard work, education, community and local pride. I work for IBM Canada where I have spent the past 19 years working with large multi-nation organizations solve complex problems. I have built my career on being a problem solver. I was raised with a sense of community and giving back. Service has always been important to me. For 35+ years I have been volunteering in our community with a variety of organizations, non-profits and youth sporting clubs. Since the last municipal election, I have served on three city committees, doing my best to shape our community and being a part of the conversation on issues that really matter to residents. I also serve as the Vice-Chair of ACCFutures which is a local non-profit that support entrepreneurs and businesses in Cornwall, SD&G and Akwesasne. Through that work I have seen firsthand the importance of supporting local growth, encouraging innovation and creating real opportunities here at home. I am running for Council because I care deeply about Cornwall and believe I can bring a thoughtful practical approach to the table. One rooted in problem solving, community involvement, fiscal responsibility and a genuine commitment to our city.

Top Priorities

Fiscal Responsibility: - Cornwall families are feeling the pressure of rising costs and are faced with tough financial decisions. I believe City Hall should have the same financial discipline. Cornwall needs to take a responsible approach to its spending and a more balanced budget. Investing in roads, infrastructure, parks and community facilities is important, but we cannot continue to undertake every MAJOR project all at once especially when the main source of funding for these projects is borrowing. We also need to stop approving additional funding for projects that are already over budget without asking why and looking for alternatives to save on the project. At the end of the day, every dollar that council spends come from the taxpayers of Cornwall. Fiscal responsibility isn’t about standing in the way of progress, it’s about making sure we can continue to invest in Cornwall’s future without placing a burden on future generations. Jobs & Local Growth: Cornwall has a lot going for it. With our population now exceeding 54,000 our community continues to grow and attract new opportunities. City Council has an important role to play in creating an environment where businesses can succeed. That means supporting our local businesses, encouraging entrepreneurs, attracting new investment and making it easier for companies to grow and create jobs. I still hear from businesses and entrepreneurs that getting permits from the city of Cornwall is difficult and cumbersome. We need to streamline the permit application process and find a way to work with applicants instead of working against them. We also need to ensure that your people can build successful careers here in Cornwall instead of feeling they have to leave the community to find opportunities elsewhere. Transparency and Accountability: I believe the residents of Cornwall deserve a city council that is open, honest, accountable and focused on serving the people who elected them. Far too often, I hear from residents who feel disconnected from what is happening at City Hall. They aren’t sure why decision are made and they feel their voices aren’t being heard. That needs to change. Through my professional career the main lesson that I have learned is that trust is built on clear communication, accountability and following through on your commitments. Those are the same values I will bring to city council. If elected you can expect a councillor who is prepared, who listens before making decisions, who communicates openly, and who works every day to earn the trust that you’ve placed in me.

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?

Municipal government has a responsibility to provide services to the residents, but they also have a responsibility to make smart decisions with the taxpayers money. I support protecting essential services like policing, fire, roads infrastructure and recreational facilities. Council will need to make some tough decisions during this next term of council. In my opinion planning for the long-term and improving oversight on major projects could save the taxpayers much needed money. Also prioritizing projects so that we are not undertaking several major projects all at once and continuing to borrow money and passing the interest off to the taxpayers. Good financial management isn’t about saying no to growth, it’s about making the right investments at the right time.

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?

I was at an event last night where I heard that the city is looking at a cloud-based permitting software that is already in use in other municipalities. My background in technology has me optimistic that this will help ease some of the burden for permits. However, we need to continue to make improvements with permits, zoning and licensing. I support setting service timelines and clear communications so that businesses know where things stand with their applications. In my professional career I serve as a single point of contact for my clients. I would support doing something similar at city. Having staff that serve as a single point of contact for X number of small businesses so that the business owner knows who to contact to get the answers that they need. We need to create a customer service type of model at city hall.

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?

Cornwall does indeed have a significant infrastructure backlog. I believe we need to be smart, disciplined and responsible about how we start approach the backlog. We cannot try to fix everything at once. I would support maintaining and replacing the roads, watermains, wastewater systems and other critical infrastructure residents use and rely on every day. Earlier this year Cornwall secured provincial funding to help pay for a secondary water intake for the City of Cornwall. We would need to prioritize this project to receive the funds from the Provincial government. After that I would prioritize projects based on current condition, value to the residents and businesses and of course the economic importance. Saying no to a developer, business or new investment because current infrastructure isn’t there or is not compatible does not make sense to me. New investment in Cornwall means increasing our tax base and revenue.

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?

During the 2022 election cycle, the Port Lands was a hot topic. It is now 2026 and we are still talking about it without anything being done to that land. The Port Land property sits in a key part of our waterfront. We cannot develop this land simply to develop it. I support something that creates jobs, attracts new investments, drives tourism and improves our relations with Akwesasne. We should create something that both communities are proud of. The Port Lands Corporation has entered into a management agreement with Cornwall firm LPT & Co who I have experience working with one of the Founders and the Director of Operations. If elected and I was selected to join the Harbour Front committee I would work with LPT & Co to develop a clear business case and identify potential investors to ensure any development is a benefit to Cornwall and Akwesasne.

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?

Housing is one of the biggest challenges facing Cornwall today, and it is not something that we can afford to ignore. Families, seniors, young people and individuals on fixed incomes are feeling the impact of rising housing costs and limited availability. It is not a secret that we need more housing in Cornwall, but we also need to make sure that we are building the right mix of housing that meets the needs of our residents. I believe that affordable housing starts with creating more housing. I would support measures that would make it easier and faster for developers to build housing. I would support helping subsidize developers to take abandoned and uninhabitable buildings and refurbishing them and making them fit for individuals and families to live in. Let’s be fair, developers and landlords are in the business of housing, and they can get things done quicker and quite possibly cheaper than we can at the municipal level.

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?

Homelessness is probably the most complex issue facing Cornwall, the province and the country for that matter. In my opinion there are typically other underlying issues that are at the root of homelessness, whether that be affordability, mental health or in some cases addition issues. Until we start addressing the underlying issues, I am not sure that we can make a meaningful dent in the homelessness situation. I would support working with our community partners in SD&G and Akwesasne in partnership with the Provincial Government to help make services for mental health and addition issues more readily available. The Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP) is a provincial program aimed to help individuals and families secure stable long-term housing and reduce chronic homelessness. This funding is given to the municipalities. When we look at other municipalities that Cornwall regularly compares itself to (Belleville, Brockville, Sault Ste. Marie) Cornwall has received far less funding. It is time to ask our MPP why Cornwall isn’t not receiving the same support as similar cities.

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?

We need to give our young people reasons to stay in Cornwall and build their careers here. That starts with good jobs, opportunities for advancement and a community that they are proud to live in and call home. Working with my alma mater St. Lawrence College, employers, the Cornwall Economic Development Center and the Eastern Ontario Training Board to better understand the jobs that are currently available here and connect students to those opportunities. I believe if we can create more apprenticeship/internship and summer employment opportunities it will give the Cornwall youth more experience with local employers. I support holding more job fairs and promoting career opportunities to students before they graduate rather than waiting until they have already left. I don’t think we need to try to convince the young people to stay in Cornwall, we need to create and foster a city that they see themselves living, building a career and raising their families.

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?

One of Cornwall’s major advantages lies in its geographical location. We are right off the 401 and close to Ottawa, Montreal and the U.S. If I am not mistaken there are already plans to expand Cornwall’s Business Park. I would support this expansion as well as any improvements to infrastructure that are required.

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?

There is a municipal grant program and the Cornwall Tourism Development fund that are working hard to support local events, festivals that drive tourism. Outside of those programs, I believe the best way for City Council to better support these events are lightening the red tape associated with them. Make it easier for organizers to navigate the permit approval process, continued in-kind donation of city facilities or services and encouraging visitors to take part in the events by help to promoting them.

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?

I believe that Councillors have a responsibility to the taxpayers of Cornwall. We work for them, we represent them, we are their voices at the council table. If I am elected, I will be a councillor who responds to residents and businesses when they reach out. I will listen to their concerns before making my decisions, and when I make those decisions, I will explain why. We may not always agree on every decision around the council table but my commitment to you the voter is that I will listen to you and explain my decisions. I built my career on trust, accountability and transparency and I am ready to bring those same skills to City Hall.

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?

Social media can be a useful tool and effective way for City Councillors to communicate with residents. It can also be an environment where differing opinion can quickly become personal attacks. In my experience hostile comments often come from genuine frustration even when people have the wrong information. If I see misinformation I would respond with the correct facts and proper sources so that people can review the information for themselves rather than arguing with individuals. In my experience I have found that clear communications helps to combat misinformation. I would encourage the City of Cornwall social media accounts to proactively publish details on major decisions before the rumours start. I am one that believes that two people can disagree on an issue or topic, have a discussion about said topic without it causing harm to our relationship. I am also not so naïve to realize that not every comment requires a response. In some cases, there are individuals who are acting in bad faith and just want to cause a conflict. I hold myself to a set code of conduct in my professional career and I have every intention of holding myself to the same code of conduct as a city councillor.