Lisa Olmstead

Background

My name is Lisa Olmstead, and I am a master stylist with nearly 3 decades of professional experience and service, rooted in Montreal before making Cornwall my home over 4 years ago. During the course of my career, people have trusted me with more than just their image, they have trusted me with their life stories. My career has taught me the importance of listening, understanding people’s needs, solving problems and building strong relationships within the community. Since moving to Cornwall I have become increasingly involved in learning about our city, speaking with residents, local organizations & community members, and sharing their concerns that matter most to them. Running as an independent, grassroots candidate has given me the amazing opportunity to hear directly from residents and listen to their hopes for Cornwall’s future.

Top Priorities

My top 3 priorities are focused on 1) Transparency, accountability & responsible spending. 2) Growing Cornwall's economy and creating opportunity. 3) Addressing homelessness, and affordable housing.

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?

A 5.4% increase to the property tax levy has a significant impact on Cornwall residents. We are living in a time where the cost of living is already squeezing most household budgets to the limits, and the reality is that we can't spend our way into prosperity, just like we can't cut our way to growth. I think that by expanding our commercial and industrial tax base would be a very smart move. Projects like the Cornwall business Park expansion are worth aggressively pursuing. Cornwall has a strategically located logistical and manufacturing hub, as well as hundreds of acres of developable land. If our business sector grows, so does our tax base, which would naturally take the pressure off of homeowners property tax bill. Our city must never think that cutting municipal services is ever ok in any circumstance, and should prioritize "Needs vs. Wants" I think it's also rather important to put an end to reactive spending. Waiting for pipes to burst, or roads to crumble before fixing them costs taxpayers nearly double when we factor in the cost of emergency repairs. Regular "wear & tear" maintenance is crucial to do before it become too late, and by doing so, it could prevent many of those volatile annual budget spikes that no one wants to see.

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 have been speaking with many business owners in our community lately, and it seems that one of the main things that brings so much frustration to business owners is that a lot of them feel as if they seem to be playing an endless game of telephone tag between zoning, building and licensing. I think that developing a single point of contact at city hall where a dedicated concierge is available to people during regular business hours would help guide people directly and more efficiently from day one. I also think that exploring the idea of an online portal would be beneficial as it would enable business owners to submit applications and track thier permits almost instantly. I think that it is about time that the city moves at the speed of our businesses and not the other way around. It would allow businesses to open faster, benefiting not only the people requiring these services, but also start injecting new revenue even faster into our local economy.

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 definitely has a massive infrastructure backlog and we need to be smart about what we fix first. My priority would be protecting our clean water infrastructure by finishing the new secondary water intake system so that residents never have to worry about the taps turning off. We also need to prioritize resurfacing our main roads so workers can get to their jobs safely , children can get to school safely, and people aren't stuck paying for broken car suspensions or flat tires while trying to do so. I would also want to revise our current transit system schedule, so that the people who rely on public transit can get to where they need to go without all the stress of long wait times between buses. With that being said, we can't just raise property taxes to pay for all of this. Our council has the responsibility to Lobby for our fair share of provincial and federal money to help with the costs by targeting programs such as the Ontario gas tax and infrastructure funds.

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?

The 16 acre Port Lands is a project that could define Cornwall's waterfront for decades to come. It's a chance to show true partnership with Akwesasne by making decisions together. In order to turn this vision into a reality, my focus on council will be protecting the taxpayer by managing the project together with Akwesasne, using the federal endowment fund so that taxpayers don't carry the financial burden. We need to start moving current plans into action so that we can attract the right mix of shops, restaurants and tourism to begin boosting our economy. I am a strong believer in protecting the natural beauty of the area by keeping plenty of green spaces, as well as expanding our current waterfront trails so that everyone can enjoy it! I feel that the Port lands project isn't only about developing land, but about taking this important opportunity to build lasting bridges between Cornwall and Akwesasne that would create a legacy that we can all be proud of.

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?

With accessible housing being a major concern for Cornwall, I think we need to find legitimate ways to cut the red tape on building affordable housing units. We need to update the rules so it becomes faster and easier to build basement apartments, duplexes, and townhouses without waiting months for City hall approvals. I also think that we should offer financial incentives to property developers only if they will guarantee that a chunk of the homes or units they build will actually be affordable for regular people. I honestly don't believe building more homes in this city is the issue, but we need to start building the right kinds of homes that people can actually afford.

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?

We should never allow the human tragedy of homelessness become a normalized part of our community life. We can't simply sweep encampments away, nor can we allow our public spaces to bear the brunt end of this crisis. I fully support backing what works, like programs such as stepping stone that move people off the streets and into spaces with 24/7 on site mental health, and addiction support teams. We need to strengthen our partnerships with groups like the United way to keep moving forward. It is also extremely important that our encampment response teams remain focused on a compliance and support model that helps individuals transition directly into stable, more permanent housing. Again, we can't rely solely on taxpayer dollars to cover the costs, which is why if I am elected, I will aggressively pursue and advocate for maxing out our provincial homelessness prevention program, and make absolutely sure that City hall funds real supportive solutions instead of temporary band aids.

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?

Honestly, we can't expect our youth to stay in Cornwall if we aren't building a city they can actually afford to grow in. Bridging the gaps between our classrooms and local economy is vital. I would push for stronger partnerships between City hall, local businesses and St. Lawrence college to build on paid Co-ops, and apprenticeships that hire students locally before they graduate. Cornwall has a serious lack of things that are fun and interesting for younger people to do. I would definitely pursue investments that create more lively and fun recreational spaces so that the younger generation will see Cornwall as an exciting place to live, not just to work.

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?

Major investments like the Michelin distribution Centre chose Cornwall because of our location and we can't take that for granted. Making sure that the expansion of the Cornwall business park, as well as the expansion of Nick kaneb drive are completed on time are crucial to unlocking hundreds of acres of developable industrial land. I would also push for road maintenance and smart traffic signals on primary commercial routes to keep the supply chains moving efficiently. We need to keep working on our local transit routes to make sure that shift workers can get to their jobs safely and reliably.

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?

Tourism undoubtedly brings a huge boost to local restaurants and shops, and I feel that community event planners and organizers shouldn't have to file so much paperwork just to welcome visitors to their events. I believe that implementing a quick and simple permit system would be very helpful for local craft shows, as well as charity fundraisers in getting their events approved quickly without having to pay excessively high fees. I also think that the city should make it easier for non-profits to get basic help with things like approving the use of Lamoureux Park, dropping off safety barricades, and handling garbage cleanup without weeks of council delays. If city hall is more efficient and supportive in backing event organizers, it would help with attracting more events to our area, creating more fun for our community while supporting a thriving economy for our local small businesses.

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?

Strong mayor powers might change how City hall runs, but if I'm elected, they will never change my duty to our community. I will always work closely with other councillors to build strong, unified votes so that the voice of our citizens can't be easily pushed aside. I am a strong believer in pushing for town halls early in the planning process so that Cornwall residents can help be a part of shaping spending priorities, and can voice their concerns and questions from day one. I think it's important, and I want more people to be aware of the fact that although a mayor can veto a council decision, It must be publicly documented. I have said it from day one of my campaign, and I will say it again so that it is loud and clear. I will always be the voice of our community at council's table, and I am not there to preserve anyone else's political comfort. I am there to represent our taxpayers, and will always ask the tough questions and make sure that the answers are clear so that taxpayers know and understand exactly why decisions are being made.

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?

I'm very well aware of the fact that public scrutiny comes with the job, but it should never become a shouting match that poisons the well of local debate. On-line rumours and hostile comments should never derail the work that our elected city officials need to do for Cornwall. Being in the public eye while holding these positions requires an extremely thick skin. As a councillor, I believe in the power of responding with clear facts, not emotion. I will always use direct and verifiable facts that support any statement I make in response to misinformation, rumours and on-line hostility. I firmly believe that treating everyone with professional respect, even when they are hostile, is the only way for me to keep my focus on solving problems rather than escalating drama. Social media shouldn't dictate how our city is run, and it's very easy for people to spread false rumours and use abusive language from behind a keyboard. I think that having regular face to face updates, and holding more community meetings would make it much easier for people to decipher the facts from the fiction. Being calm, factual and respectful when addressing public scrutiny is, in my opinion the most effective way to make sure our council can focus on what matters most, which is serving Cornwall.