Tobias LeGros

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?

I am a firm believer in not spending money if we don’t have to, I don’t believe that supervisors on city works need trucks, when a car would be sufficient.

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?

As well I believe that our city hall building permits is in some serious need of rebranding, retooling, or re-educating. I have heard from a number of citizens about how hard it is to get anything approved from them, when they go in it is common to hear no, its time that we start hearing “But this is how we can get it done”. If we were to cut out some of the red tape and negative responses, I believe this would promote growth and more investors or developers to our area.

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?

My priority, based on what the community has said, would have to be road maintenance. However, I also acknowledge that just because I would like to make it a priority, I also understand that sometimes other things can take precedence.

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?

It doesn’t matter what my vision for this property is, what is more important is what can we and Akwesasne come up with as a joint venture. In order for this to be a successful venture it has to be a joint vision from both of our communities split down the middle with both having input and both having something to gain from it.

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?

I would more inclined towards targeted incentives, again with the prospect of encouraging developers and larger scale tourist attractions. I feel both would encourage the growth of Cornwall and add much needed housing, with the increase of houses it would help regulate the overall cost.

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?

After having a couple of meetings with organizations within Cornwall, the biggest issue I have heard is the lack of counselling and that there is a number of hoops that people have to go through in order to get assistance. I do believe that transitional housing with dedicated Support workers would greatly assist with our displaced situation. Having a dedicated worker could help get the participants the assistance that they need to get in order to get back on their feet.

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 would like to see more trade classes being implemented in our community. If our youths didn’t have far to go for schooling it would (in my opinion) help strengthen the home feeling in them and show that there is room for growth in our community.

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?

I would like to look into the probability of creating a job where the person is responsible for reaching out to companies looking for expansion and having them talk to the company directly and have them “sell” them on the idea of coming to Cornwall.

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?

I think a big part of what we have been missing for a number of years is the old festivals we used to have. For example, Corn Fest or Winterlude. I do understand that Winterlude is tricky due to weather conditions. But we saw how much attention and the number of visitors we attract when we host an event such as the Pow Wow. I believe we can help drive the success of these events by simplifying the whole process. I have heard from one organizer that there were a number of different fees he had to pay in order to have his event.

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 have not had a problem talking with anyone in regards to their concerns, and that is something I would maintain. One thing that I feel has been lost is the realization that we work for the community and not what is best for their neighbourhood.

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 have a strong support group that helps me handle pressure. As for the misinformation I would just state facts and when possible, show actual facts on paper and let them decide then what is true and what isn’t. I would not get into an argument with anyone publicly or online. I have found that very rarely have our council actually done much to combat the misinformation. I have read about so many being accessible but we never hear from them publicly.