Jason Setnyk

The City of Cornwall is facing an unprecedented challenge. In the past two years alone, the city has welcomed 1,879 asylum claimants, accounting for approximately 2% of its population. This figure has doubled in the last 18 months, surpassing the per capita intake of asylum claimants in other major cities in Ontario, including Toronto. Despite this, according to a city release (shared on Feb 27, 2024), Cornwall has been left to shoulder the financial burden largely on its own, with private requests for assistance to the federal and provincial governments in November and December, respectively, yielding no tangible action.

Artists Sara Leger and Erynn Doherty painted a floral mural at LLTC. (Photo: Submitted)

Author Joanne Moïse-Routhier holding a copy of her book Heart Whispers. (Photo: Sixth Sense Imagery)

Established by the United Nations, April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day, a time to reflect on neurodiversity and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Autism, a complex and multifaceted neurodevelopmental condition, is as much a part of our diversity as race, gender, and sexual orientation. It is a spectrum that encompasses a wide range of characteristics, from individuals with significant support needs to those with mild or what is often referred to as “level 1” autism.

Author Jim Brownell stands by a sign for Moulinette, Ontario, a town submerged by the creation of the St. Lawrence Seaway in 1958. (Photo: Ginette Guy Mayer)

Cornwall, Ontario – The Social Development Council of Cornwall and Area and The Cornwall and Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the inaugural Youth Engagement Fair on April 10th at the Cornwall Civic Complex. Aimed at empowering young lives, the event featured 63 exhibitors, including sports clubs, art programs, mental health resources, and volunteer opportunities.

A celebration of pop culture has been thriving in Cornwall, Ontario, since 2015. The Cornwall & Area Pop Event (CAPE) has become an annual rendezvous for enthusiasts of comics, movies, cosplay, and all things geek. Founded by Carol Sauve, with support from her husband Randy, owner of Fantasy Realm, CAPE is a significant event that boosts tourism and draws thousands of attendees each year. Carol and Randy were co-recognized by the Cornwall & Area Chamber of Commerce with the Lifetime Business Achievement Award for their contributions to the community.

From left to right: Justin Towndale (Mayor, City of Cornwall), Shawn Kyer (Project Manager, Millennial Construction), Matthew Daigle (Owner, Millennial Construction), Nolan Quinn (MPP, SDSG), Peter John Hobbs (Director General of Community Ministries, Anglican Diocese of Ottawa), Adam Brown (Priest, St. Lawrence Parish, Trinity Anglican Church), Maria Crosby (Board Chair, Centre 105), George Christoff (Volunteer, Ontario Trillium Foundation), Taylor Seguin (Executive Director, Centre 105) gather to celebrate the new Trillium grant-funded facilities at Centre 105. (Photo: Centre 105)

Rick Shaver at his surprise retirement party with his wife Brenda, his daughters, Christine (L) and Kelli (R) along with and MP Eric Duncan, Senator Bernadette Clement and MPP Nolan Quinn. (Photo: Bob Peters)

The April 1st announcement from the Seaway International Bridge Corporation (SIBC) of a toll increase on the bridge serving the Akwesasne community is an Inadvertent setback to the principles of fairness and reconciliation that should guide our interactions and policies regarding Indigenous communities. A media release from Akwesasne reminds us that this hike could place an undue burden on the people of Akwesasne and their economic prosperity.