JASON SETNYK
“Something is rotten in the state of Denmark,” Shakespeare wrote more than 400 years ago. While Cornwall City Hall is far from Elsinore Castle, recent events have raised questions about what is happening here behind the scenes.
The City of Cornwall has confirmed Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Matthew Stephenson is assuming CAO duties while Chief Administrative Officer Tim Mills is away. “We look forward to Tim Mill’s return,” said Katherine Wells, Director of Communications. The confirmation follows personnel changes announced June 9 as part of an organizational transition.
Interim appointments have also been made. Louis Savard is Acting General Manager, Human Services, Francois Sanner is Acting Manager, Finance and Deputy Treasurer, and Margaret Durocher is Acting Manager, Housing Services. “The City of Cornwall is committed to delivering high-quality services to residents and businesses,” Stephenson stated last week. “This work has been focused on strengthening service delivery, aligning our structure with evolving community needs, and ensuring we are well-positioned for the future.”
The City confirmed Lisa Smith, Housing Manager; Kristine Greaves, Human Services Manager; and Marie-France Walker, Finance Manager/Deputy Treasurer, are no longer with the Corporation. Tracey Bailey and Mellissa Morgan are on leave. The changes follow broader restructuring efforts. In October, the City eliminated 26 municipal positions, including 14 CUPE Local 3251 jobs, citing fiscal pressures and $2.4 million in savings.
CUPE 3251 President Roxanne Bancroft criticized the decision. “They’ve spent $75 million over budget on just three capital projects: the fire department, the arts centre, and the Civic Complex,” said Bancroft.
The restructuring follows other cost-saving measures, including a review of security services at City facilities. In March, Mills said the City was spending more than $300,000 annually on security between the Benson Centre, Aquatic Centre, and Cornwall Civic Complex.
“We owe it to the community to look at efficiencies… if things aren’t working, we have to address them,” said Mills.
The 2026 budget also included cost-saving measures in Economic Development and Transit, including a $50,000 advertising cut that brought marketing levels to what Manager Bob Peters said were the lowest since he started with the City in 1990. The budget also eliminated two Cornwall Transit express routes, with staff citing declining ridership, including to and from the college.
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