Three candidates for mayor and nine of the twelve candidates for councillor in Champlain Township participated in a Candidates’ Meeting held at the Vankleek Hill Community Centre on Wednesday, September 30. The event was presented by The Review and Konstantine Malakos served as moderator for the evening.
Ward 4 candidates Greg Ross and Philippe Timbers were unable to attend the meeting. The Review will be presenting stories in editions before the October 26 election presenting their ideas. Ward 2 candidate Benoit Tessier also did not attend the September 30 meeting. There were about 130 people in the audience and up to 177 were watching the livestream on Facebook.
Each candidate delivered opening remarks and then answered six questions which had been submitted by citizens and reviewed by candidates before the meeting. Each candidate for mayor was given the opportunity to respond and could also challenge what another candidate said. Candidates for councillor were also given the opportunity to respond if they wished.
The first question was: “Strong mayor powers give a mayor significant authority, including certain powers over senior municipal administration. If you strongly believed in a decision but the majority of Council, or senior administration, disagreed with you, would you use those powers to push your vision forward, including replacing a senior administrator? Where do you draw the line between strong leadership and respecting Council’s collective decision-making?”
Among the mayoral candidates, Corina Parisien said she would not use strong mayor powers if the majority of council was in disagreement with her. Parisien said personnel matters should be addressed professionally and she would delegate powers.
Serge Ravary strong mayor powers should not be used in personnel matters unless there is support from council.
Incumbent Normand Riopel said “strong leadership does not mean governing alone,” and he would continue to make decisions with the involvement of council.
The second question was: Following the idea of bringing local government members closer to the public, what will be your response to the proposition of holding public meetings once or twice per year to explain to the citizens present policies, plans and answer questions?
“Residents should not have to wait for an election,” Parisien said. If elected, she would give the public more opportunities to be updated about council decisions.
Ravary said regular updates to residents are needed. He said agricultural landowners particularly feel they are not receiving adequate services in return for the taxes they pay.
“Our regular council meetings are open to the public,” Riopel said. He emphasized each meeting has a question period so any members of the public in attendance may ask council about various municipal issues. Riopel added that all council meetings have been livestreamed and retained on Youtube since 2021.
Parisien then asked Riopel if he supports adding meetings to provide updates to the public. He said no, but “we are open to suggestions from the public at any time.” Riopel concluded by encouraging residents to call their councillors whenever they have a question.
Ravary said everyone in the audience at a council meeting has the right to ask questions during the question period.
The third question was: All or most candidates on this stage have expressed opposition to Alto and many have appeared at anti-Alto rallies, but what tangible steps are you currently taking if you are an incumbent or proposing to take if you are not?
Parisien said the interests of Champlain citizens must be defended, and she would work with the United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR), other municipalities, and the federal government on the Alto issue.
“Champlain needs to have a strong place at the table,” Parisien said.
Ravary said generational farms are being threatened by the project and if elected, he would bring stakeholders together to oppose the project as one voice.
Riopel said council has already adopted a resolution opposing the project. He said he is in regular contact with Member of Parliament Giovanna Mingarelli regarding Alto-related concerns. Riopel also said he has refused to sign any non-disclosure agreements Alto was requesting of municipal leaders in return for information about the project. He concluded that if re-elected, he would invite representatives of Alto to appear at a council meeting in January 2027.
Ward 1 candidate Bruce Golden said he is against Alto and expressed concern about the cost, which has been projected as high as $150 billion. Incumbent Ward 1 candidate Peter Barton agreed.
“This whole thing, there is not one merit,” said Ward 1 candidate Martin Kaufman. He said the government should instead be spending on things such as health.
Incumbent Ward 4 candidate Gerry Miner referred to speakers at the recent Strong and United Rally against Alto held near Rigaud who demonstrated that the demographic evidence does not exist to make the project viable.
Acclaimed Ward 3 incumbent Paul Burroughs said Alto should be using the existing VIA corridor and said the project will only benefit residents of large, urban centres.
Ward 4 candidate Eric Larocque said while he has been campaigning, he has been hearing the effects the proposed high-speed rail project is having on the community. He said if he is elected, he will press for regular follow up to keep the public informed about issues involving Alto.
Ward 2 candidate Ophélie Gainville said agricultural land needs to be protected.
The fourth question was: “The Municipal Landfill on Cassburn Road has again been closed this season. What is the present status of negotiations with the government of Ontario for the 2027 season for recycling organic yard waste only?
Parisien said she wants transparency with citizens about the township working through the provincial process of addressing issues at the site. She said residents deserve to know when and what will be done about the site and if it may reopen.
Ravary said he has not been able to obtain complete details about the landfill site because he has not been a member of council.
Riopel said it is difficult to argue with the Ministry of the Environment regarding permits and regulations. He said he is in regular contact with Member of Provincial Parliament Stéphane Sarrazin about the landfill situation.
Parisien asked if Champlain could share landfill sites with other municipalities.
Riopel said efforts to resolve the situation are being made with engineers, but sharing landfill sites had not been considered. He said the township was also unable to reach an agreement to use a local private landfill site.
Ward 2 incumbent candidate Michel Lalonde and Peter Barton of Ward 1 both hoped township staff are able to successfully come up with other landfill options.
The fifth question was: What can Champlain Township Council do to encourage businesses to come to the centres of Vankleek Hill and L’Orignal?
Parisien said the permit and planning process needs to be clearer. She said heritage and rural character should be used attract business.
Ravary said efforts to increase the population of the township would help attract more business. He said Champlain could attract new residents and businesses from Québec if they are looking to relocate due to a possible Parti Québecois government.
Riopel said the township has invested a total of $75,000 in contributions to 23 organizations dedicated to community events and activities meant to bring economic activity to communities. He emphasized how discussions between Champlain and Hawkesbury have led to a memorandum of understanding towards an agreement where Champlain will provide land to Hawkesbury for a new business park and Hawkesbury will provide water and sewer services to Champlain for commercial development along the south side of Highway 17.
Parisien said efforts to bring those services from Hawkesbury to Champlain go back to 2018. She asked Riopel why it has not happened yet.
Riopel replied that negotiations with Hawkesbury were very difficult.
“Yes, I have done my job, it has just taken a little longer than was predicted,” he said.
Burroughs said retail stores and restaurants are needed in communities.
“We all have a Costco card, but someday we have to start buying local,” he said.
Barton said council should be actively listening to the Vankleek Hill Business and Merchant Association for its members interests and needs.
“Amazon didn’t exist 20 years ago. That’s the challenge. We need to support local,” he said.
Kaufman said bureaucratic challenges for business need to be addressed.
“We need to ensure he application process is smooth. It’s all to do with permits and inspection,” he said.
Larocque said council must listen to business owners and pursue development along Highway 17.
Miner suggested the township collaborate with the Hawkesbury Industrial Investment Association (HIIA) to attract business. The HIIA includes Champlain Township in its mandate.
Question six was: “What is your position on expanding municipal recycling to include composting?”
Parisien said she is open to exploring the idea of adding a municipal composting program, but research would have to be done to know how much waste could be diverted and how much it will cost.
“The environmental benefit matters, but the affordability matters too,” she said.
Ravary also said research would have to be done to see if a composting program is feasible.
Riopel said composting was not identified as a priority in a previous study on waste disposal. He noted the township has already participated in the Food Cycler pilot program to help residents who want to divert household organic waste out of the landfill.
Barton said rural residents have been encouraged to do composting independently on their properties and to make use of the Food Cycler program. He was skeptical about the feasibility of residential compost collection.
Larocque said any composting program would have to be designed in a way that best fit Champlain’s needs.
The seventh and final question of the evening was: A few months ago, Council decided not to proceed with having a sidewalk constructed between Main Street and Foodland/Tim Hortons in Vankleek Hill. Would you support reconsidering this idea and installing the sidewalk?
Parisien said the idea should be reconsidered due to the safety of students at VCI. She said all grant funding possibilities should be used to find a solution.
“I will put the safety issue back on the table,” Parisien said.
Ravary said safety should not be neglected and questioned how family members would feel if a victim was injured or killed in the area.
Riopel said he is prepared to revisit the issue. He noted that the cost was previously estimated at more than $1 million and that is why council decided not to proceed.
Miner suggested options be explored such as working with the school board and seeing if a path could instead be built from the northwest corner of the VCI property to Foodland and Tim Hortons to ensure safety for students.
“These things cost money,” Barton said. He suggested exploring grant funding possibilities and discussing possibilities with the school board.
Both Gainville and Burroughs said grant funding options should be utilized.
The meeting concluded with closing remarks from each candidate.
Photos: James Morgan
