The Cornwall and Area Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Cogeco YourTV Cornwall, will host the official 2026 Mayoral Debate on October 14, 2026. The event takes place at the Cabaret Room of the Best Western Inn & Conference Centre in Cornwall, Ontario, starting at 7:30 p.m. It comes just 12 days before the October 26 municipal election, offering residents a direct chance to hear where candidates stand on local priorities.
Four candidates are vying for the mayor’s seat: incumbent Mayor Justin Towndale, Nicole Spahich, Coun. Sarah Good, and musician and special-needs advocate Art Levert. Towndale was first elected in 2022 with 51 per cent of the vote. Spahich ran for mayor in 2018 and focuses on fiscal restraint. Good is a current city councillor who re-entered the race in August after initially withdrawing. Levert filed his nomination on August 17.
Before the formal debate, a Meet the Candidates event will run from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., giving the public an opportunity to connect with all participating council and mayoral candidates. The Chamber is presenting the debate as part of its non-partisan Our City, Your Vote initiative, launched to boost voter participation and provide accessible, objective information about the 2026 municipal election.
The Chamber has a history of hosting mayoral debates, including a similar event during the 2022 campaign at the same venue. This year’s election also brings a structural change for Cornwall, as council has been reduced from 10 to eight seats, with 25 candidates competing for those positions. Residents can attend the debate in person or tune in via Cogeco YourTV Cornwall.
