North Stormont Mayor Francois Landry (centre) was successful in his bid to become Warden, defeating South Dundas Mayor Jason Broad in a secret ballot. Tinkess Photo
CORNWALL – North Stormont Mayor Francois Landry was selected by his peers on SDG County Council to fill the role of Warden for 2026.
Landry was one of two members of council who were nominated, Councillor (South Dundas Mayor) Jason Broad being the second. The vote was conducted by secret ballot.
Speaking with The Record after the meeting had adjourned, Landry commented on what he hoped to accomplish in his term as Warden. “So right now, there’s issues that are already still ongoing that we haven’t seen the effect of finishing off yet,” said Warden-elect Landry. “So, I want to work with the present Warden to make sure that those are still being looked at moving forward.
“It’s all on a direction of Council. I want to make sure that I advance their recommendations and move forward. So, there is all kinds of things where we have great council members, as you are well aware, Jason, Councillor Broad, for example, sitting with the issues, with our US counterparts. I’m looking forward, whether it’s the Ontario Wardens caucus, we’ve got a joint committee that I haven’t had a really good chance to sit on in the past. I’ve been a director at the library board for now, it’s going to be seven years, so that opportunity is there, but there’s so many more boards that we sit on that we oversee. I’m just looking forward to having a great year and understanding more and giving me the confidence possibly to run again in the next term of Council.”
Landry said that the most important thing is to be there for the people and understands that they want to see that somebody is there to listen to them. He mentioned the province’s interest in investing in improvement to Highway 138, and how important it is to make sure “the best possible product that comes out of it for the safety of our residents.”
Councillor Broad congratulated Landry on the win and indicated that he would be back in the future to try again, but in the meantime would continue the efforts of Counties Council.
Warden-elect Landry will work with the current Warden Martin Lang for the remainder of 2025, which will help to ensure a smooth transition when he assumes the role in 2026. At that time Lang, who is the Deputy Mayor of South Glengarry, will return to his role as Councillor.
Terry Tinkess is a professional photographer, educator and journalist. He has been making a living with a camera and keyboard since 1999 and has been featured in such publications as The Ottawa Citizen, Cornwall Standard Freeholder, The Globe and Mail, The Miami Herald, Ottawa Construction News, The Ontario Construction Report, Ontario Home Builder Magazine, Reed Construction Data, Canadian Potato Business and most recently, The Record and Eastern Ontario AgriNews. Terry lives in Ingleside, Ontario with his wife Brenda, Mia the anxious Pittie and cats Wally and Chubbers.
