Editing Cornwall, Ontario

{{Short description|City in Ontario, Canada}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=July 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Cornwall
| official_name      = City of Cornwall
| settlement_type    = [[List of cities in Ontario|City]] ([[List of municipalities in Ontario#Single-tier municipalities|single-tier]])
| image_skyline      = Cornwall ON 1.JPG
| image_caption      = 
| image_flag         = Flag of Cornwall, Ontario.png
| flag_size          = 120x120px
| image_shield       = Cornwall, Ontario Coat of Arms.png
| shield_size        = 90x90px
| image_blank_emblem = Logo of Cornwall, Ontario.svg
| blank_emblem_type  = Logo
| motto              = ''Pro Patria''
| nickname           = The Friendly City, The Seaway City, The Friendly Seaway City<ref name="citymuse">{{cite web |title=Welcome to Cornwall – 1967 |url=https://cornwallcommunitymuseum.wordpress.com/2016/05/29/welcome-to-cornwall-1967/ |website=cornwallcommunitymuseum.wordpress.com |date=May 29, 2016 |publisher=cornwall community museum |access-date=12 December 2022}}</ref><ref name="Queen's University nicknames">{{cite web |last1=Stephanie |first1=Kirke |title="From the Friendly City to the Seaway City:" |url=https://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.item?id=mq22332&op=pdf&app=Library&is_thesis=1&oclc_number=1006834125 |website=central.bac-lac.gc.ca |publisher=[[Queen's University at Kingston]] |access-date=12 December 2022}}</ref>
| pushpin_map        = Canada Southern Ontario#CAN ON Stormont Dundas and Glengarry
| coordinates        = {{coord|45|01|39|N|74|44|24|W|region:CA-ON|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = Canada
| subdivision_type1  = [[Provinces and territories of Canada|Province]]
| subdivision_type2  = County
| subdivision_name1  = [[Ontario]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry|Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry]] <small>(geographically only)</small>
| established_title  = Founded
| established_date   = 1784
| established_title1 = Incorporated
| established_date1  = 1834
| leader_title       = Mayor
| leader_name        = [[Justin Towndale]]<ref name="mayor">{{cite web | title = City Council | publisher = City of Cornwall | url = https://www.cornwall.ca/en/city-hall/city-council.aspx | accessdate = July 23, 2021}}</ref>
| leader_title1      = Governing Body
| leader_name1       = [[Cornwall City Council]]
| leader_title2      = [[House of Commons of Canada|MP]]
| leader_name2       = [[Eric Duncan (politician)|Eric Duncan]] ([[Conservative Party of Canada|Conservative]])
| leader_title3      = [[Legislative Assembly of Ontario|MPP]]
| leader_name3       = [[Nolan Quinn]] ([[Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario|PC]])
| total_type         = Total
| area_footnotes     = <ref name=SCref21>{{SCref |year=2021 |unit=csd |code={{#property:P3012}} |access-date=2024-09-30}}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = 
| area_land_km2      = 61.50
| area_urban_km2     = 32.40
| area_urban_footnotes = <ref name="sc2021-PC">{{cite web |title=Cornwall Ontario [Population centre] Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&SearchText=cornwall&DGUIDlist=2021S05100205&GENDERlist=1,2,3&STATISTIClist=1,4&HEADERlist=0 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca | date=February 9, 2022 |publisher=Government of Canada - Statistics Canada |access-date=30 September 2024}}</ref>
| area_metro_km2     = 509.21
| area_metro_footnotes = <ref name="sc2021-CA">{{cite web |title=Cornwall Ontario [Census agglomeration] Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&SearchText=cornwall&DGUIDlist=2021S0504501&GENDERlist=1,2,3&STATISTIClist=1,4&HEADERlist=0 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca | date=February 9, 2022 |publisher=Government of Canada - Statistics Canada |access-date=30 September 2024}}</ref>
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name="Climate1981" />
| elevation_m        = 64.00
| population_total   = 47845
| population_as_of   = 2021
| population_footnotes = <ref name="SCref21"/>
| population_density_km2 = 777.9
| population_urban   = 47286
| population_density_urban_km2 = 1459.6
| population_urban_footnotes = <ref name="sc2021-PC"/>
| population_metro   = 61415
| population_density_metro_km2 = 120.6
| population_metro_footnotes = <ref name="sc2021-CA"/>
| population_note    = Metropolitan area includes the City of Cornwall and South Stormont Twp.
| postal_code_type   = [[Postal codes in Canada|Postal Code FSA]]
| postal_code        = K6H to K6J
| area_code          = [[Area codes 613, 343, and 753|613, 343]]
| timezone           = [[Eastern Time Zone|EST]]
| utc_offset         = −5
| timezone_DST       = [[Eastern Time Zone|EDT]]
| utc_offset_DST     = −4
| website            = {{Official URL}}
| footnotes          = 
}}

'''Cornwall''' is a city in [[Eastern Ontario]], Canada, situated where the provinces of [[Central Canada|Ontario and Quebec]] and the U.S. state of [[New York (state)|New York]] converge. It is Ontario's easternmost city. Although it is the seat of the [[United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry]], Cornwall is administered independently from the county.

Cornwall is named after the English [[Duchy of Cornwall]]; the city's [[coat of arms]] is based on that of the duchy with its colours reversed and the addition of a "royal [[tressure]]," a Scottish symbol of royalty.

It is the [[urban area|urban]] centre for the surrounding communities of Long Sault and Ingleside to the west; the [[Mohawk people|Mohawk]] Territory of [[Akwesasne]] to the south; St. Andrews West and Avonmore to the north; and Glen Walter, Martintown, Apple Hill, Williamstown, and Lancaster to the east.

The city straddles the [[St. Lawrence River]] and is home to the [[St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation]], which oversees navigation and shipping activities for the [[St. Lawrence Seaway]].  It lies within the [[Quebec City–Windsor Corridor]] along [[Ontario Highway 401]], is a major port of entry from the United States into Canada, and is positioned to support some of Cornwall's largest industries, which include logistics, distribution, and call centres.

== History ==
[[File:A dog on the street in front of G. D. Atkinson Flour & Feed 208 Pitt St Cornwall ca. 1908 (I0013581).tiff|thumb|left|A dog on the street in front of G. D. Atkinson Flour and Feed, 208 Pitt St., Cornwall, {{Circa|1908}}]]

Though accounts suggest Europeans filtered into the area and had scattered settlements for some time, the first documented European settlement was established in 1784 by [[United Empire Loyalists]], primarily from the former British colony of New York.
In 1787 this settlement became the first in present-day Ontario to be visited by a member of the [[British royal family|royal family]], Prince William Henry (later [[William IV of the United Kingdom|William IV]]).<ref>{{Cite book| last=Bousfield| first=Arthur|author2=Toffoli, Gary|  title=Royal Spring: The Royal Tour of 1939 and the Queen Mother in Canada| publisher=Dundurn Press| year=1989| location=Toronto| page=27| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1Go5p_CN8UQC| isbn=1-55002-065-X}}</ref>

After the [[American Revolutionary War|war for US independence]], former colonial soldiers loyal to the [[The Crown|Crown]] and other disbanded soldiers and their families began to settle at the site of Cornwall, which was then called New Johnstown.<ref name="heritagefdn.on.ca">{{cite web |url=https://www.heritagetrust.on.ca/en/plaques/founding-of-cornwall |title=Founding of Cornwall, The |access-date=January 17, 2019 |publisher=Ontario Heritage Trust }}</ref> Many of the new arrivals were of ethnic German, Acts and English origin, and the town is named for [[Johnstown, New York]], the origin of many of them.

The main group was led by Lieutenant-Colonel [[Sir John Johnson, 2nd Baronet|Sir John Johnson]] and had soldiers from the First Battalion [[King's Royal Regiment of New York]] and a contingent of the [[84th Regiment of Foot (Royal Highland Emigrants)]]. Following the success of rebellious colonists in the [[American Revolution]], many of those who were afraid for their lives or uncomfortable in the newly independent United States became [[United Empire Loyalists]] as they were later called, and migrated to [[Canada]]. The British government helped them settle throughout the Canadas as a reward for their loyalty and to compensate them for their losses in the United States. One of the chief settlement regions was the St Lawrence River Valley, from [[Kingston, Ontario|Kingston]] to Cornwall, which would later be known as "Loyalist Country."

They founded a permanent settlement north of one of a series of portage points (the point was not a settlement, nor was it even a trading post), sometimes referred to as ''Pointe Maligne'' by French explorers. The square mile town was temporarily named "Royal Town #2" then "Johnson" or "New Johnstown." It was later renamed to Cornwall for the [[Duke of Cornwall]] by the proclamation of [[George IV of the United Kingdom|Prince George]]. In 1834, the town became one of the first [[Municipal corporation|incorporated municipalities]] in the British colony of [[Upper Canada]].<ref>[http://fotw.fivestarflags.com/ca-on-co.html 5 Star Flags]</ref> Much later, during one of a series of annexations, those former portage points were added to the expanded community.

During the [[War of 1812]], the [[Battle of Hoople's Creek]] and the [[Battle of Crysler's Farm]] were fought nearby. [[Occupation of Cornwall|Cornwall was occupied]] by the [[United States Army]] from November 11-13, 1813. 

The construction of the [[Cornwall Canal]] between 1834 and 1842 accelerated the community's development into a regional and industrial economic "capital" for a growing hinterland of towns and villages.<ref name="heritagefdn.on.ca"/><ref name="ParhamGreatWilderness">{{cite book|last1=Parham|first1=Claire Puccia|title=From Great Wilderness to Seaway Towns: A Comparative History of Cornwall, Ontario, and Massena, New York, 1784–2001|date=2013|publisher=SUNY Press|isbn=978-0791485675|page=46}}</ref>

In 1846, the population was about 1,600, and there were many brick and stone houses, a stone courthouse and jail, and several government offices. There was little industry except for a foundry and two tanneries, but there were many independent tradesmen of various types. Other amenities included two bank agencies, eight taverns, and a ladies' school.<ref>{{cite book |last=Smith |first=Wm. H. |date=1846 |title=Smith's Canadian Gazetteer – Statistical and General Information Respecting all parts of The Upper Province, or Canada West|url=https://archive.org/details/smithscanadianga00smit |location=Toronto |publisher=H. & W. ROWSELL |pages=38–39}}</ref>

Canal and lock construction in the late 1800s and the early 1900s brought work and international business. The [[Grand Trunk Railway]] ([[CN Rail]]) built an east-west line through Cornwall in 1856. The [[New York and Ottawa Railway]] (NY&O) followed with a north-south line [[New York and Ottawa Railway#St. Lawrence River crossing at Cornwall|crossing the St. Lawrence]], and a station in Cornwall dating to 1898.<ref name="canada-rail">{{cite web |title=Railway Stations in Cornwall Ontario|url=https://www.canada-rail.com/ontario/c2/cornwall.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150508200051/https://www.canada-rail.com/ontario/c2/cornwall.html|archive-date=May 8, 2015|access-date=9 December 2019|website=Canada-Rail.com}}</ref> The [[Canadian Pacific Railway]] created a succession of subsidiaries and plans for a Cornwall line starting in the 1880s, which culminated in the [[Glengarry and Stormont Railway]] in 1915 to connect to CP's [[Ontario and Quebec Railway]] mainline to the northeast for an alternative route to [[Montreal]].

In 1879, a visitor from Scotland enthusiastically declared that the [[Lochaber]] dialect of [[Scottish Gaelic language]] was better preserved, "with the most perfect accent, and with scarcely any, if any, admixture of English", in [[Glengarry County]] and in Cornwall than in Lochaber itself.<ref> {{cite book |last=Newton |first=Michael |author-link=Michael Newton (Gaelic scholar) |date=2015 |title={{lang|gd|Seanchaidh na Coille|italic=no}}/Memory-Keeper of the Forest: Anthology of Scottish Gaelic Literature of Canada |publisher=Cape Breton University Press |isbn=978-1-77206-016-4}} p. 373.</ref>

The railway connections linked Cornwall and local communities that required access to public services in Cornwall itself, such as high schools and medical services, and helped cement Cornwall's position as a regional centre for a large, rapidly expanding, and increasingly populated rural hinterland.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lostvillages.ca/history/the-lost-villages/mille-roches/ |title=Mille Roches |publisher=The Lost Villages Historical Society |access-date=January 17, 2019}}</ref> The network of villages and towns surrounding Cornwall helped make the city a local entrepot for business, commerce, media and services.

[[File:Panorama Moses Saunders Dam.jpg|alt=Moses-Saunders Power Dam|thumb|Moses-Saunders Power Dam]]
In 1944, the city was rocked by the magnitude 5.8 [[1944 Cornwall–Massena earthquake|Cornwall–Massena earthquake]]. There were no deaths or injuries reported, but several chimneys were destroyed or damaged, along with heavy damage to historical masonry structures. For example, the [[Cornwall Collegiate and Vocational School]] received heavy damage from masonry work falling through the roof of the gymnasium. Part of the school had to be demolished and reconstructed.

West of Cornwall, along the [[St. Lawrence River]], there were several smaller communities that became known as the [[Lost Villages]]. They were submerged in 1958 during the construction of the [[St. Lawrence Seaway]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=DeBruin |first=Jennifer |date=2022-03-16 |title=You Can't Go Home Again: The Lost Villages of the St. Lawrence |url=https://www.readersdigest.ca/travel/canada/lost-villages-ontario/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220512200038/https://www.readersdigest.ca/travel/canada/lost-villages-ontario/ |archive-date=2022-05-12 |access-date=2022-09-20 |website=[[Reader’s Digest Magazines (Canada)]] |publisher=[[Trusted Media Brands]] |language=en-CA}}</ref> providing a reservoir for the [[Moses-Saunders Power Dam]], which regulates water levels flowing from [[Lake Ontario]] and maintains the levels required to operate the two adjacent Canada-US [[Hydroelectricity|hydroelectric power]] generating stations.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Armstrong |first=Leslie |date=August 14, 2014 |title=Great Lakes water levels rebound thanks to prolonged winter |work=[[Toronto Star]] |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2014/08/15/nasty_winter_helps_great_lakes_water_levels_rebound.html |access-date=September 20, 2022}}</ref>

== Ethnic history ==
The post-contact regional population was a mixture of [[French Canadian]], [[Ojibwe]] and [[Mohawk people|Mohawk]] residents. Then came an influx of [[American loyalists|American Loyalists]] and refugees from the [[Thirteen Colonies]], along with other [[French Canadians|French Canadian]] and [[Acadian]] migrants. Then poor Scottish and Irish immigrants and refugees who arrived from overseas and other parts of Canada. The different groups mixed and integrated over time, with family names and histories reflecting a blending of different backgrounds that became typical of [[Eastern Ontario]].<ref name="sunypress.edu">{{cite web |title=The Early Settlement of Cornwall, Ontario and Massena, New York, 1784–1834|url=http://www.sunypress.edu/pdf/60871.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140611191042/http://www.sunypress.edu/pdf/60871.pdf|archive-date=June 11, 2014|publisher=[[SUNY Press]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ontarioarchaeology.on.ca/summary/english.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130308062404/http://www.ontarioarchaeology.on.ca/summary/english.htm |publisher=Ontario Archaeology Society |title=The English Period (A.D. 1760 to 1867) |archive-date=March 8, 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Smaller but impressive contributions in the region were made by a host of other migrants, from Jewish traders, craftsmen, and merchants to [[Eastern Europe]]an refugees and even a significant body of former slaves. Many of the stories go unreported in standard histories, which pass over the remarkable history of migration in the region. One good example is the story of John Baker, who died in Cornwall in 1871 at the age of 93. Born in [[Lower Canada]], he was said to be the last Canadian born into slavery and had been an active soldier in the [[War of 1812]] who fought in both Canada and Europe.<ref>{{cite book |chapter-url=http://my.tbaytel.net/bmartin/jbaker.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816221804/http://my.tbaytel.net/bmartin/jbaker.htm |publisher=Judge Country Court |author=J. F. Pringle |title=Lunenburgh, or the Old Eastern District |chapter=XXXVI |year=1890 |archive-date=August 16, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://tubman.info.yorku.ca/files/2013/05/Report-John-Baker-WEB-READY.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819071042/http://tubman.info.yorku.ca/files/2013/05/Report-John-Baker-WEB-READY.pdf |publisher=The Harriet Tubman Institute |title=John Baker Report |archive-date=August 19, 2016 |url-status=dead |access-date=November 4, 2014 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> Slavery was ended in the colony of [[Upper Canada]] in stages; in 1793, the importing of slaves was banned, and in 1819, Upper Canada Attorney-General John Robinson declared all slaves in the colony to be freed, making Upper Canada the first place in the [[British Empire]] and even the world that unequivocally moved towards the formal abolition of chattel slavery. Most of the former slaves settled and integrated into the same communities in which they were freed. By 1833, this process of liberation had succeeded throughout the British Empire by the decision to free all of its slaves. It was the first major state in world history to abolish slavery, and Ontario was the place where the process first bore fruit. John Baker, the last slave to be born into slavery in Canada, died in Cornwall.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/slavery-abolition-act-1833/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104111015/http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/slavery-abolition-act-1833/ |encyclopedia=[[The Canadian Encyclopedia]] |title=Slavery Abolition Act, 1833 |date=January 29, 2015 |publication-date=July 10, 2014 |archive-date=November 4, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>[[Abolition of slavery timeline]]</ref>

"Canada" had been conquered from France after the [[Seven Years' War]] and included roughly the areas covered by [[Quebec]] and [[Ontario]]. In the aftermath of the American Revolution, the British authorities divided the [[Province of Canada]] in 1791 into two: Upper Canada for English settlers fleeing persecution in the United States and Lower Canada for the French. That was designed to accommodate Loyalists who had fled postwar reprisals and persecution in the new United States, but the 5,000 English-speaking settlers in the Eastern Township of [[Quebec]] were allowed to stay in the French-speaking area, and many French settlers moved into [[Ontario]]. Along with the area's original inhabitants, that made the area a patchwork of intersecting ethnicities that later greatly intermingled. Cornwall and the surrounding area, originally called "Royal Settlement #2" and then "New Jamestown," was initially a rough place and was largely left to its own devices. According to contemporary reports, that bred a local culture of intense self-reliance. Adding to the initial history of pragmatic entrepreneurialism, since very early with the founding of the city, provincial and federal governments have typically neglected the area and treated it as little more than a transit corridor. Those who remained in the region tended to be those who had the fortitude and the energy to survive on their own, with little outside assistance.{{cn|date=November 2022}}

"The original 516 settlers arrived in Royal Township #2 with minimal supplies and faced years of hard work and possible starvation. Upon their departure from military camps in [[Montreal]], [[Pointe-Claire|Pointe Claire]], Saint Anne, and [[Lachine, Quebec|Lachine]] in the fall of 1784, Loyalists were given a tent, one month's worth of food rations, clothes, and agricultural provisions by regiment commanders. They were promised one cow for every two families, an axe, and other necessary tools in the near future. For the next three years, bateaux (boat) crews delivered rations to the township, after which residents were left to fend for themselves."<ref name="sunypress.edu"/>

The region's energetic spirit of enterprise and fortitude was well-known in the 19th century. [[David Thompson (explorer)|David Thompson]], the Welsh-Canadian explorer who mapped the [[Western Canada|Far West]] and was called the greatest land geographer in history, drew many of his travelling companions from Cornwall's rural hinterland, with Scottish and native settlers, and he lived in Williamstown.

More recently, Cornwall has seen an increase in the arrival of new immigrants,{{cn|date=February 2023}} who tend to integrate and often fare better than immigrants in other parts of the country.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eotb-cfeo.on.ca/english/labour-market/update-on-cornwalls-economy.html |publisher=Eastern Ontario Training Board |title=Update on Cornwall's Economy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160813042036/http://www.eotb-cfeo.on.ca/english/labour-market/update-on-cornwalls-economy.html |archive-date=August 13, 2016 |url-status=dead |access-date=November 4, 2014}}</ref>

=== Integration ===
{{More citations needed section|date=October 2023}}
The Cornwall region was unusually integrated for rural counties in Ontario. For hundreds of years, the local population has been characterized by a mix of economic migrants, refugees, and opportunists. The mixing of different social classes and ethnic backgrounds was common even early in its history because of the interdependence demanded by isolation and the lack of support from or interference by official authorities.

The original Native population was remarkably welcoming, and the [[Iroquois]] were especially well known for integrating newcomers into local societies and for adapting to change as it happened. Many people in the region have some Native ancestry as a result, and many communities sit on sites that have been occupied, farmed, or managed for hundreds of years. Some people were pushed out, but others simply blended into new communities in a process that would go on continuously over many generations.{{cn|date=November 2022}}

The lack of strict hierarchy was a characteristic of the region. For example, from the 1780s to the 1830s, a "bee" was a social event that pooled local labour resources for people to come together for collective projects or to help out individual families, and it was often a festive occasion.{{cn|date=November 2022}} The early "bees" presaged the development of a varied and integrated culture that ultimately drew on many different classes, backgrounds, and ethnic and linguistic groups, all of which were forced by the harsh reality of life in the region to work together for common goals, the primary of which was survival. The "bees" and different forms of collective shared labour were extremely common all over [[Eastern Ontario]], especially in the early villages of the [[St. Lawrence Valley]].{{cn|date=November 2022}}

"In her book 'Roughing It in the Bush,' [[Susanna Moodie]] observed that 'people in the woods have a craze for giving and going to bees and run to them with as much eagerness as a peasant runs to a race.' Bees often involved all ranks and nationalities of society. Thomas Need, a sawmill operator in [[Victoria County, Ontario|Victoria County]], described in 'From Great Wilderness to Seaway Towns' the raising of his facility in 1834 in the following way: 'They assembled in great force, and all worked together in great harmony and goodwill notwithstanding their different stations in life.' These gatherings exhibited the lack of aristocracy in the rural loyalist settlement along the [[St. Lawrence River]] and residents' disregard for individuals' former social standing or lineage. The harshness and isolation of frontier living prevented the development of an aristocracy and, instead, united all members of the community in a struggle for survival. Early Loyalists, regardless of the amount of land they owned, depended upon the help of their neighbours to clear land, build homes, and share supplies and food during times of poor harvests."<ref name="sunypress.edu"/>

==Geography==
=== Environment ===
Cornwall does not enjoy a positive environmental reputation as a result of decades of industrial pollution in the city, the legacy of which is a riverfront contaminated by [[mercury (element)|mercury]], [[zinc]], [[lead]], and [[copper]],<ref>{{cite web |title=International Joint Commission Assessment|url=http://www.ijc.org/php/publications/html/stlawrence/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927195006/https://www.ijc.org/php/publications/html/stlawrence/|archive-date=September 27, 2007|page=7}}</ref> soil contaminated by [[coal tar]] and byproducts,<ref>{{cite web |title=Canada's RAP Progress Report 2003: St. Lawrence River (Cornwall)|url=http://www.on.ec.gc.ca/water/raps/report_2003/StLawrence_e.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050312052204/http://www.on.ec.gc.ca/water/raps/report_2003/StLawrence_e.html|archive-date=March 12, 2005|publisher=Environment Canada}}</ref> and most evidently, "Big Ben",<ref>{{cite web |url=http://home.cogeco.ca/~vote/page5a.html |title=Big Ben Recreation and Landfill Area |access-date=February 22, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071106162853/http://home.cogeco.ca/~vote/page5a.html |archive-date=November 6, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> an {{convert|18|ha|adj=on}}, {{convert|80|m|ft|adj=mid|-tall}} dumpsite within the city filled with wood bark, paper mill sludge, demolition waste and [[asbestos]].

In September 2008, over public opposition and in spite of Ontario Ministry of Environment (M.O.E.) reports indicating off-site [[leachate]] impact from the dump and the likelihood of runoff to the St. Lawrence River, the M.O.E. permitted additional dumping at the "Big Ben" site of [[creosote]] and [[bitumen]]-contaminated soils from Domtar's former No-co-rode Ltd. site.

Although the area is touted as recreational, it is off-limits until winter when the waste is covered and the odours are subdued. It is then used as a ski hill.[[File:BigBenSign.JPG|right|thumb| Big Ben Dump in Cornwall]]

For years, the industrial emissions in the Cornwall area fuelled public health concerns about respiratory disease and cancer. In 1995 Health Canada<ref>[http://dsp-psd.communication.gc.ca/Collection/H49-96-2-1995E-2.pdf Investigating Human Exposure to Contaminants in the Environment (Published by Health Canada)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081030013044/http://dsp-psd.communication.gc.ca/Collection/H49-96-2-1995E-2.pdf |date=October 30, 2008 }}</ref> reported the rate of hospitalization for asthma was approximately double that of Ontario industrial cities such as [[Hamilton, Ontario|Hamilton]], [[Greater Sudbury|Sudbury]] and [[Windsor, Ontario|Windsor]]. Further research showed that infants under two years of age had four times the expected hospital admission rate for asthma. Lung and male rectal cancer rates were also elevated in comparison with the rest of the province.

The shutdown of the Courtaulds rayon fiber operation (1992) and the Domtar paper mill (2006) has been a significant factor in the city's improved air quality. Cornwall consistently ranks in the top 10 of 40 monitored communities across Ontario. More recently, a Pembina Institute study of 29 communities across Ontario examined a number of environmental, social, and economic factors. Cornwall ranked 13th overall, and its air quality was ranked #1 in the province.

Cornwall was at one point one of only two cities left in the Province of Ontario with only primary sewage treatment facilities. But construction was started in May 2012 on the secondary treatment level plant with the Governments of Canada and Ontario each covering one-third of an estimated $55.5 million construction cost. The City picked up the remaining one-third of the cost of $18.5 million. The secondary treatment level plant was completed in November 2014.

In 2006, the City updated its Strategic Plan, including the objective to develop an environmentally sustainable community.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 2016 |others=Prepared by McSweeny |title=City of Cornwall Economic Development Strategic Plan |url=https://choosecornwall.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Cornwall-Economic-Development-Strategic-Plan-2016.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407010206/https://choosecornwall.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Cornwall-Economic-Development-Strategic-Plan-2016.pdf |archive-date=2022-04-07 |access-date=2022-12-23 |website=choosecornwall.ca |page=38}}</ref>

In 2007, a former city councillor, Naresh Bhargava, began working with the St. Lawrence River Institute of Environmental Sciences on a project called the Community Carbon Reduction Initiative. City Council provided $5,000 in start-up funding for the project.{{Citation needed|date=April 2007}} Earlier progress in energy conservation was made when in 1995, the first municipally owned hot water district heating and [[cogeneration]] system in Canada went into operation, providing about 4% of the city's daily electrical needs while at the same time heating a number of buildings, including a hospital site, schools, and a municipal library.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 28, 2008 |title=Cornwall, Ontario District Heating System - Utilization of Local Energy Sources |url=https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/sites/www.nrcan.gc.ca/files/canmetenergy/files/pubs/Cornwall+DHS.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407010208/https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/sites/www.nrcan.gc.ca/files/canmetenergy/files/pubs/Cornwall+DHS.pdf |archive-date=2022-04-07 |access-date=October 5, 2021 |website=[[Natural Resources Canada]]}}</ref> Cornwall converted all of its traffic signals in 2002 to energy-efficient LEDs that have reduced power usage by more than 600&nbsp;kW—enough to light close to 70 homes. The data was contained in a report prepared by the city's public works department.

=== Climate ===
Similar to most of [[Southern Ontario]], Cornwall has a [[humid continental climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''Dfa'') with cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers. Precipitation is significant year-round, although the winter months are generally drier than the summer months.

{{Weather box
|location = Cornwall (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1867–present)
|metric first = Y
|single line = Y
|Jan record high C = 18.0
|Feb record high C = 18.0
|Mar record high C = 26.0
|Apr record high C = 31.0
|May record high C = 35.6
|Jun record high C = 35.6
|Jul record high C = 37.8
|Aug record high C = 36.5
|Sep record high C = 34.5
|Oct record high C = 28.5
|Nov record high C = 24.0
|Dec record high C = 20.0
|year record high C = 37.8
|Jan high C = −3.8
|Feb high C = −2.1
|Mar high C = 3.5
|Apr high C = 11.8
|May high C = 19.8
|Jun high C = 24.6
|Jul high C = 27.3
|Aug high C = 26.3
|Sep high C = 22.0
|Oct high C = 14.1
|Nov high C = 6.9
|Dec high C = 0.0
|year high C = 12.5
|Jan mean C = −7.8
|Feb mean C = −6.4
|Mar mean C = −0.9
|Apr mean C = 6.9
|May mean C = 14.3
|Jun mean C = 19.3
|Jul mean C = 22.2
|Aug mean C = 21.2
|Sep mean C = 16.9
|Oct mean C = 9.7
|Nov mean C = 3.3
|Dec mean C = −3.3
|year mean C = 8.0
|Jan low C = −11.8
|Feb low C = −10.6
|Mar low C = −5.3
|Apr low C = 2.0
|May low C = 8.8
|Jun low C = 14.1
|Jul low C = 17.0
|Aug low C = 16.2
|Sep low C = 11.8
|Oct low C = 5.7
|Nov low C = −0.3
|Dec low C = −6.7
|year low C = 3.4
|Jan record low C = −43.3
|Feb record low C = −36.1
|Mar record low C = −32.2
|Apr record low C = −18.3
|May record low C = −6.1
|Jun record low C = 0.6
|Jul record low C = 3.3
|Aug record low C = 1.7
|Sep record low C = −6.1
|Oct record low C = −9.4
|Nov record low C = −21.7
|Dec record low C = −34.4
|year record low C = −43.3
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 80.4
|Feb precipitation mm = 63.3
|Mar precipitation mm = 64.4
|Apr precipitation mm = 83.2
|May precipitation mm = 85.3
|Jun precipitation mm = 94.8
|Jul precipitation mm = 97.2
|Aug precipitation mm = 82.6
|Sep precipitation mm = 98.9
|Oct precipitation mm = 99.5
|Nov precipitation mm = 81.9
|Dec precipitation mm = 74.8
|year precipitation mm = 1006.3
|rain colour = green
|Jan rain mm = 30.2
|Feb rain mm = 16.7
|Mar rain mm = 28.1
|Apr rain mm = 71.9
|May rain mm = 85.3
|Jun rain mm = 94.8
|Jul rain mm = 97.2
|Aug rain mm = 82.6
|Sep rain mm = 98.9
|Oct rain mm = 98.9
|Nov rain mm = 66.4
|Dec rain mm = 38.2
|year rain mm = 809.2
|Jan snow cm = 50.6
|Feb snow cm = 47.5
|Mar snow cm = 35.0
|Apr snow cm = 11.3
|May snow cm = 0.0
|Jun snow cm = 0.0
|Jul snow cm = 0.0
|Aug snow cm = 0.0
|Sep snow cm = 0.0
|Oct snow cm = 0.7
|Nov snow cm = 15.5
|Dec snow cm = 36.9
|year snow cm = 197.6
|unit precipitation days = 0.2 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 14.2
|Feb precipitation days = 11.8
|Mar precipitation days = 10.6
|Apr precipitation days = 11.6
|May precipitation days = 12.6
|Jun precipitation days = 12.3
|Jul precipitation days = 11.9
|Aug precipitation days = 11.0
|Sep precipitation days = 11.7
|Oct precipitation days = 12.9
|Nov precipitation days = 13.1
|Dec precipitation days = 14.5
|year precipitation days = 148.1
|unit rain days = 0.2 mm
|Jan rain days = 3.8
|Feb rain days = 3.1
|Mar rain days = 5.0
|Apr rain days = 10.6
|May rain days = 12.6
|Jun rain days = 12.3
|Jul rain days = 11.9
|Aug rain days = 11.0
|Sep rain days = 11.7
|Oct rain days = 12.6
|Nov rain days = 10.4
|Dec rain days = 6.2
|year rain days = 111.2
|unit snow days = 0.2 cm
|Jan snow days = 11.6
|Feb snow days = 9.4
|Mar snow days = 6.7
|Apr snow days = 2.1
|May snow days = 0.04
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.27
|Nov snow days = 3.3
|Dec snow days = 9.3
|year snow days = 42.7
|Jan sun = 85.3
|Feb sun = 114.8
|Mar sun = 153.0
|Apr sun = 166.2
|May sun = 209.9
|Jun sun = 241.2
|Jul sun = 274.1
|Aug sun = 229.7
|Sep sun = 163.7
|Oct sun = 129.9
|Nov sun = 75.6
|Dec sun = 61.0
|year sun = 1904.3
|Jan percentsun = 29.9
|Feb percentsun = 39.1
|Mar percentsun = 41.5
|Apr percentsun = 41.1
|May percentsun = 45.6
|Jun percentsun = 51.7
|Jul percentsun = 58.0
|Aug percentsun = 52.7
|Sep percentsun = 43.4
|Oct percentsun = 38.1
|Nov percentsun = 26.3
|Dec percentsun = 22.3
|year percentsun = 40.8
|source 1 = [[Environment Canada]] (sun 1981–2010)<ref name=envcan>{{cite web
| url = https://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_1991_2020_e.html?searchType=stnProv&lstProvince=ON&txtCentralLatMin=0&txtCentralLatSec=0&txtCentralLongMin=0&txtCentralLongSec=0&stnID=161000000&dispBack=0
| title = Cornwall
| publisher = Environment Canada
| work = Canadian Climate Normals 1991–2020
| access-date = Oct 9, 2024}}</ref><ref name="Climate1981">{{cite web
| publisher = [[Environment Canada]]
| url = ftp://ftp.tor.ec.gc.ca/Pub/Normals/English/
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200717213354/ftp://ftp.tor.ec.gc.ca/Pub/Normals/English/
| url-status = dead
| archive-date = 2020-07-17
| title = Cornwall, Ontario
| work = Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010
| access-date = October 27, 2013}}</ref><ref name="Climate2">{{cite web
| publisher = [[Environment Canada]]
| url = http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_1981_2010_e.html?stnID=4255&month1=0&month2=12
| title = Cornwall
| work = Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010
| date=October 31, 2011 | access-date = July 23, 2016}}</ref><ref name="Cornwall">{{cite web
| publisher = [[Environment Canada]]
| url = http://climate.weather.gc.ca/historical_data/search_historic_data_stations_e.html?searchType=stnName&timeframe=1&txtStationName=cornwall&searchMethod=contains&optLimit=yearRange&StartYear=1840&EndYear=1867&Year=2016&Month=7&Day=22&selRowPerPage=25
| title = Cornwall
| work = Canadian Climate Data
| date=October 31, 2011 | access-date = July 23, 2016}}</ref><ref name="July 1868">{{cite web
| publisher = [[Environment Canada]]
| url = http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_data/daily_data_e.html?hlyRange=%7C&dlyRange=1867-01-01%7C1887-12-31&mlyRange=1867-01-01%7C1887-12-01&StationID=4253&Prov=ON&urlExtension=_e.html&searchType=stnName&optLimit=yearRange&StartYear=1840&EndYear=1867&selRowPerPage=25&Line=0&searchMethod=contains&Month=7&Day=22&txtStationName=cornwall&timeframe=2&Year=1868
| title = Daily Data Report for July 1868
| work = Canadian Climate Data
| access-date = July 23, 2016}}</ref>
|date=August 2010
}}

== Demographics ==
In the [[2021 Canadian census|2021 Census of Population]] conducted by [[Statistics Canada]], Cornwall had a population of {{val|47845|fmt=commas}} living in {{val|21386|fmt=commas}} of its {{val|22214|fmt=commas}} total private dwellings, a change of {{percentage|{{#expr:47845-46589}}|46589|1}} from its 2016 population of {{val|46589|fmt=commas}}. With a land area of {{convert|61.5|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}, it had a population density of {{Pop density|47845|61.5|km2|sqmi|prec=1}} in 2021.<ref name="SCref21"/>

As of 2021, 9.9% of Cornwall residents were visible minorities, 5.6% were Indigenous, and the remaining 84.5% were white/European. The largest visible minority groups were South Asian (5.1%) and Black (1.7%).

In 2021, 66.3% of the population were [[Christianity|Christian]], down from 83.0% in 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2013-05-08 |title=2011 National Household Survey Profile – Census subdivision |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/nhs-enm/2011/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3501012&Data=Count&SearchText=cornwall&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&A1=All&B1=All&Custom=&TABID=1 |access-date=2019-07-19 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref> 50.1% of residents were [[Catholic Church|Catholic]], 9.8% were [[Protestantism|Protestant]], 3.4% belonged to other Christian denominations or Christian-related traditions and 3.1% were Christian n.o.s. 26.8% of the population were non-religious or secular, up from 12.1% in 2011. The largest non-Christian religion was [[Islam]], accounting for 3.7% of residents, up from 2.4% in 2011. [[Hinduism]] was the second largest, at 1.8% of residents, up from 1.5% in 2011. All other religions and spiritual traditions accounted for 1.4% of the population.<ref name="SCref21"/>

{{Historical populations
|title       = Historical populations
|type        = Canada
|align       = none
|cols        = 3
|percentages =
|footnote    = Population counts are not adjusted for boundary changes.
| source  = Statistics Canada<ref name="sc2006">{{cite web |title=2006 Community Profiles: Cornwall, Ontario (city) | date=March 13, 2007 |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/prof/92-591/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3501012&Geo2=PR&Code2=35&Data=Count&SearchText=Cornwall&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=35&B1=All&Custom= |publisher=Statistics Canada |access-date=January 17, 2019}}</ref><ref name="cp2011">{{cite web |url=http://www12.statcan.ca/census-recensement/2011/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3501012&Geo2=CD&Code2=3501&Data=Count&SearchText=Cornwall&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom=&TABID=1 |title=Cornwall census profile |publisher=Statistics Canada |work=[[Canada 2011 Census|2011 Census of Population]] |access-date=March 21, 2012 |archive-date=August 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160814191125/http://www12.statcan.ca/census-recensement/2011/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3501012&Geo2=CD&Code2=3501&Data=Count&SearchText=Cornwall&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom=&TABID=1 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=census1971>{{cite journal |title=1971 Census of Canada - Population Census Subdivisions (Historical) |journal=Catalogue 92-702 Vol I, Part 1 (Bulletin 1.1-2) |date=July 1973 |pages=76, 139 |publisher=Statistics Canada}}</ref>
| 1921 |7419
| 1931 |11126
| 1941 |14117
| 1951 |16899
| 1956 |18158
| 1961 |43639
| 1966 |45766
| 1971 |47116
| 1976 |46121
| 1981 |46144
| 1986 |46425
| 1991 |47137
|[[Canada 1996 Census|1996]]|47403
|[[Canada 2001 Census|2001]]|45640
|[[Canada 2006 Census|2006]]|45965
|[[Canada 2011 Census|2011]]|46340
|[[Canada 2016 Census|2016]]|46589
| 2021 |47845
}}

{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Ethnic origin (2021)
!Population
!Percentage
|-
|[[French people|French]] n.o.s
|11,810
|25.5%
|-
|[[Canadians|Canadian]]
|11,195
|24.2%
|-
|[[Irish people|Irish]]
|7,490
|16.2%
|-
|[[Scottish people|Scottish]]
|7,210
|15.6%
|-
|[[English People|English]]
|6,995
|15.1%
|-
|[[French Canadians|French Canadian]]
|2,780
|6.0%
|-
|[[Germans|German]]
|2,690
|5.8%
|-
|[[White people|Caucasian]] (White), n.o.s.
|2,625
|2.7%
|-
|[[First Nations in Canada|First Nations]] n.o.s. +
[[Indigenous peoples in Canada|North American Indigenous]], n.o.s.
|1,935
|4.2%
|-
|[[Italian people|Italian]]
|1,140
|2.5%
|-
|[[Dutch people|Dutch]]
|1,105
|2.4%
|-
|British Isles n.o.s
|1,050
|2.3%
|-
|[[Mohawk people|Mohawk]]
|755
|1.6%
|-
| colspan="3" |Source: [[StatCan]] (includes multiple responses)<ref name="SCref21"/>
|}

== Economy ==
Cornwall has traditionally been a gateway from the Montreal area to the rest of Canada and was and remains a major port of entry into Canada (Canada Border Services abandoned the Cornwall Island post on May 31, 2009, but resumed service on July 13, 2009, at temporary facilities on the city's southern edge.) With the completion of the new low-level bridge connecting Cornwall to Cornwall Island, the C.B.S.A. port was moved to a permanent temporary facility on the canal lands. The city is connected to the United States at Roosevelttown near the municipalities of [[Massena (village), New York|Massena, New York]] and [[Malone (village), New York|Malone, New York]] via the [[Three Nations Crossing]] (Canada, Mohawk, and United States) which traverses the St. Lawrence River.

Cornwall was once home to a thriving [[cotton]] processing industry. Courtaulds Canada, Inc.'s [[viscose rayon]] manufacturing mill operated until 1992; at one point, it employed nearly 3,000 people. A [[Cellophane]] factory was opened in 1971 by [[British Cellophane]], a subsidiary of [[Courtaulds]], as an ancillary to the rayon plant, and traded successively under the names TCF of Canada Limited, BCL Canada Inc. and Courtaulds Films; it too closed in 1992.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cornwallcommunitymuseum.wordpress.com/2015/12/21/historic-cornwall-montreal-road/ |title=Historic Cornwall – Montreal Road |website=Cornwall Community Museum |date=December 21, 2015 |access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref> [[Domtar Inc.|Domtar]], a Quebec-based company, operated a paper mill in the city for nearly 100 years, ceasing operations on March 31, 2006. At its peak, Domtar employed nearly 1,500 employees. In addition, [[Canadian Industries Limited]] (C.I.L.) has operated a plant in Cornwall since 1935.{{Citation needed|date=April 2007}} The facility has been converted into a major derivatives plant. The site has a long history of mercury contamination, given that for decades the [[chloralkali process]] was carried out here. This entailed using used mercury cells to convert brine into caustic soda and chlorine.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.standard-freeholder.com/2008/06/20/group-suing-ici-others-for-40m |title=Group suing ICI, others for $40M |first=Kevin |last=Lajoie |publisher=Cornwall Standard-Freeholder |date=June 20, 2008|archive-date=January 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160127045716/http://www.standard-freeholder.com/2008/06/20/group-suing-ici-others-for-40m}}</ref>

Cornwall's industrial base has shifted to a more diversified mix of manufacturing, automotive, high-tech, food processing, distribution centres and call centres. The city hosts the largest supply chain management distribution centre in Canada, [[Walmart]], its massive {{convert|1500000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} facility employing nearly 1,000 people. [[Target Canada]] built a new distribution centre in Cornwall's Business Park on a {{convert|169|acre|ha|adj=on}} parcel of land. The Target Canada distribution centre was operated by Eleven Points Logistics. When Target left Canada, its distribution centre was assumed by Walmart. [[StarTek]] (''closed''), and [[Teleperformance]] ''(closed January 2013)'' both operated call centres in Cornwall. Teleperformance provided in excess of 300 jobs. In late 2008, [[Shopper's Drug Mart]] built a {{convert|500000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}. distribution facility in Cornwall's Business Park. Over 130 new jobs resulted. Service Canada established a new contact centre which opened in 2010. Over 170 new jobs were created. Cornwall's unemployment rate was about 4% at the time.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thereview.ca/story/hawkesbury-and-cornwall-residents-have-lowest-incomes-eastern-ontario |title=Hawkesbury and Cornwall residents have lowest incomes in Eastern Ontario |access-date=September 26, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100814135756/http://thereview.ca/story/hawkesbury-and-cornwall-residents-have-lowest-incomes-eastern-ontario |archive-date=August 14, 2010 }}</ref>

{{anchor|Cornwall Square}} Cornwall Square, also known as "The Square," is a two-level {{convert|250000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} [[shopping mall]] in Cornwall<ref>[http://www.cornwallsquare.ca Cornwall Square Shopping Centre – Cornwall, Ontario<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714165109/http://www.cornwallsquare.ca/ |date=July 14, 2014 }}</ref> on Water Street East, opposite to Lamoureux Park.

In 2016, Cornwall had the 11th-lowest household median income in Canada and the second-lowest in Ontario, at $51,712.<ref>[http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ottawa-highest-median-household-income-1.4287521 Ottawa, Petawawa, top Ontario income rankings] CBC News, September 13, 2017.</ref>

== Government ==
[[File:Cornwall Jail.jpg|right|thumb|Historic Cornwall Jail, now County Courthouse]]

=== Municipal ===
The [[Cornwall City Council]] the elected eleven-member municipal government composed of a mayor and ten councillors who serve four-year terms and represent the city as a whole. The mayor of Cornwall is [[Justin Towndale]],<ref name="mayor" /> having been elected in 2022, defeating interim mayor Glen Grant who was appointed by council shortly after mayor [[Bernadette Clement]] was appointed to the [[Senate of Canada]] in June 2021.

At the 2010 municipal election, 56.5% of eligible voters did not vote as out of 30,655 registered voters, only 13,338 cast ballots (43.5%).

=== Provincial ===
Cornwall is located within the Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry riding, which is represented by [[Member of Provincial Parliament (Ontario)|MPP]] Nolan Quinn ([[Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario]]).

{|class="wikitable" style="width:400; font-size:90%; margin-left:1em;"
|+Cornwall provincial election results<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.elections.on.ca/en/resource-centre/elections-results.html |title=Official Voting Results by polling station (poll by poll results in Cornwall)|publisher=Election Ontario |access-date=August 8, 2023}}</ref>
! colspan="2" scope="col" | Year
! colspan="2" scope="col" | [[Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario|PC]]
! colspan="2" scope="col" | [[Ontario New Democratic Party|New Democratic]]
! colspan="2" scope="col" | [[Ontario Liberal Party|Liberal]]
! colspan="2" scope="col" | [[Green Party of Ontario|Green]]
|-
| style="width: 0.25em; background-color: {{Canadian party colour|ON|PC}}|
! [[2022 Ontario general election|2022]]
| {{Canadian party colour|ON|PC|background}} | '''52%'''
| style="text-align:right; background:#9999FF;"| ''6,536''
| {{Canadian party colour|ON|NDP|background}} | 18%
| style="text-align:right; background:#F4A460;"| ''2,249''
| {{Canadian party colour|ON|Liberal|background}} | 20%
| style="text-align:right; background:#EA6D6A;"|''2,523''
| {{Canadian party colour|ON|Green|background}} | 4%
| style="text-align:right; background:#99C955;"| ''499''
|-
| style="width: 0.25em; background-color: {{Canadian party colour|ON|PC}}|
! [[2018 Ontario general election|2018]]
| {{Canadian party colour|ON|PC|background}} |'''51%'''
| style="text-align:right; background:#9999FF;"| ''8,052''
| {{Canadian party colour|ON|NDP|background}} | 28%
| style="text-align:right; background:#F4A460;"| ''4,411''
| {{Canadian party colour|ON|Liberal|background}} | 17%
| style="text-align:right; background:#EA6D6A;"|''2,631''
| {{Canadian party colour|ON|Green|background}} | 4%
| style="text-align:right; background:#99C955;"| ''632''
|-
|}

=== Federal ===
[[Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry (federal electoral district)|Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry]] is represented federally by [[Member of Parliament (Canada)|Member of Parliament]] (MP) [[Eric Duncan (politician)|Eric Duncan]] ([[Conservative Party of Canada|Conservative]]). [[John Sandfield Macdonald]], the first [[Premier of Ontario]], was from Cornwall and is buried in St. Andrews West at the Catholic Church cemetery. A heritage plaque facing York Street at 211 Water Street West commemorates the 1897 launch of Cornwall's first permanent hospital in the former [[John Sandfield Macdonald]] house at that location.

{| class="wikitable" style=" width:400; font-size:90%; margin-left:1em;"
|+Cornwall federal election results<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=res&dir=rep/off/44gedata&document=bypro&lang=e |title=Official Voting Results Raw Data (poll by poll results in Cornwall)|date=April 7, 2022 |publisher=Elections Canada |access-date=August 8, 2023}}</ref>
! colspan="2" scope="col" | Year
! colspan="2" scope="col" | [[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberal]]
! colspan="2" scope="col" | [[Conservative Party of Canada|Conservative]]
! colspan="2" scope="col" | [[New Democratic Party|New Democratic]]
! colspan="2" scope="col" | [[Green Party of Canada|Green]]
|-
| style="width: 0.25em; background-color: {{Canadian party colour|CA|Conservative}}|
! [[2021 Canadian federal election|2021]]
| {{Canadian party colour|CA|Liberal|background}} | 30%
| style="text-align:right; background:#EA6D6A;"| ''6,094''
| {{Canadian party colour|CA|Conservative|background}} | '''46%'''
| style="text-align:right; background:#6495ED;"| ''9,212''
| {{Canadian party colour|CA|NDP|background}} | 13%
| style="text-align:right; background:#F4A460;"| ''2,699''
| {{Canadian party colour|CA|Green|background}} | 2%
| style="text-align:right; background:#99C955;"| ''406''
|-
| style="width: 0.25em; background-color: {{Canadian party colour|CA|Conservative}}|
! [[2019 Canadian federal election|2019]]
| {{Canadian party colour|CA|Liberal|background}} | 33%
| style="text-align:right; background:#EA6D6A;"| ''6,849''
| {{Canadian party colour|CA|Conservative|background}} | '''43%'''
| style="text-align:right; background:#6495ED;"| ''9,036''
| {{Canadian party colour|CA|NDP|background}} | 18%
| style="text-align:right; background:#F4A460;"| ''3,696''
| {{Canadian party colour|CA|Green|background}} | 4%
| style="text-align:right; background:#99C955;"| ''822''
|}

== Culture ==
[[File:Cornwall ON 2.JPG|alt=Port Theatre on Montreal Road|thumb|Port Theatre on Montreal Road]]

The City of Cornwall hosts festivals and special community events, including [[Canada Day]] festivities. In 2018, it purchased a building in the downtown core to house its arts and culture centre.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cornwall votes 2018: Arts centre? Some candidates support it, some don't |url=https://standard-freeholder.com/news/local-news/cornwall-votes-2018-arts-centre-some-candidates-support-it-some-dont |access-date=2022-09-27 |website=standard-freeholder |language=en-CA}}</ref> The Focus Arts Association organizes multiple exhibitions and coordinates events where artists can connect with and support other artists.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Focus Art to host first exhibit since 2019 at Cornwall Square |url=https://standard-freeholder.com/news/local-news/focus-art-to-host-first-exhibit-since-2019-at-cornwall-square |access-date=2022-09-27 |website=standard-freeholder |language=en-CA}}</ref> Your Arts Council, created to provide artists and the community with the tools and resources they need, offers programs aimed at promoting the work of local artists.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Your Arts Council talks Cornwall Art Walk, Apples & Art at AGM |url=https://standard-freeholder.com/news/local-news/your-arts-council-talks-cornwall-art-walk-apples-art-at-agm |access-date=2022-09-27 |website=standard-freeholder |language=en-CA}}</ref>

=== Theatre ===
The Aultsville Theatre, named after one of the [[Lost Villages]], is a 680-seat performing arts centre on the [[St. Lawrence College, Ontario|St. Lawrence College]] campus and funded in part by the City of Cornwall.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cornwall council approves 19-year Aultsville Theatre lease |url=https://standard-freeholder.com/news/local-news/cornwall-council-approves-19-year-aultsville-theatre-lease |access-date=2022-09-25 |website=standard-freeholder |language=en-CA}}</ref> The Port Theatre, built in 1941, hosts movies and live music on its stage.<ref>{{Cite web |title=New life for Port Theatre |url=https://standard-freeholder.com/2013/04/16/new-life-for-port-theatre |access-date=2022-09-25 |website=standard-freeholder |language=en-CA}}</ref> Founded in 2006, the Seaway Valley Theatre Company offers plays, musicals, and comedy shows with cabaret-style seating.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Seaway Valley Theatre Company opens 2022-23 season with Opening Night |url=https://standard-freeholder.com/entertainment/local-arts/seaway-valley-theatre-company-opens-2022-23-season-with-opening-night |access-date=2022-09-25 |website=standard-freeholder |language=en-CA}}</ref>

=== Museum ===
Cornwall is home to the Cornwall Community Museum, which is operated by the SD&G Historical Society. In 2022, the United Empire Loyalists Association of Canada relocated its Dominion Office, library, and archives from Toronto to the museum. <ref>{{Cite web |date=April 2022 |title=The UELAC Board of Directors is pleased to announce that our Dominion Office and Archives will be relocated to the historic city of Cornwall, Ontario, in Spring 2022. |url=https://uelac.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Dominion-Office-Archives-moving-to-Cornwall.pdf |access-date=2022-09-27 |website=uelac.ca}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=UELAC Dominion Office, archives relocating to Cornwall museum |url=https://standard-freeholder.com/news/local-news/uelac-dominion-office-archives-relocating-to-cornwall-museum |access-date=2022-09-27 |website=standard-freeholder |language=en-CA}}</ref>

=== Gallery ===
The Cline House Gallery offers Cornwall and the surrounding area rotating exhibitions of visual art featuring the work of both local and visiting artists.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cline House in Cornwall hosting workshops, studio sessions, exhibits |url=https://standard-freeholder.com/news/local-news/cline-house-in-cornwall-hosting-workshops-studio-sessions-exhibits |access-date=2022-09-27 |website=standard-freeholder |language=en-CA}}</ref> The Cailuan Gallery offers local artwork and an ongoing Special Selections exhibition.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lajoie |first=Kevin |date=2020-09-01 |title=Cailuan Gallery hosts Special Selections exhibit |url=https://cornwalltourism.com/cailuan-gallery-hosts-special-selections-exhibit/ |access-date=2022-09-27 |website=Cornwall Tourism |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Library ===
[[File:Cornwall Public Library - 5.jpg|alt=Cornwall Public Library|thumb|Cornwall Public Library]]
{{Further|Cornwall Tool Library}}
The Cornwall Public Library, located in the downtown core, is housed in the former 1953 Cornwall Post Office building, which was renovated and designated a heritage site by the Cornwall Municipal Heritage Committee in 1997.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Unveiling the start of a new era at Cornwall Public Library |url=https://standard-freeholder.com/news/local-news/unveiling-the-start-of-a-new-era-at-cornwall-public-library |access-date=2022-09-27 |website=standard-freeholder |language=en-CA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Cornwall Public Library |url=https://heritagepatrimoinecornwall.ca/cornwall-public-library |access-date=2022-09-27 |website=Heritage Patrimoine Cornwall Home Page |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Kinsmen Cornwall Lift-Off ===
Lift Off was an annual music and hot air balloon festival that took place in July in Lamoureux Park. It was run by a board of volunteers and was a non-profit organization.<ref name="Our Story">{{cite web|last1=Cornwall Lift Off|title=Our Story|url=http://www.lift-off.ca/about/our-story/|website=Kinsmen Cornwall Lift Off|access-date=November 14, 2014|location=web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141101002035/http://www.lift-off.ca/about/our-story/|archive-date=November 1, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> The event was the only hot air balloon festival in Ontario. Paying individuals could take a 20- or 90-minute ride in one of 25 sponsored balloons.<ref>{{cite web|last1=The Great Waterway|title=Up, up and away!|url=http://www.thegreatwaterway.com/festivals/kinsmen-cornwall-liftoff/|website=The Great Waterway|access-date=November 14, 2014|location=Web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129013729/http://www.thegreatwaterway.com/festivals/kinsmen-cornwall-liftoff/|archive-date=November 29, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Kinsmen Cornwall Lift-Off promoted a variety of local and national talent. Acts included [[Glass Tiger]], [[Theory of a Deadman]], [[Marianas Trench (band)|Marianas Trench]], [[Our Lady Peace]], [[Finger Eleven]], [[Kim Mitchell]], Sass Jordan, Tom Cochrane, Trooper, Burton Cummings, and David Wilcox.<ref name="Our Story" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cornwallseawaynews.com/2014/04/30/secret-gigs-to-be-revealed-at-lift-off-party/|title=Secret gigs to be revealed at Lift-Off party|date=May 2014 }}</ref> The 2014 lineup featured Great Big Sea's [[Alan Doyle]], [[Glass Tiger]] and [[54-40 (band)|54-40]] as headliners.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Kinsmen Cornwall Lift Off|title=2014-entertainment-schedule|url=http://www.lift-off.ca/2014-entertainment/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141114082940/http://www.lift-off.ca/2014-entertainment/|archive-date=November 14, 2014|access-date=November 14, 2014|website=Kinsmen Cornwall Lift Off|location=Web}}</ref> This edition was the first to offer a full day of free entertainment, with Glass Tiger headlining. It was attended by over 9,000 people.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Cornwall Seeker|title=About 9000 in attendance for Lift off 2014 opening night|url=http://theseeker.ca/9000-attendance-lift-2014-opening-night/9090/|website=Cornwall Seeker|date=July 11, 2014 |access-date=November 14, 2014|location=Web}}</ref>

2014 was the final year for the Lift-Off festival, as debt from a weather-plagued 2013 event and failure to obtain sponsors forced the cancellation of Lift-Off 2015 and resulted in a decision to discontinue the festival.<ref name="No More Lift-Off">{{cite web|last1=Cornwall Lift Off|title=Lift-Off won't return|url=http://www.cornwallnewswatch.com/2015/11/27/lift-off-wont-return/|access-date=December 7, 2015|website=Cornwall News Watch|location=web}}</ref>

=== Ribfest ===
Cornwall Ribfest is an annual festival held by the Optimist Club of Cornwall.<ref>{{cite news|title=Changes in store for Ribfest 2017 — Cornwall Standard Freeholder|url=http://www.standard-freeholder.com/2016/11/01/changes-in-store-for-cornwalls-ribfest-2017|access-date=January 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202044935/http://www.standard-freeholder.com/2016/11/01/changes-in-store-for-cornwalls-ribfest-2017|archive-date=February 2, 2017|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> It was originally sponsored by the Cornwall Seaway Lions Club. Taking place over four days in late July, Ribfest attracts many for barbecue, beer tent, free live music and midway rides. The 2014 edition of the festival attracted 57,000–60,000 attendees, a number greater than the population of the city.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Healey|first1=Eric|title=Ribfest 2014 a tasty hit|url=http://www.standard-freeholder.com/2014/07/28/cornwall-ribfest-2014-a-tasty-hit|website=Standard Freeholder|access-date=November 7, 2014|location=Web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141105220905/http://www.standard-freeholder.com/2014/07/28/cornwall-ribfest-2014-a-tasty-hit|archive-date=November 5, 2014|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> In 2024 the [[Crash Test Dummies]] headlined the festival attracting visitors from across the province and upwards of 80,000 people over the weekend.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Buser |first=Martin |date=October 25, 2024 |title=Community editorial board: Looking back at the 2024 Optimist Club of Cornwall Ribfest |url=https://www.standard-freeholder.com/opinion/columnists/community-editorial-board-looking-back-at-the-2024-optimist-club-of-cornwall-ribfest |access-date=November 21, 2024 |work=Standard Freeholder}}</ref>

=== Cadet Program ===
Cornwall is home to all three elements of the [[Canadian Cadet Organizations|Canadian Cadet Organization]]: 325 Cornwall Kiwanis Royal Canadian [[Royal Canadian Air Cadets|Air Cadets]],<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=325 Cornwall Kiwanis Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron |date=2019 |title=About |url=https://www.325aircadets.ca/about |access-date=November 21, 2024 |website=325 Cornwall Kiwanis Royal Canadian Air Cadets}}</ref> 110 Stormont Royal Canadian [[Royal Canadian Sea Cadets|Sea Cadets]],<ref>{{Cite news |last=Stormont Sea Cadets |date=September 22, 2019 |title=Stormont Sea Cadets holding Open House |url=https://www.cornwallseawaynews.com/non-classe/stormont-sea-cadets-holding-open-house/ |access-date=November 21, 2024 |work=Seaway News}}</ref> and 2403 SD&G Royal Canadian [[Royal Canadian Army Cadets|Army Cadets]] Corps.<ref>{{Cite news |last=325 Cornwall Kiwanis |date=October 13, 2023 |title=Cornwall Celebrates Cadets Week |url=https://www.cornwallseawaynews.com/local/cornwall-celebrates-cadets-week/ |access-date=November 21, 2024 |work=Seaway News}}</ref> The cadet program is designed for youth aged 12 to 18 and aims to develop leadership, citizenship, and self-confidence through various activities. The Canadian Cadet Organization operates as a youth group through a partnership between the [[Department of National Defence (Canada)|Canadian Department of National Defence]] and the respective Elemental Leagues. The program focuses on enhancing youth development in areas such as leadership, citizenship, and physical fitness. The 325 Cornwall Kiwanis Squadron is one of the most active cadet units in the Eastern Ontario Region, offering a diverse range of activities including band, canoeing, marksmanship, flying, camping, and various day trips. <ref name=":0" /> 

== Sports ==
{{more citations needed|section|date=January 2019}}
Cornwall has two indoor arenas, the [[Cornwall Civic Complex]] and the Benson Centre, with three ice surfaces.

'''Hockey'''

Cornwall has been home to a variety of sports teams, the most notable of which was the [[Cornwall Royals]] hockey team. The Royals played in both the [[Quebec Major Junior Hockey League]] and the [[Ontario Hockey League]] before moving to [[Newmarket, Ontario|Newmarket]] in 1992. The Royals won the [[Memorial Cup]] in 1972, 1980, and 1981.

From 1993 to 1996, the [[Cornwall Aces]] were an [[American Hockey League|AHL]] franchise, like the Cornwall Royals, that played at the Ed Lumley Arena in the Cornwall Civic Complex. They were the farm team for the [[National Hockey League|NHL]] franchises, the [[Quebec Nordiques]] and the relocated [[Colorado Avalanche]].

The [[Cornwall Colts]] is the current Junior A team playing in the [[Central Canada Hockey League]]. Cornwall has hosted several major sporting events in its history, including the Ontario Winter Games and Special Olympics. In 2008, Cornwall hosted the Royal Bank Cup, the National Championship for Junior A hockey teams. The Cornwall Colts finished third in the series, winning 2 of 5 games. The Cornwall Colts hosted the Fred Page Cup in 2015 for the Eastern Canadian Championship. The teams represented in the Fred Page Cup are the Maritime Hockey League Champions (Kent Cup), the Ligue de Hockey Junior AAA du Québec Champions (Napa Cup), the Ottawa District champions of the Central Canada Hockey League (Bogart-Nielsen Cup), and a host team chosen by committee two years before the tournament.

The [[Cornwall River Kings]] of the [[Ligue Nord-Américaine de Hockey]] (LNAH) started playing out of the Cornwall Civic Complex in the fall of 2012 but folded in 2016. The River Kings were replaced by the [[Cornwall Nationals]] of the [[Federal Hockey League]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.standard-freeholder.com/2016/09/14/cornwall-city-hall-inks-deal-with-fhl-nationals |title=Cornwall city hall inks deal with FHL Nationals |publisher=Standard-Freeholder |date=September 14, 2016 |access-date=September 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917084122/http://www.standard-freeholder.com/2016/09/14/cornwall-city-hall-inks-deal-with-fhl-nationals |archive-date=September 17, 2016 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> which folded during the 2017–18 season.

'''Soccer'''

Cornwall has three soccer areas, the Kinsmen Junior Soccer Field at Second Street West and Haulage Road; The Benson Centre (for indoor soccer); and Optimist Park on Sunnyside Street and St. Michel Drive.

'''Rugby'''

Cornwall has competitive men's and women's rugby clubs. After many years without rugby in the community, it saw a resurrection in 2006. Both teams compete in the Eastern Ontario Rugby Union, which is located in Ottawa. The home of the Cornwall Crusaders Rugby Football Club is Cornwall Collegiate and Vocational School. The men's and women's teams practice Tuesdays and Thursdays from April until the end of August. The men's team won the Eastern Ontario Men's Division 1 Championship in 2009 and 2010 against the Napanee Outlaws and the Gatineau Mirage, respectively.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}}

The sport of rugby continues to grow in the community. Many high schools throughout Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry have junior and senior boys' teams as well as varsity girls' teams. These high school teams serve as feeders to the Cornwall Crusaders. Many of the players who play for the Crusaders come from high schools in the S.D.& G. area.

'''Roller Derby''' The Seaway Roller Derby Girls Association is the first roller derby flat track roller derby league in Cornwall and SD&G Counties, established in 2011. The Power Dames is the first official team.

'''Girls' basketball''' The United Counties girls' basketball team won provincial and international basketball tournaments in the late 1970s and early 1980s. In addition, the city offered girls' and women's basketball from age eight to college graduates. The San Lawrence College women's team also won a college tournament. The teams were coached by Adelore Bergeon and Alan Haskvitz.

== Transportation ==
[[File:Three Nations Crossing.JPG|thumb|200px|The north span of the [[Three Nations Crossing]] seen from Cornwall's west end. This bridge was torn down as it has been replaced by a much shorter low-level bridge to Cornwall Island.]]

=== Rail ===
The Grand Trunk Railway (CN Rail) built an east-west line through Cornwall in 1856, and its original station dated to that year. The [[New York and Ottawa Railway]] (NY&O) followed with a north–south line crossing the St. Lawrence, with a station in Cornwall dating to 1898.<ref name="canada-rail" /> Canadian Pacific created a succession of subsidiaries and plans for a Cornwall line starting in the 1880s, culminating in the Glengarry and Stormont Railway in 1915, which connected to CP's Ontario and Quebec Railway mainline to the northeast, creating an alternative route to Montréal.

The expansion of the St. Lawrence Seaway in the 1950s significantly disrupted the city's rail infrastructure, resulting in CN relocating its line northward and the NY&O abandoning its line altogether. A new CN passenger station, which is still in use by [[Via Rail]], was constructed in 1957, and the century-old Grand Trunk station was demolished shortly after, in 1962. The NY&O's passenger service ended in 1957, and its passenger station was demolished in the 1960s as well.<ref name="canada-rail" /> CP passenger service ended even earlier, in 1952, and the CP passenger station was demolished in 1969.<ref name="canada-rail" /> CP abandoned the line altogether in 1995.

Currently, Cornwall only has one significant rail line, the CN Kingston Subdivision, which functions as the CN mainline between Toronto and Montreal. It also serves as a component of Via Rail's [[Québec City–Windsor Corridor (Via Rail)|Québec City-Windsor corridor]]. Passenger trains between [[Montréal]] and [[Toronto]] stop at the [[Cornwall railway station]], which is located in the city's north end. Via's [[Via Rail#High-frequency rail project|High-Frequency Rail]] (HFR) proposal, which would generally improve passenger rail service in Eastern Ontario, would not pass through Cornwall as most of the service improvements are planned to be focused on new lines constructed on abandoned rail rights of way as well as existing Via-owned lines such as the Via Brockville Subdivision.

==== Street railway ====
{{See also|Cornwall Electric|Cornwall Street Railway}}
Around the turn of the 20th century, Cornwall had a burgeoning electric street railway system, which transported freight and passengers throughout the city. The [[Cornwall Street Railway|Cornwall Electric Street Railway]] began passenger operations in 1896 and freight operations in 1899. Passenger operations ended in 1949 with a switch to [[trolleybus]] service, and electric freight operations ended in 1971 with the system's sale to CN Rail and subsequent [[dieselization]].<ref name="trainweb">{{cite web |url=http://www.trainweb.org/elso/csr-elec.htm |title=Cornwall Street Railway Light and Power Company |website=Trainweb.org |date=22 October 2009 |access-date=9 December 2019}}</ref> During its time, the street railway was significant in the city's social and industrial development. Ultimately, its passenger tram service, after conversion to trolleybus, became the present-day Cornwall Transit, which provides municipal diesel bus service to this day.

=== Public transit ===
{{See also|Cornwall Transit}}
With a fleet of 24 buses, [[Cornwall Transit]] operates six days a week (excluding Sundays and holidays) on fixed routes and supplementary rush-hour routes. In addition, there is an on-demand "Handi-Transit" service for the disabled. Cornwall Transit also contracts taxi service at a flat rate for Handi-Transit registrants who are ambulatory. The City-operated transit system transports approximately 860,000 passengers every year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cornwall.ca/en/live-here/cornwall-transit.aspx|title=Cornwall Transit|date=2019-12-17|website=www.cornwall.ca|language=en|access-date=2020-03-05}}</ref>

=== Air ===
Cornwall is served by the [[Cornwall Regional Airport]], which is located {{convert|10|km|abbr=on}} east of the city near Summerstown. It is open year-round and licensed for day and night VFR IFR operations. The facilities include a {{convert|3500|x|100|ft|m|0|abbr=on}} [[runway]], a [[Airport terminal|terminal]], [[hangar]], and the [[Canada Border Services Agency]] (on request). Domestic and international charter flying service from the airport is offered by Cornwall Aviation.

[[Massena International Airport]] in New York is 20 minutes by car from Cornwall.<ref name="gibertini20191122">{{Cite web |url=https://airlinegeeks.com/2019/11/22/massena-airport-when-the-local-airfield-becomes-international-airport/ |title=When the Local Airfield Becomes an International Airport: A Look at Massena, N.Y. |last1=Gibertini |first1=Vanni |last2=writing |first2=he was Business Development Manager for IATA for nine years before turning to his other passion: sports |date=2019-11-22 |website=AirlineGeeks |language=en |access-date=2020-04-26}}</ref>

=== Sea ===
The City of Cornwall is on the St. Lawrence Seaway just east of the Eisenhower and Snell Locks. The Cornwall Harbour and Government Wharf are located on the north bank of the St. Lawrence River in the city's east end.

== Education ==
[[Cornwall Collegiate and Vocational School]] became a grade 7–12 school after amalgamating with [[General Vanier Intermediate School]] for the 2011–12 school year. The school celebrated its bicentennial in 2006 and is one of the oldest schools in Canada. CCVS offers a complete French immersion program in grades 7–12.

[[St. Joseph's Secondary School (Cornwall, Ontario)|St. Joseph's Secondary School]] is a part of the Catholic District Board and offers French immersion education. The newest high school in Cornwall is [[Holy Trinity Catholic Secondary School (Cornwall, Ontario)|Holy Trinity Catholic Secondary School]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.holytrinityfalcons.com/ |title=Holy Trinity Catholic Secondary School |access-date=January 26, 2013 |archive-date=January 26, 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130126004942/http://www.holytrinityfalcons.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> for grades 7 to 12, opened in response to overpopulation at St. Joseph's. Both schools offer French immersion education.

Cornwall also has two French high schools: l'École secondaire publique l'Héritage, and l'École secondaire catholique La Citadelle. La Citadelle is part of the [[Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] [[Separate school|separate]], [[French language in Canada|French language]] [[school board]] for the Southeastern region of Ontario [[Conseil scolaire de district catholique de l'Est ontarien|(CSDCEO)]]. It is home to students from grade 7 to 12. École secondaire publique l'Héritage is part of the public school board responsible for education in the French language in Eastern Ontario ([[Conseil des écoles publiques de l'Est de l'Ontario|CEPEO]]) and is home to grade 7 through 12 students.

St. Lawrence Secondary School hosts students in grades 7–12. It was originally St. Lawrence High School, located where La Citadelle is now. Around 2003, it was turned into a school for grades 7–10. It has transitioned back into a high school for grades 7–12. 2012 was to be the first year since 2003 that grade 12s would graduate from the school.

The [[Statistics Canada]] 2016 census education profile indicates that 40% of Cornwall's population has a post-secondary certificate, diploma, or degree.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2017-02-08 |title=Census Profile, 2016 Census - Cornwall [Population centre], Ontario and Ontario [Province] |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=POPC&Code1=0205&Geo2=PR&Code2=35&SearchText=Cornwall&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=Education&TABID=1&type=1 |access-date=2022-09-28 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref>

A campus of [[St. Lawrence College, Ontario|St. Lawrence College]] is situated in Cornwall. The St. Lawrence River Institute of Environmental Sciences is located on the college campus and, among other academic and vocational offerings, provides an Environmental Technician program. The St. Lawrence River Institute of Environmental Sciences is a research centre that carries out ecotoxicological studies on large river systems and, in particular, on the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence River ecosystem.<ref>[http://www.riverinstitute.ca/ St. Lawrence River Institute of Environmental Sciences – A leader in research, education, & community action]. Riverinstitute.ca (June 28, 2012). Retrieved on 2013-07-12.</ref>

[[Al-Rashid Islamic Institute]] is the first Islamic school of any kind in North America,{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}} providing higher education in [[Islamic studies]] with a boarding facility.

The Seaway Valley Meat Cutting Institute is located in Cornwall and offers apprenticeship programs.<ref>{{cite web | title = Educational Food Programs in Canada | publisher = Food Processing Skills Canada | url = https://fpsc-ctac.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/educationalfoodprogramsincanadajacedit-160129205923-1.pdf | access-date = November 23, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = About Us | publisher = Seaway Valley Meat Cutting Institute | url = https://svmeatcutting.com/ | access-date = November 23, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = OYAP/ Evening Coop/Dual Credit | publisher = Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario | url = https://coned.cdsbeo.on.ca/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1100806&type=d&pREC_ID=1373251 | access-date = November 23, 2020}}</ref>

Cornwall is home to the [[Air Operations Branch#Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Control Operations|Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Control Operations]] (CFSACO).<ref>[https://archive.today/20120718150143/http://www.airforce.forces.gc.ca/16w-16e/schools-ecoles/page-eng.asp?id=656 CFSACO],</ref> CFSACO offers a range of basic and specialty courses and conversion training to Canadian Forces personnel. Military members are trained to become either Air Traffic Controller/Operators or Air Weapons Controller/Operators.

[[Nav Canada]], Canada's air navigation service provider, formerly conducted training for domestic Air Traffic Controllers in Cornwall at the Nav Canada Training Institute and Conference Centre. The facility was purchased in March 2022 by the Devcore Group and rebranded as the DEV Hotel and Conference Centre. Nav Canada leases a portion of the property and continues operations on the site, hosting training for technical operations and leadership.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hambleton |first=Todd |date=July 7, 2022 |title=Nav Centre in Cornwall officially the Dev Hotel and Conference Centre |work=[[Cornwall Standard-Freeholder]] |publisher=[[Postmedia]] |url=https://www.standard-freeholder.com/news/local-news/nav-centre-in-cornwall-officially-the-dev-hotel-and-conference-centre |access-date=September 18, 2022}}</ref>

== Media ==
=== Radio ===

{|class="wikitable sortable"  width="100%"
!Frequency
!Call sign
!Branding
!Format
!Owner
!Notes
|-
|[[FM Broadcasting|FM]] 88.1 
|[[CHRI-FM|CHRI-FM-1]]
|
|[[Christian music|Christian]]
|Christian Hit Radio Inc. 
|Rebroadcaster of CHRI-FM Ottawa
|-
|[[FM Broadcasting|FM]] 92.1
|[[CHOD-FM]]
|92.1 GO FM
|[[Franco-Ontarian]] [[community radio|community]]
|La Radio communautaire Cornwall-Alexandria
|
|-
|[[FM Broadcasting|FM]] 95.5
|[[CBO-FM|CBOC-FM]]
|[[CBC Radio One]]
|[[Talk radio]], [[public broadcasting|public radio]]
|[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]]
|Rebroadcaster of CBO-FM Ottawa  
|-
|[[FM Broadcasting|FM]] 97.3
|[[CKON-FM]]
|
|[[First Nations in Canada|First Nations]] community (from Akwesasne)
|
|-
|[[FM Broadcasting|FM]] 98.1
|[[CBOF-FM|CBOF-FM-6]]
|[[Ici Radio-Canada Première]]
||[[news]]/[[talk radio|talk]]
|[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]]
|[[French language|French]] Rebroadcaster of CBOF-FM Ottawa 
|-
|[[FM Broadcasting|FM]] 101.9
|[[CJSS-FM]]
|Boom 101.9 
|[[Classic hits]]
|[[Corus Entertainment]] 
|
|-
|[[FM Broadcasting|FM]] 104.5
|[[CFLG-FM]]
|Fresh Radio 
|[[Hot adult contemporary]]
|[[Corus Entertainment]]
|
|}

Some radio stations from other nearby areas, including [[Media in Ottawa–Gatineau|Ottawa]], [[Media in Montreal|Montreal]] and [[New York (state)|New York]]'s [[North Country (New York)|North Country]], are also available.

'''Defunct''' 
* AM 1220 [[CJUL (AM)|CJUL]] - Left the air in 2010
* FM 107.7 CIRG-FM [[tourist information]]

=== Television ===
* Channel 8: [[CTV television network|CTV]] [[CJOH-DT|CJOH-TV-8]] (repeater of [[CJOH-DT]] Ottawa; formerly [[CJSS-TV]])
* [[YourTV (Canada)|YourTV]]

=== Print ===
* ''[[Cornwall Standard Freeholder|Cornwall Standard-Freeholder]]'' is the city's main daily newspaper and is published by [[Sun Media]], a division of [[Postmedia Network Inc]].
* ''[[Cornwall Seaway News|Seaway News]]'' is a weekly newspaper owned by TC Media and includes pages from the French-language ''L'Express''.
* ''[[The Cornwall Seeker]]'' is a locally owned monthly newsmagazine distributed for free in stores and in print. Founded in 2010, it focuses on arts, culture, and events.
* ''Le Journal de Cornwall'' is a locally owned weekly newspaper that predominantly serves the [[Franco-Ontarian]] community but also publishes some content in English.

=== Internet ===
* ''Cornwall Free News''

== Notable people ==
Some of the more famous people to hail from the Cornwall area include:
{{Div col}}
* [[Barstool Prophets]], three of the four members (Glenn Forrester, Graham Greer, and Bobby Tamas) of the Canadian rock band hailed from Cornwall, where the band had its start
* [[Darby Bergin]], 1st Canadian [[Surgeon General (Canada)|Surgeon General]]
* [[Malcolm Burn]], musician and record producer
* [[Roger Caron]], bank robber, author, and recipient of the [[Governor General's Award for English-language non-fiction#1970s|1978 Governor General's Award for English-language non-fiction]] for the book ''[[Go-Boy!]]''
* [[Doug Carpenter]], former [[NHL]] coach
* [[Solomon Yeomans Chesley]], War of 1812 veteran; official with the [[Indian Department]]; Member of the [[Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada]]; Mayor of Cornwall (1860–1861)
* [[Alain Chevrier]], former NHL goaltender
* [[Lionel Chevrier]], former [[Member of Parliament (Canada)|Member of Parliament]], son of former mayor Joseph Chevrier
* [[Donald Alexander Cochrane]], composer<ref>{{Cite web |title=Donald Cochrane |url=http://collections.cmccanada.org/final/Portal/Composer-Showcase.aspx?component=AAIL&record=d9b3d02f-3e27-4a63-8366-65b2c9e55042 |access-date=2023-01-27 |website=Canadian Music Centre {{!}} SydneyEnterprise (Final) |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Corbett Denneny]], former NHL player
* [[Cy Denneny]], brother of Corbett, former NHL player, in the [[Hockey Hall of Fame]]
* [[Lori Dupuis]], Olympic gold and silver medalist in women's ice hockey
* [[Jacob Gallinger]], United States politician
* [[Peter Gatien]], New York nightlife [[impresario]]
* [[Ryan Gosling]], actor
* [[Derek Grant (ice hockey, born 1974)|Derek Grant]], ice hockey player<ref>{{Cite news |last=Naylor |first=David |date=1999-01-01 |title=Minor leagues can be twilight zone for NHL dreams |language=en-CA |work=The Globe and Mail |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/minor-leagues-can-be-twilight-zone-for-nhl-dreams/article18420407/ |access-date=2023-01-12}}</ref>
* [[Christina Julien]], current member of the Canadian national women's soccer team
* [[Chad Kilger]], former NHL player
* [[Bob Kilger]], former NHL referee, former mayor, former [[Member of Parliament (Canada)|Member of Parliament]], father of Chad Kilger
* [[Ed Lalonde|Ed "Newsy" Lalonde]], captained the [[Montreal Canadiens]] in the 1910s and helped the team win its first [[Stanley Cup]] in 1916
* [[Ed Lumley]], former mayor, former [[Member of Parliament (Canada)|Member of Parliament]], [[Member of the Order of Canada]]
* [[Donald Alexander Macdonald (general)|Donald Alexander Macdonald]], soldier
* [[John Sandfield Macdonald]], prominent lawyer and the first Premier of Ontario
* [[Maggie MacDonald]], playwright and musician
* [[Don McKay (poet)|Don McKay]], Governor General's Award-winning poet and essayist
* [[Duncan McNaughton]], gold medalist in the 1932 Olympics in the high jump
* [[Ray Miron]], hockey player, coach, and executive, inducted into Cornwall Sports Hall of Fame
* [[Andre Payette]], former [[American Hockey League|AHL]] player
* [[Scott Pearson]], former NHL player, drafted 6th overall to the [[Toronto Maple Leafs]] in 1988
* [[George Beverly Shea]], noted gospel singer associated with Billy Graham crusades
* [[John Strachan]], 19th-century Anglican priest and influential Bishop of Toronto
* [[Orval Tessier]], former [[NHL]] player, coach of the Chicago Blackhawks and scout
* Colonel The Hon. [[Philip VanKoughnet]], M.P., former landowner of Cornwall
* [[John Wensink]], former NHL player
* [[Jesse Winchester (ice hockey)|Jesse Winchester]], former NHL player
{{Div col end}}

== Twin towns – sister cities ==
Cornwall is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with:
* {{flagicon|UK}} [[Coventry]], United Kingdom<ref name="Coventry twinnings">{{cite web|last=Griffin|first=Mary|date=August 2, 2011|title=Coventry's twin towns|url=http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/local-news/what-point-coventrys-twin-towns-3038605|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130806032050/http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/local-news/what-point-coventrys-twin-towns-3038605|archive-date=August 6, 2013|access-date=August 6, 2013|work=Coventry Telegraph}}</ref><ref name="Coventry twins">{{cite web|url=http://www.coventry.gov.uk/directory/25/twin_towns_and_cities|title=Coventry – Twin towns and cities|access-date = August 6, 2013|work = Coventry City Council.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130412062545/http://www.coventry.gov.uk/directory/25/twin_towns_and_cities|archive-date=April 12, 2013 }}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Cornwall}}
* [[List of francophone communities in ontario|List of francophone communities in Ontario]]
* [[Royal eponyms in Canada]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|2}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikivoyage|Cornwall (Ontario)}}
* {{Official website|https://www.cornwall.ca}}

{{Geographic location
 | Centre    = Cornwall
 | North     = [[South Stormont]]
 | Northeast =
 | East      = [[South Glengarry, Ontario|South Glengarry]]
 | Southeast = ''[[Saint Lawrence River]]''<br />{{flagicon|QC}} [[Dundee, Quebec|Dundee]]
 | South     = ''[[Saint Lawrence River]]''<br />[[Akwesasne 59, Ontario|Akwesasne 59]]
 | Southwest = ''[[Saint Lawrence River]]''<br />{{flagicon|US}}{{flagicon|NY}} [[Massena, New York|Massena]]
 | West      = [[South Stormont, Ontario|South Stormont]]
 | Northwest =
}}
{{Subdivisions of Ontario}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Canadian Gaelic]]
[[Category:Cornwall, Ontario| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Ontario]]
[[Category:Ontario populated places on the Saint Lawrence River]]
[[Category:Single-tier municipalities in Ontario]]