Sarah Good remains in Cornwall mayoral race after court clears 2022 filing issue

Floyd Brenz., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
October 03, 2026

Photo Courtesy: CBC News

Cornwall mayoral candidate Sarah Good will remain in the 2026 election after an Ontario Superior Court judge determined that she did not default on her 2022 campaign financial filing.

The case stemmed from concerns over Good’s failure to submit an auditor’s report for her successful 2022 campaign for city council. Under Ontario’s Municipal Elections Act, such a default could have made her ineligible to run for office until the next municipal election.

The issue surfaced on Aug. 21, 2026, the final day of the nomination period, after Good had already filed her papers to run for mayor. The city subsequently asked the court to determine whether an auditor’s report was actually required and whether the statutory penalties applied.

Court documents later identified incumbent Mayor Justin Towndale, who is also seeking re-election, as the person who raised the concern with city election officials. Towndale said he had received information suggesting Good had exceeded the contribution threshold requiring an auditor’s report. He said he did not intend to file a formal complaint and denied that his actions were malicious.

Good had described the timing of the issue as an attempt to derail her mayoral campaign, saying her 2022 filing had been accepted by the city clerk and that she had relied on guidance provided at the time.

The court ultimately found that no default occurred under the Municipal Elections Act. Cornwall confirmed that Good therefore remains a certified mayoral candidate and that the city will continue administering the election in accordance with the law.

Good, who has served one term as a Cornwall councillor, is running against incumbent Justin Towndale, along with Art Levert and Nicole Spahich. Online voting is scheduled to begin Oct. 12, with election day set for Oct. 26.