City council formalizes interim appointment amid ongoing leave of sitting clerk
The City of Cornwall has moved to formalize its administrative lineup by appointing Tracey Beauregard as interim city clerk, following a council vote that passed a bylaw on Monday, Aug. 10, 2026.
Beauregard, who has served as the city's deputy clerk, stepped into the statutory role on an interim basis after council's decision. The move comes as the city continues to operate with its permanent clerk, Manon Levesque, on a leave of absence; Levesque remains the city's clerk while on leave until council selects a permanent replacement.
The development will reduce some of the workload carried by Denise Labelle-Gelinas, who has been acting in the clerk's chair on an interim basis since January 2025. Labelle-Gelinas returned to the role when Levesque began her leave and has carried many of the clerk's statutory duties for almost two years.
In welcoming the new interim appointment, Beauregard said she looked forward to focusing on improving municipal processes and governance.
“I am excited about this opportunity. About improving systems, processes, and really strengthening municipal governance.”
Beauregard is a Cornwall native who graduated from École secondaire catholique La Citadelle. After raising a family she chose to return to the city to be closer to family and to pursue work within walking distance of home. Prior to her municipal role she worked with the Ontario Trillium Foundation, according to city information.
What the clerk does and why the appointment matters
The city clerk holds a statutory position central to municipal operations: maintaining official records, administering council meetings and agendas, managing access to information and ensuring municipal bylaws and procedures comply with provincial requirements. An interim appointment signals continuity of those functions while the city pursues a permanent solution.
For residents and businesses that interact with municipal services, the change should mean minimal disruption to day-to-day dealings. But at the administrative level it represents an important reallocation of responsibilities after an extended interim period.
Timeline of recent clerk arrangements
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Permanent clerk Manon Levesque begins leave of absence | Jan. 2025 |
| Denise Labelle-Gelinas serves as interim clerk | Jan. 2025–Aug. 2026 |
| Council appoints Tracey Beauregard interim clerk by bylaw | Aug. 10, 2026 |
Local implications and next steps
With Beauregard now filling the statutory role, council and city administration will continue day-to-day governance and statutory requirements. The appointment also clarifies who holds formal responsibility for council records and procedures while Levesque remains officially the city's clerk but is on leave.
City council will at some point be required to decide whether to return Levesque to the position, appoint Beauregard or another candidate permanently, or launch a broader recruitment. Until such a decision is taken, the interim appointment ensures there is a designated official able to perform the clerk's duties under municipal and provincial rules.
- Continuity: The bylaw creates an interim statutory officer to maintain records and council procedures.
- Local roots: Beauregard's Cornwall upbringing and municipal experience were noted as factors in her appointment.
- Future decision: A permanent appointment remains pending while the sitting clerk remains on leave.
The change is administrative rather than political, but it affects how municipal business is organised and logged — an important detail for local advocacy groups, residents requesting records and businesses navigating permitting and licensing. Council's move to formalize the interim appointment closes a chapter on an extended temporary arrangement and places a deputy with local ties into the statutory role while the city determines its longer-term staffing plan.
