Controversy sparked by regional video promoting buy local

A recently released promotional video, created by local videographer Jeremy Baxter, is aimed at promoting and supporting local businesses in Cornwall and SDG Counties. The video features the mayors of the six municipalities within the counties, SDG’s warden, Cornwall’s mayor, and a representative from the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne. Splitting the production costs between SDG Counties and the City of Cornwall, the video was produced at a cost of $2,700.

The motivation behind the video’s creation stems from the ongoing tariff war initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump. This trade conflict has resulted in additional fees imposed by the American government on Canadian exports to the U.S., prompting Canada to retaliate with tariffs of their own. This video serves as a localized response to this broader economic situation, encouraging residents to shift their spending habits towards supporting local businesses as a means of navigating the challenges posed by these tariffs.

Despite minimal job losses in the region, most notably the 30 permanent layoffs at Ivaco Rolling Mills in L’Orignal and temporary one-week layoffs for an additional 120 workers, the video release has been met with criticism regarding a lack of diversity. Some critics have pointed out the absence of women and other underrepresented groups in positions of leadership within the video content.

Nicholas Seguin highlighted the lack of diversity, expressing disappointment in the exclusion of women and diverse community members in leadership roles. Similarly, Laura Rattray echoed these sentiments on social media, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and representation. Responding to these criticisms, Cornwall Mayor Justin Towndale acknowledged the oversight, stating that the video intended to showcase regional leadership from an economic perspective but unintentionally excluded many individuals, particularly women and visible minorities.

Towndale expressed regret over the missed opportunity to feature a more diverse representation within the video’s content, underscoring the significance of inclusive representation in media. As a member of a visible minority himself, Towndale emphasized that adequate representation matters and recognized the need for greater diversity and inclusivity in future initiatives.

In conclusion, while the promotional video’s primary objective is to support local businesses and boost the regional economy amid external economic challenges, the controversy surrounding its lack of diversity highlights the importance of inclusivity and representation in community-focused initiatives. Moving forward, there is an opportunity to enhance future promotional efforts by prioritizing diverse perspectives and ensuring equitable representation across all aspects of community engagement and support.