Notes from the Rotary Meeting 12.30pm Thursday, January 29, 2026.
President Olaf chaired the meeting.
Club Business
Olaf reminder Rotarians that the Thursday lunch meeting on February 12 will be at the usual time 12.30pm but at the Blow Me Down Ski Lodge on Lundrigan Drive, CB.
Guest Speaker
Donna introduced Corner Broon Mayor Linda Chaisson, the guest speaker at today’s meeting.
Linda who has been a city councillor for many years was elected last fall as Mayor of the City of Corner Brook.
She talked how for many years how she has been a strong supporter of the city and now is leading a strong city council as they are learning their different roles to benefit the city. She quoted the Rotary motto ‘Service before Self’ which is one she herself follows.
The council has been working hard to finalise the budget for the coming year which has been built on what she heard on people’s doorsteps as she campaigned during the fall election.
Corner Brookers want a clean and respectable city in which residences play as well as work. The city requires economic growth and of course housing and health care concerns are felt by all residents. She noted in the past year 142 international nurses have been hired who are all working in the city
Linda believes in having a glasshouse policy in City Hall and wants to address the concerns of Corner Brook citizens. She is investing more in communication with the citizens based on a transparency operating system. She is holding regular town hall sessions in different parts of the city so she can find out the needs of residents and their views. She noted that through this method businesses will be helped as they can now pay their business tax in installments with no interest charged.
She continued by looking at the different concerns in the city. In 2025 there were permits granted for 80 new homes and 40 business ventures.
The Marina Redmond Centre is open, and this complements the Civic Centre for sports and city functions. Tourism is flourishing in the area with many cruise ships visiting the city. Festivals abound throughout the year from CB Nuit in the fall to Jiggs and Wheels festival in the summer and of course the February Winter Carnival Festival.
2026 will be the year of modernization for the city. The city is doubling its bus fleet with it moving into an on-demand system. Services will be restored for Saturdays with evening services to 11pm coming into being which will help students, workers and residents move around the city.
Linda believes transportation should be accessible so there will be plans for 2 accessible buses that can be reserved. Building accessibility including City Hall is important for all. She noted the city tax bill was mailed out to residents, and the tax rate has been lowered. During 2026, there will be plans to revitalise historical areas of the city.
She finished her talk by speaking of the revitalisation of waste management in the city and the new system that is being used and water treatment services.
Linda answered several questions before being thanked by Bernd for her informative and interesting talk.