Mayor Elect-Christopher Cummings
The views expressed on this site are my own personal views and do not represent the official views of Smiths Falls.
News & Updates
INTRODUCING CHRISTOPHER CUMMINGS
Smiths Falls
For more than 30 years, Christopher Cummings has proudly called Smiths Falls home. Now, he is honoured to put his name forward for Mayor — offering experience, integrity, and a lifelong commitment to the community he cares deeply about.
Family and Community Roots
Chris and his wife Linda raised their two children in Smiths Falls, where they attended local schools from kindergarten through Grade 12. The Cummings family has always believed in supporting local education, arts & culture, sports, and health care through involvement and volunteerism. If you wish to learn more about their initiatives, feel free to contact us.
A Vision for Smiths Falls
Christopher Cummings believes that strong leadership begins with listening. It means planning responsibly, supporting local businesses, strengthening essential services, and protecting the quality of life that makes Smiths Falls such a special place to live. With decades of financial experience, proven leadership, and a lifelong commitment to community service, Chris is ready to help lead Smiths Falls into its next chapter. He looks forward to earning your support and working together to build a strong and vibrant future for our town, with exciting projects launching soon. Your candidate has been part of this community for many years, working tirelessly to make it a better place.
EXPERIENCE
Professional
Chris recently retired after a distinguished 40-year career as a Business Banking Manager and Financial Advisor. A valued professional, Chris worked in roles with several of Canada’s largest financial institutions, providing financial advice to families and organizations of all sizes across various sectors including manufacturing, construction, retail, agriculture, healthcare, municipal, and non-profit. These experiences equipped Chris with strong expertise in financial oversight, strategic planning, responsible budgeting, and economic development. He understands how crucial it is for communities like Smiths Falls to grow thoughtfully and responsibly, ensuring that decisions made today support a strong and sustainable future. If you're interested in learning more about his insights or need financial guidance, feel free to contact us as we are launching soon with new resources to assist you.
Public Service
Chris was first elected to Town Council in 2006 and served three consecutive terms until 2018. During that time, he helped guide several important community initiatives, including the Doctor Recruitment Task Force, the Downtown Master Plan, the YMCA feasibility study, instituted the creation of the Smiths Falls Economic Development Board, the Municipal Heritage Committee, and the Smiths Falls District Arts and Culture Council. If you wish to learn more about these initiatives or have any questions, feel free to contact us.
Understanding the financial pressures many families face and wanting to support the local sports community, Chris personally led fundraising efforts for the new memorial community centre. Through those efforts, more than $300,000 was raised to help ease the burden on taxpayers and user groups.
From 2010 to 2018, Chris also served as Vice Chair of the Smiths Falls Police Services Board and represented the town on the Association of Police Services Boards of Ontario.
Since 2020, he has served as a Director with Rideau Community Health Services, taking on leadership roles as Treasurer, Vice Chair, and Board Chair. In 2023, he was appointed by the Province of Ontario to the Grant Review Team for the Quinte, Kingston & Rideau District of the Ontario Trillium Foundation. This experience has provided him with insight and a thorough understanding of how community grants are awarded, especially as new funding initiatives are launching soon.
In 2022, Chris was elected Trustee for the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario. Over the past two years, he has served as Board Chair, helping guide the board through increasingly complex challenges facing the education system.
Community Leadership
Giving back to the community has always been an important part of Chris’s life. Shortly after moving to Smiths Falls, he became involved with the Friends of the Smiths Falls Public Library. In 1996, he was appointed as a Trustee of the Smiths Falls Public Library and later served as Board Chair. Over the years, he co-chaired fundraising initiatives and served as Project Manager for major restoration projects in 2002, 2012, and 2025 — helping preserve an important heritage landmark for future generations. If you would like to learn more about these efforts or how you can help, feel free to contact us. Chris has also been an active member of a number of service clubs including Colombian Squires and Kinsmen Clubs of Canada. Over two decades, he held leadership roles including treasurer and president, while helping organize successful fundraising efforts and community initiatives that are launching soon.
Building the Next Chapter Together
A Practical plan for responsible government, stronger infrastructure and a growing local economy.