This is a hard copy of the inaugural address, provided by Warden Martin Lang, upon his inauguration on Dec. 13, 2025:
Thank you all for being here today to mark this important, and quite frankly humbling occasion.
It is an absolute honour to stand before you as the newly sworn-in Warden of the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry. Your presence means the world to me, and I am truly grateful for your support.
First and foremost, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to my family. We operate a busy farm in South Glengarry, and my responsibilities as an elected official often take me away from obligations that come with working in agriculture.
During those occasions, it is my family that often takes up the mantle of farming.
I promised myself I would not get too emotional today, so perhaps it is fitting to simply say that my wife, Jenny, my children, and my grandchildren, and extended family provide me with unwavering love and support. To see their smiling faces today I am mindful of the foundation my family provides to my life. I am so grateful to have you by my side today and always.
To my fellow members of SDG Counties Council, and the esteemed list of dignitaries attending today, your presence reflects the collective commitment we share with respect to the prosperity and well-being of our region.
I must thank members of council, especially Councillors Carma Williams and Lachlan McDonald for nominating me, and to Coun. Tony Fraser for acting as the installing officer today.
Council has placed a great deal of trust in me, and I am once again humbled to serve as your Warden.
I have big shoes to fill. Coun. Jamie MacDonald acted with passion and professionalism this year as Warden of SDG Counties, and I must thank him as well for being an incredible advocate for our region.
I promise to dedicate myself to representing the values and priorities of our region with integrity and dedication. The support of SDG Counties staff in this endeavour has not gone unnoticed and I deeply appreciate all that you do for members of council and our region.
There are past wardens with us today, including:
Charles Sangster
Jim McDonell
Bryan McGillis
Ian McLeod
Bill McGimpsey
Eric Duncan
Jamie MacDonald
Carma Williams; and
Tony Fraser
Your leadership and vision have paved the way for the progress we continue to build upon. Thank you for your service and for setting such a high standard for us all.
Growing up in South glengarry, at a family farm known as Fraserfield, I came to learn that the original landowner was one Colonel Alexander Fraser. I have been fortunate to be surrounded by the rich history of our region. Colonel Fraser was the first Warden of what was then known as the Eastern District, serving from 1842 to 1849.
His leadership and determination ensured that this district remained a united region, later becoming the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry.
It’s a legacy I hold close to my heart. While Colonel Fraser’s story includes a twist - losing the 1850 Warden election to his son-in-law, Daniel McIntyre - I’m hoping my own son-in-law never decides to run against me!
More than 170 years later, I am deeply honoured to carry on the tradition of service as the new Warden of SDG Counties. I am excited to build on the strong relationships we have with our local municipalities, the City of Cornwall, the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, Prescott-Russell, and our dedicated federal and provincial representatives, MP Eric Duncan and MPP Nolan Quinn. By continuing to collaborate, I believe we can make our region the envy of Ontario.
In closing, I want to thank you all once again for your support and encouragement. Let us move forward together, united in our vision for a safe and prosperous 2025. May our efforts continue to strengthen and enrich this wonderful region we are privileged to call home.
Thank you.