He graduated with an Honours Bachelors of Arts, with a Double Major in Political Science and Canadian Studies with a Minor in History.

He is a member of the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders, and represented the regiment in the commemorative parade in Ottawa to honour the late Queen Elizabeth II.

[5] The key points that Towndale ran on during his mayoral election included increasing affordable housing, attracting medical professionals to the city, accessibility for the handicapped, police reforms, green initiatives and further cooperation with the Ontario provincial and Canadian federal governments.

Towndale has also been supportive of a Great Wolf Resorts being built in Cornwall, that he argues will "change the face of Eastern Ontario" and will be "the premier tourist attractions not only in this area, but in the entire province."

[14] Mayor Towndale's greatest challenge during his tenure would be his public dispute with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

[15] Towndale stated that the cost of housing the migrants was 50% of total city spending, and called on the IRCC to improve communication with local officials.

[16] Towndale stated that he only learned about the agreement to house the asylum seekers in hotels through "unofficial channels" and that he and the city was given "Zero notice, consultation or resources" from the IRCC.

"[17] Cornwall is not alone on the issue, some 39,000 asylum seekers have crossed the border at Roxham road, with the IRCC simply busing them to cities in the region, and leaving local officials to not only find a solution for housing, but also footing the bill.