Growth and Development
I recognize that one of the most important aspects of a healthy city is a healthy labour market. As such, we need to encourage the continued development of enterprise within the city, especially towards clinics, services, manufacturing, distribution, and warehousing. I want to work with other councillors and city partners, such as the Economic Development Corporation, to create lasting business relations and put Kingston on the map for potential employers while maintaining and developing work with federal and provincial representatives to maintain our momentum in attracting new business. Lastly, together, we will advocate for policies that will ease limitations for these businesses and allow them to easily make Kingston their home and support our city. Creating a strong job market will encourage people to both come to Kingston, and remain in Kingston. Ultimately, it will increase the opportunity for us to invest back into our city, to invest into our future.
Infrastructure
Infrastructure is the foundation for a city’s sustainability and if it is not maintained, it creates long-term problems with safety and living conditions. As long as we allow Kingstons’ infrastructure to continue to crumble, especially with roads and intersections, families and vulnerable groups will continue to be concerned for their safety or the safety of their children. I intend to create discussion at the council to work on improving the quality of the roads and pedestrian conditions so that travel through the city is smooth and easy. Equally as important is also enforcing safe practices at intersections and reducing congested parking on neighbourhood streets, holding those who endanger residents accountable.
I also want to ensure that our parks are not forgotten or ignored, bringing the discussion to keeping them maintained in a proper and timely manner. They should be easy to access and clean so that all residents can enjoy the fresh air as well as stay active. Signage and bike lanes also require work in order to keep interactions on the road peaceful and safe, with directions or space being clear to recognize and respect.
Education and Employment
The worker is the most important person in any city. Their work is what provides everyone with what they need and generates the wealth which benefits all citizens. With this in mind, we must maintain and create options to allow young adults to equip themselves with the needed education and employment opportunities to fill these roles. I want to encourage better funding and development of programs and opportunities in collaboration with employers and institutions for youth. Through these we can entice discovery and ingrain a passion for discovering local skills and opportunities, enticing strong networks between professionals and students to create more engaged co-op and vocational environments. We must take advantage of our local educational resources with St. Lawrence College and Queen’s University to provide students with quality education and training right here in Kingston, so that when they graduate they can find amazing employment opportunities in the areas that the city needs most.
By encouraging and strengthening a skilled market, we will keep people in the city and create an environment that is friendly for settling, reducing the number of people who simply leave rather than contribute to our growth.
Accessible Housing
The narrative about housing should be geared towards access to housing and homelessness on a local level. As such, one of my most important and immediate goals is to create a plan in collaboration with the city staff and fellow councillors to look towards solutions and projects that can create new, viable options for residents. In addition, representing the various citizens that may be left out of the conversation such as residents that require accessible accommodations or a safe place for themselves would be one of my greatest goals, so that they can be aided to the fullest degree.
Additionally, we must not ignore the issues faced by tenants, especially vulnerable ones in the face of mistreatment at the hands of some landlords. Together with other councillors, policies that protect our honest residents and dissolve any reputation Kingston has for mistreatment from landlords will be sought for. We will also work to create a voice that federal and provincial policymakers will listen to so that they can create the most permanent positive changes. Together with the support of the city and voters, I hope that Kingston can rectify these problems, and make the city as affordable and stable as possible.