Editor’s note: As Kingstonians gear up to vote in Ontario’s municipal elections on Monday, Oct. 26, The Whig will provide extensive coverage and insights into the candidates aiming to become our local leaders and the challenges confronting our city and region. In Elliot Ferguson’s final article, we focus on those running for mayor.
Grant Bedard
For Grant Bedard, campaigning for mayor of Kingston has been an eye-opening journey.
A real wake-up call.
“It’s sickening,” he expressed. “It really is. I don’t think I’ve seen everything yet, but what I’ve encountered so far is enough to make you shake your head, you know.”
When he began his campaign, Bedard acknowledged that he wasn’t a typical politician and didn’t come with any prior political experience.
However, living in the north end of the city has given him direct insight into issues like homelessness, mental health struggles, and poverty.
“My approach from the start has been more personal than professional because I’ve been affected by this myself, but there’s much more to it than I realized.”
“If I change my approach from where I began, then it feels like I’m just fitting into the system instead of being authentic. I want to be original; I want to be genuine, not fake.”
“So as far as I’m concerned, taking a personal approach is the best way forward.”
Bedard emphasized that he would focus on honesty and transparency in the mayoral office.
He noted how the city’s crises in housing, mental health care, and substance abuse have worsened conditions for those living on the streets.
“Kingston has always been a wonderful city. It’s a great spot for tourists with its beautiful scenery, but it doesn’t feel as safe anymore,” Bedard stated.
“My wife used to walk with me through downtown all the time because we had an aunt who lived there,” he recalled. “We’d see familiar faces everywhere; it felt good back then.”
“Now she won’t even walk with me because she’s scared to look up. While I personally don’t carry that fear into any situation I encounter, I understand her concerns because I’ve spoken with many people on the street who agree that things have reached an all-time low.”
Having come from humble beginnings himself, Bedard believes his experiences shape what being mayor should mean.
He intends to use his position as mayor to ensure no one gets left behind.
“I see my main job as ensuring everyone stays grounded by being honest and following through on promises,” he remarked.
“This ties into my inner motivation,” he said. “I’d love nothing more than to hug every person before I pass away. That’s where it starts-if you want people to cooperate, you first have to show them that you care.”
Conny Glenn
With years spent facing a housing crisis, Kingston needs fresh strategies to increase home construction according to candidate Conny Glenn.
Glenn is nearing the end of her first term representing Sydenham District and believes a revamped housing plan aligns with voters’ calls for change.
“The constant feedback is that people are seeking change-they want options and new ways of tackling significant issues,” said Glenn, chairing the city’s housing and homelessness committee. p>
“We’re falling behind,” she added.” We haven’t made progress on some major topics we’ve discussed. p>
“While it’s not solely up to us at City Hall,” she continued,” there’s certainly room for improvement in how we handle things.” p>
Glenn mentioned affordable housing as one area where Kingston isn’t performing well enough; she stressed it’s still voters’ top concern. p>
“It’s unrealistic to expect developers alone will produce affordable or deeply affordable homes.” p>
Instead of relying exclusively on developers, Glenn suggested establishing a dedicated city housing office focused specifically on non-market units aimed at making strides against homelessness. p>
“We need collaboration across all three levels of government alongside nonprofits and builders so we can create steady housing pipelines,” she explained.“Right now we’re doing isolated projects here or there. Instead, we need an organized plan utilizing our resources while leveraging funds from other governments.” p>
“The Build Canada Homes initiative offers substantial funding but expects us to innovate. Essentially they’re looking for partnerships-they want us to propose something solid before they consider giving financial support.” p>
Vanessa Mensah h2 > When Vanessa Mensah decided to run for mayor during summer, she indicated her platform would form after discussions with residents. P >
Countless door knocks later, her campaign centers around greater transparency within City Hall, economic growth, and affordability.
She believes these issues are interconnected.
“People are frustrated by how little transparency exists within city hall,” she shared.“They want a Kingston that functions better-they seek safer neighborhoods along with improved infrastructure such as transit systems.”
“In terms of housing, simple supply doesn’t equate affordability. Supply alone doesn’t guarantee meeting people’s actual needs. Yes, we may meet certain targets, but we’re missing fulfilling those needs.” P >
The bright side? Kingston possesses ample resources capable of addressing these challenges. P >
“We’re rich in talent here,” she remarked.” We boast world-class institutions-Royal Military College(St. Lawrence College), Queen’s University among others.” P >
“We also have businesses present yet seem disconnected.”She further commented.”We’re losing talent while struggling to connect individuals effectively within their desired sectors.” P >
“How do we build a Kingston ripe with opportunities? Businesses wish to grow. Do we possess employment lands accommodating such expansion? Companies desire settling here; however, current regulations complicate their arrival despite claiming interest in work opportunities. We aim for growth.” P>
Creating supportive child-care environments plays an essential role in driving economic advancement, Mensah asserted. Households reliant upon working parents often face difficulties affording child-care services.”, “
“We must prioritize accessible child-care options allowing parents/caregivers pursuing careers freely.” P>
Bryan Paterson *
* Experience combined stability is what current mayoral candidate Bryan Paterson claims sets him apart.* * Now aiming for his fourth term,* Paterson anticipates facing “rocky times ahead” due partly due too various challenges* * “The role itself has grown increasingly complex compared prior years,” stated Paterson.* * Many former issues mainly pertained directly towards specific matters relevant only within Kingston-such finding appropriate developments downtown alongside balancing heritage interests versus needed accommodation.* * However, today bigger concerns around accommodation availability plus addiction/mental healthcare crises reflect common struggles throughout Ontario municipalities,* adding **Paterson**.* *Together teams must collaborate actively across cities exchanging insights if navigating these problems effectively.* * Highlighting successes achieved through exceeding provincial objectives surrounding local accommodations over three consecutive years & distributing new provisions across town , Paterson cited* * Critics suggest however proximity alongside developers raises suspicions regarding intentions hence favoring profit driven constructions ignoring lower-price points altogether* * Some council candidates propose enhancing municipal involvement concerning affordable home building instead leaving private sector entirely responsible.* * “I’m pro-housing not merely cozied-up amongst developers. I advocate affordable homes owing economist background,* argued **Paterson**.* * “Just like our prime minister understands economics principles apply universally throughout property markets including ours.* * * The reasoning remains simple when vacancy rates rise thus lowering rental prices subsequently helps alleviate pressures faced amid renters.* * Economic progress witnessed lately shows private-sector jobs surpassing public ones existing locally indicates vitality.* * Yet plenty hurdles persist amidst millions allocated toward helping homeless individuals via aid programs failing satisfactorily address mounting demands currently observed.* * Advocates forewarned possibility figures exceeding thousand homeless individuals might arise before decade concludes.* * ”I won’t claim easy fixes exist,” assured **Paterson**.* * **City cannot tackle alone!” claimed clear stance “. Impossible!”* * Instead approaches employed worldwide needing considerable investments sourced federally/provincially confirmed needed restructuring efforts occur moving forward.
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