Among the challenges our community is facing, housing remains one of the most significant. Supply is short across the entire city, and the downtown commercial core is especially fragile with fewer tourists this summer and fewer students returning this fall as a result of the pandemic. The need for housing in the core, to ensure…
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First, I want to say thank you for sharing your comments, questions and concerns with me about the recent sermon excerpts from Third Day Worship Centre (TDWC). Since the release of these videos I’ve taken time to be with my family and those closest to me, to reflect and to consider all the feedback I’ve…
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As we head into the fall, this is traditionally a time of year when we see instances of large unsanctioned street parties. In the midst of the current pandemic, large house parties and unsanctioned street parties are not just a nuisance to our community, they’re also a real public health concern. Public health rules prohibit…
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Early last year Kingston City Council came together to establish strategic priorities that would guide the work of the city over this council term that runs until the end of 2022. We developed an ambitious plan with five diverse but interconnected strategic priorities: strengthen economic development opportunities; increase housing affordability; demonstrate leadership on climate action;…
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A few months ago I brought together community and business leaders to form the Kingston Economic Recovery Team. The purpose of this team is to work with representatives from the sectors of our local economy that have been hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, and to help workers that have lost their jobs and small…
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Additional Information AgendaUnity Farm Inn and SpaIntegrated Care Hub (pg. 4)City/County Budget Resolution Motion (pg. 18)
Over the last year, the City of Kingston and the County of Frontenac have been dealing with an ongoing budget dispute. Here in Kingston we’ve committed to a target of an annual property tax rate increase of no more than 2.5%. We’ve asked all our agencies and partners to aim for this same target in…
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There’s been a lot of debate over the last few years about how to best address the legacy of Sir John A Macdonald. I believe how we proceed here in Kingston, Macdonald’s hometown, will help chart the path forward as our country balances the good and the bad parts of our history. I’ve heard from…
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Additional Information AgendaThe Legacy of Sir John A. Macdonald in KingstonEquity, Diversity and Inclusion
The encampment at Belle Park has been a big focus for city council over the last couple of months. It’s an issue that’s highlighting the importance of taking care of our most vulnerable, and also understanding the unique challenges many of them face. This week council voted to allow the encampment to remain until the…
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