In lead up to the October 26 municipal election, we asked candidates from Brockville, Cornwall, and Kingston questions related to the importance of St. Lawrence College within our communities. Here you will find the responses submitted by municipal candidates to a survey issued by OPSEU/SEFPO Locals 417 and 418. Responses are presented verbatim, with non‑responding candidates noted accordingly.

Here are the questions we asked:

• Workforce & Economic Growth: How important is a fully operational St. Lawrence College campus to the region’s workforce and economic future?
• Campus Services & Provincial Funding: Would you support a municipal council resolution calling on the Ministry of Colleges and Universities to provide stable, predictable funding and ensure adequate in‑person student supports and campus services at your local campus?
• Transparency & Accountability: How would you advocate for transparency, consultation, and accountability regarding the proposed merger and long‑term plans for your local campus?

Scroll below to read the candidates’ responses.
Click the City below to jump to that area.

City of Brockville

Candidates for Mayor

Candidates for Council

City of Cornwall

Candidates for Mayor

Candidates for Council

City of Kingston

Candidates for Mayor

Candidates for District 1 – Countryside

Candidates for District 2 – Loyalist-Cataraqui

Candidates for District 3 – Collins-Bayridge

City of Kingston

Candidates for District 4 – Lakeside

Candidates for District 5 – Portsmouth

Candidates for District 6 – Trillium

Candidates for District 7 – Kingscourt-Rideau

Candidates for District 8 – Meadowbrook-Strathcona

City of Kingston

Candidates for District 9 – Williamsville

Candidates for District 10 – Sydenham

Candidates for District 11 – Kings Town

Candidates for District 12 – Pittsburgh

City of Brockville

Brockville Candidates for Mayor

No responses submitted by:

• Tom Linton
• Cameron Wales

Brockville Councillor Candidates

• Solange Courteau
• Chris Culhane
• Philip Deery
• Ida Duc
• Darlana Robertson
• Ian Roberts
• Bruce Wylie

No responses submitted by:

• Randy Chase
• Jill Duffin
• Jane Fullarton
• Jeremy Newman
• Cody Nolan
• Louise Severson
• Bianca Timmerman

Solange Courteau

• Workforce & Economic Growth
  A strong St. Lawrence College campus is an important asset for Brockville’s economic development and quality of life. It provides opportunities for residents to develop skills, retrain, and pursue meaningful employment without having to leave their community. It also helps local employers recruit qualified workers, particularly in fields such as healthcare, technology, skilled trades, and community services.However, a successful campus means more than classrooms and programs. Students need access to appropriate academic resources, practical training, mental health services, and disability accommodations. This is personal to me: my husband lives with a disability and had to leave his program at St. Lawrence College because it was not sufficiently accessible to meet his needs. So I know firsthand that offering a program does not equal making it genuinely accessible.I would like to see the College work closely with local employers, community organizations, and the municipality to identify workforce needs, remove barriers to participation, and create opportunities for people of all abilities. An accessible, comprehensive campus helps both individual residents and Brockville’s long-term economic resilience.
• Campus Services & Provincial Funding
  I would support a Council resolution calling for stable, predictable provincial funding and adequate student services at the Brockville campus.
  Brockville has a legitimate interest in ensuring that residents can access education and training locally and that local employers have access to a skilled workforce. I would also underline the importance of in-person academic assistance, accessibility services, and practical learning resources.
  I also believe that funding decisions should be transparent, evidence-based, and financially sustainable. The goal should be to maintain effective services and ensure public investments deliver measurable benefits to students, employers, and the wider community. Municipal Council cannot dictate provincial funding decisions, but it can advocate, build partnerships, and make Brockville’s needs clearly understood.
• Transparency & Accountability
  I would approach the proposed merger with an open mind, but also with a commitment to transparency, evidence, and meaningful community participation. I would want College leadership and the province to clearly explain the financial and educational reasons for the merger, its expected benefits and costs, and the potential impact on programs, staffing, and student services at the Brockville campus. I would also advocate for meaningful consultation with students, faculty, support staff, local employers, disability advocates, and community organizations before decisions affecting our campus are finalized. As mentioned above, accessibility is fundamental to me. I would want to understand how the merger will improve the ability of students with disabilities to participate fully in their chosen programs.If I were a city councillor, I would work with my Council colleagues to maintain dialogue with College leadership, communicate our community’s concerns to the province, and request measurable commitments and regular progress updates. I do not oppose nor support mergers per se. The questions for me are whether this merger improves educational opportunities, protects essential services, and delivers lasting benefits to Brockville residents.

Chris Culhane

• Workforce & Economic Growth
  Lawrence College is an important part of Brockville and our regional economy. A strong, fully operational campus helps train the skilled workers our community needs, including health-care professionals, skilled tradespeople, technicians, business professionals, and many others.Our college also brings students, families, employees, and visitors into our community, supporting local businesses and contributing to Brockville’s economic growth.As a councillor, I would support maintaining a strong and comprehensive St. Lawrence College campus in Brockville. We need to make sure our young people have opportunities to get their education here and that local employers have access to the skilled workforce they need to grow and succeed.
• Campus Services & Provincial Funding
  If elected, I would support a municipal council resolution calling on the provincial government to provide stable and predictable funding for St. Lawrence College and to ensure that students in Brockville have access to the supports and services they need.A campus is more than classrooms. Students need access to academic resources, mental-health and wellness supports, libraries, athletics, student services, and other resources that contribute to their success.If we want to attract students, retain young people in our community, and develop the workforce Brockville needs, we need to make sure our local campus is properly supported.
• Transparency & Accountability
  As a municipal councillor, I would advocate for Brockville by communicating directly with college leadership, our MPP, the provincial government, and other municipal leaders in the region. I believe major decisions that affect our community should be transparent and accountable. I would ask for clear information about the long-term plans for the Brockville campus, including programs, staffing, student services, and the resources that will remain available locally. I would also listen to students, faculty, staff, employers, and residents and bring those concerns forward when decisions are being made. The goal should not simply be to have programs operating in Brockville. The goal should be to have a strong, sustainable campus that continues to serve our students, our employers, and our community for many years to come.

Philip Deery:

• Workforce & Economic Growth
  A fully operational St. Lawrence College campus is an important economic asset for Brockville. It helps develop the skilled workforce our local employers need, supports healthcare and other essential sectors, attracts students to our community, and contributes to local businesses and economic activity.
  I would support strengthening partnerships between the College, local employers, 3M and other area industries, healthcare providers, and municipal economic development initiatives to ensure programming reflects regional workforce needs.My priority is to ensure Brockville remains a place where people can gain an education, find meaningful employment, and build their future. A strong local college is an important part of responsible economic growth.
• Campus Services & Provincial Funding
  Yes, I would support a municipal Council resolution calling on the Ministry of Colleges and Universities to provide stable, predictable funding and maintain adequate in-person student supports and campus services in Brockville.Students need access to appropriate academic advising, mental health supports, accessibility services, libraries, and other resources to succeed. These services are particularly important for students who choose a local campus because of its accessibility and community connections.While municipal Council does not control provincial college funding, it has a responsibility to advocate for Brockville’s interests. I would support working with the College, students, employers, and community partners to communicate local needs clearly to the Province and seek commitments that protect the quality and accessibility of education in our community.
• Transparency & Accountability
  I would seek clear answers from College leadership and the Province about the rationale for the integration, its expected financial and operational benefits, and its potential implications for Brockville’s campus, programs, staffing, student services, and future investment. I would advocate for meaningful consultation with local students, employees, employers, community organizations, and municipal representatives before decisions affecting Brockville are finalized.I would also seek transparent timelines, measurable commitments, and regular updates on the integration’s impact on our community. Having served on the St. Lawrence College Board of Trustees, I understand the importance of sound governance, responsible decision-making, and accountability to the communities an institution serves. Integration must not mean losing sight of local needs. I would work to ensure Brockville’s interests are clearly represented and that decisions are guided by evidence, meaningful consultation, and the long-term educational and economic needs of our community.

Ida Duc:

• Workforce & Economic Growth
  A fully operational and comprehensive campus will contribute to the economic growth and workforce needs of our community . A vibrant student population adds to the economic vitality of the community. Students support local business and are a important part of a diverse population.
• Campus Services & Provincial Funding
  Yes, without hesitation.
• Transparency & Accountability
  I will be a strong advocate for maintaining existing services and reversing harmful changes if possible.

Darlana Robertson:

• Workforce & Economic Growth
  The under-utilization of our College facilities here in Brockville is a travesty. We should be supporting higher education in our community and encouraging the creation of third spaces utilizing infrastructure we already have. More support for the college resulting in additional programs and additional enrollment which will see stable, full time employment requirements increase as the needs of the institution grow. Dollar-for-dollar, investment into education and academia has been shown to be vastly outpaced by its resulting economic and employment benefits. That is, in terms of ROI, money spent on education is money well spent.
• Campus Services & Provincial Funding
  We should work with the province to ensure we are taking advantage of any and all grants and funding available to us – and that means ensuring that the proper paperwork is filed, and that the applications are then followed up on. I will absolutely support municipal resolutions to ensure funding is available to the SLC Brockville Campus. The more programs we are able to offer here, the more our young people will be encouraged to stay and build their lives here. A vibrant college can bring an abundance of economic activity to the areas immediately surrounding the campus, as well as bringing a sense of vitality and youthful exuberance to our otherwise sleepy city.
• Transparency & Accountability
  We should demand answers and accountability from the people making the decisions, and those answers should be a matter of public record. Those responsible for making decisions should not be allowed to claim ignorance or absolve themselves of responsibility by simply saying it was someone else’s call. Insisting on specific, logical reasons behind why someone made these decisions in the first place, and based upon what parameters.

Ian Roberts:

• Workforce & Economic Growth
  As an alumnus of the Brockville Campus, I am concerned about the decline in course offerings here in particular. While I understand the fiscal need to consolidate programs within certain campuses, I think this does not serve the students of the broader communities. I think that having generic programs such as Business Administration at each campus is important. This gives the instructors the opportunity to tailor the subjects to the needs of the local community. This would help minimize the need for graduates to seek employment outside the community when they may prefer to remain local.
• Campus Services & Provincial Funding
  While the municipalities have no authority over funding for colleges, it is important that council be aware of the college’s fiscal needs and have the opportunity to enunciate community priorities and ensure students are properly supported. If this can be accomplished via a motion at council. I would support that.
• Transparency & Accountability
  I believe the Board of Governors’ membership should be expanded to include a council member from each community where there be a campus. This would allow direct input from council into the future direction of the college.

Bruce Wylie:

• Workforce & Economic Growth

I feel very strongly that SLC is very vital to our community. My wife is a graduate of the college. We need these graduates.

• Campus Services & Provincial Funding

Yes

• Transparency & Accountability

I will only be a member of council but would be glad to ask MPP Steve Clark to arrange a meeting with the minister responsible.

City of Cornwall

Cornwall Candidates for Mayor

Sarah Good

Justin Towndale

No responses submitted by:

• Art Levert
• Nicole Spahich
• Justin Towndale

Cornwall Councillor Candidates

John Cameron

Joel Cote

Dean Hollingsworth

Todd Lalonde

Christopher Leclair

Elaine MacDonald

Jody Mitic

Jason Mousseau

Fred Ngoundjo

Joanne Parker

Jason Riley

Jeremy Rose

Denis Sabourin

No responses submitted by:

• Dan Beaudoin
• Todd Bennett
• Carol Boileau
• Chris Crompton
• Hamid Dannoun
• Shozib Haroon
• Tyler Hudon
• Todd Lalonde
• Roger Lamoureux
• Christopher Leclair
• Tobias LeGros
• Lisa Olmstead
• Claude Poirier
• Mary Jane Proulx
• Vamini Mohanathas

John Cameron:

• Workforce & Economic Growth: I see presence of a comprehensive St Lawrence College as crucial to our community. Not only does it employ hundreds of people but our college educates our young people and prepares them to be job ready for our local employers. It also gives people the opportunity to stay in Cornwall after completing their education. They can live and raise their families here and contribute to the city’s growth and prosperity.
• Campus Services & Provincial Funding: I would support a resolution asking both levels of government to help ensure adequate funding for the full operation of our college campus.
• Transparency & Accountability: As a city councillor, I would collaborate with the City Council and the province to find solutions that protect our community college now and for future generations.

Joel Cote:

• Workforce & Economic Growth
  I believe it is absolutely crucial. I have gone even further already in my campaign, in fact since I served as a City Councillor from 2003-2006. I have and will continue to strongly advocate not only for our current campus, but for expansion. My ultimate goal is for Cornwall to have a stand-alone college and university. The province is investing significant funding in post-secondary education but Cornwall continues to be left out. I lived in Kingston for four years due to an employment transfer. I saw first hand the amount of money invested there. Both the Kingston Campus and Queen’s University received significant investments while our campus got very little. While this has been a longtime goal of many in our community, I believe we have a unique opportunity currently. Our MPP happens to be the Minister of Colleges and Universities (or the updated name for that portfolio). I will do everything I can to ensure that he is reminded that he is OUR MPP first.
• Campus Services & Provincial Funding
  I would actually propose a motion that goes even further, per my answer to question 2.
• Transparency & Accountability
  I would work with the college’s Board of Governors, specifically local members along with our MPP, who is in office to support his constituents with provincial matters.

Dean Hollingsworth:

• Workforce & Economic Growth
  I believe St Lawrence College is critical to our muncipality for both the training and retention of a skilled labour force.
• Campus Services & Provincial Funding
  I will support a Council resolution calling on MCU for stable funding.
• Transparency & Accountability
  CI believe the City of Cornwall needs to began to look for a better alternative than the current option that is available. I would love to hear from you to discuss my vision. I would be willing to meet with the faculty to have a full discussion on the matter.

Christopher Leclair:

• Workforce & Economic Growth
  As potential city leaders, we have a responsibility to support and invest in our local college, St. Lawrence College (SLC).As a former SLC student myself, I understand the opportunities the college provides to local residents and students who come from outside the area to pursue their education.Attracting students from outside Cornwall brings new people into our community, supports local businesses, strengthens our economy, and promotes Cornwall as a place to live, learn, and build a future. Many of these students may ultimately choose to stay in the area, join our workforce, raise families, and contribute to our community for years to come.Investing in our college is an investment in Cornwall’s future.By supporting SLC, strengthening partnerships between the college and local employers, and attracting more students and educational opportunities, we can help create the conditions for bigger and better jobs, economic growth, and a stronger local workforce.If we want Cornwall to grow, attract new investment, and create more opportunities for future generations, supporting our local college needs to be part of the conversation.
• Campus Services & Provincial Funding
  As a potential City Councillor, I would encourage the provincial government to protect funding for our colleges and universities rather than make cuts that could limit educational opportunities for future generations.Education and health care should be priorities, not targets for cuts. Both are fundamental to building a stronger, healthier, and more prosperous society.Education gives people the opportunity to develop valuable skills, pursue meaningful careers, earn good salaries, and build a financially secure future. It also helps attract talent, strengthen our workforce, and create economic opportunities within our community.As a former St. Lawrence College student, I understand the value of post-secondary education and the opportunities it can provide.I want to see Cornwall residents thrive, succeed, and build better futures for themselves and their families after completing their education. That means supporting our local college, advocating for accessible education, and encouraging our provincial government to invest in the next generation.
  When we invest in education, we invest in people. When people succeed, our entire community benefits.
• Transparency & Accountability
  As a City Councillor, I would advocate for transparency, accountability, and open communication between St. Lawrence College leadership, the provincial government, and our local community. I would seek clear answers about why this merger is taking place, what financial and educational benefits are expected, and how it could affect local students, programs, faculty, and employment opportunities in Cornwall. I would encourage college leadership and provincial representatives to engage directly with residents, students, faculty, and local employers before decisions are finalized. Our community deserves to understand the reasoning behind these changes and what they will mean for the future of our campus. I would also push for a clear commitment that Cornwall’s educational needs and local workforce priorities remain protected.St. Lawrence College plays an important role in developing our workforce, attracting students to our community, and creating opportunities for residents to build successful careers. As a former SLC student, I understand the value our college brings to Cornwall. I would use my position on council to ask difficult questions, request clear answers, and advocate for decisions that serve our community’s long-term interests. Transparency cannot simply be promised; it must be demonstrated through open communication, clear answers, and accountability to the people affected by these decisions.

Elaine MacDonald:

• Workforce & Economic Growth
  I see it as essential to both. A significant number of the current candidate’s cite SLC as the place they were educated.
• Campus Services & Provincial Funding
  
• Transparency & Accountability
  City of Cornwall is hosting a town hall public meeting on post-secondary education on Nov 2. Venue not yet known. At an open council meeting I called for my peers and the audience to make the town hall a rally for SLC. I invite you to attend too. We have to be vocal.

Jody Mitic:

• Workforce & Economic Growth
  our neighbourhood and Cornwall’s economy. It supports local restaurants, apartments, short-term rentals and other businesses while bringing students and economic activity into our community. With major development opportunities ahead, including the Port Lands and Great Wolf Lodge, I believe we should be looking at how the college’s programs in skilled trades, health care, technology and business can help meet our workforce needs. I would support stronger partnerships between the college and local employers to create career opportunities and encourage graduates to build their futures here in Cornwall.
• Campus Services & Provincial Funding
  Yes, I will support a municipal council resolution calling on the Ministry of Colleges and Universities to provide stable funding and ensure adequate in-person student supports and campus services in Cornwall.A strong, fully functioning campus is important to our students, local employers and economic future. I will work with council, college leadership and our provincial representatives to advocate for the resources needed to support students and sustain the campus.
• Transparency & Accountability
  As a candidate, I can demand nothing. As Cornwall City Councillor, I will support seeking clear answers from college leadership and the province about the the merger and its implications for Cornwall’s campus, programs, student services, local businesses, employers and future Cornwall city needs. Decisions of this magnitude affect students, local businesses and Cornwall’s future workforce. Our community deserves transparency and a meaningful voice in these discussions. I will work collaboratively with college leadership, the province and local stakeholders to ensure Cornwall’s priorities are heard and to advocate for the strongest possible future for St. Lawrence College in our community.

Jason Mousseau:

• Workforce & Economic Growth
  St. Lawrence College is an integral part of Cornwall. Having a fully operational campus gives people the opportunity to pursue higher education close to home and develop the skills our local employers need. It also gives young people more reasons to build their future here and helps people retrain for new careers.I would support cooperation between the college, local employers, community organizations, and the city to understand our workforce needs. A strong college benefits students, businesses, and the community as a whole.
• Campus Services & Provincial Funding
  Yes, absolutely. I would support a council resolution calling on the province to provide stable, predictable funding and adequate in-person student supports and campus services.Access to education means more than having a classroom available. Students need support to succeed, including academic resources, mental health services, and people they can speak with in person.I would advocate with our local MPP and the provincial government to make sure Cornwall’s needs are heard. St. Lawrence College is an important part of our community, and its students and staff deserve that support.
• Transparency & Accountability
  I would ask college leadership and the province for clear answers about why this merger is taking place, what changes are proposed, and what those changes would mean for Cornwall’s programs, staff, students, and campus services. I would support bringing college representatives before council for a public discussion and making sure students, staff, local employers, and community members have an opportunity to be heard. Working with fellow councillors and our local MPP, I would advocate for Cornwall’s priorities and follow up on any commitments made. Our community deserves meaningful consultation and clear information about the future of its college.

Fred Ngoundjo:

• Workforce & Economic Growth
  Lawrence College is definitely crucial to the future of Cornwall in many ways. First of all it adds a youthful vitality to our community that is very precious. Keeping and attracting young people here makes us a better place. And clearly, educational opportunities to provide needed skilled workers for our community’s workforce will strengthen our economic base.
• Campus Services & Provincial Funding
  Yes I would. That is important.
• Transparency & Accountability
  There should be a formal connection between City Council and the College so we can be better informed about the needs of our campus and better communicate those of our community.

Joanne Parker:

• Workforce & Economic Growth
  Lawrence College supports our local economy in various ways. Student spending on housing, food, entertainment, transportation and retail adds to our local economy as well as the College purchasing goods and services from local businesses for operations. It also provides the city of Cornwall residents with cultural and social opportunities by hosting events and running programs that enhance the quality of life. St. Lawrence College should continue to expand their community roles beyond education and find creative ways to support Cornwall’s economy, such as partnering with more local employers to offer workforce training and possible apprenticeships/internships.
• Campus Services & Provincial Funding
  Wholeheartedly, YES! St. Lawrence College is a very important component to our City. We need to support it every chance we get. It provides access to education and training, which leads to improved job opportunities and higher earning potential. It contributes to our local economy in many ways and the MCU should recognize this. Proper funding and adequate in-person student supports and campus services must continue in order for the College to thrive our community to prosper.
• Transparency & Accountability
  I attended St. Lawrence College myself, and I contribute my successes to the institution. It holds a special place in my heart. I will work closely with the province and the College to fully understand the in’s and out’s of this merger. We need to protect our City and the College and continue to foster relationships with students and employees to not cause any friction. Everyone needs to be heard and I want to hear what has to be said. I will make myself available and propose myself a seat on the committee to oversee the outcomes.

Jason Riley:

• Workforce & Economic Growth
  As a SLC Alum, I absolutely see the economic benefit that SLC has on Cornwall.
• Campus Services & Provincial Funding
  Yes, I would support a council resolution calling on the MCU to provide stable funding.
• Transparency & Accountability
  We deserve why the merger is happening and what does it mean for SLC. If elected I would worked with SLC leadership and our local MPP to understand the reasons behind the merger, the expected benefits, and any potential impacts on local programs, services and employment. I would also push for meaningful consultation with students, staff, local businesses and community organizations before decisions are made that could affect Cornwall’s future.

Jeremy Rose:

• Workforce & Economic Growth: St. Lawrence College is vital to this community. I personally went to St. Lawrence to pick up a trade for a second career. I’ve seen firsthand how important the skills this school provides directly impact the jobs local employers are hungry to fill. In my first round of college, I left Cornwall and ended up staying nearby to where I trained. It was over a decade before I made the decision to return to Cornwall to raise my children. A local campus is crucial in order for the city around it to have a chance to retain new workers.
• Campus Services & Provincial Funding: I have stood with Local’s 417 and 418 in solidarity as Union Leader from CUPW 522, and as a former candidate and current provincial councilor from the SDSG NDP Riding association. The Ministry needs to understand that the legacy of world renowned, quality Ontario education was directly the result of the educators and support staff that excelled at their job. It is only through genuinely fair funding levels and a commitment to education job stability that they can meet the expectations of an Ontario that is seeking job-ready workers. I will give full-throated support to resolutions that support our college.
• Transparency & Accountability – The challenge here is how not to get sidelined. The municipal council is not likely to be invited to these conversations, and lacks a tool to compel that level of accountability. I will work with my fellow councilors and mayor to create a stakeholder interest in the college, and get access to that conversation.

Denis Sabourin:

• Workforce & Economic Growth
  Cornwall needs a new economic development strategic plan and I believe stable post secondary education plays a prominent role in achieving economic growth. Industry leaders often attribute post secondary education as one of the key reasons as to why they opted to establish a business, factory or office operation in a community. Great Wolf Lodge Resort can be a prime example, this facility will create 2,500 construction jobs and 500 permanent jobs when it opens its doors. As a community we need to become Great Wolf Lodge ready. That means training individuals for jobs in the hospitality and tourism sector as well as the support businesses that will benefit from Great Wolf Lodge in our community. With an average of 1600 tourists visiting Great Wolf Lodge on a daily basis (their marketing calls for over 600 thousand visitors a year) there will be many opportunities for entrepreneurs in Cornwall which translates to vital new business courses to be offered at St. Lawrence College. It will also be a catalyst for our existing tourism, entertainment, dining and shopping businesses to expand their services. It is also proven that in the communities where Great Wolf Lodge Yes, I will support such a motion established a resort a number of subsidiary businesses have followed.
• Campus Services & Provincial Funding
  Yes,. I will support such a motion and will also call for meetings with our local M.P.P. Nolan Quinn who happens to be the Minister of MCURES and his ministerial staff and bureaucrats. In addition to the stable funding required by Colleges and Universities, there is a pressing need for the government to review its decisions in the area of student loans. I look forward to the community town hall on post secondary education planned for November 2nd at the Ramada Inn. There must be significant community turnout to this event to help impress on the government the need for post secondary education in our community.
• Transparency & Accountability
  It is unfortunate that this merger is even happening. In the 2022 municipal election I raised post secondary education as an issue of concern. I believed at the time and still do that the trinity of St. Lawrence College should be broken up and the administration of the Cornwall campus put into local hands. One cannot justify the action of constantly cutting and removing successful programs out of Cornwall to be offered in Kingston. The SLC board must demonstrate the efficiency and growth plan for Cornwall with this move and that means students in the college before live professors not on line otherwise, we should move to break up SLC and let Cornwall stand alone and market itself as a college of choice. The only way to ensure local community priorities are protected and enacted is for the college to stand alone.

City of Kingston

Kingston Candidates for Mayor

Conny Glenn

Vanessa Mensah

No responses submitted by:

• Grant Bedard
• Bryan Paterson

Conny Glenn:

• Workforce & Economic Growth
  A fully operational, comprehensive St. Lawrence College campus is an important part of Kingston’s economic future. Post-secondary education is an investment in our workforce, our businesses, and our long-term prosperity.As Mayor, I would want the City to work closely with St. Lawrence College, local employers, Queen’s University, and our economic development partners to ensure that the College is delivering the skills our economy needs whether in healthcare, skilled trades, technology, business, or emerging industries.
  But we must go beyond educating students. We need to create the conditions that encourage graduates to stay in Kingston, find meaningful employment, start businesses, and raise their families here. That means addressing housing affordability, improving transit connections, and building stronger links between education and employment.My record reflects this commitment. I established and chaired Kingston’s Post-Secondary Working Group to bring students, institutions, community representatives, and municipal leaders together. I believe students must be treated as partners in our community, and that collaboration needs to translate into tangible economic opportunities.As Mayor, I would make strengthening these partnerships a priority. A comprehensive, fully operational St. Lawrence College campus can help address workforce shortages, support local business growth, attract investment, and expand opportunities for our residents.My objective is straightforward: Kingston should not simply educate the workforce of tomorrow; we should be a city where that workforce can build its future.
• Campus Services & Provincial Funding
• Transparency & Accountability
  As with most challenges this is about building relationships and good communication. Essentially a mayor needs to be an advocate and partner in these situations. Challenging assumptions, clarifying goals and needs, and offering solutions and ideas. Being the voice for the community at the table.

• Workforce & Economic Growth
  St. Lawrence College is an essential part of Kingston’s economic infrastructure. As someone who previously taught in the Community and Social Sciences program at SLC, I have seen firsthand the important role the College plays in preparing students for meaningful employment, supporting local employers, and creating opportunities for people to build their lives in Kingston. A fully operational college is not simply one that keeps its doors open. It is one that offers relevant academic and apprenticeship programs, provides accessible student supports, retains qualified faculty and staff, and responds to the evolving needs of the community. I am particularly concerned about the loss of programs in culinary arts, tourism, business, technology and the skilled trades. These are not isolated academic decisions. They have consequences for local restaurants, hospitality businesses, manufacturers, professional services and our broader economy. When we lose training opportunities, we risk losing the very workforce our businesses need to grow.

  One of my platform commitments is A Kingston That Creates Opportunity. Central to that commitment is strengthening the relationship between our post-secondary institutions, local employers and the City.

  As Mayor, I would advance a Kingston Opportunity Partnership, bringing together SLC, Queen’s University, the Royal Military College, employers, industry associations and community partners to identify current and emerging workforce gaps and strengthen pathways from education to employment.

  This must be informed by actual labour market needs. We need to understand where employers are struggling to recruit, which skills are in demand, and how program decisions affect our ability to attract investment and retain talent. I would advocate for SLC to have a meaningful role in this work, including opportunities to strengthen apprenticeship training, experiential learning and local employment pathways.

  I also recognize that faculty and support staff are fundamental to the student experience. Their expertise, institutional knowledge and direct support help students succeed. The loss of these positions affects not only employees and their families, but also the quality and accessibility of education.

  My vision is for Kingston to be a city where people can learn, work, build businesses and establish their futures without having to leave the community to find opportunity. A strong, comprehensive SLC is essential to making that vision a reality.

• Campus Services & Provincial Funding: Yes. I would support bringing forward a Council resolution calling on the provincial government to provide stable, predictable and sustainable funding for St. Lawrence College and Ontario’s public college system, including adequate funding for in-person student supports and campus services.

  While post-secondary education falls under provincial jurisdiction, the consequences of funding decisions are felt locally. When programs are eliminated, jobs are lost and student services are reduced, the impacts extend beyond the College. They affect Kingston families, businesses, workforce development and our long-term economic competitiveness.

  Having worked as a professor at SLC and in student wellness at Queen’s University, I understand that student success depends on more than what happens in the classroom. Students need accessible academic advising, financial aid, mental health supports, registration services, technology assistance and opportunities to participate in campus life. These services are not extras; they are essential to student retention, wellbeing and academic success.
  As Mayor, I would work with Council to ensure that Kingston’s concerns are formally communicated to the Province. I would also seek opportunities to work with other municipalities, post-secondary institutions, employers and community partners to strengthen our collective advocacy.

  Importantly, I would want the resolution to be informed by the experiences of faculty, support staff, students and local employers, so that we are advocating for the services and programs our community actually needs.

  My commitment to A City Hall You Can Trust means being clear about what municipal government can and cannot control, while using the influence of the Mayor’s office responsibly and effectively.

  Kingston cannot simply afford to be passive when decisions made elsewhere threaten our workforce, educational opportunities and economic future. I would be a strong advocate for protecting and strengthening SLC’s presence in our community.

• Transparency & Accountability
  Transparency and accountability are central to my leadership approach. My platform commitment to A City Hall You Can Trust is grounded in the belief that decisions affecting our community should be supported by evidence, communicated clearly, and informed by those most directly impacted. I recognize that Ontario’s colleges are facing significant financial and operational pressures. However, restructuring decisions must also consider the long-term needs of the communities these institutions serve. Having been part of the St. Lawrence College community myself, I believe the people who teach our students, support their success and understand the institution’s day-to-day operations must have a meaningful voice in decisions about its future. As Mayor, I would welcome opportunities to participate in discussions with St. Lawrence College leadership, provincial representatives, faculty, support staff, students and community partners to better understand the rationale for the proposed merger and its implications for Kingston.

  I believe there are important questions that deserve clear answers. What does the designation of Kingston as a “full-function” campus mean in practice? How will academic programs, employment and in-person student services be affected? How are regional workforce needs being considered, and what opportunities exist for meaningful community input? While the City does not have authority over college governance or provincial funding decisions, we do have a legitimate interest in how these decisions affect local employment, workforce development and economic growth. My role would be to support existing conversations, contribute a municipal perspective where appropriate, and work alongside community and economic development partners to ensure Kingston’s priorities are understood and considered. I would also encourage College leadership and the Province to communicate their plans openly, including the anticipated benefits, potential impacts and measures being taken to protect educational access and student services.

  My approach would be collaborative and respectful of the responsibilities of each level of government and institution, while remaining committed to advocating for the people and businesses of Kingston. Ultimately, the success of any merger should be measured not only by administrative efficiencies, but by whether it preserves educational opportunities, supports students and employees, responds to regional workforce needs and strengthens the communities it serves. Kingston deserves transparency, meaningful engagement and a strong voice in conversations about its future.

Councillor – District 1 – Countryside

No responses submitted by:

• Joseph Abreu
• Vic Sahai
• Jeff Scott

Councillor – District 2 – Loyalist–Cataraqui

Dorian Hartley

Jeff Pearce

No responses submitted by:

• Paul Chaves
• Charanjeev Sekhon

Dorian Hartley:

• Workforce & Economic Growth
  Lawrence College is one of Kingston’s most important economic engines, and a lot of that value shows up in places people don’t immediately connect to the college. The cooks in our restaurants, the clerks in our law offices, the machinists in our shops, the bookkeepers at small businesses – many of them trained right here.As a small business owner, and a St. Lawrence College graduate myself, I know how hard it is to find skilled people, and how much easier it is when they’re trained locally and already want to stay. When programs like Culinary Management, Tourism, General Machinist Apprenticeship and Accounting disappear, those businesses lose their pipeline, and young people who would have built their lives here leave to train somewhere else. Many of them don’t come back.A fully operational campus also means good local jobs for faculty and support staff, students spending money in our community, and a reason for families to choose Kingston. “Full-function” should mean exactly that.
• Campus Services & Provincial Funding
  Council doesn’t set college funding, but it can and should speak up clearly when decisions made elsewhere affect Kingston’s economy and workforce. A resolution calling for stable, predictable funding and real in-person supports like financial aid, registration, IT and student services is a reasonable, appropriate step, and I would support it.I’d also want Council to back that resolution up with action: sharing it directly with our local MPP and the Minister, and working with local employers and business groups so the province hears the same message from the people who hire SLC graduates.
• Transparency & Accountability
  Accountability is one of the main reasons I’m running, and I believe it applies to every institution that shapes Kingston’s future, not just City Hall. If elected, I would push for Council to formally request a public briefing from St. Lawrence College leadership on its long-term plan for the Kingston campus: which programs and services will be offered here, what “full-function” means in practice, and how the merger will affect students, staff and local employers. I’d want that conversation held in public, where residents can hear the answers for themselves. I’d also work with our MPP and the province to make sure Kingston’s priorities are part of the decision-making, and I’d want to hear directly from faculty, staff, students and local employers about what they’re seeing on the ground. Decisions this big shouldn’t be made behind closed doors, and the community deserves clear answers before programs disappear, not after.

Jeff Pearce:

• Workforce & Economic Growth St. Lawrence College is an important part of Kingston’s economy. For years it has trained the skilled workers our local employers need, from health care and the trades to business and technology. It also brings students to our city who support local businesses and contribute to our community. We need this to continue. City Council should work with the college, local employers and the provincial government to ensure that the programs being offered reflect the workforce needs of our region. We should advocate for the resources necessary to maintain a strong local campus and ensure that students have access to the education and training they need without having to leave Kingston.
  A strong college benefits everyone. Our goal should be to ensure that its future strengthens Kingston’s economy, supports local employment and provides opportunities for the next generation.
• Campus Services & Provincial Funding
  Yes. I would support a Council resolution calling on the provincial government to provide stable, predictable funding for St. Lawrence College and ensure students have access to the in-person supports and campus services they need to succeed.
  Post-secondary education is an important investment in our local workforce and economy. Students need more than classroom instruction; access to appropriate academic support, counselling and other campus services is an important part of their education.
  Kingston has a clear interest in ensuring that our local campus remains strong and that students can access the education and support services they need. We need the provincial government to know how strong local support is. Council should work with the college and local employers to communicate the impact of funding decisions on our community.
• Transparency & Accountability
  Transparency is key to any meaningful discussion and council must demand that the province explain why the merger is happening and how the priorities of our community are being respected and protected.

Councillor – District 3 – Collins-Bayridge

Joel Bruce

No responses submitted by:

• Lisa Osanic

Joel Bruce:

• Workforce & Economic Growth
  As an Alumni, I remember when SLC was one of the most respected community colleges in the area. The student experience and program options were superior to many other colleges with local youth choosing to stay in town for post secondary college education. I think SLC is one of our cornerstone institutions as it provides new talent, employment opportunities, and a viable local option for education. Having the ability to meet a diverse range of education and training needs is a critical asset for our community – I think there are a number of partnership opportunities that could ensure the college and the city are moving in the right direction together in order to address workforce needs and to support sustainable economic development.
• Campus Services & Provincial Funding
  I would like to look at this concern from a funding perspective but also a community integration perspective. SLC is somewhat on a geographic island and I think there are opportunities to support in student funding while increasing the colleges direct connection to the community. I think this can be done in a fiscally responsible manner if we include partnership and community consultation as building blocks.
• Transparency & Accountability
  I would like to hear from the students, community, and faculty on the experience with the proposed merger. Where complex decisions are being made, I think it’s reasonable for tax payers and communities as a whole to expect rationales and engagements are provided openly to the impacted public.

Councillor – District 4 – Lakeside

Stephen Cuthbertson

No responses submitted by:

• Wendy Stephen

Stephen Cuthbertson:

• Workforce & Economic Growth
  SLC is a major contributor to our local workforce. I am of the opinion we need to make a large push locally to foster construction and maintenance trades, and SLC is a major component of that plan. Both Queen’s and St. Lawrence are necessary to ensure we’re developing capable individuals to enter our workforce.
• Campus Services & Provincial Funding
  Of course.
• Transparency & Accountability
  It starts by asking, and I’m not afraid to ask. Whether or not we’re given clear answers is an issue I can’t control. Ensuring the college stays open and provides as much programming as possible is in everyone’s best interest.

Councillor – District 5 – Portsmouth

No responses submitted by:

• Don Amos (acclaimed)

Councillor – District 6 – Trillium

No responses submitted by:

• Prakash Dayal
• Jimmy Hassan

Councillor – District 7 – Kingscourt–Rideau

Kevin Smith

No responses submitted by:

• Michael Judd

• Brandon Tozzo

Kevin Smith:

• Workforce & Economic Growth
  Continuing to support SLC through any and all challenges.
• Campus Services & Provincial Funding
• Transparency & Accountability
  No response submitted

Councillor – District 8 – Meadowbrook–Strathcona

Roger Dennis

Daria Juüdi-Hope

No responses submitted by:

• Jeff McLaren

Roger Dennis:

• Workforce & Economic Growth
  First, I am going to begin by saying that I studied at St. Lawrence College. I participated in the post-graduate Human Resources Management program (2009-2010). I got an “A” in all but one of the required courses. While studying at St. Lawrence, I also worked part-time as a Research Assistant in Research Services. I enjoyed my year at St. Lawrence College.I believe that all community colleges play a big role in training people to work within the community where they are based. I also studied Political Science and History at Carleton University and realize that community colleges and universities have different roles in preparing young people to contribute to the Canadian economy. I am also aware that education, both K-12 and post-secondary education fall within provincial jurisdiction; even so, if I am elected, I would be prepared to do anything I can to help preserve St. Lawrence’s role within the community.
• Campus Services & Provincial Funding
  As a city councillor, I would be prepared to support a stable funding model for St. Lawrence College, as I believe that this is essential for the management of the college to effectively engage in long-term planning.
• Transparency & Accountability
  I have spent the last 25 years teaching internationally. As I tell people at the door, because of the internet it is now possible to keep up with the news anywhere in the world on your phone or laptop. Last year I taught at a public high school in Tashkent, Uzbekistan and read “The Kingston Whig Standard” about once a week so that I could keep in touch with what’s going on in Kingston. Even so, the new partnership between St. Lawrence and Fleming College is new news to me. I suspect that the rationale behind this partnership is cost efficiencies; even so, I would be prepared to support a request from the provincial government asking for clarity on the issue. St. Lawrence College currently has three campuses and one President. This is an example of a benefit of having three campuses operating under one umbrella. Based on this, perhaps a real merger between St. Lawrence and Fleming College might benefit taxpayers.

Daria Juüdi-Hope:

• Workforce & Economic Growth
  As a former SLC educator, I have seen firsthand how the college acts as Kingston’s economic engine. SLC supplies the skilled local talent for our trades, technology, hospitality, and business sectors. Slashing these programs deprives local employers of qualified workers and forces our youth to leave Kingston. A fully operational campus is essential to retaining talent and driving our local economy.
• Campus Services & Provincial Funding
  Yes, absolutely. Frontline staff and student services have suffered enough from provincial underfunding. If elected, I will proudly support a municipal council resolution calling on the MCU to provide predictable, stable funding to restore vital services and protect Kingston’s postsecondary capacity.
• Transparency & Accountability
  “Full-function” campus status must be a reality, not just an empty label. Having witnessed the impact of recent cuts on my peers and learners, I will push for public accountability from college leadership, demand clear answers on institutional restructuring, and use my voice on council to fiercely protect Kingston’s educational and economic priorities.

Councillor – District 9 – Williamsville

No responses submitted by:

Vincen Cinanni (Acclaimed)

Councillor – District 10 – Sydenham

Rajesh Kumar

Annie Palone

No responses submitted by:

• Andrew DaCosta
• John Meligrana

Rajesh Kumar:

• Workforce & Economic Growth
  I’ve built jobs for a living, so I know how much time, investment and relationships it takes to grow an economy – and how devastating it is to lose them. SLC and its students are economic engines: they pay thousands in tuition, rent and daily spending that sustain downtown shops, restaurants and part‑time work, and the college supplies the talent pipeline for culinary, tourism, trades, tech and professional services. When programs disappear, employers lose recruits, young people are forced to leave, and our local vibrancy and tax base weaken. If elected, I will treat SLC as a strategic economic anchor: I will propose commissioning a rapid economic impact assessment, and convening a roundtable with SLC, Queen’s, employers, the Chamber, tourism partners and unions to identify 3 immediate local partnerships (co‑ops, apprenticeships, local hiring pilots) and policy levers municipal government can use to retain and rebuild the workforce pipeline.
• Campus Services & Provincial Funding
  Yes – I will support a council resolution calling on the Ministry for stable, predictable funding and guaranteed in-person student supports. I’d be happy to introduce that motion and push for the province to pause further program cuts while an independent, transparent review is completed. I will also press SLC to commit to preserving frontline services (financial aid, registration, mental‑health supports) during any transition, and coordinate municipal advocacy with our Mayor, MP and MPP so Kingston’s message is united and urgent. Finally, I’ll seek short‑term mitigations – emergency bridging funds, retraining grants and local hiring incentives – to protect students and staff while longer‑term solutions are negotiated.
• Transparency & Accountability
  Kingstonians deserve clear answers and concrete protections. I will work with the city council to demand an immediate public briefing from SLC leadership (documentation and rationale for program changes) and ask for that information; if it isn’t forthcoming, we should call for an independent review. I will move to create a Kingston Campus Resiliency Task Force – including SLC reps, affected faculty/support staff/students, Queen’s, employers, unions and municipal staff – charged with delivering a public action plan and mitigation recommendations. I will coordinate a joint advocacy strategy with our MP and MPP (co‑signed letters, joint delegations to the Ministry, and weekly coalition calls), pursue binding commitments or MOUs where possible, and use public briefings, petitions and media to keep pressure on the province and the college until local priorities are protected. I will also meet regularly with those directly affected to amplify their solutions and ensure municipal action is guided by those on the ground.

Annie Palone:

• Workforce & Economic Growth
  Lawrence is a foundational part of Kingston’s economy and community. Our culinary, tourism, trades, and tech employers depend on homegrown talent, and when programs like Culinary Skills are suspended, local businesses lose their pipeline and young people leave to train elsewhere. Colleges are like libraries: we fund them because they contribute to the public good. A campus that’s “full-function” in name only isn’t doing that job.
• Campus Services & Provincial Funding
  College funding is a provincial responsibility, but Kingston’s residents, employers, and students live with the results, and Council can and should say so. I’d support a resolution calling on the Ministry for stable, predictable funding and for in-person student supports to stay in our community.
• Transparency & Accountability
  I’d start with a plain question: what does ‘full-function’ mean for the Kingston campus under the Fleming merger? Which programs, how many staff, which student services, on what timeline? I’d ask for that plan in public, with faculty and support staff at the table, because they see what’s being lost first. I’d press for Kingston’s priorities to be in the plan before it’s final, not explained to us afterward. I’d also ask who built the funding model. Ottawa’s 2014 strategy pushed colleges to recruit international students, and Queen’s Park froze domestic tuition in 2019 without replacing the revenue. The colleges’ business plan was made for them. And the cuts reach well past international enrollment: in Kingston, SLC has suspended the Brick & Stone Mason and General Machinist apprenticeships, Culinary Skills, and Child & Youth Care. Those programs primarily train local students for local jobs.

Councillor – District 11 – Kingstown

Aba Mortley

No responses submitted by:

• Greg Ridge
• Melissa Reid

Aba Mortley:

• Workforce & Economic Growth
  As a professor and Program Coordinator at St. Lawrence College, and a member of OPSEU Local 417, this issue is both professional and personal to me. I have seen firsthand the important role the College plays in educating students, preparing them for employment and supporting our local community.
  Lawrence College is much more than an educational institution. It is an economic anchor for Kingston. It provides skilled graduates for our healthcare system, hospitality industry, trades, technology sector, small businesses and many other employers. It also provides stable employment for faculty and support staff, while students contribute to our local economy through housing, transportation, shopping and other services.As a business owner, I also understand the importance of having access to a skilled workforce. Programs that offer practical training, work placements and industry partnerships are essential to helping businesses grow and ensuring that graduates have opportunities to build their careers here in Kingston.I am particularly concerned about the loss of programs that directly support our regional economy, including culinary, tourism, business and skilled trades. When these programs disappear, we lose more than classroom opportunities. We weaken our ability to develop local talent and respond to workforce shortages. The loss of faculty and support staff also affects the student experience, as successful education depends on the people and services supporting students both inside and outside the classroom.While I recognize that post-secondary education is primarily a provincial responsibility, I believe municipal leaders have a responsibility to advocate for institutions that are so important to our community’s economic future.A fully operational Kingston campus must mean more than simply keeping the doors open. It should mean maintaining a comprehensive range of programs, adequate student supports, qualified faculty and staff, and meaningful connections to local employers.We need to view St. Lawrence College as an essential partner in Kingston’s economic development strategy. Any decisions about its future should consider not only institutional efficiencies, but also the long-term impacts on our workforce, local businesses, students and the economic sustainability of our community. We need a College that continues to attract students, develops local talent and provides opportunities for people to build their lives and careers in Kingston.
• Campus Services & Provincial Funding
  I would support a municipal council resolution advocating for stable, adequate and predictable provincial funding for St. Lawrence College, while recognizing the limitations of municipal authority in post-secondary education. As a professor, Program Coordinator and member of OPSEU Local 417, I have firsthand experience with the challenges facing our institution. I have seen the importance of maintaining not only quality academic programming, but also the faculty, support staff and essential in-person services that contribute to student success.I recognize that the Province has announced significant additional investments in post-secondary education. However, I believe we need to look beyond the funding announcements and assess how those investments translate into the programs, staffing and student services available at the Kingston campus. While post-secondary education falls under provincial jurisdiction, the impact of program closures, staffing reductions and diminished student services extends well beyond the College. These decisions affect local employment, workforce development, small businesses and Kingston’s ability to attract and retain skilled workers. For these reasons, I believe municipal advocacy is both reasonable and appropriate.I would support a resolution calling on the Province to ensure sustainable funding and encouraging College leadership to provide greater transparency about the long-term plans for the Kingston campus. I would also encourage collaboration with local employers, KEDCO, faculty, support staff and students to better understand the economic and workforce impacts of restructuring.I also recognize that my employment at St. Lawrence College creates a potential conflict of interest that I would need to manage carefully if elected. I would seek guidance from the City’s Integrity Commissioner regarding my participation in any Council discussions or decisions involving the College. Where a conflict exists, I would declare it and recuse myself as required.Transparency and accountability must apply equally to everyone serving on Council, including me.Ultimately, I believe a fully operational Kingston campus must mean more than maintaining a physical location. It must include the programs, people and services necessary to support students and meet the needs of our community. City Council cannot direct College operations or provincial funding decisions, but it can play an important role in ensuring Kingston’s economic and workforce interests are represented in those discussions.
• Transparency & Accountability
  As a professor, Program Coordinator and member of OPSEU Local 417 at St. Lawrence College, I have both a professional and personal interest in the institution’s future. I understand the financial challenges facing post-secondary education, but decisions of this magnitude require transparency, meaningful consultation and accountability. The proposed integration with Fleming College has been presented as a way to improve financial sustainability, increase efficiencies and expand educational opportunities. While I recognize these objectives, I believe we should understand what evidence supports the decision, what alternatives were considered and how success will be measured. I was pleased to see St. Lawrence College announce its community engagement process on September 29, 2026, inviting students, employees, alumni, community members and industry partners to provide input. This is a positive step, and I encourage people to participate.However, meaningful consultation must also demonstrate how concerns were considered and how community feedback influenced decisions. I would like to see clear, publicly accessible information about the merger’s financial rationale, anticipated savings, impacts on staffing and programs, and long-term plans for the Kingston campus. We also need to understand how changes will affect local workforce needs and whether commitments to a fully operational campus will be reflected in educational opportunities and student supports. City Council cannot direct College or provincial decisions, however, municipal leaders can advocate for accountability and ensure Kingston’s interests are represented. I would encourage continued dialogue among the City, College leadership, the Province, KEDCO, employers, students, faculty and support staff, alongside regular public updates and measurable commitments.As an SLC employee, I also recognize potential conflicts of interest in certain Council matters. If elected, I would seek guidance from the City’s Integrity Commissioner, disclose conflicts where required and recuse myself where appropriate.I am not opposed to finding efficiencies or improving institutional sustainability, but success cannot be measured solely through financial savings. We must also consider educational opportunities, skilled workers, student services and the College’s contribution to Kingston’s economic development. Our community deserves clear answers, meaningful involvement and accountability for the commitments being made.

Councillor District 12 – Pittsburgh

Ryan Boehme

No responses submitted by:

• Matt McTaggart
• Chelsea Rae
• Zachary Typhair

Ryan Boehme:

• Workforce & Economic Growth
  A fully operational St. Lawrence College campus would is a significant asset to Kingston’s economy and workforce. As a graduate and alumnus who values St. Lawrence College very much, I know how important it is to connect students with opportunities in skilled trades, healthcare, technology, business and other in-demand fields.A strong campus attracts students, supports local businesses and helps employers recruit qualified workers. We should work with the college and local employers to align programs with our growing economy and create opportunities for students to build their careers here in Kingston. Strong partnerships between the City, the college and local industry will help create good jobs, strengthen our workforce and support long-term economic growth.
• Campus Services & Provincial Funding
  Yes, I would support a council resolution calling on the province to provide stable funding and adequate in-person student supports. Our post-secondary institutions are vital to Kingston’s economy and workforce, and students need the services and resources to succeed. The City should advocate for our local campuses and work with the province to ensure they can continue meeting the needs of students and our community.
• Transparency & Accountability
  I would request regular updates from college leadership and the province, advocate for public consultations, and push for clear answers about the merger’s goals, costs, and impact on local jobs, programs, and student services. I would bring these concerns to council, engage students, staff, and community members, and work with provincial representatives to ensure local priorities are heard, decisions are transparent, and commitments to our community are followed through.