Kingston mayoral candidates discuss housing affordability ahead of election
As people get ready to cast their ballots in Kingston’s municipal election, development and housing affordability and access are emerging as key issues.
The population is growing rapidly, with home prices going up.
Ivan Stoiljkovic is among four mayoral candidates. He has worked with those experiencing homelessness, and as a transit driver.
He says he would place a focus on creating units where rent is based on income.
“Housing is the biggest, largest, single expense for an average Canadian family. This is what we need to do,” explains Stoiljkovic.
Tina Fraser has worked overseas and she says she has been inspired by that. She says building more small unit, apartment-based, multi-use buildings would help alleviate the issues, but says more collaboration has to happen among citizens and council.
“We shouldn’t build new until we have a concrete answer as to who is living in our city, where are they living, so that we can strategically build housing around that,” explains Fraser.
Bryan Paterson is the incumbent running for his third term, and points to his experience. He says he has doubled the amount of new houses and units being built in the city.
He says everything from town homes to tiny homes would be looked at.
“It’s a push for expanding the overall supply of housing, with a target on lower cost, more attainable types of housing,” he says.
He also would like to see more work and communication in this part of eastern Ontario.
“We need to look at housing as a region,” he explains. “There are already thousands of people that live in Napanee, and in Gananoque, Loyalist Township, that commute into Kingston. So I think the time has come to convene mayors across the region to talk about making sure that we’re planning out housing for the region as well.”
Skyler McArthur-O’Blenes says he hears more people wanting to help with the housing crisis, and says it’s important to give people a way to do that.
“Incentivizing people to build in-law suites or carriage houses if they have extra space on their lots,” he explains. “That ties into re-examining the zoning process in the city.”
Voting day is Oct. 24.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
4th Indian national arrested, charged with murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Homicide investigators in B.C. say murder charges have been laid against a fourth Indian national in connection to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey gurdwara last year.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
Man ticketed after allegedly trespassing again at Drake's Bridle Path mansion to get his bike
A man who tried to access Drake’s Bridle Path mansion earlier this week returned to the property Saturday and was apprehended again for allegedly trespassing, Toronto police say.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Millions of Canadians have been exposed to potentially toxic chemicals, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Biden calls Trump 'unhinged,' says 'something snapped' in former president after he lost 2020 U.S. election
U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday called Donald Trump “clearly unhinged” and claimed that “something snapped” in the former president after he lost the 2020 election.
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Switzerland's Nemo wins 68th Eurovision Song Contest
Swiss singer Nemo won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night with 'The Code,' an operatic ode to the singer’s journey toward embracing their nongender identity.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.