September 2025 community update
Here's what you can find in this month's issue:
Warm regards,
Ted
Across Ontario
School Trustees
This year, the Ford government has made clear its intent to tighten control over public education. In the spring, the Ministry of Education appointed supervisors to school boards accused of financial mismanagement. Now, the Ministry has gone further, signalling plans to eliminate school trustees altogether.
I know there are frustrations with trustees, but removing locally elected representatives and shifting school governance to the Minister’s office risks sidelining Kingston and the unique, local issues of our schools. Trustees are chosen by local voters, and if we want better from them, we must engage in elections, vote thoughtfully, make sure they know what’s going on in schools, and hold them accountable.
When I return to Queen’s Park in October, I expect to hear more about the government’s proposed changes to education, and I’ll be watching closely to ensure that the interests of Kingston and the Islands’ students are not ignored.
Speed Cameras
Premier Ford has voiced his opposition to speed cameras, calling them municipal cash grabs, and says he plans to eliminate them this fall. I’ve heard mixed views on this, and each raises valid points. I can understand how speed cameras can be unfair, particularly when they ticket drivers simply keeping pace with surrounding traffic in non-school zones. At the same time, communities depend on safe streets, and these programs have been shown to improve compliance and reduce speeding.
The Ontario Liberal caucus and I will be advocating for improvements to the program that ensures fairness for drivers while keeping school and community zones safe for everyone.
Employment (or the lack thereof)
Ontario is one of five provinces with unemployment above the national average, with youth and the manufacturing sector hit especially hard. So far this year, job losses have outpaced job gains, and the recent slight dip in the unemployment rate is due largely to thousands giving up their search for work.
This troubling trend, which began in 2022, has been worsened by ongoing U.S. tariffs. Slowing economic growth should be the Premier’s top concern. Instead of prioritizing projects like a 401 tunnel or Ontario Place, he needs to focus on supporting sectors of Ontario’s economy that are most important for adding value and creating jobs.
If you want more frequent updates about provincial news, subscribe to my Weekly Wrap where I cover five of the top news stories of the week.
Local Stories
College Strike
College support staff, represented by OPSEU, are on strike after contract negotiations with the College Employer Council were unsuccessful. The union says that concerns about job security (understandable, given recent program cuts and layoffs) are a large consideration for negotiations. Support staff include laboratory technicians, student success staff, day care workers, and registrar staff.
I visited the picket lines at St. Lawrence College to hear directly from staff and students about the impact of the strike. Some students explained that they cannot complete the requirements needed to begin their placements without support staff, while others are missing out on their hands-on laboratory training, and still others who rely on academic supports from the college are struggling. The students I spoke with said that their frustration is not with support staff, nor the college administration, but with the provincial government, whose chronic underfunding has weakened Ontario’s college system and left it unable to withstand fiscal challenges.
A strong post-secondary education system is critical to Ontario’s long-term economic growth and its ability to remain competitive nationally and globally. While some may feel that issues at colleges and universities do not affect them directly, if this crisis continues, the ripple effects will be felt at local employers very soon, and across the province for years to come.
In Our Community
It was a busy month in Kingston and the Islands. Here are just some of the events I attended as your MPP.
Labour Day
I began my Labour Day celebrations at McBurney Park, addressing the Kingston District Labour Council and members of local unions. Later, I joined MP Mark Gerretsen at our annual Labour Day Picnic, where our team of staff and volunteers served lunch and organized activities for families, giving us a chance to listen to a lot of people and their concerns.
I’m grateful for every conversation I had throughout the day, and I’m heading back to Queen’s Park energized and ready to get to work!
Maple Family Health Team
I recently met with staff at Maple Family Health Team to discuss their progress on physician recruitment, the challenges they face, and how I can support their work. A key topic was the importance of having electronic medical records that healthcare providers can share easily, to prevent gaps in care, such as with vaccine records. Many sources in the community are telling me that there will be news soon about expanded access to primary care in the K7P area code.
Ferry Petition
Last year, a group from Wolfe Island organized a petition to the Ontario Legislature calling for improved ferry service. Earlier this month, we met to review the information I’ve received from the Ministry of Transportation, discuss my efforts to expedite the completion of Kingston’s ferry dock with its charging infrastructure, and explore ways to improve paramedic service to the Island.
Open Farms 2025
Earlier this month, I attended the Frontenac Farmers market to celebrate the first day of Open Farms. Each year, the weekend-long event showcases local producers and restaurants from Frontenac County and the City of Kingston, giving them a platform to share locally grown and sourced products with the community.
Green Burial Kingston
Green Burial Kingston (GBK) unveiled the first green burial section at Pine Grove Cemetry. This alternative means of honouring loved ones involves biodegradable burial materials and using small grave markers (instead of headstones). After years of advocacy, I’m glad to see GBK was able to make this local option a reality.
Franco-Ontarian Day
Je me suis joint à la communauté francophone pour célébrer la Journée franco-ontarienne et le 50ᵉ anniversaire du drapeau franco-ontarien. Les Franco-Ontariens ont une histoire riche et bien enracinée en Ontario, et leurs contributions à notre province doivent être pleinement reconnues et appréciées.
Chamber Breakfast
This month, I held my first two rounds of regular sector-by-sector meetings with members of the Chamber of Commerce to hear directly from local business owners about their biggest concerns. I look forward to more meetings with Chamber members to stay informed on how I can best advocate for Kingston’s local business community.
New Partners In Mission Foodbank
Partners in Mission Food Bank have officially opened their new facility, and I joined them in celebrating this achievement. I am grateful to the staff, volunteers, and supporters whose efforts made this new space possible.
Intelligent Community
The Intelligent Communities Forum has ranked Kingston among the Top 7 intelligent cities in the world! This month, adjudicators visited to assess us for the top spot. I was glad to attend a dinner and give a personal pitch to adjudicators about why Kingston deserves this recognition, and what makes our city so special.
Feed the People
I recently joined the volunteers of Feed the People in Belle Park, where lunch is served daily to anyone in need. The team prepares a menu, takes on assigned roles, and works together to make sure take-out meals and drinks are prepared and available. I’m grateful for their commitment to serving the community, and I was happy to take part.
Youth Diversion 50th Anniversary
I celebrated Youth Diversion’s 50th anniversary and had the opportunity to thank them for their service to the community. During their Annual General Meeting, I spoke about the importance of supporting at-risk youth and ensuring all children have a support network. Youth Diversion has made an undeniable impact on Kingston, and I look forward to seeing their future successes.
National Day of Truth and Reconciliation
September 30th marked the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, and the city honoured the day with events at Confederation Park. Let’s be reminded of the survivors, families, and communities impacted by colonial violence, and renew our commitment to support healing.