kingston city councillors pick sides in federal election
city councillors endorse liberal and conservative candidates in kingston and the islands
3 minute read
kingston and the islands liberal candidate mark gerretsen listens to conservative candidate bryan paterson speak at a 2022 funding announcement.
elliot ferguson
/
the whig-standard
kingston — with one of their colleagues in the race, some kingston’s city councillors are picking sides in the federal election.
so far, in these early days of a short campaign, three city councillors have endorsed federal candidates.
sydenham dist. coun. conny glenn — who ran for the liberal nomination in the 2022 provincial election — backed liberal candidate mark gerretsen.
“mark has been a tireless advocate for kingston and the islands, with a proven track record of leadership, integrity, collaboration and service that spans decades,” glenn’s endorsement stated. “as our mp, mark has helped to secure substantial funding for local infrastructure, research and innovation, affordable housing, and social services that have directly benefited our community. mark has also been a vocal proponent for health, well-being, and our environment, and is committed to creating a healthier and more sustainable future.”
trillium dist. coun. jimmy hassan also backed gerretsen.
“i have known mark gerretsen for many years and i deeply respect his political journey. from his early days as a city councillor and mayor to his current role as our esteemed
member of parliament, mark has consistently championed our community’s interests with unwavering passion and dedication,” hassan’s endorsement stated. “throughout his tenure as mp, mark has secured vital federal funding for housing, infrastructure, and public transit in kingston.”
member of parliament, mark has consistently championed our community’s interests with unwavering passion and dedication,” hassan’s endorsement stated. “throughout his tenure as mp, mark has secured vital federal funding for housing, infrastructure, and public transit in kingston.”
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hassan noted federal support in kingston, including $38 million for affordable housing, $60 million for the waaban crossing and $30 million for public transit projects.
“mark has proven he is equipped with the knowledge, experience, and skills to successfully navigate the complexities of federal politics and collaborate with his municipal and provincial counterparts. he has my continued support,” hassan added.
it is no surprise that countryside dist. coun. gary oosterhof supports conservative candidate and the city’s mayor bryan paterson.
oosterhof was the conservative party’s candidate in 2021.
a few months ago, he was involved with the we choose bryan campaign to recruit paterson to seek the nomination and he spoke at paterson’s kickoff event when he announced plans to seek the nomination.
“bryan knows kingston, he cares about kingston, and he has made our city better. he would make an excellent mp,” oosterhof’s endorsement stated.
when paterson announced in january he would seek the nomination, oosterhof said he was the party’s best chance at winning the riding in decades.
“honestly, it may never come again,” oosterhof said of the opportunity that paterson’s candidacy offers.
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“we know that bryan is a person who cares passionately for his community, and obviously his amazing track record in this city, this historical city, as one of the steadiest hands and minds that we have ever seen around the horseshoe,” he added.
city councillors are allowed to endorse provincial or federal candidates so long as they do not use any municipally owned resources to do so.
most city councillors, however, remain uncommitted, at least publicly.
kingscourt-rideau dist. coun. brandon tozzo, who has described himself as left-of-centre politically, said he his not endorsing anyone.
“as a councillor, i’m here to work with whomever the voters decide at the provincial and federal level, and will always advocate for my constituents to the best of my ability regardless of the party in power in ottawa or queen’s park,” tozzo said.
“from my perspective, we’re elected to a non-partisan position, and i choose to stay out of elections at the federal and provincial level with my formal endorsement,” tozzo added. “i’ll leave it up to the voters to decide who best represents their interests.”
elferguson@postmedia.com
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