We sent all candidates running for Mayor and City Council a questionnaire about key climate and environmental issues. Head to the main page to learn about the policy positions of mayoral candidates and City Council candidates in other districts.
King’s Town Candidate List
- Aba Mortley: Broad Priorities & Vision | Key Policy Commitments
- Greg Ridge: Broad Priorities & Vision | Key Policy Commitments
- Melissa Reid: Broad Priorities & Vision | Key Policy Commitments
Compare Candidate Policy Commitments at a Glance
Click on any of the coloured buttons below to read more about a candidate’s answer.
| Policy Commitment | Aba Mortley | Greg Ridge | Melissa Reid |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Corporate GHG Emissions Target (45% by 2030) Full question: “Will you vote for the City of Kingston to adopt a corporate greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal of 45% by 2030 to align municipal operations with science-based targets and show leadership to the rest of the Kingston community?” | Conditional ↵ | Conditional ↵ | Yes ↵ |
| 2. Climate Impact Assessments & Carbon Budgeting Full question: “Will you vote to mandate climate impact assessments and carbon budgeting for all municipal policy, planning, and procurement decisions?” | Conditional ↵ | Yes ↵ | Yes ↵ |
| 3. 26°C Maximum Temperature Bylaw Full question: “Will you vote to pass a comprehensive Maximum Temperature Bylaw setting an upper limit of 26 °C for all rental housing, paired with measures to protect tenants from additional costs?” | Conditional ↵ | Conditional ↵ | Yes ↵ |
| 4. Free Air Conditioners for Vulnerable Residents Full question: “Will you vote to maintain and scale the municipal pilot program supplying free air conditioning units to low-income seniors and vulnerable residents?” | Yes ↵ | Yes ↵ | Yes ↵ |
| 5. Heat Protections & Encampment Protections Full question: “Will you vote to end encampment displacements and, during extreme heat events, expand 24/7 cooling centres and guarantee continuous clean drinking water distribution at sites like Belle Park?” | Conditional ↵ | Conditional ↵ | Yes ↵ |
| 6. Better Homes Kingston Funding Full question: “Will you vote to establish multi-year capital funding to scale the Better Homes Kingston program?” | Yes ↵ | Yes ↵ | Yes ↵ |
| 7. Mandatory Green Development Standard Full question: “Will you vote for Kingston to develop a mandatory Green Development Standard, following the lead of other Ontario municipalities like Toronto, Whitby, and Ottawa?” | Conditional ↵ | Yes ↵ | Yes ↵ |
| 8. Hold Urban Boundary Line Full question: “Will you vote to hold Kingston’s urban boundary where it is and prioritize infill, gentle density, and brownfield development within current urban limits rather than expanding into rural/agricultural lands?” | Conditional ↵ | Conditional ↵ | Yes ↵ |
| 9. Maintain Direct Council Oversight of Utilities Full question: “Will you vote to maintain direct City Council oversight of water and wastewater decisions instead of approving a Municipal Services Corporation?” | Conditional ↵ | Conditional ↵ | Yes ↵ |
| 10. Defend Planning Decisions at OLT Full question: “When developers appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) to force urban boundary expansions on lands excluded from the draft Official Plan, will you vote to instruct City legal staff to defend Council’s and City staff’s planning decisions at the OLT?” | Yes ↵ | Yes ↵ | Yes ↵ |
| 11. Data Centre Moratorium Full question: “Will you vote for a moratorium on resource-intensive data centres?” | Conditional ↵ | Conditional ↵ | Conditional ↵ |
| 12. Protected Bike Lanes & Winter Maintenance Full question: “Do you support accelerating the construction of protected bike lane networks and improving bike lane winter maintenance?” | Yes ↵ | Yes ↵ | Conditional ↵ |
| 13. Zero-Emission Bus Fleet Expansion Full question: “Will you vote to expand the zero-emission bus fleet?” | Yes ↵ | Yes ↵ | Yes ↵ |
| 14. Fare-Free Transit Pilots Full question: “Will you vote to pilot expanding fare-free transit beyond youth to post-secondary students, seniors, and low-income residents?” | Conditional ↵ | Yes ↵ | Yes ↵ |
| 15. Seasonal Pedestrian Streets Full question: “Will you support pedestrian-friendly street conversions during high foot-traffic seasons?” | Yes ↵ | Yes ↵ | Conditional ↵ |
Broad Priorities and Vision
Aba Mortley
Website: abaforcouncil.com
1. What do you consider to be City Council’s greatest climate action success over the past term? (max. 1,000 characters)
Council’s greatest climate-action success over the past four years to be its increased focus on both climate resilience and emissions reduction. Council set a 30% tree-canopy target by 2035, advanced tree-equity and community planting programs, and the City planted more than 40,000 seedlings in managed forests. Council also endorsed Kingston’s 2026 Climate Change Adaptation Plan, with 28 strategies addressing risks to infrastructure, the natural environment and our community. These investments help capture carbon, support biodiversity, provide shade and manage stormwater. The City also secured $18.3 million in federal/provincial funding toward electric buses, moved 50% of its ice-resurfacing fleet to electric, and added two electric garbage trucks in 2026. Together, these are tangible steps toward reducing emissions while making Kingston more resilient to a changing climate.
2. In terms of climate action, where do you think City Council fell short over the past term? (max. 1,000 characters)
I think Council fell short in clearly measuring and communicating the results of its climate investments. Kingston has a goal of carbon neutrality by 2040 and has implemented a range of initiatives, but residents should be able to easily see: Where did our emissions start? Where are they today? How much have we spent? Which initiatives have produced the greatest emissions reductions, and are we on track to meet interim targets? I would also like stronger reporting on adaptation measures, including whether our tree canopy is actually increasing, how biodiversity is changing, and whether investments in trees, green infrastructure and stormwater management are reducing risks from extreme heat and flooding. Climate action requires targets, but also measurable outcomes. Council should regularly assess what is working, what is not, and whether public dollars are being directed toward actions that deliver the greatest environmental and community benefit.
3. If elected, what would be your top climate action priority in the 2026–2030 term? (max. 1,000 characters)
My top priority would be to ensure climate action is woven into City decision-making rather than treated as a silo. Every major investment should consider both emissions and climate resilience. New development should incorporate energy efficiency, green infrastructure and tree canopy, or contribute meaningfully to biodiversity and green space where this cannot be achieved on-site. Transportation decisions should make reliable public transit, walking and cycling practical alternatives to driving. We also need to protect and expand our urban forest, improve stormwater management and design infrastructure for increasing heat, drought and extreme rainfall. Most importantly, we need to measure results. For major climate investments, Council should know what we spent, what emissions were reduced, what other benefits were achieved and whether we are on track for 2040. Climate action should improve our environment while also creating healthier, more resilient and affordable neighbourhoods.
Greg Ridge
Website: gregoryridge.ca
1. What do you consider to be City Council’s greatest climate action success over the past term? (max. 1,000 characters)
The purchase of Lemoine Point Farm. The purchase allows for the 80-acre property to be preserved as natural land and opens it to the public for enjoyment. There will be further consultation with members of the community and agencies, including the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority, to determine what next steps, if any, are required for potential physical or policy improvements for preservation.
This investment took a considerable amount of time, energy, and resources to accomplish. I am happy to have supported it and I look forward to future steps and feedback.
2. In terms of climate action, where do you think City Council fell short over the past term? (max. 1,000 characters)
We, as a Council, should have been more prudent in the considerations of developments around tree removal and replacement.
3. If elected, what would be your top climate action priority in the 2026–2030 term? (max. 1,000 characters)
My primary priority for the environment is multi-faceted.
One of the long-term solutions is improving the preservation of our tree canopy.
Trees are a strong deterrent to the effects of climate change as a cooler of spaces and biosequestrator. It must be a critical consideration for development proposals.
There have been minimal inroads in private tree plantings due to cost and space needs. More public trees are nearing the end of their lives. A reassessment of the existing public tree inventory is needed to target and replace trees.
Trees cannot be the whole ecological strategy. Remediation is important. The North King’s Town Secondary Plan adds incentives for landowners to encourage this, opening opportunities through new green spaces and increasing resources for the City to strengthen natural assets.
We must reduce impacts of climate change on residents. Good first steps were borne out of advocacy from community groups. I support the expansion of the air conditioning program prioritizing units with the elderly and children. We must invest more in public cooling spaces for everyone.
Melissa Reid
Website: melissamreid.ca
1. What do you consider to be City Council’s greatest climate action success over the past term? (max. 1,000 characters)
Over the past term, City Council’s greatest climate action success has been advancing the Climate Leadership Plan and its corporate Net Zero Transition Plan, highlighted by a remarkable 21 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions per square foot across municipal facilities.
This datadriven achievement, recognized by the CAGBC Award for Government Leadership, proves that Kingston can successfully pair ambitious emissionsreduction targets with disciplined municipal asset management. By prioritizing highemissions facilities, scaling energyefficient retrofits, and coupling these efforts with community initiatives like Better Homes Kingston, the City has established a strong, actionable standard for municipal climate leadership.
Moving forward, the key is ensuring these corporate successes translate into equitable, communitywide support, protecting vulnerable residents from climate hazards and integrating grassroots resilience into every neighborhood.
2. In terms of climate action, where do you think City Council fell short over the past term? (max. 1,000 characters)
Where City Council fell short over the past term was in failing to match corporate emissions reductions with aggressive regulatory action for the broader community. While internal municipal operations made commendable progress, Council relied too heavily on voluntary measures rather than exercising municipal powers to curb emissions in private residential, commercial, and industrial sectors.
Additionally, targets lagged behind what climate science demands, and Council repeatedly deferred adopting more ambitious, binding reduction goals. Urban planning decisions often favored outward expansion and developer-driven sprawl over strict climate-informed growth, while active transportation and public transit expansions missed opportunities to adequately reduce car dependency.
True climate leadership requires treating carbon accountability with the same urgency as financial budgeting and integrating a strict climate justice lens into every housing and infrastructure decision.
3. If elected, what would be your top climate action priority in the 2026–2030 term? (max. 1,000 characters)
If elected, my top climate action priority for the 2026–2030 term would be bridging the gap between corporate climate targets and community-wide action by establishing a Local Climate Justice and Retrofit Fund.
While municipal facilities have made strides, we must focus aggressively on our highest-emitting sectors: aging residential and commercial building stock. This priority would couple deep energy-efficiency retrofits with a strong equity lens, targeting low-income and vulnerable populations who are most susceptible to climate hazards like extreme heat and flooding.
By prioritizing low-barrier housing efficiency, scaling active transportation networks, and ensuring that grassroots community groups are directly integrated into our municipal climate emergency response, we can build a resilient, carbon-neutral Kingston from the ground up.
Key Policy Commitments
District 11 (King’s Town) — Comments on Policy Commitment Answers
“I support ambitious targets but need the data before committing to 45%. Kingston’s current 2030 corporate target is 30%. I would want to know current emissions, reductions achieved over the past five years, our projected 2030 result, and the cost and actions required to reach 45%. Targets should be ambitions but also measurable and grounded in data.”
“The goal should be better, data-driven decisions and measurable outcomes, not simply another box to check. Climate impacts should be integrated into municipal decision-making. Major policies, capital projects and procurements should consider emissions, climate resilience and lifecycle costs, with carbon budgeting used to measure progress toward our targets. The assessment should be proportionate to the decision and not create unnecessary administrative requirements for routine or low-impact decisions.”
“I support protecting tenants from unsafe indoor temperatures, but I would need the data and implementation details before committing to a specific 26°C bylaw. I would want to understand how many Kingston rental units are affected, what would enforcement entail, compliance costs, and how retrofits would be funded. Most importantly, measures intended to protect tenants should not result in significant additional rents or utility costs. The goal should be safe housing and protection from extreme heat, with a practical and equitable plan to achieve it”
“I support maintaining the program while using the pilot results to determine how best to scale it.The $17,000 pilot provided 45 AC units to vulnerable low-income seniors, with results to be evaluated and reported in 2027. I would use that data to measure effectiveness and demand. If expanded, I would also examine broadening eligibility beyond seniors to other vulnerable low-income residents, including eligible people receiving OW or ODSP. Extreme-heat protection should be targeted to those most at risk and based on demonstrated need and outcomes.”
“I would not support displacement simply for the sake of moving people from one location to another. Any response to encampments should be humane, lawful and connected to real housing, shelter and support options. During extreme heat events, I support ensuring people experiencing homelessness have reliable access to cooling, clean drinking water and other basic protections. That could include extended or 24/7 cooling options where they are needed. At sites such as Belle Park, the City should work with outreach providers and people with lived experience to determine what is required, monitor usage and health risks, and ensure emergency measures are accessible and effective.”
“I support continuing Better Homes Kingston, but I would want the program results and financial model before committing to a specific level of multi-year capital funding. The program helps homeowners finance energy retrofits through loans repaid through their property taxes, while leveraging rebates and other funding. I would want to know demand, participation rates, emissions and energy reductions achieved, repayment performance, accessibility for lower-income households, and how much outside funding can be leveraged. With that information, Council can determine the appropriate scale and multi-year investment. The goal should be a sustainable program that reduces household energy costs and emissions while using municipal dollars to leverage the greatest possible impact.”
“I support developing a Kingston Green Development Standard, while recognizing recent Ontario legislation limits what municipalities can mandate. Ottawa and Toronto have had to adjust their approaches. I would consider standards for energy, stormwater, heat, trees and biodiversity, while assessing costs and housing impacts.”
“I support prioritizing infill, gentle density, brownfield redevelopment and underused land within our existing urban area, where development complies with the City’s Official Plan, zoning and applicable development standards. However, I would not commit to permanently freezing the urban boundary without considering Kingston’s long-term land needs, housing and employment growth, infrastructure costs and impacts on agricultural and natural lands.”
“I support 100% public ownership of water and wastewater and strong Council oversight. Before approving an MSC, I would need clear safeguards for rates, debt, major capital decisions and public reporting, and evidence that the model provides better value while maintaining meaningful Council accountability.”
“If Council has adopted an Official Plan based on sound planning evidence, staff recommendations and public consultation, I would support defending those decisions at the OLT. Urban boundary changes should be determined through a transparent city-wide planning process, not simply through individual development appeals.”
“I would not support a blanket moratorium without defining “resource-intensive” and assessing the evidence. We all rely on data centres for medical records, phones, photos, libraries, search engines and music, and there is value in keeping Canadian data stored in Canada. We should assess impacts and benefits rather than simply saying these facilities should be located elsewhere. Kingston needs clear criteria for energy and water use, infrastructure, environmental impacts, jobs and community benefit.”
“I support expanding a connected network of protected bike lanes and improving winter maintenance so cycling is a practical, safe transportation option year-round. Priorities should be based on safety, usage and connectivity, with early consultation where changes affect parking, loading, accessibility, transit or businesses.”
“I support expanding Kingston’s zero-emission bus fleet as existing buses reach the end of their useful life, provided replacements can reliably meet our service needs. We should pursue provincial and federal funding and assess lifecycle costs, infrastructure needs, reliability and emissions reductions, while ensuring electrification does not come at the expense of frequent, reliable transit service.”
“I support exploring a pilot targeted to residents for whom cost is a genuine barrier, including low-income residents and seniors. However, affordability must be considered alongside service. A free ride has limited value if buses are infrequent, late or do not connect people where they need to go. I would assess the cost, ridership impact and whether those dollars could produce greater benefit through improved service.”
“Yes, where appropriate. Seasonal pedestrian-friendly streets can create safer, more welcoming public spaces and support local businesses, events and downtown activity. However, changes should be developed with early input from residents and businesses and consider accessibility, deliveries, parking, transit and traffic impacts. I would support pilots where there is strong pedestrian demand, with clear measures to determine whether they are working.”
District 11 (King’s Town) — Comments on Policy Commitment Answers
“I commit to reducing the corporate greenhouse gas emissions as much as possible. Several limitations are out of the control of the City. An example is investments in the electrification of our transit fleet. Supply chain issues for the ordering of parts abroad have slowed the roll out. Another limitation is electrical grid capacity. We support electrification but to do so building up capacity is required.”
Candidate indicated a “Yes” position without additional written comments.
“Two pieces need to be developed before we can move forward with a City wide expansion of the program. We need to fully develop our rental property registry so we know where all rental properties are. We also need in that registry the appropriate amount of data to identify properties needing attention and enforcement. Without these pieces, you can implement a policy or requirements and it would be unenforceable.”
Candidate indicated a “Yes” position without additional written comments.
“I made the City provide bottled water to those in Belle Park. I leveraged partnerships with agencies to provide thousands more bottles. I’ll build on this. Water infrastructure in Belle Park is destroyed. Wells, cisterns, and pumps are encased in concrete to stop removal of wiring. More sustainable solutions are needed before we can fully invest.”
Candidate indicated a “Yes” position without additional written comments.
Candidate indicated a “Yes” position without additional written comments.
“I’m generally against the expansion of the urban boundary but we need to face realities. The price of housing is an acute pressure for people. We must support responsible infill. If the reflexive answer is not wanting to build outwards and upwards, one of these will give. If you oppose the urban boundary expansion, support good infill. As we see federally, green initiatives die on the altar of affordability.”
“The City maintains oversight of a MSC as the sole shareholder. It allows longer loans at lower interest rates. Ontario Reg. 599/06 forbids the sale of assets to a private entity. The City must replace $1.3 billion in assets from 20 years of underinvestment. To absorb this cost may raise taxes as high as 4.2% per year on top of 2.5%. This affects affordability and allows landlords to raise rents above controlled rates.”
Candidate indicated a “Yes” position without additional written comments.
“I am in favour of a moratorium on AI data centres. I am also in favour of nationalizing our own data management and storage. Currently, the majority of Canadian health data is stored on Am Grerican data centres and as such is subject to American legislation. Data storage centres are far less resource intensive and we must ensure we have Canadian data safe on Canadian land and under our legislative protections.”
Candidate indicated a “Yes” position without additional written comments.
Candidate indicated a “Yes” position without additional written comments.
Candidate indicated a “Yes” position without additional written comments.
Candidate indicated a “Yes” position without additional written comments.
District 11 (King’s Town) — Comments on Policy Commitment Answers
Candidate indicated a “Yes” position without additional written comments.
Candidate indicated a “Yes” position without additional written comments.
Candidate indicated a “Yes” position without additional written comments.
Candidate indicated a “Yes” position without additional written comments.
Candidate indicated a “Yes” position without additional written comments.
Candidate indicated a “Yes” position without additional written comments.
Candidate indicated a “Yes” position without additional written comments.
Candidate indicated a “Yes” position without additional written comments.
Candidate indicated a “Yes” position without additional written comments.
Candidate indicated a “Yes” position without additional written comments.
Candidate indicated a “Conditional / Undecided” position without additional written comments.
Candidate indicated a “Conditional / Undecided” position without additional written comments.
Candidate indicated a “Yes” position without additional written comments.
Candidate indicated a “Yes” position without additional written comments.
Candidate indicated a “Conditional / Undecided” position without additional written comments.
Head back to the main page to learn about the policy positions of mayoral candidates and City Council candidates in each district.