As municipal election day approaches, candidates answered questions addressing issues affecting the University at a student-led forum.
On Oct. 20, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., the AMS Commission of External Affairs hosted an election forum at the ARC.
Candidates first staffed information booths on the ARC’s first floor, where students could speak with them one-on-one. From 6:50 to 7:50 p.m., candidates participated in a discussion forum in Common Ground Coffeehouse, answering questions prepared by the AMS.
Racheal Reddy, AMS Commissioner of External Affairs, moderated the discussion. Reddy developed the questions using data from last year’s Shift Survey and AMS Student Experience Survey.
The first forum featured Sydenham District city councillor candidates Rajesh Kumar, a PhD student at Queen’s in the Smith School of Business, John Meligrana, Annie Palone, and Andrew DaCosta, ArtSci ’29. Williamsville Councillor Vincent Cinanni was also in attendance, who was acclaimed in August.
READ MORE: Four candidates run for Sydenham District councillor open seat
The second forum featured mayoral candidates Conny Glenn and Vanessa Mensah. Candidate Grant Bedard attended but declined to participate, while incumbent Mayor Bryan Paterson was absent.
READ MORE: Four candidates make their case for Kingston mayor
City councillor discussion forum
Candidates were first asked what action they would take to address waste generated during student move-out periods.
Palone suggested providing dumpsters, while DaCosta emphasized educating students about Kingston’s garbage system.
Cinanni said he has spoken with landlords on addressing excess waste, suggesting donating perishable or frozen foods that students are going to simply throw away to those who are in need.
Candidates were then asked how they would evaluate neighbourhood safety initiatives and determine when a different approach was needed.
Kumar pointed to sexual violence among Queen’s students, noting that students often feel unsafe walking to and from campus.
Meligrana emphasized working with Queen’s staff, the AMS, and the Residence Society to gather feedback from students living in Kingston neighbourhoods. He said he has spent past years building partnerships with organizations that support students.
“I think enforcement is part of the issue,” Meligrana said.
The final question asked how candidates would strengthen connections between Queen’s and AMS supports.
Palone suggested developing a basic-needs model addressing employment, housing, and emergency assistance. She emphasized educating students, community members, and councillors about existing supports and gaps.
Kumar said he wants students to receive regular updates from their councillor rather than hear about initiatives only during election periods.
Mayoral discussion forum
During opening remarks, Glenn emphasized the need to “treat students like constituents,” while Mensah called for a “city that works” through improved affordability and more opportunities for students after graduation.
The first question asked how the candidates would improve pedestrian connections between campus, downtown, transit stops, and other frequently used destinations.
Mensah said the City should identify areas with the most congestion and improve connections to services, including Megabus. Glenn highlighted Kingston’s infrastructure deficit in roads and sidewalks and said she has spoken with VIA Rail about improving rail services for students.
The second question asked how candidates would measure improvements in student-community relationships during their mayoral term.
Glenn pointed to the Kingston Post-Secondary Working Group, which she established in July 2023 and acts as its chair. She also referenced last year’s AMS student survey, suggesting its findings could help track progress and that future surveys could ask what students want to see from the city.
“We’ve built those relationships already, and we need to continue to build on them to collect that information,” Glenn said.
The final question asked how candidates would hold landlords accountable when properties repeatedly fail to meet property standards.
Mensah said students should be able to report property standard violations without fearing the loss of their housing. Glenn said she previously brought forward a motion to license landlords. While she acknowledged that this has not been fully achieved, she said a landlord registry is to be expected since many landlords of Kingston properties do not reside in the city.
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Queen’s students may be eligible to vote in Kingston’s municipal election and their hometown election, depending on their residency and eligibility under applicable election rules.
READ MORE: A students guide to Kingston’s municipal election
Municipal election voting is currently open in Kingston, with the voting period ending on Oct. 26.
Tags
2026 municipal elections, Commission of external affairs, Election forum
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