WHAT ARE KINGSTON’S MOST IMPORTANT ISSUES?
Family Physicians and Medical Care
I feel the most pressing issue facing Kingston at this time is the fact that 35,000 residents do not have a Family Physician. Over ¼ of our residents, city wide, do not have access to comprehensive, coordinated health care team of multi-disciplinary professionals. Our family doctors are the gateway to our wellbeing in all aspects of health: physically, mentally and emotionally. This number is growing (and will continue to grow in coming months) and it is putting strain on our hospital emergency rooms and individuals are not addressing personal health issues that are life threatening.
The delay in getting to a family doctor also adds to the surgical backlog in Kingston. Currently, Ontario has a surgical backlog of over 10,000 surgeries and Kingston is no exception. Wait times are dangerously long and prevent much needed treatment and quality of life for our residents. What we need to do is come up with creative and new recruiting strategies such as ethically recruit doctors from areas such as Upper New York State and review the process for foreign trained doctors that are already residing in Ontario. Continued work with key stakeholders like the Ontario Medical Association, our local MPP Ted Hsu, the local Chamber of Commerce and our local medical school, Queen’s University to provide support for more physicians in our area.
Poverty Reduction
Finding viable solutions for homelessness and the increase in the vulnerable sector is my number one priority. Decreasing poverty is not just about homelessness. More affordable housing is desperately needed but a proactive community based COORDINATED service model must be implemented to ensure Kingstonians do not become homeless. Along with increased support in the areas of mental health and addiction services, food scarcity and affordable housing are important initiatives I will work for. Early education services and programs must reach lower income families to improve quality of life over time.
Intergovernmental Relations
Improved advocacy for projects including infrastructure and economic development need to be initiated to ensure the City of Kingston is being supported to enable growth and sustainability. For example, our third crossing, the Wabaan bridge is soon to be open. With that much needed opening, we must turn our thoughts to the overdue maintenance on the La Salle causeway. This is a federal government responsibility but the traffic disruptions have a huge impact on traffic flow, particularly for our east end residents and out military community accessing CFB Kingston. I will advocate strongly that this project is financed solely by the Federal government and planned out to minimize disruption to our daily lives.
Working Alongside Community Service Providers
I know that there are many service providers in Kingston doing the very best that they can with that little they have. A few examples are the Partners in Mission Food bank, Martha’s Table, Kingston Homebase Housing and St. Vincent de Paul. They are working on the frontlines to provide food and basic necessities to our most vulnerable residents. I would like to work alongside to ensure that services are not being provided in silos and that by working together we can streamline services. Funding for many of these organizations have also been decreased over the past few years, while the need has increased. Once again working with my colleagues in the other levels of government to ensure money is getting to organizations who need it.
Coffee Table Talks
If you would like to schedule a meeting with yourself or a few neighbours and friends, I would be happy to do so. Reach out at my email.