Although Kingston and the Islands have been a stronghold for the Liberal Party since 2018, New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Marit Stiles is betting on change.
While touring the riding, Stiles presented her vision for change to Kingston ers at the ice rink in Springer Market Square on Feb. 22, arguing both Liberal and Conservative leadership have failed the city’s residents.
“I’m on the road for the next few days and my target are ridings that we need to flip,” Stiles said in her speech. “The reason we need to flip them is because, riding by riding across this province, we’re going to elect New Democrats and form an NDP government that’s on your side.”
With healthcare, affordability, and education on the top of her mind, Stiles described what she called the “new normal” under Conservative leadership.
She pointed to 20,000 Kingstonians without a family doctor. In March 2024, it was reported by the CBC that around 30,000 Kingstonians are without a family doctor. Stiles also pointed to the 40 per cent increase in rent since 2018—compared to the provincial 38 per cent increase as reported by the Star—and over 8,000 people relying on the local food bank, 30 per cent of whom are children, according to the Kingston Daily. She attributes this decrease in the quality of living to Ford’s current leadership.
Stiles aims to create a “new normal” with programs like the Monthly Grocery Rebate, a NDP-driven initiative which will give each family in the province approximately $122 to help with groceries. She also pledges to introduce a universal School Food Program to ensure no child goes to school hungry.
Addressing the healthcare and housing crises affecting many Ontarians is at the top of Stiles’ concerns. To tackle these issues, she wants to ensure every citizen has access to a family doctor. Her plan, according to her campaign page includes hiring more medical professionals and investing $4.1 billion over four years to recruit 3,500 doctors.
“New Democrats built this. We built our healthcare system. We know how to fix it. Conservatives and Liberals have let it fall apart over many decades. We’re going to build it back. We’re going to fix the public health care system,” Stiles said.
In pushing for greater housing affordability, Stiles is advocating for rent control and the construction of affordable housing province-wide.
With Queen’s at the heart of Kingston, Stiles highlighted post-secondary education, arguing Ontario’s institutions receive the lowest funding in the country.
The Blue Ribbon report found in 2021-22, government funding per student in Ontario was $6,891, compared to $15,615 nationwide. Universities received $11,471 per student, while the national average was $20,772.
Echoing the need for these changes is Elliot Goodell Ugalde, a political studies PhD candidate and the NDP candidate for Kingston and the Islands’ Member of Provincial Parliament. Goodell Ugalde, who kicked off the event by introducing Stiles to the crowd, shared his optimism with The Journal as he looks ahead to the final days of the election.
READ MORE: Queen’s PhD student nominated NDP candidate ahead of provincial election
“I’m feeling good. We’re on the streets right there, every day. We’re canvassing. We’re getting a lot of great responses from our voter base and from potentially new voters. And I think a lot of people are angry in the city,” Goodell Ugalde said.
Polls for the provincial election are now open, as Ontarians can cast their votes early by visiting their local election office until 6 p.m. before election day on Feb. 27. Ontarians can vote at their assigned location according to their address on election day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
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