Born and raised in Newmarket, Ontario, I moved to Kingston in 2000 to attend Queen’s University as a graduate student. I quickly fell in love with this city. I was first attracted to the city’s beautiful waterfront and downtown. After 20 years, Kingston is home for me, my wife Shyla, and our two boys Judah and Micah. I’m currently enjoying a second term as Mayor and continue to work as an Assistant Professor of Economics at RMC. I love being Mayor of this great city! Each and every day is different. I am constantly meeting new and inspiring Kingstonians and continue to learn new things about the city all the time!
Here are my top 10 favourite things about Kingston.
#1. Breakwater Park
This is easily one of the best parks in Kingston. I love seeing it bustling during the spring and summer months. My favourite features are the Gord Edgar Downie Pier and the sandy area. It’s great that Kingstonians can enjoy the water, and have a full Kingston beach day experience, without having to leave the city!
#2. The Kingston culinary scene
Believed to have the most restaurants per capita in all of Canada, Kingston is a culinary hotspot. There are so many amazing restaurants and unique dining experiences. I really enjoy having such a wide variety of restaurants to explore.
#3. Fresh donuts from Coffee Way
There’s no denying that #YGK has an affinity for Coffee Way donuts. They’re made fresh daily and have the light and fluffy consistency of a cloud. I’m all about the Boston Cream!
#4. The Grand Theatre
The Grand Theatre welcomes artists from around the world and each year I look forward to the incredibly diverse programming meant to appeal to Kingstonians of all interests. Here in Kingston there’s a unique character and atmosphere that residents and tourists have come to love and enjoy, and the theatre plays a big role in supporting that vitality!
#5. Skating in Springer Market Square
I don’t get to skate at Springer Market Square enough but I love that day and night, there are people enjoying the rink. It helps keep the downtown lively during the cold and blustery winter months.
#6. The view of City Hall from RMC
One of the great things about teaching at RMC is the views of downtown. Catch it at the right time, often during a sunrise or sunset, and you’ll see our downtown core cast with a beautiful, sunny glow.
#7. Downtown Kingston
I really love our downtown. We have great restaurants, lots of activities, a beautiful waterfront, and such an assortment of charming shops and businesses. I’ve been to downtowns that have become ghost towns, so I’m pleased to see our own downtown thriving, and it’s a goal of mine to continue to support the downtown so that it thrives year-round and long into the future.
#8. Festivals and events in Kingston
We host so many great festivals and events throughout the year such as the Limestone City Blues Fest, the Buskers Rendezvous, Feb Fest, the YGK Craft Beer Festival, the Sheep Dog Trials and a host of other community celebrations. These festivals and events offer something for everyone. No need to travel to Ottawa, Toronto or Montreal looking for something to do; we have lots to explore and enjoy here, year-round.
#9. The Kingston Waterfront
After coming to Kingston to attend a graduate program at Queen’s, one of the first things I came to love about Kingston was the idyllic waterfront. To this day, when I’m stressed or need to clear my head, or just want to get out and enjoy the sunshine, you can often find me walking the waterfront trail taking in some of Kingston’s best views.
#10. City Hall and Kingston’s Architecture
Call me biased since I do spend a fair chunk of time here, but City Hall really is an epic building. From time to time, I find myself thinking of all the people who travelled these halls over the last 175+ years. Kingston, in general, is so rich in history. There are so many interesting stories behind City Hall and behind lots of historic architecture in our downtown!
