City of Kingston Podcasts

A mi d st an ongoing labour shortage, it's becoming clear that e quitable , diverse and inclusive workplaces are essential to organizational success . T hey create a welcoming environment for all employees, which attracts new workers, leads to higher retention levels, and foster s innovation lead ing to better business outcomes.   Dajana Turkovic, a workforce development analyst at the City of Kin...

This year we're embarking on the task of building a brand new CityOfKingston.ca . Not just a fresh coat of paint, but levelling it and rebuilding from the ground up. It's been a decade since the City last undertook this work on our most significant community-facing communications tool. Scott Tulk, Manager of Digital Transformation Architecture and Planning, is at the mic to talk about what's chang...

It takes a community to meaningfully address the climate crisis. That's the idea behind the Kingston Community Climate Action Fund and Neighbourhood Champions programs. Two initiatives intended to support and empower community members as we all work together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In this episode, Julie Salter-Keane, manager of the Climate Leadership Division, tells us more about thes...

Every year the City of Kingston's Public Works Department prepares for whatever winter has in store. Whether it's snow or ice, crews are ready to tackle the challenges of each winter. Join us for a discussion with Adam McDonald, Operations Manager as he tells us more about what goes into preparing for the winter season, how we tackle the roadways and sidewalks after a storm and what the community...

Working in long-term care takes a special type of person. Dedication, teamwork and compassion are just a few of the skills required in this dynamic role. In our penultimate season two episode we chat with Casie Keyes, Administrator at Rideacrest Long Term Care Home about what it takes to run a long-term care home successfully and how they have navigated the challenges of an ongoing pandemic. Inter...

Whether you're an established business owner looking to expand, or a dreamer with the next big idea looking to get started, the City of Kingston's Business Support Office is here to help. Join Mark Nardi, Business Support Analyst, for a chat about this exciting new support offered by the City of Kingston. Looking to learn more or connect with the Business Support Office? Join us for an online enga...

It takes a village to keep children safe on their way to school with many community members and partners doing their part. This includes the City of Kingston, schools, bus companies, police, parents and drivers. But what specifically is the City's role in school safety? In this episode of Tell Me More, we dive deep into the City of Kingston's school safety initiatives. From crossing guards to comm...

Tune in to this special episode to learn all you need to know about getting out and voting! Join Acting Deputy Clerk Derek Ochej as he tells us more about where and how you can vote, new online voting options, and how you can make your voting experience as seamless as possible. 2022 Municipal Elections: CityofKingston.ca/Vote Opening Track: Tell Me Twice by the Meringues - courtesy of the Meringue...

On any given day the City receives hundreds of inquiries from community members. Through the MyCity App, email and the phone, the questions come in rapid fire. On the receiving end of those inquiries is the City's Customer Experience Department, a dedicated team that ensures your question or concern gets to the right people. Join us as we take a peek behind the curtain at how the City strives for...

Summer is here and TMM is going to the park! Neal Unsworth, Manager of the City's Parks and Shoreline division in Engineering Services tells us more about what parks mean to different people, how they're built and refreshed and shares an exciting engagement opportunity. We also get the scoop everybody's been waiting for – Neal's favourite Kingston park! Explore our parks! https://www.cityofkingsto...

One in four people in Ontario face accessibility challenges in their daily lives. In this special episode of Tell Me More, we speak with Colin Wiginton, Director of Arts and Cultural Services and Andrew Ashby, the Chair of the City's Municipal Accessibility Advisory Committee, to bring more voices into this important conversation about accessibility, and the City's work on the Multi-Year Accessibi...

Building a building. Simple right? Not when what you're building needs to seamlessly mesh with its surroundings, be energy efficient, last an extremely long time...and at the end of the day, it needs to be a place people want to be. Luckily we have the Manager of Facilities Construction Services at the City of Kingston, Jeff Rempel, to passionately explain the thousands of variables, consideration...

Ever thought about running for City Council or even Mayor? Your opportunity is coming soon as we embark on election season here at the City of Kingston. Committee Clerk Derek Ochej lends his expertise on the role of an elected municipal official, the realties of being a City Councillor and most importantly the steps involved in running for the various positions coming up soon.   Episode Resources...

Host Rob Hosier connects with Tracey Snow, the City's new Rural Economic and Community Development Manager, to talk about rubber boots, building trust and an economic strategy that will benefit the entire community.   Rural Kingston Strategy Tracey Snow: tsnow@cityofkingston.ca Get Involved Kingston   Opening Track: Tell Me Twice by the Meringues - courtesy of the Meringues. themeringues.com Closi...

In this kick-off episode to Season 2, Host Rob Hosier sits down with fellow podcast producers, Julielee Stitt and Paul Whittingham, to talk about what's on tap for the year. We tell you more about how the podcast was launched, topics that will be explored in the coming months, and how to get involved. Get involved Kingston: https://getinvolved.cityofkingston.ca/ Opening Track Tell Me Twice courtes...

Who better to help us wrap up 2021 and Season 1 than our own City of Kingston CAO Lanie Hurdle? She tells us more about some of the most interesting and impactful topics from 2021 including pandemic response, systemic barriers, affordable housing, climate change and much more. Get involved Kingston: https://getinvolved.cityofkingston.ca/ Opening Track from YGK Music: Tell Me Twice by the Meringues...

In this episode of Tell Me More: The City of Kingston Podcast, we introduce you to our very own public engagement champion, Debbi Miller. As the Manager of Communications and Public Engagement, Debbi played a key role in the establishment and growth of the City of Kingston's internationally recognized Public Engagement Framework. But after seven years working for the City, Debbi is moving on to ne...

In this episode we discuss the realities and remedies of systemic barriers with the City of Kingston's first ever Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Manager Muhammad Ahsan. We chat about the origins of the City's EDI initiatives, the newly formed EDI Committee, and most importantly the huge benefits Equity, Diversity and Inclusion practices can provide any organization or individual! Get involved Kin...

Can a city  really  tackle the climate emergency?   In this episode of Tell Me More, host Rob Hosier sits down with Julie Salter-Keane, Manager of the City's Climate Leadership Division, to talk about why municipalities are perfectly positioned to take innovative steps to address the climate emergency—and inspire others to follow their lead.   We learn about why the City of Kingston is aggressivel...

In this "back-to-school" episode of Tell Me More, City of Kingston Professional Learning Facilitator, Laura Gow, tells us more about how the City supports Early Years and Childcare, and why early learning interventions today can help create healthier communities tomorrow. We also chat about ways Early Childhood Educators and service providers innovated their way through recent lockdowns and, best-...

One zoning bylaw to rule them all. City of Kingston Commissioner of Community Services Paige Agnew tells us more about the huge task of creating one City-wide zoning bylaw out of our five existing, and often out-of-date, zoning bylaws. We review the current state of our zoning bylaws, the clarification and consolidation process and how you can get involved. City of Kingston New Zoning Bylaw webpag...

City of Kingston Mayor Bryan Paterson joins the show to tell us more about the Kingston Economic Recovery Team (KERT). We discuss the team's origin story, accomplishments and plans moving forward. We'll also reveal the secret to Mayor Paterson's endless energy! Find out more about the Kingston Economic Recovery Team: www.cityofkingston.ca/city-hall/projects-construction/kingston-economic-recovery-...

City of Kingston Director of Heritage Services Jennifer Campbell tells us more about how the long-awaited Third Crossing is being named. We'll examine the steps for choosing this name, the power and importance of symbolic, substantive and systemic actions and how the campaign relates to indigenous reconciliation in Kingston. Find out more about the Third Crossing Naming Campaign: GetInvolved. City...

In this episode, City of Kingston Housing Administrator Joanne  Borris  tells us more about how Kingston's homelessness system  weathered, but more importantly learned, from COVID-19 and the Belle Park Encampment . We 'll   examine  the  next steps for the  system  including the Integrated Care Hub, homele s sness system review and encampment protocols.      Home Base Housing's Street Outreach Tea...

On our first episode, City of Kingston Chief Financial Officer Desiree Kennedy tells us more about how the City survived this roller coaster budgetary year with an AA Credit Rating, what we learned and how we move forward. We also discuss public engagement on the budget and a 2021 forecast you don't want to miss.   Get involved Kingston: https://getinvolved.cityofkingston.ca/ Get Involved Financia...