Kingston City Council Meeting Report

Kingston City Council heard a midterm report from the Francophone Working Group, approved support for a feasibility study for a National Marine Conservation Area in eastern Lake Ontario, extended the Official Plan timeline to June 30, 2027, and approved exploratory work on a possible indoor sports dome at John Machin Field. Council also approved several administrative items, proclamations, and an exception to allow First Capital Place illumination on May 29, 2026.

Topics Discussed

1. Official Plan timeline and urban boundary

Council debated whether to complete the new Official Plan in 2026 or defer final consideration to 2027 to allow more time for studies and consultation. Councillor Stephen said, "Council needs this information to make the best possible decision when concerning expanding the urban boundary," while Councillor Toso argued, "It's not a question of if the urban boundary expands, it's who decides: City Council or the provincial government."

Staff warned that delay carried risks. Commissioner Agnew said, "the main risk that I want to flag for council is that if we do not make a decision in 2027 on the plan will essentially have to start over and rewrite the plan from scratch." Council ultimately approved a revised timeline that defers final consideration to 2027, cancels the June 18, 2026 special Planning Committee meeting and June 30, 2026 special Council meeting, and adds an information session in the first quarter of 2027. Staff are to bring back an updated third draft and recommendation report by June 30, 2027.

2. Francophone services and representation

Council received a midterm report from the Francophone Working Group, which said 5,035 francophones live in Kingston, making them "the largest language minority group in Kingston," according to Lauriane Monpetit. The group reported progress including French-language committee nomination forms, French-language training support for francophone daycares, and some administrative communications that can now be handled in French.

The working group also identified gaps. Councillor Shananny said there is currently "no way to navigate to see what services are available in French in Kingston" and said it would be helpful to have one place listing those services. The group also called for automatic French-language emergency messaging, a plan for the Franco-Ontarian flag at City Hall, and funding priority for francophone community projects.

3. National Marine Conservation Area in eastern Lake Ontario

Council heard from Nature Canada and other speakers about a proposed National Marine Conservation Area in the eastern basin of Lake Ontario. Nature Canada said the designation would protect habitat while still allowing recreational use and fishing. In written and spoken remarks, the group said such an area "would help protect rare bird species like the piping plover who is threatened with habitat loss and many other migratory bird species who rely on the lake as a stopover point in their journeys."

Ms. Dean of Nature Canada said the organization had spoken with "First Nations, local community groups, historians, scuba divers" and gathered signatures from more than 50 organizations asking the province to work with Ottawa on the project. Council later unanimously passed a motion supporting a feasibility study. Councillor Rosanic said the motion tells the province "to please do a feasibility study with Parks Canada" on a National Marine Conservation Area in the region.

4. Indoor sports dome at John Machin Field

Council unanimously approved a motion directing staff to assess the structural condition of the grade beam at John Machin Field and explore private-sector interest in an indoor sports dome there. The motion arose in part from the loss of the Westbrook dome. Councillor Channing said, "we know we used to have the Westbrook dome. That's no longer in operation."

Staff are to report back by October 2026. The discussion focused on whether the city should first confirm the site's structural condition before considering next steps on a dome proposal.

5. Administrative items and ceremonial matters

Council approved a municipal capital facility agreement for 315 Queen Mary Road and a $290,000 capital budget amendment for closing costs related to the Lemoine Point farm property transfer. It also approved appointments to Arts, Culture and Heritage Advisory Committee subcommittees.

Council proclaimed June 19, 2026 as Seniors Association Kingston Region Day and June 2026 as National Indigenous Peoples Month. It also approved an exception to permit First Capital Place illumination on May 29, 2026 for the Sir Lankan community's Vesak festival. Councillor McLaren said the request came in on the Friday of the long weekend and staff determined there were no conflicting illuminations that day, so she asked council to "honour the Sir Lincoln Community here and allow them to have an illumination."

Motions

• Re-establish Council Direction on the Official Plan / Official Plan Timeline Extension — Passed

  • Final consideration deferred to 2027
  • Q1 2027 information session added
  • Updated third draft and recommendation report due no later than June 30, 2027
  • June 18, 2026 special Planning Committee meeting cancelled
  • June 30, 2026 special Council meeting cancelled

• Support for National Marine Conservation Area Feasibility Study in Eastern Lake Ontario — Passed unanimously

• John Machin Field indoor sports dome assessment / request for interest — Passed unanimously

  • Staff to assess grade beam condition and report back by October 2026

• Report #48, Item 1: Municipal Capital Facility Agreement - 315 Queen Mary Road — Passed unanimously

• Report #48, Item 2: Lemoine Point Farm Property Transfer capital budget amendment — Passed unanimously

• Report #49: Arts, Culture and Heritage Advisory Committee appointments — Passed

• First Capital Place illumination request for May 29, 2026 (Vesak Festival / Sir Lankan community) — Passed unanimously

• By-laws 1-5, first and second reading — Passed unanimously

• By-laws 2-5, third reading — Passed unanimously

• May 5, 2026 council meeting minutes confirmation — Passed unanimously

Attendees

• Councillor Amos
• Deputy Mayor Ryan Bohm
• Councillor Ridge
• Councillor Toso
• Councillor Channey
• Councillor Istroff
• Councillor Rosanic
• Councillor Glenn
• Councillor Stephen
• Councillor Assan
• Councillor McLaren
• Councillor Rousterhoff