Six questions with Jimmy Hassan, candidate for Trillium District
Editorial note:
Across the province, Ontarians are getting ready to cast their ballots in every city, town, and county as the 2022 Municipal Election is fast approaching. With election day on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, Kingstonist has reached out to all candidates within the City of Kingston to create profiles allowing voters to find a brief overview of each candidate in one place. As response comes in, more and more candidate profiles will be added here, which you can access through our Municipal Election 2022 section (with the tab on the Kingstonist.com homepage), or through our ‘Candidate overview landing page.’
With 45 candidates in total for Kingston City Council alone – and with only one district acclaimed (Countryside District will once again be represented by Gary Oosterhof) and six districts without an incumbent – our goal is to provide as much information as possible leading up to the elections. Thus, we will endeavour to collect response from as many Kingston candidates as possible, with the hope of providing similar coverage for Loyalist Township, Frontenac County, and the Town of Greater Napanee moving forward. All relevant links will be available under the Municipal Election 2022 tab.
For more general information on election process in Kingston, including details on electing Board of Education Trustees, ensuring you are registered to vote, etc., visit the City of Kingston Municipal Elections webpage.
Candidate profiles are being published on our website in no particular order.
After migrating from Pakistan to Canada under the Skilled Workers Program in 1998, Jimmy Hassan chose to settle in Kingston in 2003. Hassan owns the Pizza Pizza location at 277 Bath Road, and said he is “very committed to community involvement and community engagement.”
In 2018, Hassan put his hat in the ring to represent Trillium District in what he called a “very competitive race.” He did not win then, but hopes to represent the district this time around.
Hassan noted that he and his family want to give back to “the community that has given us so much.” He said that they already support our most vulnerable sector through varying initiatives — including an annual fundraiser for the KGH NICU and partnering with Gnome for a Home to deliver pizza to unhoused Kingstonians each Friday — and the Hassan family enjoy joining celebratory City level events, as well, often in attendance at the Mayor’s Arts Awards, Accessibility Awards, and receptions for provincial, national, and international politicians and dignitaries. Hassan is also the founder of Canadian Colours Kingston Foundation, which celebrates the diversity of Kingstonians and the positive change that the diverse population is capable of working together.
“My world is centred around my beautiful wife and three amazing sons. Together, we enjoy all opportunities afforded to us by this great nation, province, and the amazing City of Kingston. You will often see us out and about most everywhere,” Hassan shared,
How would you describe your personal political ideology and/or affiliation?
I am a simple person who wants to see that everyone gets a fair shake at succeeding in this world. In order to do so, people need hope and belief that elected officials will work from the perspective of the average voter so that they know their voice will be heard. I have been provided every opportunity to succeed and this community has given me so much that I feel it is incumbent upon me to give back. As a small business owner, I know the hardships that small and medium sized business face, so I am committed to true growth and development in our City.
What made you want to run in this municipal election?
In order to impact the narrative in our City, you must have a seat at the table where these decisions are being made, and so there is no better way to give back to your community than to step up to the plate and make things happen.
What are the three most common issues voters are bringing up to you as you campaign?
- Growth and development for true long-term sustainability of our city.
- Diversified employment opportunities.
- Improved infrastructure including, but not limited to, our ailing roadways, and increased availability of accessible housing for all.
What three issues are most pressing/important to address locally in your opinion?
- Infrastructure as mentioned above,
- Diversified employment opportunities, and
- Accessible housing for all.
What is the most pressing issue in your district?
The main issue as expressed by many Trillium District residents is road safety, the lack of care at our existing parks and the limitations as to services available at those parks, and property tax.
What do you feel sets you apart from other candidates?
I am self-made in every way. I come from extremely humble beginnings in Pakistan where money was scarce and progressing was merely a dream. I worked through every challenge you could imagine and continued to work with the conviction and dedication that I will succeed. That passion brought me to Canada, and I then started again from scratch. With that same sense of hard work and dedication, I was able to launch my very own Franchise where today we are well established as a successful store. I am also extremely proud to have founded and established a not-for-profit organization called Canadian Colours Kingston Foundation. Through this platform, we have launched many initiatives over the years such as Project Red Rose, our Annual Blanket Drive, and Santa Slices to name a few as well as our signature event the Annual Diversity Dinner. These are all in an effort to lend a helping hand to those in need and give back to the community, as well as bridge gaps and celebrate our differences.
For more information on Jimmy Hassan, candidate for Trillium District in the 2022 municipal election, visit his website.
With files from Cris Vilela.