Six questions with Keaton Zandbergen, candidate for Kingscourt-Rideau 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.
Keaton Zandbergen is a harm reduction worker, and is running in the election as part of the People’s Platform for Kingston. He has lived in Kingston most of his life, and is hoping to represent the Kingscourt-Rideau district in the 2022 to 2026 term of Kingston City Council.
Currently involved in the Katarokwi Union of Tenants tenants program, Zandbergen said that in his spare time he makes music.
When asked for a “fun fact,” Zandbergen said, “I love mango ice cream! I order obscene amounts when I go to Sakura!”
How would you describe your personal political ideology and/or affiliation?
- Political ideology in favour of socialist legislation
- Affiliated with The People’s Platform for Kingston and Katarokwi Union of Tenants
What made you want to run in this municipal election?
I am running under the People’s Platform of Mayoral candidate Ivan Stoiljkovic. I agree with the belief that the elimination of homelessness and other struggles facing the lower middle class and impoverished should be the top priority when considering city legislation.
What are the three most common issues voters are bringing up to you as you campaign?
- Overpriced rent for housing
- Homelessness
- Damaged roads
What three issues are most pressing/important to address locally, in your opinion?
- Homelessness
- Rent geared to income housing
- Opioid Crisis
What is the most pressing issue in your district?
- Homelessness
- Rent geared income housing
- Opioid Crisis
What do you feel sets you apart from other candidates?
- Raised in my district and have a community member perspective
- Not a career politician
- Sole focus on issues of poverty.
- Employed at the Integrated Care Hub and care for homeless citizens directly.
For more information on Keaton Zandbergen, candidate for Kingscourt-Rideau District in the 2022 municipal election, visit the People’s Platform for Kingston website.
With files from Cris Vilela.