Six questions with Zachary Typhair, candidate for Portsmouth 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.
Zachary Typhair moved to Kingston in 2011 at the age of 11. Originally from Brockville, Typhair is no stranger to politics. This past spring, he ran as a Green Party candidate for the Provincial election.
“I have been politically active since I was 10 years old and participated in numerous campaigns in a variety of roles,” Typhair shared. “I serve as the Green Party of Canada Electoral District Association CEO, where I have helped increase the membership and fundraise the most money during off-election years than the local Greens have ever done. I have been a social justice and climate activist for roughly a third of my life.”
Typhair works as a line cook, and said that cooking is one of his passions outside of politics. When asked for a “fun fact,” he said, “I love to watch my hockey games at the Portsmouth Tavern with friends. I am a huge dog lover – favourite breed, dachshund.”
How would you describe your personal political ideology and/or affiliation?
I’m traditionally left, but I’m right on certain issues. I’m quite conservative when it comes to tax hikes at the local level.
What made you want to run in this municipal election?
The affordability, healthcare, and climate crises are older than me. I believe we need a new generation of leadership that can bring new solutions to Council.
What are the three most common issues voters are bringing up to you as you campaign?
- Cost of Living/Inflation
- Housing Affordability
- Homelessness.
We must work with developers to create more affordable options for first-time buyers and develop special zoning for homes that are built with more modest finishes, a smaller size, and simpler designs. This is why I want to work with the Provincial and Federal governments to build a tiny home community with wrap-around services behind the 300 Conacher Drive apartment buildings. The reason for this location is that it is close to many bus routes, No Frills, Dollarama, Service Ontario, Rideau Heights Community Centre, and the Kingston Community Health Centre.
What three issues are most pressing/important to address locally, in your opinion?
- Affordable housing/chronic homelessness
- Climate change
- Road conditions
What is the most pressing issue in your district?
Housing and the environment are the most pressing issues within Portsmouth. We need to find the balance of building affordable housing and ensuring that we are protecting our climate.
If we don’t build within the city, we will be forced to continue the sprawl. We need to work with landlords, developers, homeowners, and climate groups in finding solutions that work for everyone.
What do you feel sets you apart from other candidates?
Two things really set me apart from my opponents:
My vision is to make Kingston progressive, while honouring our history. I’ve released the biggest platform within the city that focuses on issues that are affecting all generations. I released a Seniors Strategy that looks to take care of Kingston’s aging population and a stand-alone housing platform for Landlords and Tenants, so we can work together to create equitable solutions. I’m putting forward a program to solve Kingston’s poor road problems by using our recycled plastics for paving roads.
My age, if I were elected, would make me the first Gen-Z person to hold public office at any level of government in Kingston. It’s no secret that I’m young, but that comes with different perspectives and experiences. My entire lived experience has been engulfed by both the climate crisis and affordability crisis.
Many may see my age as a weaknes,s but we deserve to have our voices heard, because it’s not only our standard of living being critically threatened, but our very futures.
Lastly, my age means that I am bringing you near boundless energy. I have already canvassed the district many times and intend to keep going until I have knocked on every door at least five times. Kingston needs a young councillor who can do the job full-time, with full energy. I’m committed to using my entire youthful energy and eagerness to make a big difference in the betterment of my community.
For more information on Zachary Typhair, candidate for Portsmouth District in the 2022 municipal election, visit his website and Facebook page. He also has profiles on Instagram and Twitter @ZacharyTyphair. Contact him by phone at 613-876-8011 or email at [email protected]
With files from Cris Vilela.