As Kingston faces a food insecurity emergency and an affordability crisis, Elliot Goodell Ugalde calls for change.
Kingstonians will hit the polls on Feb. 27 where Goodell Ugalde, a PhD candidate in the Department of Political Studies, is running as the New Democratic Party (NDP) candidate for Kingston and the Islands in the first February provincial election since 1883.
Goodell Ugalde’s platform is rooted in addressing the affordability crisis affecting students and community in Kingston. His platform advocates for raising wages, protecting workers, and ensuring wages keep pace with the cost of living and making it easier for workers to unions.
In an interview with The Journal, Goodell Ugalde emphasized the rising cost of housing. He pointed to graduate students living in An Clachan Complex or John Orr Tower, who faced a 10.5 per cent rent increase last year and may now be impacted by a proposed 7.5 per cent hike for the coming year. Goodell Ugalde, who currently resides in John Orr Tower, has been vocal about what he deems as illegal rent hikes. He’s advocating for long-term rent caps to protect tenants, believing housing is a fundamental right rather than a commodity to be exploited for profit.
“It’s an entirely illegal rent hike that the University is engaging in,” Ugalde said in an interview with The Journal. “Part of what we want to do is we want to put in long-term rent caps, so this doesn’t continue to be a thing.”
READ MORE: Proposed 7.5 per cent rent increase looms over An Clachan Complex and John Orr Tower
Goodell Ugalde also mentioned the Ontario Federation of Labour, which states 13.3 per cent of Kingstonians live below the poverty line in addition to the recent declaration of food insecurity as an emergency. One in three Kingston households are facing food insecurity, according to the Kingston, Frontenac, and Lennox & Addington Public Health report from 2023.
READ MORE: City of Kingston declares food insecurity an emergency
As a student and a leader, Goodell Ugalde wants to hold the University able, especially when it comes to how it handles its finances.
Witnessing firsthand the ongoing negotiations by various unions on campus, Goodell Ugalde expressed his commitment to advocating for worker’s rights. He argued he’s always stayed in solidarity with workers at Queen’s, and, if elected he’ll fight for their increased wages and staffing level while ensuring they’re treated with respect and dignity.
“I want to acknowledge that these workers are the backbone of this University. They keep the campus running. They provide essential services, and they foster a ive environment for students and staff alike. Yet they’ve been forced to watch their wages lag, dropping 11 to 15 per cent below inflation,” Ugalde said.
Despite the challenges faced by Kingston and the Islands, Goodell Ugalde remains hopeful for the future. He emphasized his campaign focuses on listening to the community’s needs and offering solutions that address the root causes of the affordability crisis.
When asked about his leadership style, Goodell Ugalde described it in three-fold: “Hopeful, hungry for change, and ready to listen to the needs of the people of Kingston and the Islands,” believing leadership is about addressing the real challenges people face and make sure their voices are heard at all levels of government.
Goodell Ugalde’s message to Queen’s students is to be patient, know he’s listening to their concerns, and is ready to find solutions that will benefit them in the long run.
Polls for the provincial election are now open, as Ontarians can cast their votes early by visiting their local election office until 6 p.m. before election day on Feb. 27. Ontarians can vote at their assigned location according to their address on election day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
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