My Community Involvements

Over the past 25 years, I have sought to involve myself with our community in a number of ways. One involvement comes from my position as professor of urban planning at Queen’s University, while another is based on my concerns as a long-time resident of Sydenham. Both involvements afforded me unique insights and ability to champion the interest of Sydenham residents.

Associate Professor, School of Urban and Regional Planning at Queen’s University

You might wonder why I list my academic appointment at Queen’s under “community involvement.” The Hollywood stereotype—an ivory‑tower professor behind a wood‑panelled desk, sipping cognac while writing about an obscure topic—couldn’t be further from my experience. Over 25 years at Queen’s I have been actively engaged with the Kingston community, not isolated from it.

How my academic role has been community engagement:

Teaching & mentoring: I’ve supervised students who live, work, and volunteer in Kingston, helping prepare the next generation of local planners, policymakers, and community leaders. In fact, many of the key staff positions at the City of Kingston, Cataraqui Conservation Authority and the Municipal Affairs (Kingston Office) were my students.
Applied research: My work addressed real municipal challenges (planning, housing, brownfields, ward boundaries), producing evidence and practical recommendations that informed public debate and city decision‑making.
Public service & advising: I’ve served on city committees (Ward Boundary Technical Advisory Committee, Brownfields Task Force) at Council’s request, bringing academic rigour to practical problems and helping translate technical analysis into actionable options.
Public talks & outreach: I’ve given community presentations, participated in local forums, and delivered keynote speeches for cultural and civic events—sharing research in accessible ways and listening to resident concerns.
Partnerships with local organizations: I’ve collaborated with municipal staff, non‑profits, developers, and community groups on projects that advance neighbourhood well‑being and sustainable redevelopment. For example, in partnership with the Cataraqui Conservation Authority, we received Federal Government funding to investigate topics in environmental management and policy-making.
Student community engagement: I’ve coordinated student projects and internships that directly supported Kingston agencies, amplifying university resources for local benefit.

In short, my role at Queen’s has been deeply embedded in the civic life of Kingston—combining teaching, applied scholarship, public service, and partnerships to address practical community needs. That blend of academic expertise and hands‑on civic engagement is exactly why I count my academic appointment as community involvement.

Member, City of Kingston Ward Boundary Technical Advisory Committee.

Member, City of Kingston Brownfields Task Force

I was appointed to the City of Kingston’s Brownfields Task Force, which developed the Community Improvement Plan guiding the safe, practical redevelopment of contaminated properties — including sites such as Block D and the Davis Tannery.

On the Task Force I:

Worked with municipal staff, environmental consultants, property owners, and developers to shape policy and practical incentives for remediation and redevelopment.
Gained a clear understanding of regulatory, financial, and technical barriers to brownfield redevelopment (site assessment, remediation standards, liability concerns, and funding tools).
Saw firsthand the city’s and community’s commitment to addressing environmental issues locally and the importance of transparent public consultation.
This experience taught me the value of collaborative, evidence‑based approaches that balance environmental protection with economic viability, and it strengthened my ability to advocate for responsible redevelopment that benefits residents, businesses, and the local environment.

Volunteer Member, Philippine-Canadian Associations of Kingston

I am an active participant in organizations that promote Philippine culture and heritage in Kingston.

In 2017 I received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Mabuhay Pilipino‑Canada Association of Kingston for my “untiring effort in volunteering and generosity to the organization.”

I also serve as a volunteer member of PIC‑KO, a registered non‑profit dedicated to celebrating Filipino heritage, fostering multiculturalism, and building community unity. PIC‑KO invited me to deliver the keynote speech at their gala held at St. Lawrence College last summer, attended by over 300 people.

Working with Kingston's Philippine Community has gained me first‑hand insight into how community groups strengthen civic life. I will apply that experience to proactively reach out to, support, and amplify the many cultural and community organizations that contribute to Kingston’s diversity and vibrancy.

Assistant Coach

I confess to playing only a limited role as an Assistant Coach to a baseball team for 7-8 year olds at the time when my son was interested in this sport. That role gave me direct insight into the tireless work parents and volunteers do to keep youth sport programs running and the strong positive impact those programs have on families.

In our District, the Oakridge Park contains one of the few baseball diamonds. It appears to me to be in need of upgrading. I also observe that it sometime doubles a cricket pitch. If elected, I would want to direct staff to prepare a park plan for Oakridge Park that involves the diverse interests by our community in the use of this very large park.

Immigration Services

I am a licensed immigration consultant in good standing with the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants for over ten years. I provide part-time legal services to foreign nationals seeking to study, work, visit, or settle in Canada, and to Kingston businesses hiring temporary foreign workers. I typically handle more complex cases, charge a fee, and often operate on a not-for-profit basis.

Highlights of my work:

Helped hundreds of newcomers and their families settle in the Kingston area.
Advised employers on compliance, hiring pathways, and labour-market impacts.
Navigated complex immigration programs and policy changes on behalf of clients.

How this experience matters for Sydenham and Kingston:

Practical knowledge of immigration law and processes helps me assess how migration trends affect housing, local labour supply, service needs, and economic development.
Experience supporting newcomers gives me insight into barriers to settlement (language, employment recognition, affordable housing, access to services) and practical ideas for municipal support and partnerships.
My experience enables me to advocate for policies that responsibly grow Kingston’s workforce and strengthen community integration.

I was appointed to serve on the City of Kingston Ward Boundary Technical Advisory Committee, a multi‑stakeholder group that included City planning staff, the City Clerk’s office, and representatives from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs. The committee’s mandate was to develop and present options for new or revised ward boundaries to City Council and the public. While serving, I consistently raised concerns about proposed boundary options that failed to reflect the Sydenham’s identity or adequately account for student electors. I advocated for maps and criteria that preserve community cohesion, ensure fair representation for post‑secondary populations, and recognize the distinct needs of Sydenham residents.

My work on the committee demonstrates:

Experience collaborating with municipal staff and provincial representatives on technically complex, politically sensitive issues.
A track record of protecting Sydenham’s community interests during citywide boundary review processes.
An ability to act as a constructive bridge between Queen’s students and alumni and City decision‑makers, ensuring student perspectives are included in municipal planning. These contributions show I can represent diverse stakeholders, navigate technical policy discussions, and push for inclusive solutions that uphold local community integrity.