Applying for a Committee or Board

Recruiting: Three Public Members

The Appeals Committee is directed through the Ontario Building Code and various City of Kingston by-laws to hear appeals on decisions rendered for the following matters:

• The enforcement of the Property Standards By-Law and the issuance of Orders to Remedy under Section 8.1 of the By-Law (By-Law Number 2005-100, Section 9.3);
• The regulation of animals, including muzzle orders, kennel permits, hen coop permits, pigeon loft permits, and breeder permits (By-Law Number 2021-166, Sections 7.7 and 17.2 a.);
• The regulation and licensing of short-term rentals (By-Law Number 2021-10, Section 2.5);
• The regulation of fences and the granting of variances to the Fence By-Law (By-Law Number 2003-405, Sections 3.5 and 5.1);
• The regulation of signs and the granting of variances to the Signs By-Law (By-Law Number 2009-140, Section 6.2);
• The regulation of business licenses (By-Law Number 2006-213, Section 3.13)
• The regulation and licensing of transportation network companies (By-Law Number 2022-6, Section 15.1); and
• A decision under section 6.1 of By-Law Number 2026-86, to suspend or revoke a licence.

Skills:

• Sound judgement and impartiality;
• Ability to interpret policies, municipal by-laws and legislation;
• Ability to assess and weigh evidence, including the credibility and reliability of witnesses;
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to communicate respectfully with parties, witnesses and City staff; and
• General awareness of the principles of procedural fairness.

Composition: The Appeals Committee is composed of two Council members and three members of the public.

Meeting schedule: the third Monday of each month starting at 12:00 p.m.

Appointment Length: two-year term, expiring November 30, 2028

Recruiting: Up to eight Public Members and one Youth Representative.

The Arts, Culture and Heritage Advisory Committee provides information and advice to City staff and Council on matters related to arts and culture, and tangible and intangible culture heritage that intersect with City policies, programs, spaces, and services. The Committee and its members will:

• Ensure that arts and culture, and tangible and intangible cultural heritage sectors are appropriately represented in City policies and programs and representative of the needs of residents;
• Provide input into the development of arts and culture and tangible and intangible cultural heritage-related strategies, policies and programs;
• Advise City staff and council on the impact, actual and potential, of City priorities, plans, policies, programs and regulations on the arts and cultural heritage sectors;
• Act as the City's museums advisory committee and provide input and communications to council regarding cultural heritage programming and exhibitions at the two City-owned museums (PumpHouse Museum and MacLachlan Woodworking Museum), Kingston City Hall National Historic Site and the Market Wing Cultural Space, and the development and maintenance of the civic artifact collection;
• Provide recommendations respecting cultural tourism, commemorations, education and community arts and heritage programming, and to ensure these are inclusive and foster a caring and inclusive community; and
• Act as representatives on and suggest resident representatives to serve on the following subcommittees: Art in Public Places Subcommittee, Local Music Subcommittee, Mayor's Arts Awards Nominations Subcommittee, and the Poet Laureate Subcommittee.

Skills:

• Experience related to arts, culture, and/or the arts & culture community;
• Experience with artistic operations;
• Community cultural engagement knowledge and experience;
• Cultural heritage, local and architectural history and historical research;
• Museum policy development, collections development and management;
• Museum collections conservation knowledge;
• Demonstrated interest in fostering Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and in decolonizing museum, collections and cultural heritage practices;
• Interest and/or experience in educational program development in the heritage sector;
• Familiarity with the cultural tourism sector.

Composition: the committee is composed of one member of Council, one representative of the Kingston Arts Council, one representative from the board of directors of the Kingston and Area Association of Museums, Arts Galleries and Historic Sites, three to five professional artists, creatives, arts or cultural workers, and museum or archive workers, up to three residents, and one resident between the ages of 15 and 24.

Meeting schedule: up to six times per year with meeting schedule to be determined by the membership.

Appointment Length: two-year term, expiring November 30, 2028

Recruiting: Up to five Public Members

The Committee of Adjustment is an independent body appointed by Kingston City Council, as authorized under Section 45 of the Planning Act, to grant minor variances from the provisions of the Zoning By-Law to permit extensions, enlargements, or variations of existing legal non-conforming uses and give consent to an owner of land who wishes to sell, convey, or transfer an interest in "part" of their land.

The Committee of Adjustment and its application processes are separate and distinct from other municipal development approval processes.

Skills:

• Full understanding of the planning framework and planning policies and guidelines such as the Planning Act, the Provincial Planning Statement, 2024, the City of Kingston Official Plan and City of Kingston Zoning By-Laws;
• Knowledge of land use planning principles;
• The ability to maintain objectivity and keep an open mind; and
• A demonstrated commitment to the community at-large.

Composition: The Committee is composed of two Council members and no less than three but no more than five residents.

Meeting schedule: Regular meetings of the Committee of Adjustment are held every third Monday of the month at 5:30 p.m.

Appointment Length: Term of Council, expiring November 14, 2030

Recruiting: Up to nine Public Members

The overall goal of the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee is to provide guidance to staff and City Council in the development of policies, initiatives, and programs aimed at reducing barriers in the workplace at the City of Kingston and fostering diversity and inclusion in all areas of the organization, including through its internal operations and interactions with external stakeholders. The work of the Committee is guided by the Vision and Principles in the Workplace Inclusion Charter which aims to create and promote safe spaces for marginalized populations.

The Committee also:

• Assesses the City's current employment practices;
• Reviews and considers institutional practices; and
• Identifies both training and action-oriented opportunities for staff and Council with aims to foster cultural awareness and sensitivity.

Skills:

• Passion about diversity and inclusion.
• Experience with community engagement.
• Demonstrated involvement in the Kingston community, specifically in the areas of equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility.
• Knowledge of best practices in the areas of equity, diversity, and inclusion with respect to municipal governance, with particular focus on employment and service provisions.

Composition: the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee is composed of two members of Council, up to nine residents who are part of an equity deserving population, or who represent an organization serving equity deserving populations and their interests, including but not limited to: Indigenous communities, newcomers (recent immigrants and refugees), racialized persons, persons with disabilities, linguistic minorities, women, youth, and people from 2SLGBTQIA+ communities

Meeting Schedule: the Committee meets up to six times per year at 1:00 p.m.

Appointment Length: two-year term, expiring November 30, 2028

Recruiting: Up to four Public Members

The working group will examine issues of interest or impact to the City, member organizations, and the community including:

• trends, policies, projects and initiatives within Kingston's Francophone communities that can contribute to the social, economic and cultural vitality of Kingston;
• opportunities for the City to work with Francophone communities to promote existing French-language programming and events and increase the availability of dedicated French-language programming; and
• increasing access to City services in French for members of the local Francophone communities as well as Francophone visitors to Kingston.

Skills:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills in French.
• Knowledge of issues facing Francophone communities in minority settings.
• Willingness to contribute to the development and promotion of Francophone initiatives.
• Availability to actively participate in the meetings.

Composition: one Council member, no less than two and no more than four residents who are members of the Francophone community, with consideration given to including at least one resident who is a representative of the newcomer Francophone community, a representative from the Association canadianne-français de l'Ontario Conseil regional des Mille-Iles (ACFOMI), a representative from the Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est, a representative from the Conseil des écoles publiques de l'Est de l'Ontario, a representative from the Centre culturel Frontenac, a representative from the Réseau de Soutien à l'Immigration Francophone de l'Est de l'Ontario, a representative from the Queen's University Club Francophone, a representative from the Kingston Military Family Resource Centre or the administration of the Canadian Forces Base Kingston, and a representative from a French-language childcare service provider located in Kingston.

Meeting Schedule: The next meeting of the Francophone Working Group is scheduled for January 22, 2027, at 10 am. Meetings typically occur every other month on a Friday at 10 am. The meeting schedule is determined by the members of the group.

Appointment Length: two-year term, expiring November 30, 2028.

Recrutement : Jusqu'à quatre membres du public

Le groupe de travail examinera les questions présentant un intérêt ou un impact pour la Ville, les organisations membres et la collectivité, notamment :

• les tendances, politiques, projets et initiatives au sein des communautés francophones de Kingston qui contribuent à la vitalité sociale, économique et culturelle de Kingston;
• des occasions pour la Ville de collaborer avec les communautés francophones afin de promouvoir les programmes et événements existants en français et d'accroître l'offre de programmes dédiés à la langue française; et
• améliorer l'accès aux services municipaux en français pour les membres des communautés francophones locales ainsi que pour les visiteurs francophones de Kingston.

Compétences :

• Excellentes compétences en communication écrite et orale en français.
• Connaissance des enjeux liés aux communautés francophones en situation minoritaire.
• Volonté de contribuer au développement et au rayonnement des initiatives francophones.
• La disponibilité pour être présent activement aux recontres.

Composition : un membre du Conseil, ainsi qu'au moins deux et au plus quatre résidents membres de la communauté francophone, en veillant à inclure au moins un résident représentant la communauté francophone des nouveaux arrivants, un représentant de l'Association canadienne-française de l'Ontario Conseil régional des Mille-Îles (ACFOMI), un représentant du Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est, un représentant du Conseil des écoles publiques de l'Est de l'Ontario, un représentant du Centre culturel Frontenac, un représentant du Réseau de Soutien à l'Immigration Francophone de l'Est de l'Ontario, un représentant du Club francophone de l'Université Queen's, un représentant du Centre de ressources pour les familles des militaires de Kingston ou de l'administration de la Base des Forces canadiennes Kingston, et un représentant d'un fournisseur de services de garde d'enfants francophones situé à Kingston.

Calendrier des réunions: la prochaine réunion du groupe de travail francophone est prévue pour le 22 janvier 2027 à 10 h. Les réunions ont généralement lieu tous les deux mois, le vendredi à 10 h. Le calendrier des réunions est fixé par les membres du groupe.

Durée du poste: mandat de deux ans, prenant fin le 30 novembre 2028.

Recruiting: Seven Public Members

The mandate and activities of the Heritage Properties Committee address a broad array of issues, opportunities and projects related to the planning and property-based aspects of Kingston's cultural heritage. The Heritage Properties Committee is appointed in accordance with the Ontario Heritage Act that provides a framework within which municipalities can ensure the conservation of properties of cultural heritage value or interest. In all matters, Heritage Properties Committee's role is advisory and consultative.

The committee acknowledges that cultural heritage includes a combination of tangible, intangible and natural resources. The committee will lead by example in terms of responsible stewardship of heritage properties and community heritage planning practices and will support education and information sharing with community around these matters.

Skills: accordingly, Heritage Properties Committee membership should possess a diversity of skills, experience and qualifications including interest in and knowledge of:

• Building restoration;
• Architectural building conservation;
• Heritage building renovation;
• Heritage architectural and design practices;
• Heritage trades and construction practices;
• Cultural heritage;
• Architectural history;
• Historical research;
• Heritage property ownership;
• Local land use planning policies and regulations; and
• The Ontario Heritage Act.

Composition: two Council members and seven residents that represent a cross-section of local interests and perspectives and that demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of Kingston's heritage properties.

Meeting schedule: the third Wednesday of every month at 10:00 a.m.

Appointment Length: two-year term, expiring November 30, 2028.

Recruiting: Six Public Members and one Youth Representative

The Housing and Homelessness Advisory Committee works to ensure that there is a comprehensive understanding of housing services, affordable housing and homelessness issues, initiatives, and developments. The Committee also provides:

• Advice to Council on housing, publicly assisted affordable housing and homelessness policies;
• Advice regarding the implementation of the Municipal Housing Strategy Homelessness Plan and other municipal strategies, policies, and directives;
• Advice on overall financial investment tools for housing and homelessness but not on individual funding allocation.

In addition, the Committee maintains close linkages with other City committees and working groups to ensure co-ordination of housing, affordable housing and homelessness initiatives.

Skills:

• Lived experience, past or present, with homelessness and/or public health policy.
• Professional or volunteer experience in housing, homelessness services, social services, or public health.
• Knowledge of relationship between federal, provincial, and municipal levels of government with respect to housing.

Composition: The Housing and Homelessness Advisory Committee is composed of two members of Council, one representative from the County of Frontenac, one representative from the Kingston Home Builders' Association, one representative from the Queen's University Alma Mater Society or the St. Lawrence College Student Association, six residents with preference given to members of the Indigenous community, those with lived or living experience of homelessness, youth, veterans, and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and one resident between the ages of 15 and 24.

Meeting Schedule: the Committee meets up to four times per year at 1:00 p.m.

Appointment Length: two-year term, expiring November 30, 2028

Recruiting: Six Public Members

The Board of Directors oversees the governance of Kingston & Frontenac Housing Corporation which operates social, affordable, and market housing on behalf of the City of Kingston and County of Frontenac. The Board of Directors reports to City Council, the sole Shareholder of the Corporation. Members must be a resident of the City of Kingston or County of Frontenac.

Skills:

• Hold a genuine interest in the quality of life and equitable access for applicants to affordable, safe housing.
• Must promote the benefits of social housing in the community.
• Skilled in building partnerships.
• Previous experience with business, law, leadership, policy, governance, and strategic planning.
• Strong financial literacy and analytical skills.

Composition: The Board is composed of two Members of Council and six persons who have the qualifications and are selected in the manner set out in the shareholders' agreement.

Meeting schedule: The Board meets on the fourth Monday of the month, with a meeting start time of 12:30 p.m., primarily in person.

Appointment length: Terms for public appointments are for one, two, or three years, with an option for re-appointment for a total term of no more than six years.

Recruiting: Seven Public Members

Please note that this recruitment is for the members of the Board representing the City of Kingston and these members must be residents of the City of Kingston. If you are a resident of the County of Frontenac, please reach out to the County for more information.

The Board is the legal authority of the Library and exists to direct the vision and mission of the Library. The Board routinely participates in engagement and educational activities to ensure a proactive response to community needs, and advocates for adequate funding to support the guiding principles and strategic goals of the organization.

The Board delegates the administration of operational achievement and conduct to the Chief Librarian/CEO, who administers library operations within the parameters of written policies established by the Board. The Board is responsible for monitoring the ongoing performance of the Chief Librarian/CEO, and the organization, within established metrics.

Please read through the full job description and duties before submitting your application.

Skills:

• Interest in the library, the community, and their inter-relationship.
• Readiness to dedicate time and effort to the Board's goals and purpose.
• Connections and affiliations with the community and appreciation of the diversity of the community served by Kingston Frontenac Public Library.
• Knowledge of the community's social and economic conditions.
• Aptitude for planning – both long and short range.
• Ability to work with other Board trustees, Library staff and governing officials, and to represent the Library in the community.

Composition: The KFPL Board consists of eight members appointed by the City of Kingston and three members appointed by the County of Frontenac. One member appointed by each council is a municipal Councillor.

A person is qualified to be appointed as a member of the Board if they:

• are a member of the appointing council; or,
• are at least eighteen years old;
• are a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada within the meaning of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada);
• are a resident of the City of Kingston or County of Frontenac; and,
• are not employed by the Board, City of Kingston, County of Frontenac or affected municipalities.

Meeting schedule: There are eight regular meetings of the Board annually. The Board does not currently meet in March, July, August, and December. Meetings are typically held on the fourth Wednesday of the month, at the Central Branch from 5:00 -7:00 p.m. Special meetings of the Board are occasionally required for time-sensitive discussions and decisions. As much notice as possible will be given.

Appointment length: A Board member shall hold office for a term concurrent with the appointing Council (November 14, 2030), or until a successor is appointed, and may be re-appointed for one or more further terms

Recruiting: One Public Member

The Community Safety and Policing Act (CPSA) mandates the creation of a police services board for every municipality which maintains a police force. This Board provides civilian governance of the municipal police force pursuant to the CPSA. The board's main responsibilities include determining objectives and priorities of policing in the municipality, recruiting and hiring the chief and deputy, monitoring performances, establishing policies for the effective management of the police force, and preparing a budget for submission to council that will provide for payment of adequate policing services.

Skills:

• A strong commitment to public safety and responsible police governance
• An understanding of the policing community, its values and its needs
• Superior leadership and management skills
• Administrative and budgetary experience
• Strategic planning experience
• Skilled in conflict management, negotiation and mediation
• An ability to set organizational goals
• An ability to meet the time commitments of the position

Composition: The City's portion of the Board consists of the Mayor or their delegate, two Council members, and one member of the public. Three members are appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council.

Public Members cannot be one of the following:

• A judge
• A justice of the peace
• A police officer
• An employee of the City of Kingston
• A person who practices criminal law as a defence counsel.

Meeting Schedule: the third Thursday of each month, starting at 12:00 p.m.

Appointment Length: two-year term, expiring November 30, 2028.

Recruiting: Fifteen Public Members and one Youth Representative

As outlined in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, the Committee advises Council each year regarding the preparation, implementation, and effectiveness of its Multi-Year Accessibility Plan, which addresses the identification and removal of barriers. The Committee advises Council on:

• The accessibility of a building, structure, or premises for people with disabilities;
• The City's purchase of goods or services in order to assist Council in meeting its accessibility obligations to persons with disabilities; and
• Consulting with and advising staff and Council regarding accessibility issues as requested.

Members will also be asked to take part in Working Groups and Project Teams (Site Plan Review; Awareness and Education) which deal with specific subject matters falling under the Committee's mandate. Members can select groups and teams that match their interests, experiences, and availability. The Site Plan Project Team reviews site plans and drawings as described in Section 41 of the Planning Act with training provided.

Skills:

• Passionate about accessibility
• Willingness to move beyond your own lived experiences and consider diverse disability types
• Being comfortable with providing feedback on City policies, Multi-Year Accessibility Plan, new initiatives and projects, etc.
• Contributing to Working Groups and/or Project Teams

Composition: one Council member, fifteen members of the public and one resident between the ages of 15 and 24.

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act requires that a majority of members shall be individuals with disabilities and when advised, specific needs will be accommodated at meetings.

Meeting Schedule: the first Thursday of every second month starting at 12:00 p.m.

Appointment Length: two-year term, expiring November 30, 2028

Recruiting: Two Public Members

Reporting to the Housing and Homelessness Advisory Committee, the Operators and Sector Agencies Subcommittee is responsible for bringing together City staff, representatives from agencies and organizations in the homelessness sector and resident members to share knowledge and workshop challenges facing the sector.

Composition: representatives from service manager funded agencies and organizations working within the housing and homelessness sector, one representative from the United Way KFL&A, one representative from Kingston Community Health Centres, two representatives from the resident members of the Housing and Homelessness Advisory Committee, and two residents with preference given to members of the indigenous community, those with lived or living experience of homelessness, lived or living experience as a tenant of social or affordable housing, who represent organizations that support the unhoused or those experiencing homelessness, youth, veterans, and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

Skills:

• Lived or living experience with homelessness, housing instability, supportive or transitional housing, community housing, or related support systems
• Professional, volunteer, or community leadership experience within housing, homelessness, public health, mental health and addictions, Indigenous, or social service sectors
• Knowledge of service delivery challenges, system navigation, and opportunities for collaboration between housing and homelessness service providers
• Experience working with or advocating for individuals and populations disproportionately impacted by housing instability and homelessness

Meeting Schedule: up to six times per year, at a time to be determined by the membership of the Subcommittee.

Appointment Length: two-year term, expiring November 30, 2028.

Recruiting: Seven Public Members

The Planning Advisory Committee provides an opportunity for resident perspectives on planning matters. It provides advice to the Planning Committee through staff with respect to land use planning matters that include, but are not limited to:

• City-initiated amendments to the Official Plan and/or Zoning By-Law with broad application to the City;
• Legislated updates to the Official Plan, together with any updates of the major studies that support Official Plan updates;
• Planning Act reform, updates to the Provincial Policy Statement and/or other proposed land use policy changes/legislation or initiatives introduced by the Province that affect planning matters in the City; and
• Major City-initiated land use planning projects.

Skills:

• An informed interest in planning and development.
• Past experience in planning legislation, land use planning, growth management, natural/cultural conservation, transportation planning, brownfields remediation, open space planning, economic development, and/or the provision of public and social services.

Composition: The Committee is comprised of eight public members who represent one of the following areas or interests:

• one representative of the rural area;
• one representative of the Kingston West urban area;
• one representative of the Kingston Central urban area;
• one representative of the Kingston East urban area;
• one representative of Queen's University or St. Lawrence College;
• one representative of Kingston Economic Development Corporation; and
• one representative of the Greater Kingston Chamber of Commerce or Downtown Kingston Business Improvement Area.

Meeting Schedule: The second Wednesday of January, April, July, and October, starting at 1:00 p.m.

Appointment Length: Term of Council, expiring November 14, 2030.

Recruiting: Six Public Members

The Post Secondary Working Group represents the interests of the town-gown community as they relate to the member organizations and examine issues of interest or impact to the City, member post-secondary organizations and the community including:

• Housing;
• Economic development;
• Experiential learning opportunities;
• Community involvement and off campus student activities;
• Health and safety; and
• Public education on shared initiatives and priorities.

The Working Group also provides advice as required on issues such as:

• Improving communications across the working group member organizations
• Identifying opportunities and concerns related to campus/community interactions, solutions and outcomes;
• Increasing accountability of students and landlords with respect to off campus behaviors and their impact on the community;
• Addressing community quality of life concerns;
• Developing recommendations to enhance town gown relations; and development of policies and programs.

Composition: two Council members, City administration, city by-law enforcement staff, an administrative representative (non-student) from each of Queen's University, St. Lawrence College and the Royal Military College, a representative from the Queen's University Alma Mater Society who represents undergraduate students, a representative from the Society of Graduate and Professional Students of Queen's University who represents graduate students, a representative from the student government at St. Lawrence College known as Student Association who represents college students, a representative from the student government from the Royal Military College of Canada who represents college students; and one landlord or property manager.

Meeting Schedule: quarterly starting at 1:00 p.m.

Appointment Length: two-year term, expiring November 30, 2028. Student representatives have a one-year term due to the nature of their studies.

Recruiting: Ten Public Members.

The Rural Community & Economic Development Working Group represents the interests of the City of Kingston's rural residents and businesses as they relate to the rural community, business development and agricultural matters.

Skills:

• Knowledge of the issues impacting rural Kingston from both an agricultural, rural business and/or rural residential lens.
• Familiarity with the Rural Kingston Economic Strategy.
• Experience in community development, particularly in rural areas.
• Evaluate applications received for the Rural Community Program Fund.

Composition: the Working Group is composed of the Countryside District member of Council and one additional member of Council, four rural residential residents, two rural agricultural residents, and four residents who carry on a rural business (farm or non-farm).

Meeting Schedule: the Working Group meets four to six times per year in the evenings.

Appointment Length: two-year term, expiring November 30, 2028.