Kingston, Ont. mayor Bryan Paterson named federal Conservative Party candidate for Kingston and the Islands

Kingston Mayor Bryan Paterson speaks to CTV News Ottawa. Sept. 13, 2024. (Jack Richardson/CTV News Ottawa)

Kingston, Ont. Mayor Bryan Paterson has officially been named as the Conservative Party of Canada candidate to run in the riding of Kingston and the Islands in the next federal election.

Paterson has been mayor of Kingston since 2014.

“I’m honoured to have the opportunity to run federally and represent the needs of Kingstonians and Islanders on Parliament Hill. Together, we can seize this moment to create meaningful change and a brighter future for everyone in Kingston and the Islands,” he said on social media Tuesday.

In addition to being mayor of Kingston, Paterson also teaches economics at the Royal Military College of Canada.

Kingston and the Islands is currently represented federally by Liberal Mark Gerretsen, who has held the riding since 2015. A Liberal has represented the riding since 1988.

Paterson says his campaign will focus on issues such as the cost of living, housing, and mental health and addictions. A news release from his campaign also mentioned U.S. tariffs—which Paterson called “completely unjustified”—federal plans for the Kingston Penitentiary, issues with Via Rail, and the damaged LaSalle Causeway.

“Our country needs a change in direction and it’s critical that Kingston and the Islands has a strong voice at the table to represent our unique needs,” Paterson said.

Paterson will take an unpaid leave from his mayoral duties and professorial role when the federal election begins, his campaign says.

This comes just days after Mark Carney was named the new leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, making him Prime Minister Designate. It is unclear when the next election will be called, but it must be held by Oct. 20, 2025.