It’s official: Kingston Mayor Bryan Paterson will run as a Conservative candidate in the next federal election.
The Conservative Party of Canada announced Paterson’s acclamation as its candidate for Kingston and the Islands in a news release on Tuesday, Mar. 11, 2025. According to the local riding association, Paterson was acclaimed over the weekend after Jarrod Stearns, who had also been vying to represent the riding for the Conservative Party, “withdrew” from the campaign.
Kingstonist reached out to both Paterson and Stearns on the morning of Tuesday, Mar. 11, 2025; however, no response was received from either before Paterson’s campaign issued a press release.
Currently in his third term as mayor of Kingston, Paterson announced his intentions to run for the federal Conservative nomination locally back in January. The release today described Paterson as a dedicated husband, father, and educator “who has spent more than a decade making our city stronger for everyone.”
“Bryan brings a practical, results-driven approach to leadership that has resulted in significant accomplishments like the Waaban (‘Third’) Crossing and his success in attracting major employers. He also established multiple initiatives, including the Mayor’s Innovation Challenge, which created jobs and expanded opportunities for youth in our region. While bolstering infrastructure and strengthening our community, Bryan has consistently kept tax increases among the lowest in Ontario,” according to the release.
“Known for his consensus-building style, Bryan partners with local businesses, institutions, and community groups to tackle tough issues like housing affordability, doctor shortages, and social support systems.”
An economist by profession, Paterson earned his PhD at Queen’s and teaches at Royal Military College. He and his wife, Shyla, live in the west end of Kingston with their two sons, Judah and Micah.
“As an economist and municipal leader, I’ve spent my career finding practical solutions to tough problems,” Paterson said in a statement. “I intend to bring that same commitment and expertise to the federal level, where I will work tirelessly to develop real solutions and deliver meaningful help to those in need. 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.”
The release noted that Paterson is “ready to bring his proven leadership and collaborative spirit to Parliament, ensuring Kingston and the Islands continue to grow and thrive for generations to come.”
Paterson’s expressed thanks to “all the volunteers, supporters, and friends who have reached out to encourage me since I announced I was seeking the nomination. Together, we can seize this moment to create meaningful change and a brighter future for everyone in Kingston and the Islands.”
The current Kingston mayor was motivated to run by the many residents who shared stories about their struggles with affordability, housing, and mental health and addiction, according to the Conservative Party. They indicate that he believes these struggles were made worse by federal policy decisions.
“More recently, Bryan has spoken out against the completely unjustified US tariffs, the misguided federal plans for the Kingston Penitentiary, broken promises to Kingston from VIA Rail, and the consequences of federal mismanagement of the LaSalle Causeway,” the release stated.
In keeping with past precedent, Paterson will take an unpaid leave from his mayoral and professorial roles when the federal election begins. While a federal election has not been called yet, it is expected that Mark Carney, the newly appointed prime minister-designate and Liberal Party leader, will call an election in the coming days. An analysis of how many times Kingstonians might find themselves casting ballots this year — written by Michael Murphy, Buchanan Postdoctoral Fellow in Canadian Democracy at Queen’s University — is available here on the Kingstonist website.
