Ross Sutherland announces he will not run again for SF Council

Jeff Green | May 04, 2022

Ross Sutherland has decided that 8 years in municipal politics is enough for him. As anyone who has observed political life in the region would know, he will not be leaving politics any time soon, however.

Sutherland has rekindled his interest in the Kingston Health Coalition, an organisation that he chairs. Working on the campaign against private health care that was launched last month in an attempt to have an impact on the healthcare debate in the upcoming provincial election, Sutherland said that he will be able to work more on climate change issues once his term on South Frontenac Council ends in November.

“I've been thinking about this for about a year,” he said of his decision, which he announced in his councillor newsletter last month, “four years is a long commitment, to make, and I am a strong believer in renewal and change on council, it is good for democracy and good for the township. After 8 years it is time for me to do other things.”

He said that he never counted the hours he worked each week on council business, but that it was likely “more than 20”.

He thinks that one of the most important functions of council is to provide oversight when it comes to planning matters, and is concerned that the provincial government is intent on making it difficult, or impossible, for local councils to have input on planning decisions, partly by tightening timelines.

“We spent a lot of time, as a council, working on the Johnson's Point Plan of Condominium and the Hartington subdivision, and I think they are better, more environmentally sustainable, projects, as a result,” he said. “The province is taking that ability away from Council.”

One of Sutherland's initiatives that will likely continue on after he leaves council, is the Lakes and Trails Festival, which is set for July 16th at the Point Park in Sydenham. This year, in addition to providing opportunities to run, cycle, row and paddle, the festival will include a Natural Heritages Expo. More details will be released in the coming weeks.

Sutherland said that he is hoping that there is more competition for council this fall than there was in the 2018 election.

The nomination window to run for councillor, mayor, or local school board trustee, started on May 2nd, and extends until August 19th.