Just Recovery Kingston

This group formed during COVID to “build back better” at the local level – a recovery that puts people and the environment first.

In our first year we worked on expanding community input on the city budget.

This year (2020-21) the group decided to work on two major campaigns:

  1. Expanding access to community gardens on city land
  2. Expanding fare-free transit in Kingston

Both of these will help us move towards a green future – by producing more local food, and getting people out of cars and into transit options.

Reach out to us at: 

justrecoverykingston@gmail.com

About us

Coalition Principles:

Fight for liberation, equity, and dignity for all

Climate action: shift to regenerative, sustainable systems (infrastructure, energy, water, food, community gardens, forests, habitats)

Decommodify the necessities of life: access to basic income, food security, affordable housing, transportation, utilities, physical and mental health care for everyone

Decolonize: ally with Indigenous peoples to realize Indigenous-led visions for decolonization

Democratize: deepen local democracy with those affected by policies having a meaningful say in those policies; engage those not usually involved by going to where they are in the community

Defund the Police: reallocate resources to mental health, housing, and the social determinants of health

Build global solidarity: work with movements struggling for equity across communities and borders

Ongoing Projects

Transit – Expanding fare-free transit in Kingston

Long term goal: Fare-free, green, excellent transit for all in Kingston.
Current goal: Surveying Kingston resident transit usage patterns, obstacles to transit usage + expanding access to public transport in Kingston.
Current Volunteer asks:

  • Volunteers to reach out to networks to share the transit survey.
  • Volunteers for organizational support.

Gardens – Expanding access to community gardens on city land

Long term goal: A city that values and publicizes how community gardens and edible food forests on city-owned land contribute to climate action leadership, local food security/sovereignty, and justice for equity-seeking groups.
Current goal: A city where every resident, regardless of background or ability, has access to the space, support and education to be able to produce their own food.
Current Volunteer asks:

  • Volunteers to reach out to networks to share letter templates as part of campaign; reach out to councillors and lobby for increased recognition for the importance of community gardens.
  • Volunteers to map out local neighbourhood spaces suitable for urban agriculture to create an urban agriculture mindset in Kingston.
  • Volunteers to build gardening knowledge, education and mentorship about growing food in urban areas to increase inclusivity in gardening.

JRK Calendar