MATT McTAGGART CD, PhD
For Kingston City Council
District 12 – Pittsburgh
As a long-term Pittsburgh resident, university professor, military veteran, administrator of public funds, and advocate for the use of evidence in public policy, I have skills and experience that I would like to contribute towards our shared prosperity. I believe that transportation systems and responsible growth will be priority areas for our neighbourhoods in the coming years.
Working Together for a more connected and more respected Pittsburgh.
Meet Matt
Matt McTaggart is an assistant professor of chemistry at the Royal Military College of Canada and serves as the research grants officer, managing external grants and scholarships college-wide. With a background in science, military service, and community building, Matt offers an analytical, strategic approach to problem solving for Pittsburgh.
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Matt's Vision for Pittsburgh:
Connectivity, Community, and Collaboration
A Connected Community
Crossing the Great Cataraqui River is a daily challenge for most Pittsburgh residents. The bridges connecting us to the Kingston city centre remain areas of necessary improvement. The 'temporary' causeway is the most obvious and immediate issue for our next Pittburgh coucillor to address: it must remain a priority for council and a weekly severance from the city cannot be allowed to become a long-term solution. The Waaban Crossing is a transformative, but incomplete, addition to our transportation infrastructure. The bottlenecks created at intersections on either side of the bridge must be addressed if it is to properly serve our growing community.
The rebuilt intersection on Highway 15 at Gore Rd highlights a second major barrier to connectivity: disconnected and neglected local transporation infrastructure. Whether its for military members seeking an active option to reach CFB Kingston, athletes training for the Kingston Tri, or kids biking to school, or drivers swerving to avoid potholes, our community is asking for and deserves the necessary transportation infrastructure to ensure that we all reach our destinations quickly and safely.
Development with Respect
Pittsburgh has grown and will continue to grow, but new housing developments must be sensitive to the special character of our communities, preserve the environment, and serve the people they impact - both existing residents and the families who will fill new homes. Housing built to maximize a fast return on investment leads to sprawl, isolation, and homogenization. We already see the results of residential growth outpacing commercial and public services: more and longer trips for work, school, sports, and shopping. Our district should be able to meet the needs of the people who live here. Places to make a living need to grow along with places to live.
Respectful development grows community alongside population. Pittsburgh's incredible historic interest and natural beauty offer immense value to our city and smart community development will not only preserve but multiply that value.
Building Lasting Relationships
A cornerstone value for my work in the military, in research and education, and in engagement with public policy is that problems are solved at the speed of trust. The trust that we have in our neighbours, our community leaders, our institutions, and in our collective ability to achieve our shared goals has been eroded in recent years. With my work in science policy, I have seen disillusionment, apathy, and cynicism overcome by good-faith engagement: when it is given space and encouragement, trust can regrow. Dedicated, responsive, and responsible representation is needed to bridge solitudes, align efforts, and improve outcomes for Canadians.
Building and strengthening relationships within the district, across the city, between sectors and levels of government is the key enabling factor to make meaningful progress on today's wicked problems.
Get Involved!
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Print or Request a Sign
Window signs are available now on request or print-at-home! Post these in your window to show your support in the neighbourhood!
Elect Matt window signs
I'm planning to limit the use of lawn signs in order to reduce plastic waste, although they will still be available on request.
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Volunteer for Matt
Want to join Matt on the campaign trail and get active to make a positive change in our community?There are lots of ways to volunteer:
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Canvassing
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Create social media content
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Assist your neighbours get out to vote
Get in touch, there's lots of work to do and we would love your help!
Get Ready to Vote
Election day is coming fast! So be ready to cast your ballot for Matt:
Check your voter registration information
Visit https://vreg.registertovoteon.ca to search your name and verify that your information is correct.
Post-secondary students living in Kingston for school are considered a non-resident voter and can vote in both your home community (where you usually live and plan to return) and in Kingston.
Stay up to date
Visit the City of Kingston's election page for the latest information on voting dates and places.
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Internet Voting will be open from Wednesday, Oct. 14, to Monday, Oct. 26, 2026
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Advance Voting will take place at Gore Road Fire Hall (211 Gore Rd.) between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on the following dates:
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Friday, Oct.16, 2026
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Saturday, Oct.17, 2026
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Election day is Monday, Oct. 26, 2026, with voting hours from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m at Kingston East Community Centre (779 Highway 15)
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Residents of long-term care homes and retirement homes will have special voting places at their buildings on voting day. Only residents of these homes will be able to vote here.
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Arrange a lift to a polling station
Let us know if you need a ride to vote and a volunteer will be happy to offer you a lift - just get in touch!
Kingston Transit and Kingston Access Bus are free on Advance Voting Days and Voting Day from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Simply show your Voter Information Letter on your way to and from your voting place.
Get in Touch!
Let me know your thoughts, questions, or let's set up a meeting - I look forward to hearing from you!
Request a window sign to post right away or a lawn sign for delivery in September
613-985-0314
Make a Donation
Campaign finance laws require us to keep a record of the name and address of each contributor for inclusion in our financial statement.
The individual donation limit to one candidate is $1200; the maximum total amount that a contributor can give to candidates in the same jurisdiction (i.e. all Kingston council and mayoral candidates) is $5,000. Contributions to municipal campaigns cannot be credited against provincial or federal income taxes.
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