It’s Wednesday June 8th, I’m Jeff Williams with your daily news brief. Currently it’s 15 degrees, cloudy today, the high today 23. In the news,
Council voted to authorize agreements with the Alma Mater Society of Queens’ University and Student Association of St. Lawrence College to provide a Universal Transit pass for a three year period from September 2022 to the end of August 2025. Kingston Transit Manager Jeremy DaCosta says, “Starting in September, We intend fully to return to the specialized Queens routes particularly the #17 late night shuffle, route 18 to the train station and route 20 connecting Williamsville to the portal.”
Just before last night’s city council meeting, Kingston Frontenac Public Library workers gathered outside city hall to protest the “Staffless Library Pilot Project,” which was discussed before council in relation to the library’s budget. The project affecting the Pittsburg Branch, would use a suite of technology including door key-pad entry, self-service and checkout machines. The branch is currently open 38 hours a week.
Chief Librarian with the Kingston Frontenac Public Library Laura Carter says with this project we can allow access and use of library resources up to 60 hours a week, while staff would still be reachable from another location. Carter says no staff would lose their jobs or hours as a result of this project. Steve Garrison of the Kingston and District Labour Council says, “We believe library patrons deserve to be served by the expertise of staff when they need it.” Garrison also cited safety and liability concerns. The Hamilton Public Library has three branches using this technology and the Toronto Library has two.
Venture For Canada teams in partnership with the Smith School of Business are wrapping up a round the clock social impact challenge to find a solution for labour shortages in the hospitality and retail industries in Kingston. The problem statement was presented by the city while the Smith School is providing access to campus facilities for the project. After teams complete the challenge, they will present their pitches before a panel of members from The Downtown Kingston BIA and Kingston Accommodation Partners. The social impact challenge is part of Venture For Canada’s entrepreneurial program for recent grads. The challenge began yesterday and will conclude later this morning.
That’s your daily news brief, I’m Jeff Williams . If you have a hot news tip email our broadcast journalist Karim Mosna at news@cfrc.ca