Six questions with Shane O’Neill, independent provincial candidate for Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston

Shane O’Neill is an independent provincial candidate for Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston.

Currently a freelance writer, O’Neill has held many different jobs over the last decade. For six years, he was a director of research with a public affairs consulting firm in Ottawam and before that he was a reporter and journalist in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, and a radio producer in Toronto. 

O’Neill, 36, was born and raised in West Ottawa/Kanata and now resides in Carleton Place with his wife Sarah. They are expecting their first child this spring.

A passionate hockey fan, O’Neill enjoys reading historical nonfiction and biographies of anyone from musicians, to soldiers, inventors and the great thinkers of history.

“My wife and I share a love of the outdoors. In the summer, we like to hike Ontario’s many trails and regularly paddle the Mississippi River, Rideau Canal and even the Thousand Islands when we can find time. In the winter, I’m an avid skier, both cross-country and downhill, and enjoy snowshoeing before digging into a warm pancake breakfast,” he shared.

The couple also have a 10-year-old basset hound named Sadie, who can be seen regularly at Riverside Park and on Bridge Street in Carleton Place. 

Why are you running for public office?

I’m running to be MPP for Lanark–Frontenac–Kingston to give a voice to our residents, hold government to account at Queen’s Park, and advocate for a more fair and equitable distribution of provincial taxes so our communities remain safe and affordable places to raise the next generation of Ontarians.

Homelessness and housing affordability have become increasing issues in Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston, as with much of Ontario. What steps would you take as MPP to improve housing for residents?

For years, the housing supply has failed to keep pace with demand, driving up the cost of homeownership and rent and reducing the availability of non-market and supportive housing for people in need of a safe place to live. 

Unfortunately, no major party has presented a comprehensive plan to tackle this crisis. If elected, I will push for bold, tangible solutions that address the root causes of the affordability challenges in our communities.

The provincial government and municipalities must create incentives for developers to build a variety of housing types—single-family homes, townhouses, multiplexes, and rental units—at scale. Ontario is underutilizing the tools it already has tools to encourage homebuilding. I will advocate for reducing development fees and streamlining approval processes to accelerate construction of all types of housing.

Health care — including access to family physicians and increasing wait times at clinics and emergency rooms, as well as for surgeries — is a major concern for many in the area. What would you do as MPP to help the situation?

If elected, I will advocate for a more fair and equitable distribution of provincial taxes in order to better fund our healthcare system and ensure that access to universal healthcare remains a priority at Queen’s Park. Emergency Rooms across Lanark–Frontenac–Kingston have faced dozens of unscheduled closures since the last election in 2022, it’s time to provide more consistent and predictable funding for our hospitals and regional healthcare networks.

As the threat of tariffs looms from the U.S., what are the most important things the Ontario government can do to advocate for its citizens and lessen the blow of any consequences?

Trade and tariffs are federal jurisdiction under S. 92 & 93 of Canada’s Constitution, but all levels of government must present a united front against unfair U.S. trade actions. I believe the provincial government must advocate for businesses in Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston and across Ontario by expanding access to tariff-free markets, as Canada has free trade agreements with 50 countries and more than one billion consumers outside of the United States.

If elected, I will work with Queen’s Park and Ottawa to defend local industries, and in the event of broad tariffs, I will push for provincial and federal support through Ontario Works and federal Employment Insurance to protect affected workers in Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston.

Beyond the above three issues, what is another key policy/idea that could be implemented to improve life for people in your riding?

Affordability is my primary concern as a candidate and it has only gotten worse since the last election. The cost of living has increased across Ontario, particularly in medium and small communities like Kingston, Carleton Place, Almonte, Perth, and Smiths Falls. These areas have experienced rapid growth in recent years, yet housing supply has failed to keep pace with demand, driving up the cost of homeownership and rent.

Beyond housing, the rising cost of food and essentials is straining household budgets, particularly for families and those on fixed incomes. To provide immediate relief, I will push for the provincial government to reduce the PST portion of sales tax on manufactured food, children’s clothing, and baby supplies. Lowering these costs will help ease the financial burden on young families and low-income residents. Additionally, I will support measures that strengthen Ontario’s local food supply chain to ensure greater resilience and affordability in grocery prices.

Another critical issue is the need for sustained investment in infrastructure to support growing communities. I will advocate for a more equitable distribution of tax revenues between the province and municipalities to prevent the “race-to-the-bottom” funding model that has left towns struggling to maintain essential services. Infrastructure such as wastewater treatment, stormwater management, roads, bridges, and emergency services must be properly funded to accommodate population growth without placing excessive financial pressure on local governments.

If elected, I will champion policies that make life more affordable by addressing the structural challenges in housing, taxation, and infrastructure investment. By working collaboratively with all levels of government, we can build a more affordable and sustainable future for residents of Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston.

If you could share one message with voters in Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston, what would it be?

Your vote is your voice. You can use your vote to raise your voice and send a message to Queen’s Park that the time for political gamesmanship and opportunism has come to an end. On February 27, you can send a message to Queen’s Park by voting for an independent candidate to speak up on your behalf and hold the government to account. It’s time to find solutions to address the major challenges facing residents in our communities.