With Premier Doug Ford set to call a snap provincial election next week, voters in Waterloo Region have local issues top of mind. Peter Woolstencroft, a retired political science professor with the University of Waterloo, tells CTV News local concerns include: “Housing is a concern for everyone,” Waterloo resident Lanny Cox tells CTV News. “There’s a lot of people out there that have student loans on the way and not a lot of faith in finding employment in the region.” Despite his concerns, Cox doesn’t plan on supporting any provincial candidate on Feb. 27. “I’m spoiling my ballot,” Cox said. “I just don’t think there’s a lot of good choices.” Woolstencroft said voter turnout played a large role in the 2022 provincial election, and fears the same could happen this time around. “The turnout in the last election was 44%, which I think is disastrous,” Woolstencroft said. “Unfortunately, a lot of young people don’t think their vote makes much of a difference.” Others are calling a snap election unnecessary at this particular moment. “Federal politics need to get figured out before we focus on provincial politics,” another Waterloo resident told CTV News. Regional chair, Karen Redman, says residents are entering 2025 with a multitude of concerns and it’s up to the provincial government to hear the calls from lower levels of government. “We’re where the rubber hit the road, we’re where the gaps in services are felt and our voice as municipalities is one that should be heeded,” Redman said.
