Election day in Waterloo region: How to vote, key issues and who's running

CBC

28-04-2025

Today, voters across Waterloo region, Guelph and Wellington County will join other Canadians to cast ballots and choose the next federal government.
CBC K-W will update this story after 9:30 p.m. with local results.
How to vote
Polls are open from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. People still waiting in line at 9:30 p.m. will still be able to vote.
Find your polling station on your voter card received by mail or by entering your postal code into the Elections Canada website.
Bring valid government-issued photo ID with both your name and address, like a driver's license, or;
Bring two pieces of approved ID, with one listing your address.
For more information on how to vote in Waterloo region, Guelph and the surrounding area, check out CBC K-W's voting guide.
What matters most to voters
WATCH | Waterloo region, Guelph voters talk tariffs, housing, and voter turnout:
Waterloo region, Guelph voters talk tariffs, housing, and voter turnout
19 hours ago
Duration 1:47
Tariffs and U.S. Relations
Tariff threats on Canadian goods by U.S. President Donald Trump has shaken confidence in job and income stability for many across Waterloo region and the surrounding area.
"Tariffs are going to impact every single aspect of our country," said Guelph voter Emily McDonald.
McDonald said her concern comes from the ripple effect tariffs could cause in her community.
"Whether or not your job is directly impacted by tariffs, we're going to see it everywhere from the grocery store shelves to housing," she said.
"It's going to have an impact far beyond manufacturing."
For Waterloo voter Chanakya Ramdev, it's the potential impact tariffs may have on digital goods.
"Waterloo is pretty much the hub of tech in Canada," he said.
"If there is a tax that is put on development of software here in Waterloo, then it would have a devastating effect," he said.
Affordable housing
Rising home prices and rent costs have left many Canadians struggling to find somewhere affordable to live.
Guelph voter Chris Lozinski said he's concerned the right types of housing isn't being built in his community.
"They're not geared toward first time buyers," he said.
"I think ensuring that the middle class, students and just the population that makes up these areas now, they're not left behind."
For Kitchener Centre's Steve Tomajko, it's not as important to him, "but certainly to my grandchildren and to young people especially, and to new Canadians."
"It's a major problem," he said.
"When I see the prices of rent around here…how do they afford it."
Climate Change
WATCH | Kitchener Centre voter wants candidates to focus on the environment this federal election:
Kitchener Centre voter wants candidates to focus on the environment this federal election
19 days ago
Duration 1:34
Eleanor Maxwell is a voter from Kitchener Centre. She wants to see more action to mitigate the impacts of climate change. She's hoping more candidates will focus on developing a climate change plan to attract voters like her this federal election.
While climate change and environmental protections aren't necessarily a ballot box question in this election, some voters in Waterloo region are asking parties to take more of a stance.
Eleanor Maxwell is a voter in Kitchener Centre. She said "we need to have a clear plan to tackle climate change."
She said it's not something that can be ignored.
"We see every year the wildfires, the floods, the droughts, the vulnerable countries that are suffering because of the weather events which are a direct result of climate change.
"None of that's going to go away."
She said a leader with a clear plan is what's important to her.
For Kitchener-Conestoga voter Sacha Adkins, the climate concern comes from her children.
"Since becoming a parent, you're just really aware of the world that your kids are going to grow up in," she said.
As a mother with two children affected by asthma, she worries of rising temperatures and worsening air quality.
"Even now I'm worried about enrolling my kids and outdoor summer sports," she said.
"Playing soccer for a four year old in 35C weather in the summer is not healthy."
Voter turnout
Voters also spoke about how important they believe voter turnout is in this election.
Tomajko said the urgency is real, especially for younger Canadians.
"This election in particular is so important to the future of Canada," he said.
Ramdev echoed that, saying turnout is especially important for his age group because of the implications tariffs have on future job prospects in this country.
"I would request my fellow age group to show up and vote. Whichever political party they want to vote for, but at least come and show that you care," he said.
Elections Canada reports that a record 7.3 million Canadians voted during advance polls. The independent agency in charge of elections also reported that over 100,000 special ballots had been cast by mid-election campaign, more than doubling 2021's number.
Who's running in local ridings
CBC K-W has been covering the issues important to voters during the election campaign. Below, learn more about your riding, candidates and read related stories.
Jump to your riding:
Cambridge.
Kitchener Centre.
Kitchener-Conestoga.
Kitchener South-Hespeler.
Waterloo.
Guelph.
Perth-Wellington.
Wellington-Halton Hills.
Cambridge
There are five candidates running in this election in Cambridge. They are (in alphabetical order by last name):
Lux Burgess, Green Party of Canada.
Connie Cody, Conservative Party of Canada.
Manuel Couto, Marxist-Leninist Party of Canada.
José de Lima, New Democratic Party.
Bryan May, Liberal Party of Canada (incumbent).
WATCH | Cambridge voters are concerned about jobs and the local economy. Here's where federal candidates stand on the issue:
Cambridge voters are concerned about jobs and the local economy. Here's where federal candidates stand on the issue
11 days ago
Duration 2:50
After participating in a panel discussion on CBC K-W's The Morning Edition, Cambridge candidates were asked what they would say to residents in their riding who are worried about the impact of the trade war on their local economy and job security. The three candidates who took part in the panel were Lux Burgess of the Green Party, NDP's José de Lima and Liberal Bryan May. Conservative candidate Connie Cody declined to participate in the panel. There are five candidates in total in this riding, including Manuel Couto of the Marxist-Leninist Party of Canada.
Cambridge became its own riding in 1979. This year, parts of Brant County previously part of the riding have been removed as part of a redistribution.
Over the years, Cambridge has bounced between being a Conservative and Liberal seat. Before May won the seat in 2015, the seat was held by Conservative Gary Goodyear between 2004 and 2015.
In 2021, May won by getting 2,210 votes more than Cody.
Kitchener Centre
The seven candidates running in Kitchener Centre in this federal election. They are (in alphabetical order by last name):
Brian Adeba, Liberal Party of Canada.
Kelly DeRidder, Conservative Party of Canada.
Margaretha Dyck, United Party.
Mike Morrice, Green Party of Canada (incumbent).
Ellen Papenburg, Animal Protection Party.
Wasai Rahimi, People's Party of Canada.
Heather Zaleski, New Democratic Party.
WATCH | Kitchener Centre voters are concerned about homelessness. Here's where federal candidates stand on the issue:
Kitchener Centre voters are concerned about homelessness. Here's where federal candidates stand on the issue
6 days ago
Duration 2:37
After participating in a panel discussion on CBC K-W's The Morning Edition, Kitchener Centre candidates were asked what they would do about the homelessness crisis in their riding, which includes the encampment at the corner of Victoria and Weber streets. The two candidates who took part in the panel were Liberal Brian Adeba and Mike Morrice of the Green Party. The NDP's Heather Zaleski and Conservative candidate Kelly DeRidder did not respond to a request to participate in the panel. There are seven candidates in total in this riding, including Margaretha Dyck from the United Party of Canada, Ellen Papenburg of the Animal Protection Party of Canada and Wasai Rahimi from the People's Party of Canada.
Kitchener Centre has been a riding since 1997 and the first MP was Liberal Karen Redman, who is now chair of the Region of Waterloo.
Conservative Stephen Woodworth served for two terms, 2008 to 2015, when Liberal Raj Saini won. Saini kept the seat until he stepped down from running for re-election in 2021 in the midst of allegations made against him by a former assistant. Saini has denied the allegations. Even though he stepped down, his name remained on the ballot and he came in fourth.
Morrice won the seat in 2021 with 17,872, which was 5,335 votes more than the second-place Conservative candidate.
Kitchener-Conestoga
There are four candidates running in Kitchener-Conestoga. They are (in alphabetical order by last name):
Maya Bozorgzad, New Democratic Party.
Kevin Dupuis, People's Party of Canada.
Tim Louis, Liberal Party of Canada (incumbent).
Doug Treleaven, Conservative Party of Canada.
WATCH | Land expropriation is a top concern for Kitchener-Conestoga voters. Here's where federal candidates stand on the issue:
Land expropriation is a top concern for Kitchener-Conestoga voters. Here's where federal candidates stand on the issue
5 days ago
Duration 2:32
After participating in a panel discussion on CBC K-W's The Morning Edition, Kitchener-Conestoga candidates were asked where they stand the regional government's plans to purchase farmland in their riding for future industrial purposes. The two candidates who took part in the panel were Liberal Tim Louis and the NDP's Maya Bozorgzad. The Conservative candidate Doug Treleaven was invited, but he did not respond to a request to participate in the panel. There are four candidates in total in this riding, including Kevin Dupuis from the People's Party of Canada.
There is no Green candidate in this riding.
Kitchener-Conestoga has existed as a riding since 2004. The first MP was Liberal Lynn Myers, then Conservative Harold Albrecht was the MP from 2006 to 2019. Louis has been the MP since 2019.
The riding has seen very close races in recent elections:
In 2021, Louis beat Conservative Carlene Hawley by 577 votes.
In 2019, Louis beat Albrecht by 365 votes.
In 2015, Albrecht beat Louis by 251 votes.
Kitchener South-Hespeler
There are six candidates running in Kitchener South-Hespeler. They are (in alphabetical order by last name):
Valerie Bradford, Liberal Party of Canada (incumbent).
Lorne Bruce, New Democratic Party.
Kathleen Dueck, United Party of Canada.
Ethan Russell, Green Party of Canada.
Matt Strauss, Conservative Party of Canada.
Randy Williams, People's Party of Canada.
WATCH | Kitchener South-Hespeler voters are worried about jobs amid U.S. tariffs. Here's where federal candidates stand on the issue:
Kitchener South-Hespeler voters are worried about jobs amid U.S. tariffs. Here's where federal candidates stand on the issue
4 days ago
Duration 4:56
After participating in a panel discussion on CBC K-W's The Morning Edition, Kitchener South-Hespeler candidates were asked what they would do to protect local jobs at factories like the Toyota plant amid U.S. tariffs. The four candidates who took part in the panel were Liberal Valerie Bradford, the NDP's Lorne Bruce, Conservative Matt Strauss and Ethan Russell of the Green Party. There are six candidates in total in this riding, including Kathleen Dueck from the United Party of Canada and Randy Williams from the People's Party of Canada.
The riding of Kitchener South-Hespeler was created in 2015. The first MP for the riding was Marwan Tabbara, who started as a Liberal. In 2020 during his second term, Tabbara said he was "stepping back" from the Liberal caucus because he was facing assault charges. He sat as an independent.
Bradford won the seat in 2021.
Waterloo
There are nine candidates running in Waterloo. They are (in alphabetical order by last name):
Waseem Botros, Conservative.
Bardish Chagger (incumbent), Liberal.
Santa Claus Chatham, Rhinocéros Party.
Héline Chow, NDP.
Simon Guthrie, Green.
Jamie Hari, Independent.
Val Neekman, Independent.
Hans Roach, Independent.
Douglas Ross, PPC.
WATCH | Affordable housing is a top concern for Waterloo voters. Here's where federal candidates stand on the issue:
Affordable housing is a top concern for Waterloo voters. Here's where federal candidates stand on the issue
3 days ago
Duration 3:33
After participating in a panel discussion on CBC K-W's The Morning Edition, Waterloo candidates were asked what the federal government should do to make owning or renting a home in Waterloo more affordable. The three candidates who took part in the panel were Liberal Bardish Chagger, the NDP's Héline Chow and Simon Guthrie of the Green Party. Conservative candidate Waseem Botros did not respond to CBC's invitation to join the panel. There are nine candidates in total in this riding, including Santa Claus Chatham from the Rhinocéros Party, Douglas Ross from the People's Party of Canada and independent candidates Val Neekman, Jamie Hari and Hans Roach.
Waterloo has been a riding since 1968. Over the years, it has had MPs who are NDP, Conservative and Liberal.
Chagger won in 2021 with more than 10,000 votes over the second-place Conservative candidate.
Guelph
Guelph will elect a new MP on Monday as Liberal MP Lloyd Longfield opted not to seek re-election. Longfield has held the seat since October 2015.
There are eight candidates in Guelph. They are (in alphabetical order by last name):
Elaine Baetz, Marxist-Leninist Party of Canada.
Janice Folk-Dawson, New Democratic Party.
Gurvir Khaira, Conservative Party of Canada.
Dominique O'Rourke, Liberal Party of Canada.
Jeffrey Swackhammer, People's Party of Canada.
Michael Wassilyn, Independent.
Yurii Yavorskyi, Canadian Future Party.
Anne-Marie Zajdlik, Green Party of Canada.
WATCH | The economy and U.S. tariffs are top issues for Guelph voters. Here's where candidates stand on the issue:
The economy and U.S. tariffs are top issues for Guelph voters. Here's where candidates stand on the issue
12 days ago
Duration 4:06
After participating in a panel discussion on CBC K-W's The Morning Edition, Guelph federal candidates were asked what they will do to make sure Guelph can weather the economic upheaval in the months and years ahead. The three candidates who took part in the panel were Anne-Marie Zajdlik of the Green Party, NDP's Janice Folk-Dawson and Liberal Dominique O'Rourke. Conservative candidate Gurvir Khaira declined to participate in the panel. There are eight candidates in total in this riding. The other candidates are Elaine Baetz of the Marxist-Leninist Party of Canada, Jeff Swackhammer from the People's Party of Canada, Yurii Yavorskyi from the Canadian Future Party and Michael Wassilyn, who is running as an Independent.
Guelph saw some changes to its boundaries in this election with a redistribution of seats. Some southern parts of the city are now part of the renamed Wellington-Halton Hills North.
Perth-Wellington
There are four candidates in Perth-Wellington. They are (in alphabetical order by last name):
Wayne Baker, People's Party of Canada.
Kevin Kruchkywich, New Democratic Party.
David Mackey, Liberal Party of Canada.
John Nater, Conservative Party of Canada.
Perth-Wellington has existed as a riding since 2004. It has been Conservative that entire time, starting with Gary Schellenberger from 2004 to 2015 and then Nater has been the MP since 2015.
Nater has served as the shadow minister for Canadian Heritage. He worked for Shellenberger and was also elected to West Perth council in 2010 before seeking the Conservative nomination for the 2015 election when Sehllenberger opted not to run again.
Wellington-Halton Hills North
There are five candidates in Wellington-Halton Hills. They are (in alphabetical order by last name):
Andrew Bascombe, New Democratic Party.
Syl Carle, People's Party of Canada.
Sean Carscadden, Liberal Party of Canada.
Michael Chong, Conservative Party of Canada (incumbent).
Liam Stiles, Green Party of Canada.
The riding changed its name this year and some of its boundaries as part of a redistribution of seats. It was previously known as Wellington-Halton Hills.
This year, the riding was dissolved into Milton East-Halton Hills South and Wellington-Halton Hills North. The riding now includes a southern portion of Guelph. The riding also completely encompasses Guelph.
Wellington-Halton Hills was created in 2004 and Chong has been the MP the entire time. Chong most recently served as the shadow minister for foreign affairs for the Official Opposition. When the Conservatives formed the government under former Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Chong was the minister of intergovernmental affairs and the minister for sport.
Special coverage of the election for CBC News television begins at 4 p.m. on CBC TV and CBC Gem. For special radio coverage, tune into CBC Radio One for beginning at 7 p.m.