Voter prep: What Kitchener-Conestoga voters need to know in this provincial election

Standing in downtown New Hamburg, Ont.,Joan Grosso says there's many issues on her mind in this provincial election, but housing is a major one.

"My mortgage is coming due, so that means a lot for me. The interest rates, another one. I mean, there's just so many [issues] this time around," she said.

Grosso said she doesn't know who to vote for although she thought Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford did a good job in the last four years. She added her advice for politicians is to "do what you say you're going to do."

Tom Riedel, also in New Hamburg, says he had concerns with how the province handled the COVID-19 pandemic and the rules they implemented. He said he was "very surprised" how the restrictions trended towards "overruling our democratic choices."

"The whole way it was handled was political. It was like they had to be seen to be doing something and something was better than nothing," he said.

In a survey on CBC Kitchener-Waterloo's website asking people about their top issues in this provincial election, the rising cost of living was a top issue for people alongside housing.As well, people in Kitchener-Conestoga said reforming long-term care, supporting health-care workers and the need to address climate change were priorities.

In the past year, the riding has also seen community conversations around the aggregate industry and controversy over the use of a ministerial zoning order (MZO) for a residential development between New Hamburg and Baden, which was later rescinded.

Local mayors have also said they need provincial help to build infrastructure, including roads, broadband internet and community centres, and financial support to make changes to address climate change.

7 candidates

There are seven people running in the Kitchener-Conestoga riding in this provincial election. They are, alphabetically by last name:

• Nasir Abdulle, Green Party of Ontario.
• Jason Adair, Populist Party Ontario.
• Mike Harris Jr., Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario.
• Jim Karahalios, New Blue Party.
• Karen Meissner, Ontario New Democratic Party.
• Elizabeth Perrin Snyder, Ontario Party.
• Melanie Van Alphen, Ontario Liberal Party.

Political analysts have said Kitchener-Conestogais a race to watch in this election because it was a tight race in 2018.

During interviews with CBC Kitchener-Waterloo, candidates were asked what they wanted voters to know about them.

Nasir Abdulle, Green Party

Green candidate Nasir Abdulle did not respond to CBC K-W's request to join a panel discussion or a one-on-one interview.

On the party's website, he is described as a "devoted long-time resident of Kitchener and a Conestoga College School of Business graduate."

It says Abdulle wants younger generations to engage in politics and he connects with their concerns about the climate emergency and housing affordability.

Jason Adair, Populist Party Ontario.

CBC K-W was unable to find any information about candidate Jason Adair of the Populist Party Ontario.

The Party's website says it was created because it feelsgovernment overrreach is out of control, and the party says it is the only provincial party that will "fight to restore integrity, justice, fairness and freedom to our society."

"If you're tired of watching as big government, medical bureaucracies, and 'social justice warriors'keep trying to destroy the free society we've all worked so hard to build this is where you belong," reads the party website.

Mike Harris Jr., Progressive Conservative Party

Harris declined an invitation to a panel discussion and a one-on-one interview with CBC K-W. In an emailed statement, he saidhousing affordability and the rising cost of living are themes he's heard while knocking on doors.

He said the Progressive Conservatives have a plan to build new homes, lower the gas tax and make childcare more affordable. The party would also expand broadband internet to more rural areas."Only the Ontario PC's have a real plan to keep costs down while rebuilding Ontario's economy and focusing on what matters the most to the people of Waterloo region," his statement said.

Jim Karahalios, New Blue Party

During the launch of the New Blue's party platform, Karahalios said the needs of people in the riding and across Waterloo region are similar to what he's heard across the province.

He said he's heard that they "want someone at Queen's Park that is going to represent them and not be the messenger of the establishment."

He said that includes how his wife, Belinda Karahalios, voiced her objection to a consumption and treatment site in that city.

It also means "standing up when zoning orders or corners are cut in the planning process, or even in Kitchener-Conestoga, standing up for Trinity Bible Chapel," he said. Trinity Bible Chapel was fined for remaining open during COVID-19 lockdowns implemented by the province in 2021.

Karen Meissner, New Democratic Party

Meissner, who serves as a school board trustee with the Waterloo Region District School Board, said she lives in the riding and feels "very much that I'm an investment member" of the community.

"It's really important to me that people feel heard. I've sent messages to our current representative and have just not received a response at all," she said.

"People really want someone that's going to listen to them and advocate both within the party, but also broadly in government, to ensure that people in Kitchener-Conestoga, are being heard at Queen's Park."

She said if elected, she would continueto advocate for public education and other services that people rely on.

Elizabeth Perrin Snyder, Ontario Party

Perrin Snyder is described on the Ontario Party website as "a wife and mother who is now retired after serving for 47 years as a registered nurse."She decided to run in this election because "she is disturbed by the deterioration of fundamental freedoms, including health care choice."

Melanie Van Alphen, Liberal Party

Van Alphen grew up in Kitchener and now lives in Woolwich township with her family. She has three children and is a school board trustee with the Waterloo Catholic District School Board. She says she put her name on the ballot "for the simple reason that I care."

"The last four years have just been full of chaos and destruction and I decided to roll up my sleeves, get off the sidelines and really join a team that I believe in," she said.

Her work on the school board, as well as volunteering at the Tiny Home Takeout in downtown Kitchener, hasgiven her the "experience and drive and dedication to really represent the residents of Kitchener-Conestoga."

Riding history

The riding of Kitchener-Conestoga has existed since 2007.

The first Member of Provincial Parliament for the riding was Liberal Leeanna Pendergast. She lost to PC candidate Michael Harris in 2011.

Michael Harris served the riding until he was removed from the PC caucus in April 2018.

In 2018, Mike Harris Jr., son of former premier Mike Harris Sr., ran as the Progressive Conservative candidate and won with fewer than 700 votes over NDP candidate Kelly Dick.

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