Two Ontario party leaders make campaign stops in Waterloo Region

The Ontario Liberal leader and the Ontario Green Party leader spent time in Waterloo Region Monday.

Liberal leader Bonnie Crombie discussed issues impacting the region at a Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce lunch.

“I’m really excited about your growth potential. You’re going to have a million residents, 500,000 jobs,” Crombie said, addressing the crowd. “You need a new hospital. You need the second phase of your LRT. I’m very aware of your needs here.”

Crombie also made stops at Langs Community Health Centre in Cambridge and the Kitchener Centre Liberal campaign office.

CTV’s Krista Simpson sat down with Crombie for an interview to discuss some of the issues facing the region including how she would address renovictions, encampments, the Wilmot land assembly and two-way all-day GO service.

Green Party leader visits

Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner unveiled his housing plan in the riding of Kitchener Centre.

“The average home in Ontairo now costs $834,000 and this is only going to get worse as, industry experts have pointed out, with the trade war construction costs are only going to go up,” Schreiner said.

The Kitchener Centre riding is one many residents will be watching closely, according to Andrea Perrella, a political science professor.

It was won by the Greens during a by-election and other parties will be fighting for it this time around.

“It has been a swing seat forever. If you look at the history, it’s quite a colourful riding in terms of which party wins in that particular area,” Perrella said.

Perrella said there are a number of seats in Waterloo Region and surrounding areas that are up for grabs which is why so many party leaders made this area a priority visit.

“We can get surprises. And so if the party leaders are swinging by in this region, it’s because they recognize is that the seats here are - maybe not all of them are up for grabs, but all of them are not a shoo in for one party or the other,” Perrella said.

Stiles in Wilmot Township last week

Last week, NDP leader Marit Styles made Wilmot Township her first stop as she hit the road to campaign.

She visited a farm at the centre of the controversial land assembly project.

Ontario PC leader Doug Ford has yet to visit the region in the last week but Perrella said he likely will soon.

Perrella said tariffs are one of the issues that are top of mind for voters right now.

“How are we going to deal with the trade constraints being imposed on Canada?” he questioned.

Perrella said housing and the cost of living are also high on the list of concerns.