Thirty-six days.
That’s how much time will elapse between next Wednesday, when the writ is expected to drop on Ontario’s first general election since 2011, and June 12, when that election takes place.
That’s how much time candidates have to let voters know who they are, what they stand for and why they deserve to have their names marked off on a ballot.
But for most candidates, unofficial campaigning has already been going on for some time – after all, a minority government means an election could always be just around the corner.
Of Waterloo Region’s four incumbent MPPs, Kitchener-Waterloo’s Catherine Fife has the shortest tenure.
The New Democrat says she’s already heard a lot of support from the community, especially in response to the budget the Liberals introduced Thursday.
“There is a lack of confidence in this government. The budget they presented presents complete... disrespect for the people of this province,” she says.
In Cambridge, progressive Conservative MPP Rob Leone says he expects the economy to be the top issue of the campaign.
“Voters are very concerned about the state of the economy. They’re concerned about their jobs; they’re concerned about losing their jobs,” he says.
“We want to tell them that help is on the way.”
Similar concerns are voiced by Leone’s PC colleague Michael Harris, the MPP for Kitchener-Conestoga.
“There’s really only one party that will bring a plan to get Ontarians back to work – the Million Jobs Plan – while getting our own fiscal house in order,” Harris says, adding that road safety and tax rates are other issues he hopes to seek action on.
The one Waterloo Region riding with no incumbent is Kitchener Centre, where John Milloy is vacating his seat after more than 10 years in office.
Nominated to take his place as the Liberal candidate is Daiene Vernile, who says Milloy’s history in the riding is an asset – as is the budget that sparked the election.
“The doors that we have knocked on so far … are telling us that they really like the Liberal plan,” she says.
