Ontario is gearing up for its provincial election on February 27, 2025, with citizens showing varied levels of engagement and interest. The election, unexpected by many until it was called, has generated conversations across the province, especially among younger voters. Elections Ontario has launched initiatives to galvanize interest among the youth, who have historically shown the lowest voter turnout rates.
Shaun Sederoff, a campus engagement leader at Elections Ontario, has been visiting post-secondary institutions to encourage students to vote. “We found students have a lack of interest in voting due to being unaware of what’s happening or they don’t even know the election is happening,” said Sederoff. This is concerning, especially since students aged 18-24 have had the lowest voter turnout among all demographics, as noted by Elections Canada.
On campus, reactions among the students vary widely. For Daniel Nadeem, a 19-year-old business administration student, the upcoming election simply lacks appeal. “I’m not interested in politics at all,” Nadeem stated. Another student, Samuel Falardeau, echoed his sentiments. He believes voting has little impact and said, “I don’t believe the election really makes a difference... who you vote for... doesn’t change much.”
Contrastingly, some students are determined to exercise their voting rights. Noah Letourneau, also 19 and studying radio, expressed his commitment to voting. “I’m going to vote because I think it’s pretty important. Even if it doesn’t seem like it’s going to change the world, you can do little things to help the situation.” He has voiced concerns especially about cuts to education budgets. “The government budgets for schools have just been cut because it’s not enough,” he said.
Marking another milestone, over 2,300 schools across Ontario are set to participate in Student Vote Ontario, which aims to engage the youth through simulated elections. Lindsay Mazzucco, CEO of CIVIX, highlighted the significance of such initiatives. “At a time when democracy faces challenges around the world, teaching students about the value of elections and active citizenship has never been more important,” she noted. The program allows young students to research party platforms, discuss key issues, and participate in authentic voting simulations.
Notably, the upcoming election has been framed within the broader political tension resulting from external factors, including tariffs imposed by the U.S. These tariffs threaten to initiate trade disruptions which are especially alarming for Ontario, Canada's most trade-reliant province. Doug Ford, the incumbent Progressive Conservative leader, has cited these threats as justification for dissolving the legislature and calling the early election. He aims to secure a mandate to confront these issues directly.
Political observers, including Judith Bishop, who has been advocating for voter turnout, express concern over the significance of this election amid political chaos globally. “There is such an enormous amount going on, with Donald Trump and possibly another Canadian election right around the corner,” she remarked, emphasizing the importance of civic engagement.
Ford, who ascended the political ranks through previous controversies and leadership crises, aims for re-election after having governed with substantial parliamentary support. His primary opponents, Marit Stiles leading the NDP, and Bonnie Crombie, head of the Liberal Party, have ramped up their campaigns addressing traditional concerns like healthcare, housing, and education, pressing Ford’s record amid criticisms of his management.
Specifically, Ford’s government has faced backlash for the handling of healthcare, with many Ontarians lacking access to family physicians. Critics, including health professionals, are mobilizing efforts to raise awareness about these issues during the election. Local elections have been documented historically as struggles for attention amid significant competitors. Ford's decision to call for this early election has been criticized as politically opportunistic, with opponents indicating it was orchestrated to secure power before other challenges for the current government emerged.
Local races across Ontario, particularly those contested by high-profile candidates, promise to create excitement and potentially draw more turnout from constituents eager to engage with the democratic process. With less than two weeks until voting day, efforts continue to mobilize voters both young and old to exercise their rights.
Plainly put, no effort seems too small. Sederoff outlined available resources for students to find more information about the election process. “The Ontario election website has all the information on it,” he mentioned, urging his peers to become more informed voters.
Judging by the enthusiastic discussions among some students and the determined outreach from community members, the path to February 27 promises to be pivotal for shaping Ontario’s political narrative going forward. The importance of voting, informed decision-making, and participating actively within the political sphere are themes growing apparent even as this election arrives unexpectedly and under challenging circumstances.