As Ontario prepares for a new provincial government, we headed out to ask Guelphites about what they’re most concerned about.
Top of mind for many people were issues around housing, affordability, health care, and access to mental health services. We asked what they’d like to see in the first 100 days, regardless of who wins, or what issue the person was most concerned with. Answers have been edited for length and clarity.
“Health care is huge. I think that’s been on everyone’s mind for the past two years. So definitely more support for the healthcare system and healthcare workers. I know we can’t change everything in the first 100 days, but at least having some sort of action,” said Christian Mireault, adding that wait times across the board, not just in hospitals, need improvement.
John Mcguigan said he’s most concerned with an issue that’s prevalent in Guelph: “Housing and affordability. It’s so unreasonable at this point. The spread between what people are earning and what they’re being expected to pay for housing is just … insane .The first hundred days?There’s no real answer to it.It would take a seismic shift for that to be addressed. For too long we’ve treated a basic human need as a profit opportunity.”
Melissa VanRoie and Peter Traplin said they’re happy with Guelph’s incumbentand they’re voting for the city.
“For me, it’s a bit up in the air with the end of the pandemic. I voted for living in Guelph, so Green. I think he did well, and he has some experience in provincial parliament. We’ll see what happens in the first 100 days,” Traplin said.
“I voted Green as well, and I just hope he does what needs to be done to improve Guelph,” VanRoie said.
Lange Frosst said housing and inflation are big issues for her, as is mental health. But there’s also a feeling she can’t quite put her finger on.
“I just want some honesty … I’m tired of being told something, and nothing happening. To me, personally, right now the world is so negative. There’s so much to worry about, I really don’t know what I ‘d pick. Housing… Inflation… I want the world to be a better place, and I don’t feel that way right now,” she said.
As of about 4:30, election officials say it’s been a slow day around Guelph. That may change as more Canadians get off work and finish dinner, but one man who also worked the federal election, said it doesn’t feel like there’s as much passion as there was during the federal election last year.
The Mercury Tribune will be roving the Royal City to see what’s on more Guelphites’ minds as they leave the polls.
— More to come.
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