Every week during the election, we’ll post select info and articles featuring our work, the work of our clinic colleagues, and community groups and allies to help inform you about the issues at stake in the 2025 Provincial Election.
The Ontario Election period began on Thursday, January 29, giving Ontarians and candidates a tight four week window to work through their thoughts on a lot of issues. Election time is a great time to amplify important questions, such as why Ontario has the lowest levels of well-being of any Canadian province, and demand solutions to the problems we face day-to-day.
The deadline for candidates to register is still about a week away, but in the meantime, local debates are popping up across the province, and local and province-wide campaigns are picking up steam.
This week: Advocates get mobilized…
Many community advocates and associations launched election-focused advocacy campaigns this week. They range from providing information on voter registration, to public education on issues that have been top of mind for many in Ontario. Some campaigns include pledges, letter-writing, and other ways to get involved across the 127 ridings in Ontario.
…on Housing and Homelessness
The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) has launched a “Vote Like Your Quality of Life Depends On It!” campaign (see more at this link). According to AMO, “The non-partisan campaign focuses on three areas where provincial partnership can improve quality of life and community well-being: curbing reliance on municipal property taxes to fund provincial responsibilities; investing in local infrastructure to build housing; and, tackling homelessness.” AMO is also tracking commitments made publicly by the four major political parties as they relate to these areas.
AMO’s election campaign comes hot on the heels of the release of their devastating report titled “Municipalities Under Pressure: The Human and Financial Cost of Ontario’s Homelessness Crisis” which was released in early January in partnership with the Ontario Municipal Social Services Association (OMSSA) and the Northern Ontario Service Deliverers Association (NOSDA). The report includes data on the drastic increase in homelessness in Ontario, including the point that more than 80,000 Ontarians were known to be homeless in 2024, a number that has grown by more than 25 per cent since 2022. Find the 136-page report at this link.
Meanwhile, the community legal clinic system continues to push for the implementation of obvious solutions for low-income renters in order to maintain stable housing, and avoid being pushed into housing precarity and towards potential homelessness. Fair Rent Ontario, a campaign led by ISAC’s sister clinic ACTO, lays out three simple but needed reforms: Scrap the 2018 Rent Control Exemption for new builds; End Vacancy Decontrol; and Eliminate Above Guideline Rent Increases.
ACORN Ontario has also launched a “People’s Platform” which includes and endorses all of the Fair Rent Ontario reforms and more! Check it out here.
…on Food Security
The food insecurity emergency experienced by thousands of Ontarians across the province was yet again in the headlines as the provincial election was called, with Kingston declaring a food emergency in mid-January and Toronto following soon after. High food costs leading to deeper food insecurity is nothing new for folks in Northern Ontario, including those in Sioux Lookout. An October 2024 report called The Cost of Eating Well in Kiiwetinoongput, issued by the Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority, found that “the monthly average cost of healthy foods was between 37% and 69% higher that the monthly average for municipalities within NWHU, Timiskaming Health Unit, Ottawa Public Health, and TBDHU regions, respectively.”
Food insecurity is closely connected to income security, health issues, and overall well-being. As the election period ticks along, it will be crucial to highlight the dire need for access to affordable, good quality, culturally appropriate food for all.
To that end, Feed Ontario has launched some new election-focused tools which spotlight their ongoing advocacy. Their campaign, “Take Bold Action on Poverty” includes an Election Platform Tracker, a letter-writing campaign emphasizing the need for income supports, affordable homes, and quality jobs, and a link to their Choose-Your-Own-Adventure style “Fork in the Road” journey, which walks you through the tough decisions that people who use food banks are forced to confront on a regular basis. Check out “Fork in the Road” at this link.
…on the Importance of Voting
ISAC (that’s us!) published some Election Quick Facts shortly after the election was called in order to help voters better understand the role of the Ontario government when it comes to social assistance and workers’ rights, and why it’s so important to vote. You can check out the post here, or download the info in PDF format by clicking here.
The 519 Community Centre (Canada’s largest 2SLGBTQ+ community centre, based in Toronto) launched their “Why We Vote” campaign, stating:
There’s so much at stake. We need to tell our loved ones, our neighbours, and candidates Why We Vote. The skyrocketing cost of living and housing hits our communities especially hard. Getting the healthcare we need—from HIV care to gender-affirming care—feels like an uphill battle because the system wasn’t built with us in mind. For many 2SLGBTQ+ people — including seniors, refugees, youth, and people living with disabilities — it’s becoming that much tougher to get by during an affordability crisis that’s affecting everyone. Every election matters, but at a time when the rights and dignity we’ve fought so hard for are under attack at home and abroad, it’s never been more important to make sure we show up. We matter. We vote.
You can find out more about their campaign at this link.
What’s happening across the province next week?
Saturday, February 8:
The Ontario Health Coalition is encouraging concerned citizens to attend a rally at the Minister of Health’s office in Orangeville. The demonstration will take place at 12 p.m. at Sylvia Jones’ Constituency Office (180 Broadway) in Orangeville.
Monday, February 10:
Ottawa Transit Riders / Le groupe des usagers de transport en commun d’Ottawa is holding an in-person debate on public transit in the city. The debate will take place from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Jack Purcell Community Centre (320 Jack Purcell Ln), Room 203. Register at this link.
The Grey Bruce Region Health Coalition is hosting an All Candidates Meeting at the Durham Arena, located at 451 Sadler St., Durham. The event will run from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. More details can be found in this Owen Sound Sun Times article.
Wednesday, February 12:
Toronto’s Daily Bread Food Bank, LAMP Community Health Centre, and other community partners are holding a Provincial Candidates Debate for candidates running in the riding of Etobicoke-Lakeshore. The event will happen at Daily Bread Food Bank’s head location at 191 New Toronto St., from 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. Register here.
Thursday, February 13:
Two p.m. EST is the deadline for candidates to register to run in the 2025 provincial election. For more information on registering as a candidate, check Elections Ontario’s website at this link.
Friday, February 14:
The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) is holding a Northern Ontario Leader’s Debate in North Bay, where all four leaders of the major political parties will attend and answer a variety of questions, with a focus on Northern Ontario. If you’re not able to spend $260 on tickets for you and your valentine to attend, you can watch it livestreamed on CBC News’ website here.
Check back next Friday for our next weekly round-up!