Voting Monday? Here's what you need to know in Waterloo region, Guelph and Wellington County

Voters go to the polls in the federal election on Monday.

Polling stations are located throughout Waterloo region, Guelph and Wellington County. Polls will be open 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. People still waiting in line at 9:30 p.m. will still be able to vote.

Elections Canada notes there are three options for voting:

• Show your driver's licence or any other card issued by the Canadian government with your photo, name and current address.
• Show two pieces of ID that have your name and at least one must have your current address. That could include a voter information card and a bank statement or a utility bill or student card. A full list of accepted ID is available on the Elections Canada website. Expired ID can be used as proof of identity if it has your name and as a proof of residence.
• If you don't have ID, you can declare your identity and address in writing and have someone who knows you vouch for you at a polling station. The person vouching for you must be able to prove their identity and address. A person can vouch for only one person (except in long-term care facilities).

Polling locations can be found by typing your postal code into the Elections Canada website. People can also contact local candidates for help to find their polling locations and some candidates will also offer transportation help if necessary.

Get to know your riding

CBC K-W has been covering the issues important to voters during the election campaign. Below, learn more about your riding, candidates and read related stories.

Jump to your riding:

• Cambridge.
• Kitchener Centre.
• Kitchener-Conestoga.
• Kitchener South-Hespeler.
• Waterloo.
• Gueph.
• Perth-Wellington.
• Wellington-Halton Hills.

Cambridge

There are five candidates running in this election in Cambridge. They are (in alphabetical order by last name):

• Lux Burgess, Green Party of Canada.
• Connie Cody, Conservative Party of Canada.
• Manuel Couto, Marxist-Leninist Party of Canada.
• José de Lima, New Democratic Party.
• Bryan May, Liberal Party of Canada (incumbent).

WATCH | Cambridge voters are concerned about jobs and the local economy. Here's where federal candidates stand on the issue:

Cambridge voters are concerned about jobs and the local economy. Here's where federal candidates stand on the issue

1 month ago

Duration 2:50

After participating in a panel discussion on CBC K-W's The Morning Edition, Cambridge candidates were asked what they would say to residents in their riding who are worried about the impact of the trade war on their local economy and job security. The three candidates who took part in the panel were Lux Burgess of the Green Party, NDP's José de Lima and Liberal Bryan May. Conservative candidate Connie Cody declined to participate in the panel. There are five candidates in total in this riding, including Manuel Couto of the Marxist-Leninist Party of Canada.

Cambridge became its own riding in 1979. This year, parts of Brant County previously part of the riding have been removed as part of a redistribution. 

Over the years, Cambridge has bounced between being a Conservative and Liberal seat. Before May won the seat in 2015, the seat was held by Conservative Gary Goodyear between 2004 and 2015.

In 2021, May won by getting 2,210 votes more than Cody.

Read more stories related to Cambridge:

Kitchener Centre

The seven candidates running in Kitchener Centre in this federal election. They are (in alphabetical order by last name):

• Brian Adeba, Liberal Party of Canada.
• Kelly DeRidder, Conservative Party of Canada.
• Margaretha Dyck, United Party.
• Mike Morrice, Green Party of Canada (incumbent).
• Ellen Papenburg, Animal Protection Party.
• Wasai Rahimi, People's Party of Canada.
• Heather Zaleski, New Democratic Party.

WATCH | Kitchener Centre voters are concerned about homelessness. Here's where federal candidates stand on the issue:

Kitchener Centre voters are concerned about homelessness. Here's where federal candidates stand on the issue

1 month ago

Duration 2:37

After participating in a panel discussion on CBC K-W's The Morning Edition, Kitchener Centre candidates were asked what they would do about the homelessness crisis in their riding, which includes the encampment at the corner of Victoria and Weber streets. The two candidates who took part in the panel were Liberal Brian Adeba and Mike Morrice of the Green Party. The NDP's Heather Zaleski and Conservative candidate Kelly DeRidder did not respond to a request to participate in the panel. There are seven candidates in total in this riding, including Margaretha Dyck from the United Party of Canada, Ellen Papenburg of the Animal Protection Party of Canada and Wasai Rahimi from the People's Party of Canada.

Kitchener Centre has been a riding since 1997 and the first MP was Liberal Karen Redman, who is now chair of the Region of Waterloo.

Conservative Stephen Woodworth served for two terms, 2008 to 2015, when Liberal Raj Saini won. Saini kept the seat until he stepped down from running for re-election in 2021 in the midst of allegations made against him by a former assistant. Saini has denied the allegations. Even though he stepped down, his name remained on the ballot and he came in fourth.

Morrice won the seat in 2021 with 17,872, which was 5,335 votes more than the second-place Conservative candidate.

Read more stories related to Kitchener Centre:

Kitchener-Conestoga

There are four candidates running in Kitchener-Conestoga. They are (in alphabetical order by last name):

• Maya Bozorgzad, New Democratic Party.
• Kevin Dupuis, People's Party of Canada.
• Tim Louis, Liberal Party of Canada (incumbent).
• Doug Treleaven, Conservative Party of Canada.

There is no Green candidate in this riding.

WATCH | Land expropriation is a top concern for Kitchener-Conestoga voters. Here's where federal candidates stand on the issue:

Land expropriation is a top concern for Kitchener-Conestoga voters. Here's where federal candidates stand on the issue

1 month ago

Duration 2:32

After participating in a panel discussion on CBC K-W's The Morning Edition, Kitchener-Conestoga candidates were asked where they stand the regional government's plans to purchase farmland in their riding for future industrial purposes. The two candidates who took part in the panel were Liberal Tim Louis and the NDP's Maya Bozorgzad. The Conservative candidate Doug Treleaven was invited, but he did not respond to a request to participate in the panel. There are four candidates in total in this riding, including Kevin Dupuis from the People's Party of Canada.

Kitchener-Conestoga has existed as a riding since 2004. The first MP was Liberal Lynn Myers, then Conservative Harold Albrecht was the MP from 2006 to 2019. Louis has been the MP since 2019.

The riding has seen very close races in recent elections:

• In 2021, Louis beat Conservative Carlene Hawley by 577 votes.
• In 2019, Louis beat Albrecht by 365 votes.
• In 2015, Albrecht beat Louis by 251 votes.

Read more stories related to Kitchener Centre:

Kitchener South-Hespeler

There are six candidates running in Kitchener South-Hespeler. They are (in alphabetical order by last name):

• Valerie Bradford, Liberal Party of Canada (incumbent).
• Lorne Bruce, New Democratic Party.
• Kathleen Dueck, United Party of Canada.
• Ethan Russell, Green Party of Canada.
• Matt Strauss, Conservative Party of Canada.
• Randy Williams, People's Party of Canada.

WATCH | Kitchener South-Hespeler voters are worried about jobs amid U.S. tariffs. Here's where federal candidates stand on the issue:

Kitchener South-Hespeler voters are worried about jobs amid U.S. tariffs. Here's where federal candidates stand on the issue

1 month ago

Duration 4:56

After participating in a panel discussion on CBC K-W's The Morning Edition, Kitchener South-Hespeler candidates were asked what they would do to protect local jobs at factories like the Toyota plant amid U.S. tariffs. The four candidates who took part in the panel were Liberal Valerie Bradford, the NDP's Lorne Bruce, Conservative Matt Strauss and Ethan Russell of the Green Party. There are six candidates in total in this riding, including Kathleen Dueck from the United Party of Canada and Randy Williams from the People's Party of Canada.

The riding of Kitchener South-Hespeler was created in 2015. The first MP for the riding was Marwan Tabbara, who started as a Liberal. In 2020 during his second term, Tabbara said he was "stepping back" from the Liberal caucus because he was facing assault charges. He sat as an independent. 

Bradford won the seat in 2021.

Read more stories related to Kitchener South-Hespeler:

Waterloo

There are nine candidates running in Waterloo. They are (in alphabetical order by last name):

• Waseem Botros, Conservative.
• Bardish Chagger (incumbent), Liberal.
• Santa Claus Chatham, Rhinocéros Party.
• Héline Chow, NDP.
• Simon Guthrie, Green.
• Jamie Hari, Independent.
• Val Neekman, Independent.
• Hans Roach, Independent.
• Douglas Ross, PPC.

WATCH | Affordable housing is a top concern for Waterloo voters. Here's where federal candidates stand on the issue:

Affordable housing is a top concern for Waterloo voters. Here's where federal candidates stand on the issue

1 month ago

Duration 3:33

After participating in a panel discussion on CBC K-W's The Morning Edition, Waterloo candidates were asked what the federal government should do to make owning or renting a home in Waterloo more affordable. The three candidates who took part in the panel were Liberal Bardish Chagger, the NDP's Héline Chow and Simon Guthrie of the Green Party. Conservative candidate Waseem Botros did not respond to CBC's invitation to join the panel. There are nine candidates in total in this riding, including Santa Claus Chatham from the Rhinocéros Party, Douglas Ross from the People's Party of Canada and independent candidates Val Neekman, Jamie Hari and Hans Roach.

Waterloo has been a riding since 1968. Over the years, it has had MPs who are NDP, Conservative and Liberal.

Chagger won in 2021 with more than 10,000 votes over the second-place Conservative candidate.

Read more stories related to Waterloo:

Guelph

Guelph will elect a new MP on Monday as Liberal MP Lloyd Longfield opted not to seek re-election. Longfield has held the seat since October 2015.

There are eight candidates in Guelph. They are (in alphabetical order by last name):

• Elaine Baetz, Marxist-Leninist Party of Canada.
• Janice Folk-Dawson, New Democratic Party.
• Gurvir Khaira, Conservative Party of Canada.
• Dominique O'Rourke, Liberal Party of Canada. 
• Jeffrey Swackhammer, People's Party of Canada.
• Michael Wassilyn, Independent.
• Yurii Yavorskyi, Canadian Future Party.
• Anne-Marie Zajdlik, Green Party of Canada.

WATCH | The economy and U.S. tariffs are top issues for Guelph voters. Here's where candidates stand on the issue:

The economy and U.S. tariffs are top issues for Guelph voters. Here's where candidates stand on the issue

1 month ago

Duration 4:06

After participating in a panel discussion on CBC K-W's The Morning Edition, Guelph federal candidates were asked what they will do to make sure Guelph can weather the economic upheaval in the months and years ahead. The three candidates who took part in the panel were Anne-Marie Zajdlik of the Green Party, NDP's Janice Folk-Dawson and Liberal Dominique O'Rourke. Conservative candidate Gurvir Khaira declined to participate in the panel. There are eight candidates in total in this riding. The other candidates are Elaine Baetz of the Marxist-Leninist Party of Canada, Jeff Swackhammer from the People's Party of Canada, Yurii Yavorskyi from the Canadian Future Party and Michael Wassilyn, who is running as an Independent.

Guelph saw some changes to its boundaries in this election with a redistribution of seats. Some southern parts of the city are now part of the renamed Wellington-Halton Hills North.

Perth-Wellington

There are four candidates in Perth-Wellington. They are (in alphabetical order by last name):

• Wayne Baker, People's Party of Canada.
• Kevin Kruchkywich, New Democratic Party.
• David Mackey, Liberal Party of Canada.
• John Nater, Conservative Party of Canada.

Perth-Wellington has existed as a riding since 2004. It has been Conservative that entire time, starting with Gary Schellenberger from 2004 to 2015 and then Nater has been the MP since 2015.

Nater has served as the shadow minister for Canadian Heritage. He worked for Shellenberger and was also elected to West Perth council in 2010 before seeking the Conservative nomination for the 2015 election when Sehllenberger opted not to run again.

Baker ran for the People's Party in the 2021 election. He lives in Arthur and his biography on the party's website says he has a background in real estate and is currently a self-employed small business owner.

"Politicians and bureaucrats need to get out of the way, rather than trying to control every aspect of our life. I am committed to a country where we are united in pursuit of common goals, rather than divided in identity politics," Baker says on the website.

Kruchkywich ran for the NDP in this riding in 2021 and he has also run for a seat on city council in Stratford. He's an actor who has also worked as a general contractor.

"No matter where they stand on the socio-economic spectrum, Kevin has seen a common thread: Canadians are struggling, and many are deeply concerned about the future of the nation," his bio on the NDP website says.

Mackey's bio on the Liberal website says he had a career in high-tech management. Now retired, he volunteers on the Stratford Public Library board, the Ontario Library Service board, and the Ontario Library Board Association. He's also a board member of the Canadian Internet Registration Authority.

Mackey "seeks to ensure that every individual and family has access to the resources, education, and infrastructure they need to thrive," his bio says.

Wellington-Halton Hills North

There are five candidates in Wellington-Halton Hills. They are (in alphabetical order by last name):

• Andrew Bascombe, New Democratic Party.
• Syl Carle, People's Party of Canada.
• Sean Carscadden, Liberal Party of Canada.
• Michael Chong, Conservative Party of Canada (incumbent).
• Liam Stiles, Green Party of Canada.

The riding changed its name this year and some of its boundaries as part of a redistribution of seats. It was previously known as Wellington-Halton Hills.

This year, the riding was dissolved into Milton East-Halton Hills South and Wellington-Halton Hills North. The riding now includes a southern portion of Guelph. The riding also completely encompasses Guelph.

Wellington-Halton Hills was created in 2004 and Chong has been the MP the entire time. Chong most recently served as the shadow minister for foreign affairs for the Official Opposition. When the Conservatives formed the government under former Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Chong was the minister of intergovernmental affairs and the minister for sport.

In 2016, Chong ran for the leadership of the Conservatives but ultimately lost to Andrew Scheer when the vote was held in May 2017.

Bascombe of the NDP lives in Acton and his biography on the party's website says he has worked as a machine operator and is currently a low-rise builder.

"Through his work in the union and his engagement in his community, Andrew has demonstrated himself to be a thoughtful listener, a responsive problem-solver, and an open and honest advocate," the bio says.

Carle ran for the People's Party of Canada in 2019 and again in 2021. His bio says he "stands for the core values of freedom, personal responsibility, respect, and fairness."

Carscadden, the Liberal candidate, served in the Canadian Forces as a helicopter pilot and his biography on the party's website says he served on humanitarian aid missions in Honduras and peacekeeping efforts in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

After 20 years, he moved into civilian aviation and is now an air ambulance pilot with Ornge.

Stiles of the Greens works is a registered kinesiologist and is the director of the program for active living at a Waterloo long-term care home.

He's a new father and his biography on the party's website says he's known to "stay positive and look for solutions even when the outcome is grim, win others over and maintain harmony within a team when conflicts arise."