By Jeff Zhu, WUSA Director & David Kuhn, Stakeholder Relations Officer 

On October 24th, every Canadian citizen at least 18 years old that lives in Ontario is eligible to vote in municipal elections. We’ll have a polling station right here on campus in the Student Life Center!

Why should students vote?

From housing to climate action to transit, city council decisions affect every part of our day. Take housing issues, for example: rental bylaws, zoning regulations, and non-profit/affordable housing policies are all controlled at the local level.

The municipal government also controls:

• police, ambulance, fire services
• public transit
• building permits and zoning regulations  
• primary and secondary schools (through School Boards) 
• recycling and waste collection  
• water and sewer services 
• road and sidewalks
• licensing and control of pets 
• parks

It’s critical that student voices are heard. The best way we can advocate for and influence meaningful change is through voter turnout— let’s show we care about what happens right outside our front door.

How can I vote?

Check out WUSA’s Advocacy page for more details on how to vote, where to vote, and links to find your local candidates across Waterloo, Kitchener, Cambridge, and Stratford.

Waterloo students who live in Ontario and are eligible to vote in this election are permitted to vote in both the Region of Waterloo municipal election and their “home” municipality, provided they are residing in the Region of Waterloo to attend a post-secondary institution and intend to return to their “home” municipality at the conclusion of their studies. Advanced polls open in Waterloo from October 8 – 16 and election day is October 24, so there’s plenty of time to vote twice! 

Vote on Monday, October 24^th!   

Questions? Email us at advocacy@wusa.ca