Waterloo

The riding of Waterloo, centred on the city of the same name in southwestern Ontario, is home to the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University and sits at the heart of one of Canada's most dynamic technology corridors. The riding had been held by NDP MPP Catherine Fife since she won a 2012 by-election in the former Kitchener—Waterloo riding, and she was re-elected in 2014 and 2018. While the NDP had held the seat comfortably, the province-wide strength of the Progressive Conservatives meant the riding was considered competitive heading into 2022.

Candidates

Catherine Fife (NDP) — Before entering provincial politics, Fife spent a decade with the Toronto District School Board as an educational assistant, school community advisor, and settlement worker for new immigrants. She was elected as a trustee for the Waterloo Region District School Board in 2003 and served as board chair, managing a $645 million budget. At Queen's Park, she served as the NDP's critic for Finance and the Treasury Board.

Andrew Aitken (Progressive Conservative) — A business professional with over a decade of experience in supply chain planning, operations, and materials management. Aitken campaigned on building 1.5 million new homes across Ontario and investing in skilled trades and infrastructure such as Highway 7 and all-day GO service to the Waterloo region.

Jennifer Tuck (Liberal) — The Chief Executive Officer of the Maritimes Energy Association and a Kitchener resident. Tuck previously spent nearly a decade leading regulatory affairs for the Canadian subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, one of the world's largest producers of renewable wind and solar energy.

Shefaza Esmail (Green) — The Green Party's candidate in the riding.

Other candidates included Vladimir Voznyuk (New Blue), Benjamin Hufnagel (Ontario Party), Christian Shingiro (Communist), and Peter House (Equal Rights).

Local Issues

Housing affordability was the dominant issue in the Waterloo riding during the 2018–2022 term. Average rental prices in the region had climbed sharply, rising from $774 in 2005 to $1,864 by 2022—a 141 percent increase. Four in ten Waterloo residents reported spending more than 30 percent of their household income on housing, and over a quarter of Waterloo Region residents said they were considering moving to a more affordable location. The housing crisis disproportionately affected university students, many of whom reported difficulty finding adequate housing even after searching months in advance.

The Waterloo Region's thriving technology sector, driven by the presence of the University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University, and a robust startup ecosystem, continued to attract population growth that put immense pressure on the housing market. Local leaders warned that the high cost of housing could threaten the region's ability to attract the skilled talent needed to sustain its tech-driven economy.

Climate change and long-term care were also significant issues during the campaign. Candidates debated the province's climate action record and the adequacy of the long-term care system, which had been strained by the COVID-19 pandemic, with devastating outbreaks in care homes across the region.