Waterloo

The riding of Waterloo, anchored by the city that serves as the hub of Canada's technology corridor, headed into the 2025 provincial election with one of the province's longest-serving opposition MPPs seeking another mandate. Catherine Fife of the NDP had held the seat since winning a 2012 by-election in the predecessor riding of Kitchener—Waterloo, and she entered the 2025 contest as the official opposition's Shadow Minister for Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. Her tenure spanned more than a decade of service, making her the longest-serving MPP in the Waterloo Region.

With the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University at its core, the riding is shaped by the presence of tens of thousands of students, a dynamic startup ecosystem, and a workforce increasingly priced out of the local housing market. The contest drew attention as one of the ridings where the NDP sought to demonstrate its ability to hold ground against Progressive Conservative gains across Ontario.

Candidates

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

Peter Turkington (Progressive Conservative) — A communications professional who founded Turkington Public Relations Consulting in 2004, Turkington joined the provincial PC Party in late 2023. He has nearly two decades of experience designing integrated communications campaigns for organizations of various sizes.

Clayton Moore (Liberal) — A scientist and business leader, Moore holds a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology and Genetics and a Master of Science in Bioinformatics from the University of Guelph, where his research focused on virology. He works as a senior scientific sales executive at BioRender, a scientific communications software company.

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

Other candidates included Suja Biber (New Blue Party), Chris Martin (Ontario Party), James Schulz (Libertarian), and Peter House (Equal Rights Party).

Local Issues

Housing affordability remained the dominant concern in Waterloo throughout the 2022–2025 term. Rents continued to climb sharply across the region, with average rents having roughly doubled over the preceding decade. The student housing crisis was particularly acute, with reports of landlords imposing illegal lease terms and international students facing exploitative rental practices. The mismatch between the type of housing being built—predominantly single-bedroom units suited to the tech workforce—and the needs of families seeking detached and semi-detached homes added another dimension to the affordability challenge.

The region's technology sector, while continuing to attract investment and talent, faced headwinds from the broader economic climate. Post-secondary institutions raised alarms about provincial funding levels, and the University of Waterloo's financial sustainability was a topic of local concern as the province grappled with how to support institutions that are critical drivers of innovation and economic growth.

The ION light rail transit system, which had spurred billions of dollars in development along its corridor since opening, continued to reshape the urban landscape. While the LRT delivered transit connectivity, the intensification it encouraged contributed to rising property values and rents, creating tension between the goals of transit-oriented development and housing affordability. Stage 2 of the ION system, which would extend the line to Cambridge, remained a subject of advocacy and debate during the campaign.