As the Ontario provincial election moves closer to the Feb. 27 election date, Humber Polytechnic students at North campus are largely unaware of — and uninterested — in the details of the upcoming vote.
Humber Et Cetera approached about 25 students and most answered swiftly stating they had no interest or information about the upcoming election. This was similar to the 2021 provincial election where only 44.1 per cent of the eligible voters showed up. This broke the previous record for a low turnout of 48.2 per cent in the 2011 Ontario provincial election.
Yanna Hibbert is a first-year esthetician and spa management student who is undecided on who to support. It's her first time voting but heavily values social issues and the cost of living crisis, which she thinks the provincial government has not handled well.
"There could have been more done, some money went to places where it could have been put to solve those issues," she said.
Hibbert is also concerned with Ford's previous comments downplaying Canada's history of systemic racism and slavery.
"I don't like how a lot of the government or people like to make it seem that Canada is this super friendly land of the free when we aren't that at all back then," she said.
Hibbert's concerns don't only end with Ford. The NDP's recent rejection of MPP Sarah Jama's paperwork to run for the NDP, likely due to her pro-Palestinian comments in the past, has caused her to clash with provincial NDP Leader Merit Stiles.
She also has trouble keeping up with news around the election, mainly getting her information from her social feeds being to her. She also was unaware of the provincial party leaders off the top of her head.
"I don't do my research, which I should, especially going into voting," Hibbert said.
Cameron Valcic, a second-year paramedic student who generally leans to the left but is not affiliated with one party in particular, values the funding of Ontario's healthcare system and support for its workers as well as a prioritization of moving away from trade with the U.S.
"They can't be this trusted ally anymore as they once were, so I want to see more prioritization on Canadian goods within Ontario but also inter-province," he said. "Whatever premier can facilitate that trade prioritization will get my vote."
Valcic does not want to forgive Ford for his past indiscretions against healthcare workers and the healthcare system.
"I think people have their time and need to go eventually," he said.
Valcic also is not too worried about the record low turnout at the last provincial vote.
"I try not to worry about things out of my control," he said. "If people aren't feeling politically motivated or charged enough to get out there and give their opinion and get their vote in that's something I can't change."
Guilherme Fransico is a second-year business management student who sits at the centre of the political spectrum. He's interested in the economics and housing crisis the province faces. It is also his first time voting since moving to Canada.
He doesn't lay all the blame on the provincial government for the housing crisis but does believe Ford prioritizes building for the more well-off than for the needs of all people.
"Provinces need support from the [federal] government, especially Ontario. You don't see new houses being built but if they are, it's for rich people," he said.
As an immigrant, Fransico's faced these issues and has talked to people who are in similar situations to him.
"I met a 45-year-old man, who has a family, decided to change countries for better opportunities for his family and he has to rent a basement because he can't afford a house or a room," he said. "That's very concerning."
Fransico acknowledges housing isn't the only issue and it's not just one person or party responsible for these issues and that we need to stand together.
"I felt (it) very heavily when I saw Trump announce the tariffs and most Canadians were getting together to fight against these issues," he said.
Only one person talked to identified as a Progressive Conservative voter but refused to give their name or information and simply stated "Vote for PP," referencing Pierre Polievre, the leader of the federal Conservative Party.
