Ontario election 2025
News, commentary & analysis
Welcome to the Waterloo Region Climate Collaborative (WRCC) 2025 Ontario provincial election page. As a network of organizations, our aim on this page is not to provide our own analysis of the election, but rather to amplify the work done by others–both within and beyond our network. On this page you will find links to media reports, issue analysis, comparison of party platforms, and more.
A Non-Partisan Stance
The WRCC is non-partisan. We encourage all candidates running for office, regardless of party association, to commit to meaningful policy action informed by science and Indigenous knowledge to protect our communities and address climate change.
Despite our non-partisan stance, some of the content we link to may include commentary that singles out particular parties, or that discusses the Government of Ontario’s record in relation to climate and sustainability. Such commentary can be useful to understand the issues, but WRCC does not endorse any position on which party is best suited to deliver strong climate action in the Ontario Legislature.
Upcoming Events
Our page updates are not frequent enough to capture all the events happening around the region and the province that might help you identify the candidates you want to support. Check our events page for more frequent updates.
Policy Priorities
The Ontario Real Estate Association has produced a party platform report card which you can access here.
• Climate Action Waterloo Region is “a collaboration between local organizations, community members, and municipalities within Waterloo Region focused on climate change mitigation.” They led our region’s development of the Transform WR plan, which charts our path towards an “equitable, prosperous, resilient low carbon community.” In their recent blog post, they outline how provincial responsibilities and policies intersect with our efforts to transition to a low carbon future in Waterloo Region. If you are looking for a list of issues to raise with candidates in your riding, this is a great place to start!
We will continue to add organizations with climate-related election information as we become aware of them. Please feel free to email us with tips about organizations we may have missed!
• One Million Neighbours Waterloo Region is dedicated to fostering dialogue and collaboration between nonprofits and community groups in our region, with the aim of “co-creating a vision for an inclusive, resilient, and abundant future…” Their open letter to provincial election candidates asks those running for office to respond to a series of policy questions, with responses to be posted as they are received. Those questions include several climate-related issues, such as farmland protection and food security, public transit, protecting water and sensitive ecosystems, and access to safe and affordable housing.
• Ontario Nature describe their mission as follows: “To protect wild species and wild spaces through conservation, education and public engagement” (from About Us.) They have published an Ontario Election Toolkit, which has information on a range of environmental issues, including climate. On that page, their list of top policy asks is especially useful, pointing to issues such as the need for strong policies to prevent urban sprawl.
- The Ontario Clean Air Alliance led the campaign to phase out Ontario’s coal-fired power plants, and now they are advocating for a zero-emission energy grid by 2035. They posed four questions for Ontario’s party leaders. These are crucial questions about where our electrical energy comes from. They have now received responses from 3 of the 4 parties regarding their commitments to a phase-out of natural gas powered electricity. From the OCAA page, you can send a message to candidates. Stay tuned as they post the parties’ answers to their questions.
- Evidence for Democracy is “Canada’s leading non-partisan, not-for-profit organization championing the integration of scientific evidence in government decision-making” (from About E4D). They assert that “Science must be on the ballot” for the 2025 Ontario election. Environment and climate action are among the top issues they highlight as needing science-based decision making. Visit their site to take action, including signing their Dear Future Premier letter.
• Sustain Ontario is an alliance of organizations in southern Ontario advocating for sustainable farming and equitable access to healthy local food. Their Vote ON Food and Farming page spotlights election issues related to these issues and will be posting candidate responses to a survey they are conducting. Nurturing sustainable local and regional food systems is so important to reducing emissions and building resilience to climate change! For organizations, Sustain Ontario provides two action templates to engage both sitting MPPs and election candidates.
• Environmental Defence describe themselves as: ”a leading Canadian environmental advocacy organization that works with government, industry and individuals to defend clean water, a safe climate and healthy communities”(from Our Story). These are their criteria for a provincial plan to combat climate change. For this provincial election, they are also putting a spotlight on protecting Ontario’s Greenbelt. They also have a great step-by-step voting plan to make sure you are ready to make your voice count!
• ACORN Ontario is a provincial chapter of an organization promoting organizing and action by low- and moderate-income people across Canada on economic and social issues, including climate justice. They have launched a 2025 Provincial Election Policy Platform. This includes a tab on climate issues, with a particular focus on the intersection of climate change and housing rights. ACORN is a great place to start if you are considering climate change in relation to social justice.
• The Five Ways Home campaign, launched by Alliance for a Liveable Ontario (ALO), outlines key actions needed to address the housing affordability crisis. Check out their election toolkit for ways you can take action to raise awareness. Housing affordability and quality is key to climate justice, as extreme weather events take a disproportionate toll on those who are experiencing housing precarity. Two of ALO’s priority actions are major climate priorities too: building in the right places (i.e. not on sensitive greenspace and farmland) and making affordable housing part of liveable communities (i.e. “close, convenient communities” that are accessible by foot, bicycle, and transit).
Seniors for Climate Action Now promise action for intergenerational climate justice: “Young people are calling on governments to act decisively on the climate emergency. As seniors we will support their lead, amplify their voices and add our own to the growing movement for climate action”(from About Us). They have an Ontario 2025 election page that includes information and ways to take action to raise the profile of climate change with candidates and fellow voters.
Media Reports
The Narwhal is an independent Canadian investigative journalism organization focussed on the environment. Their Ontario 2025 election coverage includes analysis of the Ontario Government’s recent record on climate, sustainability, and other environmental issues. It also looks at the platforms of all the parties as they compete for our votes in the current election.
- We are watching CBC’s Waterloo Region Votes page and the Waterloo Region Record’s Provincial Election page to see what climate and sustainability coverage shows up there. So far, not much…help us change that!
- If you see a media story you think we should link to, email us with “Election news and analysis” in the subject line.
- Watch Ontario Nature’s recorded webinar, “Our Environmental Legacy in Ontario: Your Role in the Snap Election”.
- Watch the Youtube recording of the Faithful Election Conversations: Waterloo Region event that was hosted on February 13th by Martin Luther University College and Mt. Zion Lutheran Church, and moderated by CBC’s Craig Norris. A discussion of climate action starts at the 39 minute mark.
Watch the recording of the February 17th Ontario Leaders Debate, hosted by CPAC.
Wider Action
The Ontario election is overshadowed and overwhelmed by discussions of how to respond to the Tariffs levied against us by the new Trump administration. Trade countermeasures and government spending to support sectors most affected by the trade war are not enough. We need a vision for how all Canadians can come together around core values and commitments to fight for a prosperous and inclusive future in these uncharted waters.
The Pledge for Canada is emerging as a space for this effort to articulate what Canadians stand for. Climate action and related commitments to protect the natural environment feature centrally in the pledge. Consider signing it and passing along the link to your networks.
Consider checking out the Cooperate for Canada (Ontario) site. Cooperate for Canada recognizes that climate action under the current Conservative government has been dismal. By combining polling info with candidate interviews, on the ground track records and other info, they have created a list of candidates most likely to win from other parties (or independents) called Unity Candidates. The list of ridings where voting strategically, for a Unity Candidate, will make a difference can by found here: Ontario Unity Candidates. This is one way to Vote for the Climate.
Keep coming back! We will be updating this page as more resources come available to help you decide which party and candidate deserve your climate vote! If you have suggested links for us, please drop us an email with “Election news and analysis” in the subject line.
The Waterloo Region Climate Collaborative is a grassroots coalition of over 50 climate, environmental and related groups in Waterloo Region. We strive to support each other to take strong collective action to address climate change and work towards more sustainable futures.