Thunder Bay's federal election candidates share top issues they're hearing about on campaign trail

Affordability and U.S. tariffs were the main concerns shared by voters and candidates alike at Wednesday night's meet and greet in Thunder Bay, Ont., ahead of Monday's federal election.

The event was hosted by the Thunder Bay Public Library at its Waverley branch. All candidates from the Thunder Bay—Superior North and Thunder Bay—Rainy River ridings were invited, and all but the Greens attended.

It was an informal gathering, where people had an opportunity to speak one-on-one with those vying for their support.

"It's an essential part of our democratic mission as a public institution, as the library, as people's real public access to information and knowledge, that we're able to fill this function," said the library's CEO, Richard Togman.

"Regardless of political affiliation, orientation, whether you sit left, right, centre on the spectrum, everyone is welcome here at the library, and all of the candidates are welcome to deliver their message to the public and really engage one-on-one with people to decide what's important to them."

CBC News asked each candidate at Wednesday night's event to share concerns and issues they're hearing about the most from people in their ridings.

What Thunder Bay—Superior North's candidates are hearing

For Thunder Bay—Superior North's Liberal incumbent Patty Hajdu, it's "the need for stable, serious and experienced leadership during a time where we're seeing a fracturing with the United States, our closest trading partner."

"People really don't want a government that's divisive. They don't want leaders that are pitting us against each other. They want people that can see the promise and potential in all Canadians," she said.

Conservative candidate Bob Herman pointed to economic concerns, especially among younger generations.

"They're living pay cheque to pay cheque. They have good jobs — sometimes they have more than one job — but they just can't save enough money to buy a house, for example," Herman said. "They're tired of having all these taxes heaped up on them, and they're concerned about their future."

The riding's NDP candidate, Joy Wakefield, said U.S. president Donald Trump dominated much of the conversation at the start of the election, but now she's hearing more about housing, health care, infrastructure gaps and reconciliation.

"The environment has come up. I've heard about Gaza as well, and affordability is a big one that people are talking about, the cost of groceries, the cost of living," Wakefield said.

Amos Bradley of the People's Party of Canada said he's been talking a lot about job security and U.S. tariffs.

"They're thinking of their kids and what their kids are going to have in a couple years if the economy is going to continue to get worse," Bradley said.

"As far as the tariffs are concerned, open, honest negotiation with the states is the best move."

Issues shared with Thunder Bay—Rainy River's candidates

In Thunder Bay—Rainy River, Liberal incumbent Marcus Powlowski said residents are worried about the Canada–U.S. trade war.

"Overwhelmingly about Donald Trump and concerns about Donald Trump, his openly advocating that we become the 51st state, that kind of economic turmoil that would come out of this kind of behaviour," Powlowski said.

The cost of living is another issue that keeps coming up, he added.

Similarly, Conservative candidate Brendan Hyatt spoke about tensions between Canada and the U.S. and the ripple effect on the economy.

"I think that the things that we really need to focus on is making Canada as a whole, a country where we actually build in this country, and actually find trading partners that are more amenable to working with us," Hyatt said. 

Yuk-Sem Won of the NDP, who participated in the event by video call, said Canadian unity has been a big theme on the campaign trail, as well as ways to support Canadian businesses and industries.

"The second one is the concerns around health care. It's about making sure that there's no cuts to health care and that we continue to expand it," she said.

People's Party of Canada candidate Sabrina Ree shared several concerns she's been hearing about, including the ability of young people to buy homes, the impact of the carbon tax on people in the trucking and agriculture sectors, and overall affordability.

"The seniors are really, really concerned that they have to make a decision between their groceries or their heating bill, which one to pay," Ree said.

Housing, climate change among voter concerns

Omotunde Adeniran is completing his PhD at Lakehead University. He said many of his peers have struggled to find accommodation in the city, and he wants to see the next federal government do more to address homelessness.

"We need leadership in this country," Adeniran said.

For Drake Parr, the housing crisis hits differently. The seasoned carpenter said he cannot afford to buy his own home. 

"I fix houses all the time, so not being able to afford one at my age is kind of ridiculous, right?" Parr said. "I don't have that kind of money and I don't make that kind of money."

Sarah Lewis, who brought her children along with her, said she's concerned about how the rising cost of living will affect their future.

"What matters most is building a country that can be a leader in the world again, and really having a region in northwestern Ontario where people are able to have good jobs and to support their families, which I think is a struggle for a lot of people right now," Lewis said.

Climate change was another concern raised. Keith Swazey said he wants more done to address the urgency of environmental issues, and sees green energy as a good opportunity to boost the economy.

"The way the world [is], this is the biggest economic opportunity we've had in 100 years to change, to move ahead," he said.

CBC News has compiled a list of election promises made by Canada's major parties. More information about local candidates in northwestern Ontario can be found here.