Tariffs, accessibility, health care top of mind for voters in Windsor—Tecumseh—Lakeshore

In the federal riding of Windsor—Tecumseh—Lakeshore, U.S. imposed tariffs, health care, inflation and accessibility are some of the top election issues among the voters CBC News spoke with.

Resident Terry Regier said there's an impending crisis with volatile markets, an aftermath of the uncertainty that U.S. President Donald Trump has created with his tariff war.

"The ability to handle the tariffs, the character of the individual and the economics behind how we handle our debt," he said, are the characteristics he's looking for in candidates.

Terry said he is undecided for the first time in 40 years on who will get his vote. He said he will be voting strategically this time to vote in a party leader that can face off against Trump. 

Seniors' health care should be ensured: Voter

This riding, formerly known as Windsor—Tecumseh, has been redrawn to now include portions of Lakeshore after a redistribution process that ended in September 2023, spearheaded by an independent commission. The riding picks up the portion of Lakeshore north of Highway 401 and west of Puce River, formerly in the riding of Essex. 

Terry's wife, Carole Regier, said seniors' health care is the sole issue she is concerned about and would like the party leaders to address it on the campaign trail.

"Don't take away the drug deals that they have for us, and the pensions. I'm kind of worried about losing pensions," she said. "I'm worried that the candidates have got a lot of promises that they're making, but how many are actually gonna go through?"

"We have a set amount of money we get in a month. And even if we do have our pensions from our previous jobs, it all gets eaten away," said Terry. 

Inflation and job security 

Kailey Ross said she is looking for a big change for the country.

"Obviously education is a huge thing. My daughter needs extra help, so I really don't want those budget cuts," she said.

Outside of a grocery store, the young mother said amidst inflationary pressures and rising grocery prices, it's not easy to raise a family.

For Lorrhea Marion, 20, this will be her first time voting in a federal election.

"It's very important to look at societal changes within the working class more and I feel like a lot of parties are very focused on businesses when I think we should be focusing on the citizens," she said.

Working at a sushi restaurant, Marion said affordability and job security are a real concern for herself and other young people.

"Honestly, it's been kind of hard," she said. "I went to Toronto for school and then I moved back home just because it's really expensive."

Marion said the political climate in the United States and the rising anti-immigration rhetoric in Canada is also concerning.

"I am a person of colour, I'm Filipino, my mom's an immigrant. So seeing these things, it's very scary and upsetting. Immigrants are very good for the economy," she said. "A lot of people my age are very worried."

Tariffs a top concern

Amber Elaine Brown said she is undecided on who to vote for.

"Just the last couple years have been really bad and it's just going to continue, just like in the States, if the wrong person gets in," she said.

Calling Trump "bad for humanity," she said she is worried about tariffs.

Her friend, Jayden Douglas Mullen, said beyond the inflationary pressures that potentially could worsen due to tariffs, he wants the next leader to repair the social fabric between the two countries.

"Trump is building a wall against the only companion that they really have... It's bad for both America and Canada."

Economic stability and health-care improvements needed

"Economic stability would be my biggest one. Having housing and job availability for everyone is also key," said Umesh Babar. 

As a retiree, Babar said he's looking for better medical and dental care plans from the parties. 

"I appreciate that more can be done on the waiting time on different tests being done. It takes a lot of time. People have to suffer before they can even be diagnosed with what's going on with their health," he said.

Accessibility missing on the campaign trail: Voter

David Best said much of the election so far has been focused on tariffs, at the expense of other important issues.

"One of the big frustrations is the whole topic of disability rights is totally ignored by the campaign leaders," said Best, who is blind. "I've heard nothing about what they will do to help people come out of poverty and obtain housing that is accessible."

Best said there's very little incentive for small businesses to adopt accessibility strategies in their business.

He also said productivity over the past decade has been declining and wants the leaders to share their plans for boosting innovation and technology.

Who's running?

The following candidates are running in Windsor—Tecumseh—Lakeshore. 

• Nick Babic — People's Party of Canada
• Kathy Borrelli — Conservative Party of Canada
• Helmi Charif — Centrist Party of Canada
• Alex Ilijoski — New Democratic Party
• Irek Kusmierczyk — Liberal Party of Canada (incumbent)
• Beth St Denis — Christian Heritage Party of Canada
• Roxanne Tellier — Green Party of Canada