Food for Thought Blog

Your Guide to Making Food Security a Priority this Provincial Election

February 7th, 2025Awareness

The provincial election is on February 27, and with food insecurity at record levels across the province, including in Waterloo region, it’s crucial that our elected leaders commit to solutions that reduce hunger in our communities. But understanding where candidates stand on these issues—and what the provincial government can do to create lasting change—can be tough. That’s why we’ve created this guide to help you engage in the election process. By using your vote to advocate for a hunger-free future, you can help make food security a priority in this election. 

What does food insecurity look like in Waterloo region? 

In The Food Bank of Waterloo Region’s 41-year history, the demand for emergency food assistance has never been higher. 

  • 1 in 8 households in Waterloo region rely on food support—a staggering 150% increase from just 3 years ago, when it was 1 in 20. 
  • More than 73,600 people in Waterloo region accessed food assistance in 2024—a 25% increase over 2023. 
  • 34% of food assistance recipients in Waterloo region are children. That’s about 25,000 kids. 

What can the provincial government do to address food insecurity? 

This rapid rise in demand for food assistance is a clear sign that food insecurity is getting worse. More people than ever are struggling to afford food—whether that’s due to rising rent and mortgage payments, job loss, soaring grocery prices, low wages, illness, or inadequate social assistance. 

Thankfully, emergency food programs through our partners in the Community Food Assistance Network are there to help those experiencing immediate need. But they can’t solve the root cause of food insecurity: poverty. To make a real difference, all levels of government, including the provincial government, must implement policies that reduce poverty and improve incomes for food-insecure households. 

Feed Ontario, The Food Bank’s provincial partner, has put forward several policy recommendations for the provincial government to consider: 

  • Align Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program rates with the cost of living 
  • Reduce social assistance clawbacks on employment income and benefits 
  • Create a standard flat rate that is consistent regardless of living situation 
  • Align the definition of a spouse with the Family Law Act 
  • Implement automatic tax filing for social assistance recipients so they can access money they are entitled to receive 
  • Classify gig workers as employees so they receive basic labour protections 
  • Reduce barriers to unionization 
  • Protect victims of wage theft 
  • Build more social housing 
  • Implement real rent control by instituting vacancy control 

What can I do to help make food security a priority in this election? 

Consider which candidates truly understand the challenges of food insecurity—and, more importantly, whether they’re committed to addressing key issues like affordable housing, fair wages, and access to social support programs. 

Visit candidates’ websites and social media pages to learn more where they stand on food security and poverty-related issues. Attend local debates, town halls, and candidate forums where these topics may come up. And if a candidate knocks on your door, take the opportunity to ask them directly. Here are some questions you can ask: 

  • With food bank use at a record high, how does your party plan to address food insecurity or lower the number of people needing emergency food support? 
  • Ontario is facing a housing and homelessness crisis. How does your party plan to prioritize affordable housing? Will your party commit to building more affordable housing and providing more supports for renters? 
  • Many people who rely on social assistance (Ontario Works and the Ontario Disability Support Program) live in deep poverty, have to visit food banks just to survive, and are increasingly falling into homelessness. How will your party improve the support available through these two programs? How will you strengthen Ontario’s social safety net? 
  • With Ontario’s cost of living, more people with employment are turning to food banks because they still can’t make ends meet. How does your party plan to improve the quality of employment and worker protections in Ontario? How will your party ensure Ontarians can earn enough to keep up with the cost of living? 
  • There is the potential for a significant economic downturn and job losses in Canada. How will your party ensure people have the support they need? 
  • Employment Insurance is not accessible to many Ontarians, so many unemployed people must turn to Ontario Works, a program that provides very little support. In this time of economic uncertainty and potential job losses, how will your party commit to improving Ontario Works to better protect people? 

You can also sign Feed Ontario’s petition to tell all four party leaders that building a strong social safety net and reducing poverty are key issues for you this election. 

The more we can engage in these conversations, the better equipped we’ll be to elect leaders who will advocate for long-term solutions to food insecurity. 

Who’s running for election in Waterloo region? 

Click the links below to learn more about who’s running for election in your riding.  

Cambridge 

Kitchener Centre 

Kitchener-Conestoga 

Kitchener South-Hespeler 

Waterloo