With snap election set for Feb. 27, students are being encouraged to mark their ballots to shape their future.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford called the election on Jan. 29, despite the provincial vote not being scheduled until June 2026, marking Ontario’s first February provincial election since 1883.
In 2022, the province recorded its lowest voter turnout in history, with only 43.5 per cent of eligible voters casting a ballot, according to CTV News. To boost student participation, the AMS has launched initiatives aimed at improving voter awareness by partnering with Dais, a Toronto Metropolitan University based non-governmental organization focused on voter engagement, to set up information booths across campus during the voting period.
“We’ve been working closely with Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance, and the manager of operations to ensure we have boothing materials and resources,” Vice-President (University Affairs) Ruth Osunde said in an interview with The Journal.
A “Meet the Candidates” event is scheduled for Feb. 26 from 7 to 9 p.m. in Goodes Hall, with three of the four confirmed Kingston and the Islands candidates taking part in a moderated discussion, addressing student issues in a forum-style format.
So far, Kingston has seen three nominations for the provincial elections, including current member of provincial parliament Ted Hsu for the Liberal Party, Elliot Goodell Ugalde as the NDP nominee, and Green Party candidate Zachary Typhair. The Conservative Party has yet to announce a candidate.
For Queen’s student Ella Marrie Campeau, ArtSci ’26, voting is about shaping Ontario’s future and emphasizing the direct impact provincial policies have on student life. Describing herself as deeply connected to politics, she believes students understanding and engaging in local elections is essential, but she also understands feeling overwhelmed with information overload.
“Politics is incredibly important to stay active in especially in your local community, because this [politics] is what influences your life,” Marrie Campeau said in an interview with The Journal.
One of the key issues Campeau highlighted is the ongoing financial crisis Ontario universities are in the thick of. Queen’s is currently projecting a $35.7 million operating budget deficit for 2024-25. In 2023-24, York University’s operating deficit was $142 million, almost double the projected amount.
“You’re wondering why Queen’s has a deficit. You’re wondering why Queen’s has a problem. It’s because the provincial government hasn’t cared about post-secondary education for decades,” Marrie Campeau said.
The third-year student stressed these funding decisions, alongside policies on housing and affordability, make voting essential for students.
Osunde echoed the importance of voting, calling it the most fundamental way to participate in democracy.
“If someone complains about policies but didn’t vote, I almost don’t want to hear it,” Osunde said. “We need to stay informed and critically analyze platforms, not just skim headlines. Understanding which levels of government handle which issues can make a huge difference.”
When asked how she would encourage students to vote, Marrie Campeau underscored the long-term consequences of political disengagement.
“Politics is the way you show up for yourself because we live in a democracy,” she said. “We all have an ethical calling to show up for ourselves in these conversations because otherwise, you’re actively letting whatever happens without trying to at least at all protest or give your voice.”
Polls for the provincial election are now open. Ontarians can cast their votes early by visiting their local election office until 6 p.m. before election day on Feb. 27. Ontarians can vote at their assigned location according to their address on election day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
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