Who you should vote for in this federal election

Liberal

Canada is at a crossroads. From the growing threat of climate change to the rising cost of housing and impacts of tariffs on our economy, Canadians are facing serious challenges which demand strong leadership.

Since 2015, the Liberal Party has taken bold action, making zero-emission vehicles more accessible, putting a price on pollution, and standing up for a cleaner, healthier future. However, there’s more in store. Under Mark Carney’s leadership, the party is ready to take the next step.

In their plan, they show their commitment to protecting our environment by developing new national parks, safeguarding biodiversity, and ing Indigenous led conservation efforts. They’ll continue Canada’s International Climate Finance Program, driving private investment and developing economies.

The housing crisis has hit young Canadians especially hard. That’s why the Carney government includes the Create Build Canada Homes (BCH) plans. This is so it can deliver homes faster, more sustainably, and affordably. It’s a plan for real people.

When it comes to defending Canada’s economy, the Liberal Party won’t back down. They’ll protect Canadian industries and Canadian owned businesses by ensuring workers and businesses get the they need in the face of global uncertainty.

Re-electing the Liberal Party of Canada means choosing progress, protection, and possibility. It means choosing a government with the vision and experience to lead Canada through this critical time.

Your vote has power. Your vote matters. In past elections, youth voter turnout has been far too low—but this time, that can change. This time, your voice can make the difference. Vote for affordable housing. Vote for a cleaner future. Vote for a stronger, more secure Canada.

Vote Liberal, Canada Strong.

Lily Ingram is a second-year Health Sciences student and Incoming President of the Queen’s University Liberals Association.

Conservative

Turnout among Canadian voters aged 18 to 24 is typically  low and has traditionally not leaned Conservative. In the federal election, however, this is no longer the case. According to all applicable polling data, this demographic of voters has not only increased its participation but has become substantially more Conservative as well.

While there are many reasons for this change, one in particular stands out—a concern that’s worrying people on university campuses across the country. Discontent with the high cost of living and soaring rents, combined with the young generation’s fear of not ever being able to own a home, are motivating voters to change under the Conservative Party.

Students are voting Conservative more than ever because they understand Pierre Poilievre is the only candidate who will fix this problem by cutting the sales tax on new homes, by building more new homes, and by shrinking Canada’s deficit by 70 per cent. This is all part of his plan to put Canada and Canadians first.

Earlier this month, Poilievre held a rally in Kingston which drew over 4,000 people. Within this large and enthusiastic crowd, most notable was the sea of students dressed in Queen’s University attire. I had the chance to speak to many of these students. Not only did they reiterate their fears for Canada’s housing market under a fourth Liberal term, but they felt confident that life under a Conservative government would bring hope for a real future of buying a home, raising a family, and living debt free.

For this reason, I believe this is the most important election of my lifetime, and I’m convinced that the student vote will have a significant impact on its outcome.

Jonathan Doyle is a third-year history student and President of the Queen’s University Conservative Association.

New Democratic Party

These are difficult times. The challenges we face demand bold action at the federal level. In the face of Trump’s threats, we must rebuild trust in the capacity of our institutions to work for average people, not just the wealthy few.

Our federal government spends most of its budget on corporate welfare each year. In the past nin3 years, the liberals spent an average of $12 billion dollars each year on fossil fuel subsidies alone, taxpayer money sent off to the most profitable oil and gas companies.

It doesn’t have to be this way, our government can work for people again. We can build more homes people can actually afford, especially non-profit housing options like cooperatives. We can also reverse the trend in health care privatization and expand our healthcare system to a fully universal, head-to-toe system that covers pharmacare, dental care, and mental health care.

As someone whose family fled violence in Congo, it is hard for me to witness the ongoing genocide against Palestinians. It has brought back traumatic and difficult memories for my family, seeing the same kind of war crimes on television that my family ran away from. Canada must recognize the state of Palestine and impose a proper two-way arms embargo on Israel, no more loopholes that allow us to sell weapons to Israel through the United States.

Canada is a great country, one of the hopes of the world. New Democrats are Canadians who believe we can be a better one—a country of greater equality, justice, and opportunity.

We can build sustainable prosperity and a society that shares its benefits more fairly, we can protect our environment while growing our economy, and we can work toward meaningful reconciliation with Indigenous nations across Canada.

On April 28, vote for hope, not fear.

Daria Juüdi-Hope is a Queen’s graduate and federal NDP Candidate for Kingston and the Islands.

As part of our election Op-Ed series, The Journal reached out to the Queen’s NDP. The organization hasn’t been active since 2023.

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