2026 Municipal Elections

Your Vote Matters

Municipal elections shape the public services we rely on every day. Decisions made by local elected officials affect our workplaces, our communities, and the services residents across Waterloo Region depend on.

CUPE 1883 reviewed candidate survey responses to understand where candidates stand on issues that matter to our union, our members, and the public services we provide.  

Press Release: https://cupe.on.ca/regions-inside-workers-endorse-election-candidates-who-pledge-to-keep-water-public/

CUPE 1883 Endorsements

Our endorsements reflect candidates’ responses to our survey and their alignment with CUPE 1883’s values and priorities, including strong public services, responsible growth, and keeping essential services publicly accountable.

Every endorsed candidate has committed to : 

  1. Speak up and protect public services
  2. Oppose water privatization 
  3. Stand up for worker rights 

Explore our endorsements below to see which candidates CUPE 1883 is supporting in the 2026 municipal election.

Not every race has an endorsement. In some cases, no candidate’s responses aligned with our union’s values. In other races, candidates did not complete our survey. See our endorsement process below. 

City of Cambridge

City of Kitchener

City of Waterloo

  • Regional Councillor: Lindsay Manary
  • Mayor: No CUPE 1883 Endorsement
  • Regional Councillor: No CUPE 1883 Endorsement

Townships

  • Mayor Wilmot: Stephanie Goertz
  • Mayor: North Dumfries: No CUPE 1883 Endorsement
  • Mayor: Wellesley: No CUPE 1883 Endorsement
  • Mayor: Woolwich: No CUPE 1883 Endorsement
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Candidate Participation

Of the 58 candidates running in the races, 54 were sent an invitation to participate in our survey. Four candidates did not have publicly listed email addresses. We received 23 survey responses before the deadline and one additional response after the deadline. Of the 23 responses reviewed, 10 candidates were endorsed by CUPE 1883.

Incumbent Participation and Accountability

Of the 15 current incumbents, only four completed our survey, and all four received an endorsement from CUPE 1883. One incumbent is not seeking re-election. That means 10 incumbent councillors seeking re-election did not complete our survey.

The following incumbent councillors did not complete the survey:

  • Doug Craig
  • Jim Erb
  • Michael Harris
  • Chantal Huinink
  • Jan Liggett
  • Dorothy McCabe
  • Joe Nowak
  • Natasha Salonen
  • Sandy Shantz
  • Berry Vrbanovic

We believe this lack of participation is concerning. Municipal leaders make decisions that directly affect public services, the workers who deliver them, and the residents who rely on them. Voters deserve to know where their elected representatives stand on these issues.

By not participating, these incumbents missed an opportunity to clearly communicate their positions on the priorities that matter to CUPE 1883 members and the broader community. As they seek another term in office, residents should consider what candidates have said, what they have done, and how they have demonstrated their commitment to strong, accountable public services.

Endorsement Criteria and Process

CUPE 1883’s municipal election endorsements were based on candidates’ responses to our survey and how well their stated positions aligned with the priorities and values of our Local.

The CUPE 1883 Executive reviewed the responses received and discussed whether candidates’ answers aligned with our priorities, including strong public services, responsible growth, and keeping essential services publicly accountable. Endorsements were determined through this review process.

Candidate Survey Responses

Transparency matters. We are sharing the responses received from candidates who completed the CUPE 1883 municipal election survey so members and residents can review their positions on the issues that affect our communities and public services.

Review the responses to learn what candidates had to say about the questions raised by CUPE 1883. Below is a list of all candidates who completed the survey. 

Get Ready to Vote

The 2026 municipal election takes place on Monday, October 26, 2026, early voting is now open!

Use the CUPE 1883 Voter Reference Guides to record your preferred candidates before heading to the polls. The guides are designed to be printable to help you prepare and serve as a reminder when you vote. There is a separate guide for each city and township.

We encourage all members to do their research, learn about the candidates, and make an informed choice.

Your vote is your choice. Make it count!

Questions? Send an email to Jen Cyr our Municipal Elections organizer, organize@cupe1883.ca