We asked London candidates: What's the top issue for voters?

Candidates operating in three London ridings within the federal election met with voters at an off-the-cuff gathering Wednesday at Goodwill Industries on Horton Road.

Organized by the London Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by the London St. Thomas Affiliation of Realtors, the occasion additionally provided a chance for London’s enterprise neighborhood to talk with candidates within the ridings of London West, London Centre and London-Fanshawe.

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We requested candidates what’s prime of thoughts for voters forward of the April 28 vote. Right here’s what they stated:

Peter Fragiskatos is the Liberal candidate in London Centre. Photograph taken in London on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. (Derek Ruttan/The London Free Press)

Peter Fragiskatos

London Centre Liberal candidate

“On this election, every thing has hinged on the query of (U.S. President) Donald Trump and what he stands for and what his tariff coverage and every thing that follows means for Canada, however particularly the southwest of Ontario and London, as a result of clearly we’re so trade-dependent.”

Lindsay Mathyssen

London-Fanshawe NDP candidate

“I’d say that the dominant (concern) might be about Trump and tariffs and the way that every one pertains to jobs. However, I imply, it’s associated to affordability, proper? So, all of them tie in collectively. Individuals are simply fearful total, they usually wish to be sure that they’ve somebody who’s elected that has their again, who will struggle for them, who they know that they will belief and are available to once they have questions or they want help.”

Mary Ann Hodge

London Centre Inexperienced Get together candidate

“I believe that, inside the media, the entire dialog is Trump and tariffs. Nevertheless it’s shocking how many individuals are literally speaking to me about election reform. So, it’s not one thing that I at all times deliver up on the door, however it’s shocking how many individuals are bringing that ahead to me. And so I believe that there’s a rising pattern that persons are bored with being scared into voting both a technique or one other. And they also wish to see extra selection.”

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Stephen Gallant

London Centre Conservative candidate

“Affordability. There’s a number of points, however definitely affordability is true up excessive on the checklist. Lots of people that I’m assembly are actually struggling to make ends meet.”

Bruce Lamb

London Centre Canadian Future Get together candidate

“Properly, nowadays it’s tariffs. Every little thing’s in regards to the tariffs and Canada’s response. And it was attention-grabbing as a result of this was beginning to make waves after Donald Trump was elected, however earlier than he truly began taking motion… The response to the tariffs is essentially the most urgent factor that persons are speaking about.”