5 Hamilton-area residents share what matters to them as Ontario prepares to head to the polls

The provincial election is less than a month away.

As Ontarians prepare to cast their votes, CBCHamilton asked five area residents what matters to them.

From how the pandemic was handled, to policies aimed at increasing affordability and the need to support future generations, here's a look at what they said is top of mind as they get ready to go to the polls on June 2.

Interviews have beenedited for length and clarity.

Tessa Gomes, 25, Corktown(Hamilton Centre):

Q: Willthe COVID-19 pandemic and the way it was handled factor into your vote?

"I voted NDP in the past and I will probably continue to vote NDP. If I had any faith in Ford's government, it's gone. It's been lit on fire and it's been punted out of the universe. I work in the hospitality industry. Most of my fellow industry people have really struggled, dealt with closures, being laid off every other month, just constantly in flux."

Q: What issues are top of mind this election?

"Housing right now is huge, as someone who lives and works downtown. Over the last two years I am devastated by what I've seen and the lack of support from our municipal and provincial government on helping homelessness and the issues surrounding affordable housing. You can't live in Toronto without being basically a millionaire. It's starting to be like that in downtown Hamilton."

Q: What policies or initiatives would you like to see from thenext provincial government, especially around affordability?

"I would love to see something done about rent, something done about the flipping of houses. The real estate in this city, in Hamilton alone, is insane. We really need to stop wealth hoarding and allowing people who have all these resources to continue to build them and leave everyone at the bottom with nothing."

Sunny Virk, 34, Caledonia (HaldimandNorfolk):

Q: Willthe COVID-19 pandemic and the way it was handled factor into your vote?

"Prior to all the mandates being lifted I did think about it a lot. Now with a little bit of normalcy coming back, I'm not thinking about the pandemic so much. I'm thinking about some of the polices around it. How are they going to increase jobs and create more safety for people at their jobs, even in a retail environment?"

Q: What issues are top of mindthis election?

"I'm thinking about fiscal policy and how are they going to create jobs. You have kids that are getting older and I want to make sure there's something left for them. Environmental [issues] too."

Q: What policies or initiatives would you like to see from the next provincial government,especially around affordability?

"I don't really know know what they're going to do to get people into housing. At the same time, your house is the one valuable item you have that at the end of the day when you want to retire, a potential sale on it could set you for your retirement.

It's much harder now. Wedon't have as much food in the fridge. Everything's going up in price, it hurts. Gas is the bottom line. If diesel is going to be expensive for truck drivers to fill up, the consumer is going to end up paying the price."

Marlene Samson, 43, the Mountain (Hamilton Mountain):

Q: Willthe COVID-19 pandemic and the way it was handled factor into your vote?

"I'm a [Personal Support Worker]. I like Doug Ford. He actually raised our salary for $3 and I think he handled it very well."

Q: What issues are top of mind this election?

"Ford did the right things especially for healthcare. We have lots of supplies and masks. I'm very, very satisfied with that guy."

Q: What policies or initiatives would you like to see from thenext provincial government, especially around affordability?

"I hope they give more subsidies for lower income people.I hope gas will go down. Help people more in Ukraine."

Rob Hill, 56, East Hamilton (Hamilton EastStoney Creek):

Q: Willthe COVID-19 pandemic and the way it was handled factor into your vote?

"Provincially I think I'm going to have to stay with Doug Ford. I don't like some of the things he's doing butI would take him over the other two. The COVID testing was really ridiculous. They could have mailed everybody, instead of everyone lining up."

Q: What issues are top of mind this election?

"Low income is what I'm concerned about. The cost of living has gone up, rent, everything like that. But these people that are on disability or can't work at all, they haven't seen a dime increase."

Q: What policies or initiatives would you like to see from thenext provincial government, especially around affordability?

"I don't know how to control that. I think the can of worms is already open. I don't think there's a chance of slowing that down. It's just getting the ones who are behind up a little bit more."

Phyllis Doyle, 85, the Mountain (Hamilton Mountain):

Q: Willthe COVID-19 pandemic and the way it was handled factor into your vote?

"I thought they were doing a good job. I think they dropped this a little bit too soon," she said, tugging her mask. "I want a healthy life for my children to grow up in. But to be honest with you, I'm an NDP person all the way."

Q: What issues are top of mindthis election?

"Health care. They need to up that a little bit. There's just too much going on in the hospitals and they'repostponing people.People in my building can't get their operations on their knees and they're in pain all the time. It's sad. More support for health care."

Q: What policies or initiatives would you like to see from thenext provincial government, especially around affordability?

"The cost of living is justridiculous. We need to lower the cost of living so people can survive. I'm lucky that I worked and got a fair pension, but I have a [family member] who's on welfare and it's just sad. They do the best they can, but the government has to smarten up. Let's do something."

What issues matter to you?

CBC Hamilton wants to hear what issues matter to you and what will inform the choice you make on election day.

Fill out the questionnaire below to help us know which issues voters want to see focused on.