Lack of vision for Canada, specific details a problem in federal election, these voters say

The federal parties have not provided a vision for Canada in the future, and their platforms lack specific details on how they will make change going forward, say two voters in Waterloo region.

Victoria Robertson is a voter in Waterloo and Nathan Whalen is a voter in Cambridge. They joined CBC K-W's The Morning Edition's host Craig Norris on a weekly voter panel to talk about their top issues, including climate change, the economy, pharmacare and homelessness.

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Robertson said she's aware of many of the issues being raised in this election.

"We have a lot of good ideas which are moving us in a positive direction but we're lacking tangible, specific numbers and active plans," she said.

She noted she knows it can be hard to put dollar figures or numbers on every platform promise, but the lack of specifics can turn voters off.

She has friends and peers that "vaguely care but are they going to get themselves to a voting station without something that like, is a number that's going to help them. Not unless I push them pretty hard and maybe drive them there."

Whalen said he sees other countries, like China and Japan, investing in new technologies and he'd like to see Canada, known for its innovation, push forward on that front.

"How do we make sure that we're the leader in artificial intelligence? How do we make sure that we have some of the world's first hyperloop systems? How do we make sure that we are actually investing in space exploration," he said.

"I did see a little bit of that in terms of infrastructure spending, but not in the kind of innovative way that I think Canadians are looking for."

Issues impacting quality of life

Robertson said her top issues include climate change, affordable housing and pharmacare.

"These are all things that I'm starting to be aware of that may be impacting my quality of life and my existence," she said.

Pharmacare is important to her, she said, because she just graduated from university and is no longer covered by her parents' plan. As well, she says it can be hard to find jobs that offer health benefits.

"I don't think it's fair for people to have to be paying for some parts of their medical care because we should be supporting each other on that," she said.

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When it comes to climate change, she said it's clear there needs to be action taken immediately.

"The ocean was on fire this summer and that terrifies me," she said, referencing an oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico that caught fire. "I think that we have some decent ideas in this country about what we're doing but fail to enforce any policy on them a lot."

In terms of affordable housing and housing affordability, she says she's looking at renting for a long time, but it would be nice to be able to buy a place where she could paint the walls and put up artwork without getting in trouble from a landlord.

Jobs, economy important

For Whalen, the economy and jobs are top of mind.

"Economic issues, putting money back in my pocket or my family, I grew up in a low-income housing situation, single mom in Newfoundland and the financial security aspect has always been my number one thing when I cast my ballot," he said.

"Everybody has to be concerned about [climate change], that's a really serious issue, but I think it's really tough for most folks, including me, to cast our ballot based on that issue when there's so much in the way on the economics and job front."

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Another big issue for him locally is homelessness and help for people with addictions, Whalen said.

He said in his city, there are a number of people living on the streets or in tent encampments and it concerns him that no politicians seem to be addressing the issue.

"I haven't heard anything about this," he said.

Listen to the full panel: