GVCA Presidents Message October

It’s the fall of 2026, which means we’re about a month away from municipal election season—the time when, unfortunately, many of us choose not to participate in one of the elections that has the most direct impact on our daily lives.

In the last municipal election, only 25.34% of eligible voters cast a ballot. That compares with approximately 49.7% turnout in the most recent Ontario provincial election and 69% federally. Municipal voter participation remains remarkably low.

And yet, we don’t show up to vote for the people making decisions that directly affect our jobs, businesses, homes and communities.

It’s time for that to change.

Over the past several years, we have seen how the actions—or inaction—of elected officials can directly affect our livelihoods. Delays in decision-making, postponed infrastructure improvements, bureaucracy and what many perceive as a lack of leadership all come with a cost. As massive amounts of federal and provincial funding flows into our communities over the coming years, we need a laser focus on the big-picture objective: working together to build stronger, more prosperous communities.  Canada is rebuilding itself in order to limit the liability of the impact of tariffs and the change in the global economy.

Construction represents an estimated 10–15% of the labour force in the Grand Valley Construction Association catchment area. Our voice matters.

With voter turnout so low, it’s time for employers to remind their teams of the importance of municipal elections and the impact local government has on jobs, infrastructure, and economic opportunity. As we move toward a region of well over one million people, our industry will be significantly affected by decisions—or a lack of decisions—around housing, roads, transit, infrastructure, development, taxes and community growth.

We have seen the consequences of apathy in municipal elections. Perhaps it’s time to move away from simply voting for a politician and start thinking more deliberately about voting on the issues that matter to our communities.

So, what can we do?

Start by becoming informed. Know the issues. Know the candidates. Understand what they believe is important and, more importantly, what they are prepared to lead and share that with your employees.

Anyone who comes to your door or hosts a community event should be asked a simple question:

What big issue are you personally willing to lead and bring forward?

Too often, municipal governments can fall into a form of groupthink that discourages individual initiative and leadership. There is an opportunity to change that.

At the federal level, individual members can bring forward private members’ bills on issues important to their communities. There is no reason local government cannot foster the same spirit of individual leadership—councilors championing ideas, bringing forward solutions, and taking ownership of the issues that matter to the people they represent.

Municipal government affects us every day. It affects where we live, where we work, how we move, what we pay, where we build and how our communities grow.

The question is not whether municipal elections matter.  The question is what impact we are going to have on our future.  Our area can lead the future of Canadian cities and set the model for good growth and prosperity. We can’t so this with the current slate of elected officials. The time to act is now.