It was a long day yesterday and a long, long campaign with no shortage of hard workers and plenty of work to have been done. I wanted to take this opportunity to reflect on the campaign that was and offer up my thanks to so many.
To my family and friends, I thank you for your unwavering support and many notes of encouragement. The campaign was full of ups and downs and in the downs I could always count on some encouraging words to keep moving forward.
To the campaign team and the huge cast of volunteers (you know who you are!), that motley crew of hopeful folks, this campaign would have been nothing without you. From grade schoolers to seniors, we had such a wonderful diversity of people in the office picking up the phones and out on the streets hammering in signs and dropping off leaflets. You were such a source of inspiration – people shouldering the load to let the community know that politics can be positive, that we can work together to provide a voice for those silenced, and that government can be a place of coming together for the common good. My idealistic spirit about what government can do has been nothing but reinforced by the hours put in by so many, working to make life better for others. Don’t be discouraged – we need you now more than ever. Our community needs as many hands as we can rally to work for the cause of good.
It often felt like we went into this election a dollar short and a day late. As nominations go, we were far behind – months behind the PCs and 8 years behind the Liberals. The Kitchener Centre NDP showed their faith in me, a relatively unknown young man to state our case against an 8 year incumbent cabinet minister and a well-known, well-liked local celebrity. For that vote of confidence I am so very grateful.
The odds and time were stacked against us and yet we showed amazing resiliency – we surpassed our fundraising goal, ran short of signs even after a second order, maxed out our phones on election day due to the overflow of eager volunteers and had our leader Andrea Horwath come to rally us and remind us of why we fight. Throughout we received more and more words of encouragement and more people bought in to what we were doing. We provided hope and positivity, two commodities so lacking in today’s politics. Let’s hold to these ideals, and with them we will inevitably be successful.
It’s natural after such an experience to ask: “Were we successful?” In absolute victory, no. Instead we successfully rallied over 7000 voices to speak out for kinder, more attentive and generous representation. Over 7000 people in Kitchener Centre voted out of hope for a better government and a better future. May 
we not be silenced, but speak louder to rally others to speak out for social democracy, social justice, and a hopeful, generous society.
I’m certain the time will come soon when Ontarians ask for a progressive voice. Let’s work hard to make sure we’re ready when that call comes. After all, “’tis never too late to create a better world.”
Once more, to all those who supported this campaign, with kind words, financial contributions, volunteer work, hosting a sign, and of course, with your vote – my unending thanks.
All the best,
Cameron