Karleigh Csordas, the Green Party of Ontario candidate for Brantford-Brant, sat down with BrantBlog to discuss her campaign, policy priorities, and the importance of civic engagement ahead of the February 27th by-election.
A lifelong Brantford resident with a background in kinesiology and community advocacy, she emphasized her commitment to sustainability, housing affordability, and healthcare access.
Speaking about her platform, the Green Party candidate underscored the importance of environmental and economic sustainability, advocating for responsible urban development.
“We know that we can increase our density within urban boundaries to build fourplexes and four-story homes, making sure that people can live where they work,” she explained.
She stressed that sustainable urban planning must go hand in hand with affordability and infrastructure improvements to ensure that residents’ needs are met.
Housing affordability remains a key concern in Brantford-Brant, with many residents struggling to enter the housing market.
Csordas highlighted the party’s First-Time Home Buyers Plan, which proposes eliminating the land transfer tax for first-time buyers.
“Right now, buying a home is unaffordable for many. We need to remove barriers while ensuring that new housing developments align with community needs,” she said.
Healthcare access, particularly the push for a new hospital in Brantford, was another focus of the discussion.
The Green Party candidate pointed to the widespread “Hospital Now” campaign seen throughout the riding and criticized the lack of action despite years of planning.
“There have been assessments and discussions about building a new hospital, but we haven’t seen any shovels in the ground. We need an MPP who will fight to make it happen,” she stated.
Karleigh Csordas also spoke about the party’s vision for transitioning to a green economy, emphasizing the importance of skilled trades in this shift.
She called for affordable tuition and expanded apprenticeship programs to prepare workers for jobs in clean energy and sustainable industries.
“There are opportunities in the green economy, but we need to ensure that workers have the skills to meet the demand,” she noted.
When asked about representation and community engagement, Csordas positioned herself as a grassroots candidate, emphasizing her active involvement in local initiatives.
“Many people in Brantford feel unheard by their MPP. I’m out in the community, having difficult conversations, and advocating for real solutions,” she said.
Encouraging voter participation, the Green Party candidate reminded residents that advanced voting is already open.
“Your vote does make a difference. There are multiple ways to vote—online, through advanced polls, or on election day. The important thing is to get involved,” she urged.
With election day approaching, she is hoping to mobilize voters who may feel disengaged.
“People often say they’re not interested in politics, but the reality is that politics affects their daily lives. My goal is to connect with those who feel left out of the conversation,” Csordas concluded.
Brantford-Brant, a riding that includes the City of Brantford, Brant County, and parts of Six Nations and New Credit First Nations, has been a competitive district in past elections.
Formerly held by Liberal Dave Levac from 1999 to 2018, the seat was won by Progressive Conservative Will Bouma in 2018 and again in 2022.
With opposition leaders Bonnie Crombie (Liberal), Marit Stiles (NDP), and Mike Schreiner (Green) all criticizing Ford’s early election call as unnecessary and wasteful, the February 27 election will determine whether the PCs maintain control or if the opposition can shift the balance in key battleground ridings like Brantford-Brant.
