On my way out the door yesterday morning, a neighbour came by. She had a pained look on her face and said, “I’m sorry for what happened.”

Looking back at her, seeing her good intentions, I told her there’s no need to apologize. Just the opposite. 

Because I feel so differently about... well, everything.

I feel so deeply grateful, proud, and hopeful.

First, gratitude - for the over 14,000 people that chose to put their trust, hope and ultimately their vote behind me and our campaign. To each of you - thank you for your belief in me, in us and our effort to truly put democracy ahead of politics. 

It’s humbling to reflect on the thousands of conversations I have had with so many people across our community over the past nine months - at festivals, front doors, back porches, kitchen tables, or on the phone. 

Thank you for taking the time to share your stories with me, for being courageous enough to vote for what you believed in, and in many cases - for putting up a sign to show your support.

Thank you to this incredible team - from the core staff to the hundreds of people that volunteered. On a daily basis, I was asked where I found the energy to do what I was doing every day. I figured it was obvious - it was from the people I was surrounded by. The diversity, the compassion, the love and support, from a seemingly ever-growing group of people from across our community. 

Thank you to those who stayed past midnight entering data. 

Thank you to those who arrived at the office bright and early for canvassing. 

Thank you to those who wrote silly songs for sign waves. Thank you to those that made delicious food for us all to enjoy. 

Thank you to the young people who inspired us with their drawings. 

Thank you to the scrutineers that came back bleary eyed from the advance polls. 

Thank you, to you all. 

I am also so proud: of what we accomplished together, and how we did it. 

Hundreds of heartfelt messages have come in the days since Monday night. One of the most poignant came from an old friend:

“Hey Mike! I wanted to reach out and congratulate you on last night. I know it’s not what you had hoped for, but it was still an impressive feat. Like Michelle Kwan, who delivered a technically perfect figure skating program at the 1998 Winter Olympics, you didn’t lose the gold. You won the silver.”

We touched every corner of Kitchener Centre. Every street and every building. 

We made sure to engage with everyone - regardless of whether they identified with a party, be it  “Liberal”, “Conservative” or “NDP” - because we started with the fact that we’re people first and foremost.  

We spoke with those that haven’t voted before. We spoke with those not eligible to. 

We listened. We found common ground. And we worked to focus on the priorities of our community:

• On ensuring seniors on fixed income can afford to get by

• On addressing the rising cost of housing across Kitchener

• On expanding health care to include support for mental health, dental & pharmaceuticals

• On taking decisive, honest & science-based action on the climate crisis

• On electoral reform, pushing for a system where every vote would count

We focused on these priorities in place of mud slinging. Because we knew that it’s only by working together that we’ll ever legislate policies that will last.

Lastly, I am hopeful. 

I’m hopeful because all the momentum and community that formed around us and this campaign - it isn’t going anywhere. 

While the lease on our office expires in a few days, the ripple effect that we’ve begun will continue to spread. 

We haven’t yet overcome the challenges our community faces. They are all still there.

And while I won’t be the one representing us in Ottawa in this sitting, this remains a critical time to take action.

And so together, we must. Let’s use the momentum we’ve built, and continue to put in the work.

I look forward to seeing you all on the streets. In place of knocking on your door, you’re more likely to find me at the market or riding my bike. But when you do, please say hi, and know - there’s no need to be sorry. 

I’m grateful, I’m proud and I’m filled with optimism for all that comes next. 

Thank you and see you soon,

Mike