From a table at Mr. Burger in Oshawa, you can see the General Motors plant that anchors the city's economy.
People there for the lunchtime rush — whether they work in the auto sector or not — are keenly aware of the potential impact of the tariffs that U.S. President Donald Trump is threatening to impose starting Wednesday.
Trump is "the number one thing we're most concerned about, and of course tariffs," said Dana Lynchock, a retired auto worker, as he waited for his order.
The impact of the tariffs on Oshawa will be terrible, says Lynchock.
"It's going to threaten everybody's livelihoods," he said. "A lot of good people are going to get hurt."
Lynchock wants the federal government to strike back as much as possible against the tariffs and in the election, he's looking for a leader who's strong enough to stand up to Trump.
Dana Lynchock (Rob Krbavac/CBC)"I would not have voted for [Justin] Trudeau. That would never have been an option" said Lynchock. But he says he's open to supporting new Liberal Leader Mark Carney.
"Maybe Carney is the guy, I don't know," he said. "We're just starting to get introduced to him. But so far, he's presented very well."
'I think about my kids'Harry Porquet works for a company that transports newly built vehicles from the GM plant to auto dealerships in Canada and locations south of the border. He expects the industry to be hit hard by tariffs.
"I'm at the end of my career, so I'm OK, but there's a lot of people in our office that have younger families and mortgages and I feel bad for them," said Porquet in an interview.
Harry Porquet (Rob Krbavac/CBC)He says his top issue in the election is the future prospects for young people, particularly housing affordability.
"I think about my kids. I have a 22-year-old and a 27-year-old and without their parents' help, they're not going to be able to get into the real estate market," he said.
Porquet says he wants to find out more about what the parties are promising on housing and will wait until later in the election campaign to decide how he'll vote.
'I'm afraid of Donald Trump'Trump is the first thing that comes to mind for George Mitchell when asked what matters to him in the election.
"I'm afraid of Donald Trump," said Mitchell, who lives in Courtice, just a few kilometres east of Oshawa. "I think the tariffs are going to hurt us. We're going to see some unemployment, some layoffs."
Mitchell, who is retired, also says the cost of living and the availability of housing are of concern.
George Mitchell (Rob Krbavac/CBC)How does all that affect his intention to vote?
"I like Carney's approach," Mitchell said. "I think he'll do a good job."
'Don't want to live at home forever'Muhammad Ross, who works in the construction industry, says the cost of housing is top of mind, particularly for his adult children who are still living with him.
"I would just like my kids to be able to afford a house," said Ross. "I don't want my kids living at home forever. They don't want to live at home forever."
Muhammad Ross (Rob Krbavac/CBC)He questions how young people are supposed to manage to save enough for a down payment, even if they have good jobs, given the cost of renting.
Ross says he hasn't heard anything from any party that will help with housing affordability and doubts the election will bring any drastic change. "Honestly, I don't think I've heard what I want to hear yet," he said
'Rent is so high'Denis Doyon would love to elect a politician who can actually make life more affordable but he is highly sceptical that's possible.
Denis Doyon (Rob Krbavac/CBC)"For example, the price of rent is so high right now. How can it come down?" said Doyon, an Oshawa resident.
Doyon says he won't support the Liberals and describes Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre as "a pretty good guy," but still needs convincing he'd keep his promises if he wins the election.
Trump has signed a proclamation to impose 25 per cent tariffs on imported vehicles effective Wednesday. According to a White House fact sheet, the tariffs will only apply to the value of "non-U.S. content" in vehicles imported under the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement on trade.
Trump is scheduled to reveal a broader swath of tariffs against countries around the world during an event in the White House Rose Garden at 4 p.m. ET.
WATCH | Trump tariff plan 'defies logic': U.S. President Donald Trump is imposing a 25 per cent tariff on vehicles not made in the U.S. Andrew Chang explains why this threat is different. Plus, is now the perfect time to buy a home in Canada?