Ontario Election Day: Ford’s PCs Aim for Historic Majority Against NDP and Liberals
Ontario’s election day sees Doug Ford’s PCs aiming for a third majority, while NDP, Liberal, and Green leaders vie for change. Key ridings such as Hamilton Centre and Sault Ste. Marie hold significant potential for party shifts amidst pressing health care and economic issues. The results will begin rolling in as polls close at 9 p.m. ET.
On election day in Ontario, Progressive Conservative (PC) leader Doug Ford aims for a third consecutive majority, a feat not achieved in over 65 years. Meanwhile, Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie, New Democratic Party (NDP) Leader Marit Stiles, and Green Leader Mike Schreiner advocate for electoral change as polls close across the province at 9 p.m. ET, with live results available during the evening via CBC News.
Attention is turned to key ridings, such as Hamilton Centre, which is historically an NDP stronghold. Former NDP leader Andrea Horwath vacated the seat, and Sarah Jama, who won it recently but was expelled from the NDP caucus, poses a potential challenge as she runs as an independent, drawing support that could affect the NDP’s chances.
As results approach, the polling locations are set to close soon, prompting anticipation for quickly relaying the outcomes. Voters have already cast approximately 4.2 million ballots by 7 p.m., underlining the high engagement in this electoral contest.
In Sault Ste. Marie, the PCs have held the seat since 2017, but as incumbent Ross Romano departs from the race, the NDP sees a possibility of capturing the seat amid prevalent health-care concerns. Local dissatisfaction regarding patient care may influence voters, though Ford’s emphasis on tariffs could still sway opinions due to Algoma Steel’s local significance.
Eglinton–Lawrence presents another intriguing race, with former PC winner Robin Martin not seeking re-election. The Liberal Party, eyeing Vince Gasparro as a strong candidate, hopes to reclaim the seat. The NDP’s last-minute candidate withdrawal further positions this as a decisive two-party contest.
Crombie, who plans to watch the results alongside her family, emphasized the importance of health care in her voting motivations, particularly reflecting on the needs of seniors like her mother. “My mom knows that elections shape the future of our province,” she noted, advocating for progressive policies.
Delays in some Toronto polling locations have been reported, indicating that results from specific ridings will be announced later than expected, with some not closing until as late as 10:30 p.m. ET. This has added to the anticipation of the final tallies.
In Barrie–Springwater–Oro-Medonte, incumbent Doug Downey faces a challenge from Liberal candidate Rose Zacharias, whose background as a doctor positions her well within the health-care debate central to this election. Following a narrowly contested previous election, this seat is viewed as a crucial battleground once again.
Oshawa continues to be a notable contention point, historically contested between the NDP and PCs. With Jennifer French currently representing the NDP, the return of former PC incumbent Jerry Ouellette complicates matters. The local economic implications stemming from U.S. tariffs are expected to significantly impact voters’ decisions in this highly engaged riding.
In summary, Ontario’s election day reveals a landscape characterized by competitive ridings and significant challenges for established parties. Doug Ford seeks to solidify his grip on power with a historic majority, while the NDP, Liberals, and independents like Sarah Jama prepare for critical contests. Key issues around health care and economic concerns dominate the electoral discourse, promising an intriguing outcome as results unfold later this evening.
Original Source: www.cbc.ca
