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Election Results Reveal Stagnation in Ontario’s Legislature

After a whirlwind four-week snap election campaign, the votes have been counted, revealing a provincial legislature that closely mirrors the previous composition prior to its dissolution. The results indicate a continuation of party dominance, with only minor shifts in representation.

On January 28, Premier Doug Ford initiated this early election, seeking a stronger mandate to enable significant economic investment estimated in the tens of billions, particularly in light of potential tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. However, the election night results, finalized on Thursday, suggested that the anticipated upheaval did not materialize.

The Progressive Conservative Party secured 80 seats, a slight increase from the 79 they held before the election, thus maintaining their government status. In contrast, the New Democratic Party (NDP) remained the official opposition but lost one seat, bringing their total to 27. The most notable shifts occurred within the Liberal Party, which gained five seats, rising from nine to 14, largely absorbing previously independent-held seats. The Green Party retained the two seats they had, while independent candidate Bobbi Ann Brady also achieved re-election.

The sole significant upset came in Mississauga, where Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie was unable to win a seat, a surprising outcome considering her nearly ten-year tenure as mayor of the city. Notably, all cabinet ministers retained their positions, and no other party leaders faced defeat in their respective constituencies.

The financial outlay for conducting this expansive electoral process was estimated at around $189 million, as reported by Elections Ontario.

Seat Changes and Notable Races

Below is an overview of key seat changes among the parties compared to the previous election results in 2022:

Ajax

The Liberal candidate triumphed in a fiercely competitive race, reclaiming a seat from the Progressive Conservatives, which had historical significance for the Liberals. The riding was previously won by Progressive Conservative Rod Phillips, who notably opted not to run again in 2022. Following one term with his successor, the Liberals have regained this constituency.

Algoma-Manitoulin

This riding marks the Progressive Conservatives’ only gain in northern Ontario, as they unseated the NDP. Michael Mantha, who had previously represented the NDP, was expelled from the party and ran as an independent, garnering 12% of the vote. The NDP candidate received 27%, while the Progressive Conservative candidate won decisively with 41%.

Don Valley North

Another riding transitioned from Progressive Conservative to Liberal, largely due to the incumbent running as an independent after allegations regarding election interference surfaced. The Liberal candidate emerged victorious, securing 44% of the votes, while the Progressive Conservative candidate earned 38% and the former PC representative received just 10% as an independent.

Etobicoke-Lakeshore

This riding saw the Liberals gain a seat with a robust margin, as there was no independent candidate splitting the vote. The Liberal candidate achieved 49% against the Progressive Conservative’s 41%, marking a significant victory for the party.

Hamilton Mountain

In a reflection of strategic targeting by the Progressive Conservatives in areas west of Toronto, the NDP largely held their ground, with the exception of Hamilton Mountain, where an NDP candidate opted for a federal run. The Progressive Conservative candidate captured 36% of the vote, surpassing the Liberal candidate at 31% and the NDP at 26%.

Toronto-St. Paul’s

This longstanding Liberal stronghold shifted back to the Liberals after voting NDP in the previous two elections. The Liberal candidate gained a solid 10-point lead over the NDP, marking a significant shift in the constituency.

Overall, this election has illustrated the complexities and dynamics of Ontario’s political landscape, with only a few seats changing hands and the existing power structure largely remaining intact.

Source
globalnews.ca