Attention voters! The Ontario election will be voted on today, and the results will be announced after 9 o'clock
Today is the voting day for the Ontario election, more than a year earlier than originally scheduled for 2026. Like President Trump's second term, this is an era full of changes. Trump's tariff threat has led Canada into a trade war, with Ontario, as the most trade dependent province, bearing the brunt.
Despite previous rumors about early elections, Governor Ford publicly stated that it was the tariff issue that prompted him to dissolve parliament and hold early elections. The Progressive Conservative Party (PC), which holds a majority of seats, hopes to gain stronger authorization to address trade challenges.
However, the new leaders of the New Democratic Party (NDP) and the Liberal Party have stated that they will not easily re elect Ford and will focus on traditional issues such as healthcare and housing in the election, challenging the Conservative Party.
Image source: Globe and Mail
Main political parties and leaders
Doug Ford - Progressive Conservative Party (PC)
The current governor, with a strong family background in politics, took over the Conservative Party in 2018 and won two consecutive majority governments. Despite controversies over issues such as the Green Belt land development scandal, the relocation of the Ontario Science Museum, and the cost of expanding alcohol sales, Ford's poll remains high.
At present, he is the chairman of the Council of the Federation of Governors and represents various provinces in tough negotiations on the Trump administration's tariff issues. However, his trip to Washington was also criticized for using public office resources for campaign propaganda.
Marit Stiles - New Democratic Party (NDP)
Sima Hui comes from Newfoundland province. After the New Democratic Party became the official opposition party in 2018, Sima Hui served as an education affairs commentator and succeeded Andrea Horwath as party leader in 2023 without any competition.
Sima Hui warned last summer about the possibility of early elections, but Trump's tariff issues quickly adjusted her campaign strategy. She focused on attacking the Conservative Party in swing constituencies in Niagara and Southwest Ontario, seeking support from working-class voters.
Bonnie Crombie - Liberal Party
Former mayor of Mississauga, who will take over from the Ontario Liberal Party, which suffered a crushing defeat in the 2018 election, in 2023. The party currently only holds 9 seats and is far from regaining its former strength.
Krenby believed that the former party leader was excessively left leaning, and she attempted to bring the Liberal Party back to the center, accusing the Ford government of poor performance in fiscal management and public services during the election campaign. She is seeking support from both NDP voters and Conservative voters, hoping to reshape the influence of the Liberal Party.
Krembi also publicly supported Mark Carney's candidacy for the leader of the Federal Liberal Party, attempting to strengthen his influence.
Mike Schreiner - Green Party
Elected as the leader of the Green Party in 2009, he became the first Green Party provincial councilor in Ontario's history in 2018. In 2023, the Kitchener by election won the Green Party their second provincial seat. Schreiner hopes to retain his current seat and strive for more victories.
Each party's election manifesto: analysis of the four core issues
1. Tariffs and Trade
Ontario's foreign trade volume ranks first in the country, with over 85% exported to the United States. Trump is about to implement steel and aluminum tariffs on March 12th, which will affect Ontario's manufacturing and other industries. All parties have pledged to take response measures, including the "Buy Local" plan and reducing inter provincial trade barriers.
PC Party: Promises to invest 40 billion yuan to cope with tariff shocks, including 5 billion yuan to protect Ontario accounts, ensure priority use of local products in procurement, accelerate infrastructure projects, and reduce inter provincial trade restrictions.
NDP： Establish an emergency tariff fund to support enterprises in overcoming difficulties and strengthen the diversification of foreign trade.
Liberal Party: Prohibit American companies from participating in provincial government procurement and provide low interest loans to assist affected businesses.
Green Party: Establish the Ontario Foodbelt to reduce external dependence and strengthen local agricultural supply chains.
2. Employment and cost of living
The tariff war may lead to a large number of job losses in Ontario, and the stimulus package also carries inflation risks.
PC Party: Provide 3 billion yuan in tax relief, delay commercial tax revenue for six months, expand technician training funds, permanently reduce gasoline taxes, and lower the minimum retail price of alcoholic beverages.
NDP： Cooperate with the federal government to expand employment insurance (EI) and exempt income tax for those who are unemployed due to tariffs.
Liberal Party: Provide income tax exemptions and establish an "anti tariff fund" to support businesses with loans at lower than market interest rates.
Green Party: Raise the minimum wage to 20 yuan and strengthen anti price gouging laws.
3. Housing crisis
The housing shortage in Ontario has been ongoing for many years, and the Ford government has failed to fulfill its promise of "building 150000 new homes per year," which has been fiercely criticized by opposition parties.
PC Party: There is no specific housing policy, only mentioning 50 million yuan for "prefabricated houses" and promising to clean up homeless camps.
NDP： Propose the "Homes Ontario" plan to construct, acquire, and renovate at least 300000 affordable housing units.
Liberal Party: First time homebuyers, retired seniors, and non-profit organizations are exempt from land transfer tax when purchasing homes.
Green Party: Build 2 million housing units within 10 years and establish a housing speculation tax, vacancy tax, and anti speculation tax.
4. Medical crisis
There are currently 2.5 million people in Ontario who do not have a family doctor, and it is expected to increase to 4.4 million by 2026.
PC Party: Build two new medical schools in Toronto, expand medical school enrollment by 40% by 2028, increase resident physician quotas by 50%, allow out of province medical staff to work in Ontario, and implement the primary care action plan led by former Federal Health Secretary Jane Philpott.
NDP： Investing 4.1 billion yuan, adding 3500 doctors, and providing nationwide mental health care.
Liberal Party: Recruit 3100 family doctors by 2029, establish two new medical schools, launch universal mental health care, and prohibit private nursing clinics.
Green Party: Add 3500 doctors, expand family health teams, and include mental health and addiction treatment.
Election Day Guide: Voting Method and Time
Voting time: 9:00am to 9:00pm
How to find the electoral district? Search for constituency and polling station addresses through postal code
Registration to vote: Voters can register on-site at the polling station
Proof of Identity: An official identification document with name (and address) is required (including driver's license, health card, bill, etc.)
The election results are expected to be announced gradually after 9:00 pm on February 27th.
A majority of 63 seats is required to form a majority government, while the Conservative Party holds 79 seats when dissolved. The election results may determine Ontario's direction in the trade war in the coming years.
Source link:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-ontario-election-2025-party-platforms-how-to-vote/