Ontario Election 2025: Doug Ford Wins Third Majority Government Amid Low Voter Turnout

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The 2025 Ontario election has come to a close, with Doug Ford's Progressive Conservative party securing a third majority government, winning 80 seats. The New Democratic Party (NDP) will once again serve as the official opposition, having won 27 seats. The Liberal party has regained official party status with 14 seats, while the Green party has won two seats, and one seat has gone to an independent candidate. Despite the significant victory for the Progressive Conservatives, voter turnout was relatively low, with only 45.4% of eligible voters casting their ballots, a mere 1% increase from the 2022 election.

The election campaign was marked by a focus on non-provincial issues, such as the threat of tariffs from the United States, which was cited as a reason for the snap election. The Progressive Conservatives campaigned on a platform of protecting Ontario's economy and jobs, while the NDP focused on issues such as healthcare and education. The Liberal party, led by Bonnie Crombie, struggled to gain traction, with Crombie ultimately losing her seat in Mississauga East-Cooksville. The Green party, led by Mike Schreiner, won two seats, including Schreiner's own seat in Guelph.

According to Elections Ontario, the voter turnout for the 2025 election was 45.4%, with 5,035,119 out of 11,086,939 eligible voters casting their ballots. This represents a slight increase from the 2022 election, which saw a voter turnout of 44%. The advance voting period, which took place over three days, saw a turnout of 6.14%, with 678,789 Ontarians casting their ballots. The low voter turnout has been attributed to various factors, including the unusual timing of the election, which took place in the winter, and the lack of engagement with the campaign among some voters.

The results of the election have significant implications for the province, with the Progressive Conservatives set to continue their agenda, including their approach to issues such as healthcare, education, and the economy. The NDP, as official opposition, will play a crucial role in holding the government to account and advocating for the interests of their constituents. The Liberal party will need to regroup and reassess their strategy after a disappointing election result. As the province moves forward, it will be important to address the issues that contributed to the low voter turnout, including voter engagement and participation.

In the aftermath of the election, local leaders have expressed their willingness to work with the re-elected government, citing the need for collaboration on key issues such as the economy, housing, and transit. The Region of Waterloo chair, Karen Redman, stated that she is keen to continue working with the provincial government on priorities such as managing assets and funding frameworks. The mayors of Kitchener and Waterloo also expressed their commitment to working with the government to address the needs of their communities. As the province begins a new legislative session, it will be important for the government to work with local leaders and stakeholders to address the challenges facing Ontario and to build a stronger, more prosperous future for all Ontarians, with a focus on economic growth and social welfare.