Ontario voters are heading to the polls today for the province’s first winter election since 1981, with Progressive Conservative Party Leader Doug Ford seeking a third term as premier. The election campaign has been marked by a lack of engagement and low voter turnout, with concerns that the winter weather may further impact participation. According to CTV News Political Analyst Scott Reid, while all signs point to Doug Ford earning his third straight majority government, the size of the potential mandate is still uncertain. Reid notes that Ford could be on the verge of an almost historic victory, with the potential to earn 45, 46, or 47 per cent of the popular vote and compete for as many as 90 or more seats in the legislature.
The winter weather has already caused disruptions, with a winter weather travel advisory issued for Toronto earlier in the day. The advisory warned of heavy snowfall and poor visibility during the morning commute, which may have impacted voter turnout. Professor Emeritus John Shields in the Department of Politics & Public Administration at Toronto Metropolitan University previously noted that weather could hamper voter turnout, with highly motivated voters more likely to cast their ballots. The city has prioritized cleaning up areas around voting places, with staff inspecting and prioritizing these areas for cleanup to ensure accessibility.
The election campaign has seen its share of challenges, with all major parties facing hurdles. Ford made two trips to Washington, D.C. during the campaign, eliciting complaints from his opponents. The Liberals faced a steady stream of old social media posts unearthed by the PC war room, while the NDP had one candidate drop out in a tight Toronto race. Despite these challenges, the latest poll conducted by Ipsos shows Ford holding onto the lead, with the PCs at 48 per cent and the Liberals at 28 per cent. The election outcome is still uncertain, with the weather and voter turnout potentially playing a significant role in the final result.
As the polls open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., voters will have the opportunity to cast their ballots and shape the future of the province. The party leaders have ramped up their activities in the final days of the campaign, with the NDP and Conservatives concentrating on the Kitchener, Niagara, and Windsor areas of western Ontario. The Liberals have kept a focus on downtown Toronto, Ottawa, and parts of Peel and Halton regions, while the Greens have made repeated appearances in Kitchener, Guelph, and Parry Sound—Muskoka. With the election outcome still uncertain, voters will be watching closely as the results unfold.
In terms of the key issues, the parties have presented distinct platforms. The Liberals have focused on healthcare, promising to connect everyone in the province with a family doctor. The NDP has emphasized affordability, pledging to introduce a grocery rebate. The Greens have prioritized environmental issues, while the PCs have focused on the economy and responding to threatened tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump. As the voters head to the polls, they will be considering these issues and more as they cast their ballots. The following are some of the key policy points for each party: * Liberal Party: healthcare, education, and affordability * NDP: affordability, healthcare, and environmental protection * Green Party: environmental protection, healthcare, and social justice * PC Party: economy, jobs, and responding to U.S. tariffs
