Ontario Election Sees Rise of Independent Candidates and Smaller Parties

Image credits: Hala Ghonaim/CBC

The upcoming Ontario election is witnessing a significant rise in the number of independent candidates and smaller parties participating in the race. Apart from the four major parties, 16 smaller parties and 41 independent candidates are seeking to win a riding in the election. This phenomenon is not new, as in the last Ontario election in 2022, a lone independent candidate, Bobbi Ann Brady, captured the seat of Haldimand-Norfolk, becoming the first female independent MPP ever elected in the province. Brady is running again in this year's election, which was triggered early by PC Leader Doug Ford.

In Ontario's electoral system, voters cast their ballots for their local MPP, not for the premier. This means that smaller parties and independent candidates can still get their names on the ballot, even if they do not have the same reach or resources as the major parties. The New Blue Party, for example, is fielding candidates in 108 of the 124 ridings and is pushing for tax cuts, including a reduction in the HST from 13 per cent to 10 per cent. The party's leader, Jim Karahalios, has criticized the PC government for not providing enough tax relief, saying that "there's never been any tax relief that they've put in place, and Doug Ford continues to promise that every election cycle."

Other smaller parties, such as the Ontario Party and the None of the Above Direct Democracy Party, are also vying for votes. The Ontario Party, founded in 2018, received nearly 85,000 votes in the last election, while the None of the Above Direct Democracy Party is pushing for a "direct democracy" system, similar to Switzerland's, where citizens have more control over key issues. The party's leader, Greg Vezina, has acknowledged that it is tough for smaller parties to win big, but hopes that his party can win enough votes to move the needle on key issues. Some notable independent candidates include Sarah Jama, a housing and disability activist who won Hamilton Centre for the NDP in a byelection, and Michael Mantha, who was removed from the NDP caucus after allegations of workplace misconduct.

The election is also seeing some familiar names running as independents, including Vincent Ke, a Toronto MPP who resigned from the PC caucus over allegations of election interference by China. Ke's team has maintained that he has done nothing wrong and has not been charged or convicted of any crime. Meanwhile, voters in some ridings will have the opportunity to choose from a range of candidates, including those from the New Blue Party, the Ontario Party, and the Green Party. To find out who is running in their riding, voters can use the candidate search on Elections Ontario's website. The election takes place on Thursday, and voters are encouraged to learn more about each candidate and their platforms before heading to the polls.

Here is a list of some of the smaller parties and independent candidates participating in the election: * The New Blue Party: fielding candidates in 108 ridings and pushing for tax cuts * The Ontario Party: founded in 2018 and received nearly 85,000 votes in the last election * The None of the Above Direct Democracy Party: pushing for a "direct democracy" system * Independent candidates: including Sarah Jama, Michael Mantha, and Vincent Ke * Policy points: * Tax relief: the New Blue Party is pushing for a reduction in the HST from 13 per cent to 10 per cent * Democracy reform: the None of the Above Direct Democracy Party is pushing for a "direct democracy" system * Statistical data: + The New Blue Party received nearly 130,000 votes in the last election + The Ontario Party received nearly 85,000 votes in the last election + The None of the Above Direct Democracy Party received 0.5 per cent of the total vote in the last election * Timeline of events: * 2022: the last Ontario election took place * 2023: the current election was triggered by PC Leader Doug Ford * February 27th: the provincial election takes place * Multiple stakeholder views: * Jim Karahalios, leader of the New Blue Party: criticized the PC government for not providing enough tax relief * Greg Vezina, leader of the None of the Above Direct Democracy Party: acknowledged that it is tough for smaller parties to win big, but hopes that his party can win enough votes to move the needle on key issues * Sarah Jama, independent candidate: running in Hamilton Centre after being ousted from the NDP * Michael Mantha, independent candidate: running in Algoma-Manitoulin after being removed from the NDP caucus