Across the 12 ridings in CTV Kitchener’s coverage area, the theme of the snap provincial election was is sticking with the status quo.
Incumbent parties won each riding. Wellington-Halton Hills was the only riding in our coverage area with a new MPP, with Joseph Racinsky replacing Tedd Arnott.
Simon Kiss, a Wilfrid Laurier University political science professor, told CTV News he’s not surprised with the number of incumbents winning, but the turnout could be a negative thing for the progressive conservatives.
“I actually think the next four years may be a bit difficult for them. They own all the issues now. They have a clear mandate. They’re responsible. There’s, tough times ahead with the possibility of a recession. Trump tariffs and, all this is going to land on Ford’s desk,” Kiss said.
It was Ontario’s first wintertime general election since March 19, 1981. Before that, the last one was in January 1905. Ontario hadn’t held a general election in February since 1883.
Candidates agreed campaigning in the winter wasn’t ideal.
“I feel actually very relieved, I have to tell you. I mean, this was a very, really painful, almost hellish kind of campaign in winter,” said Catherine Fife, MPP Elect for Waterloo.
“There [were] days I looked outside and felt sorry for my door knockers. I was out there. Listening to people at their doors was crucial, but I knew they were freezing opening their doors. I’ve heard other candidates have broke their wrists, and fallen and hurt themselves with the icy conditions. So I’ll stick with a spring or fall election next time,” Brian Riddell, MPP Elect, Cambridge said.
The timing of it was also hard for some voters.
“I talked to a 91-year-old man today. He was so upset. He was so mad at the Premier because he said, ‘I’m 91 and I’ve never missed a vote. And I really don’t know if I can go out today because of the weather conditions.’ So, you know, it led to a lot of people not being able to participate in democracy. And it was a real waste of taxpayers dollars,” said Aislinn Clancy, MPP Elect, Kitchener Centre.
According to Elections Ontario, this round cost 30 per cent more than the 2022 budget, costing $189 million. Despite the weather, voter turnout increased from 43.5 per cent in 2022 to 45.4 percent this time.
Kiss said elections are never a waste, but it could have been done at a different time.
“The election was called because it was good for Doug Ford. Of course it could have been done, but in our system, the Premier gets that prerogative. It’s up to voters to decide whether they are annoyed enough to try to discipline him. I think the fact that turnout was so high in such a terrible time of the year to have an election, actually suggests that there’s more frustration than the top line results might indicate,” Kiss said.
Candidates told CTV News constituents shared concerns about housing, healthcare and education, but many residents worried about the threat of tariffs.
“One, the homeless definitely for sure. And then the tariffs is pretty much on my mind, because what’s that going to look like for the country in itself?” Cindy Thrower, a voter in Kitchener-Conestoga said.
