Ontario's Progressive Conservatives steamroll to another 4-year term

By Barry Ellsworth

TRENTON, Canada (AA) - Premier Doug Ford and his Progressive Conservative (PC) party swept to another four-year term in Thursday's election in Ontario -- Canada's most populous province.

The polls closed at 9 p.m., and by 9:45 p.m., it was clear who the winning party would be. Media outlets were projecting a majority government for Ford. By 10 p.m., the party had won a projected 81 seats of the 124 up for grabs in the 43rd Parliament. In 2018, Ford's party captured 76 seats. Ontario elects provincial members of parliament every four years.

Voters continued to exhibit their disenchantment with the once powerful Liberal Party, with only eight seats projected as won as of 10 p.m. In a slap in the face, Liberal leader Steven Del Duca was defeated in his riding, which is similar to a district. The province is divided into 124 ridings, and each one is represented by an elected member of the provincial parliament.

The New Democratic Party (NDP) finished a distant second with a projected 29 seats, good enough to remain holder of the Official Opposition designation. In the 2018 election, the party won 40 seats.

However, this election could be the end for Andrea Horwath, who has led the NDP since 2009 and in four elections with second place the best showing.

The Green Party was projected to win one seat and another went to an independent, a person who is not a declared member of any political party.

The steamroller win by Ford came as no surprise.

Opinion polls taken during the 28-day campaign, which began on May 4, were correct in predicting a Ford majority win.

The PC pre-election platform included CAN$198.6 billion ($158 billion) in new and improved infrastructure such as roads and fixes to the economy, which took a beating during the coronavirus pandemic.

The PCs also ran on a promise that the province will be given help to cope with the rising cost of living and that the province will enact measures to ensure it would be ready in case of another pandemic.

The promises also included tax cuts for seniors who need help for walkers, home oxygen and attendant care so they can remain in their homes, and for low income workers.

There is one other promise that does not sit well with everyone: Ford said the government will continue to run a deficit for several years. Ford's 2022 election budget pegs it at CAN$19.9 billion ($15.83 billion). The budget calls for a return to balance by 2027-2028.

There are about 10 million eligible voters in Ontario.