Ontario polls closing after 28-day snap winter election campaign
Written by The Canadian Press on February 27, 2025
TORONTO — Most election polls have closed in Ontario after a rare winter vote that will decide whether to bring back Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservative government or install a new leader for the province.
It has been an unusual election, with candidates battling icy stairs, brutal snow storms and frigid temperatures while canvassing throughout February.
Most Ontario elections also haven’t included a party leader leaving the province during the campaign, but Ford made two trips to Washington, D.C. — as premier — to push back against threatened American tariffs.
Ford called the snap $189-million election saying he needs a new mandate to deal with four years of U.S. President Donald Trump, who has made repeated threats to put tariffs on Canadian goods that could greatly harm Ontario’s economy.
The other three major party leaders say this election was unnecessary, in part because Ford already had a large majority government with well over a year left in its mandate.
NDP, Liberal and Green leaders have been urging Ontarians to vote for change in this election, highlighting health care and affordability among the most pressing issues.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 27, 2025.
Allison Jones, The Canadian Press