PCs win third successive majority in Ontario, but with fewer seats than last election

Doug Ford and the Progressive Conservatives have won a third successive majority in Ontario, however, it fell short of the increased majority he had called for at the start of the campaign.

Ford went into this snap vote saying he needed the “largest mandate in Ontario’s history,” and the snap 28-day election has barely shifted the balance of power in the provincial legislature, though it did restore the Liberals to official party status.

The Progressive Conservatives were leading or elected in 80 ridings, well past the 63 seats needed to form a majority but three short of the 83-seat total they won in 2022.

“What a night, and what a result,” said a beaming Ford as he thanked his supporters Thursday night.

“Together we have made history, together we have secured a strong, historic, third majority mandate.”

The last time Ontario Conservatives won three straight majority governments was 54 years ago, from 1963 to 1971.

The New Democrats were leading or elected in 25 ridings to retain Official Opposition status.

“The results aren’t everything that we hoped for, but the people of Ontario made their choice,” said leader Marit Stiles. “They’ve re-elected the government, hoping it will help protect them from Donald Trump and his tariffs, and they’ve entrusted me and my team to do a different but also very important job. Our job is to hold this government to account, and that is the job we are going to do.”

The Liberal party, under new leader Bonnie Crombie, reclaimed party status by almost doubling its seat count from the last election, leading or elected in 14 ridings. However, Crombie failed to win her seat in Mississauga East-Cooksville, losing to PC candidate Silvia Gualtieri by just over 1,200 votes.

“I know tonight wasn’t exactly the result we were looking for, but you should be very, very proud of what we did tonight,” she told supporters, adding she planned to stay on as party leader.

The Green Party, which had hopes of increasing its membership at Queens Park, managed to return its two ridings, including Leader Mike Schreiner.

“The two Ontario Green MPPs will do our job to hold your government accountable. We will do it as the unofficial official opposition,” said Schreiner. 

Independent Bobbi Ann Brady appears to have been re-elected in Haldimand-Norfolk, a riding she won in 2022 to end the Progressive Conservatives’ 27-year hold.

Ford called the snap election more than a year early, positioning himself as the best person to deal with the looming threat of tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump.

The other three major party leaders said this election was unnecessary, in part because Ford already had a large majority government with well over a year left in its mandate.

Unlike three years ago when healthcare, affordability and housing were central themes of the election campaign, Ford made the tariff threat central to his re-election, unveiling a platform that included $ 5 billion in spending to help respond to American tariffs.

In addition, he also proposed spending $10 billion to support employers through a tax deferral, up to $3 billion more in payroll and premium relief, up to $40 million for municipalities hard hit by tariffs, and up to $120 million to increase bars’ and restaurants’ wholesale alcohol discount.

“Fighting back against Donald Trump, standing up for Canada, it will take a full Team Ontario effort, it will take a full Team Canada effort,” said Ford.

However, Ford has offered little clarity on how his government would pay for the billions of dollars in promises made while warning that Ontario won’t be able to balance its budget if Trump goes ahead with threatened tariffs.

Trump plans to impose 25 per cent tariffs on all Canadian imports, with a lower 10 per cent levy on energy, starting next Tuesday.

“Donald Trump thinks he can break us. He thinks he can divide and conquer, pit region against region. Donald Trump doesn’t know what we know. He is underestimating us. He is underestimating the resilience of the Canadian people, the Canadian spirit. Make no mistake, Canada won’t start a fight with the U.S., but you better believe we’re ready to win one,” said Ford.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau congratulated Ford on his win.

“At this crucial time, we must work together to defend Canadian interests, protect workers and businesses, and grow our economy. This includes making progress on the top-of-mind priorities of Ontarians and all Canadians – creating good-paying jobs, building more homes, investing in health care and affordable childcare,” he said in a statement.

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow also congratulated Ford on his victory, adding she looks forward to working with the premier to build a “more caring, affordable and safer Toronto.”

“We will build more homes faster, feed more kids, get Toronto moving by investing in transit and tackling congestion, and protect businesses and workers from a senseless U.S. trade war,” said Chow.

The early election may have caught Ontarians by surprise, but more of them appear to have voted than last time.

Elections Ontario’s early results show slightly more than 45 per cent of registered voters cast a ballot – up from 2022’s record low of 44 per cent.

Observers had predicted the timing of the election – the first winter vote in Ontario in more than four decades – and the snap timing of the campaign could lower voter participation.

With files from The Canadian Press