The Ontario PC Party wins a second consecutive majority government.
The party led by Doug Ford’s PCs are leading or elected in at least 83 seats while the NDP, who will form the official opposition, are leading or elected in 31 ridings.
In a speech at his riding headquarters, Ford said he’s focused on creating opportunities for workers in a variety of sectors, regions and walks of life.
“If you’re a miner in the north who is out of work, I want you to know we’re building that road to the Ring of Fire,” he said. “If you’ve had to worry about your job at the local auto plant, I want you to know we’re investing in the future of Ontario’s auto sector. If you’re a student who wants to work in the tech sector, we will have a job waiting for you. If you’re a newcomer with a degree who can’t get a job in your field, we’ll make sure you can get the credentials you need.”
The party won 76 seats to form a majority government in 2018.
Ford has also been re-elected in his home riding of Etobicoke North.
NDP Leader Andrea Horwath won re-election in Hamilton Centre, but she did announce that she will step down as party leader.
“My commitment to you is never going to waver and I’m going to keep working to earn your confidence each and every day,” said Horwath before assembled supporters. “I’m going to keep doing that. But tonight it’s time for me to pass the torch, to pass the baton, to hand off the leadership of the NDP. It makes me sad, but it makes me happy because our team is so strong right now.”
Liberal Steven Del Duca could not regain his own riding Vaughan-Woodbridge, losing to incumbent PC candidate Michael Tibollo.
Like Horwath, Del Duca also announced he was stepping down as party leader.
“I have no doubt that the women and men that Ontario Liberals have elected to the legislature will do their part…to help grow a new and energetic progressive movement here in Ontario,” said Del Duca.
“It will, however, be a movement that will be led by a new leader. Earlier this evening I informed our party president of my decision to step down from the leadership of our party and I have asked him to meet with the executive to set a leadership contest for as soon as is reasonable.”
Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner was re-elected in his Guelph riding with more than 50 percent of the vote.
“We are proving that Greens are here to stay,” said Schreiner at his riding headquarters. “We are building momentum across this riding and across this province.”
Schreiner won the party’s first-ever seat in Ontario in 2018.
Ford won with just over 40 percent of the popular vote, but he expressed confidence that he has the support of a cross-section of Ontario voters.
“It’s no longer about being part of the Blue, Red, Orange or Green team,” he said. “It’s about recognizing that there is so much that unites us. This is my proudest achievement as a leader of this party, building a new coalition, expanding our base, [and] creating a more inclusive party where everyone matters because never in our lifetime has it been more important for a party to represent all of Ontario.”
