Ontario Voters Likely To See Leadership Change Thursday

Liberals are expected to lose many seats in Thursday’s provincial election

Ontario voters head to the polls Thursday to pick a new premier for the province.  The battle to become the head of the provincial government has been tough and analysts say it’s almost certain there will be a change in leadership.

Lydia Miljan is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Windsor.  

Jerome Vaughn

Miljan says analysts had believed this was going to be a “change” election.

“At the start of the campaign, it really seemed like it was a race for second place.  Would it be the Liberals or would it be the New Democrat Party?”

But she says the popularity of the parties has changed as the race progressed.

“If we’re to believe the polls, which is a whole other topic, it now looks as if it’s a neck and neck race with the NDP and the Conservative Party.”

In just the past few days, Kathleen Wynne has conceded defeat for the Liberal Party, in the hopes that the move will free up supporters to vote for Liberal candidates and keep them from losing party status.  That would happen if the Liberals fail to win at least eight seats.

Doug Ford’s sister-in-law has filed a lawsuit claiming he has mismanaged finances at his family’s companies.

Miljan says key issues in the election include higher electricity rates and disparity in unemployment rates across the province

Ontario’s polls are open Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Click on the audio player above to listen to the interview.

Author

  • Jerome Vaughn
    Jerome Vaughn is News Director at 101.9 WDET. His interest in news reporting began when he was five years old, after his mom bought him a yellow Panasonic ball and chain radio.