And even though Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte promised to deliver one of the closest races of the 2022 provincial election, only 44.61 per cent of local eligible voters cared enough to mark their ‘X’.
In the end, Progressive Conservative incumbent Doug Downey, who served as attorney general, captured 16,114 of the votes, 609 more than Liberal candidate and longtime Barrie Mayor Jeff Lehman.
Provincewide, as the Progressive Conservatives captured a clear majority on Thursday, the voter turnout was just over 43 per cent with 98.98 per cent of the polls reporting on Friday morning, proving to be the lowest ever in a provincial election in Ontario.
That’s down significantly from the 57 per cent that turned out for the 2018 provincial election.
The turnout in Barrie-Innisfil, where PC incumbent Andrea Khanjin ran away with more than 50 per cent of the vote, was even more abysmal, with only 39.26 per cent of eligible voters casting a ballot.
“Almost 60 per cent felt it wasn’t worth going to the polls to express an opinion,” says Georgian College politics teacher Geoffrey Booth, expressing concern over the low turnout.
The showdown between Downey and Lehman in Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte illustrates that until it’s all over, nothing is ever certain.
Booth figures if there was ever going to be a splash of red in the overwhelming Tory blue results, it would have been with Lehman in the local riding.
But he sees this campaign overall — where many PC candidates opted out of debates, including locally — as different from others. And that, Booth adds, may not be a good thing for democracy.
Another concern for Booth is the style of the campaign.
“The Progressive Conservatives ran a campaign that really didn’t focus much on policy but focused more on feel-good politics,” he says, again lamenting the low voter turnout. “And people bought it.”
Without an informed public view, people can become vulnerable to being taken advantage of, he says.
Booth says he found the PC campaign lacking substance, which he worries may become a template for future campaigns he calls ‘entertainment politics’.
In his teaching, Booth tells students not just to vote, but to make an informed decision so they can cast a knowledgeable vote.
He points to Simcoe North where PC incumbent Jill Dunlop pulled out nearly 50 per cent of the vote after turning out to just one all-candidates’ event.
“What they discovered is less is more; it’s a winning strategy,” Booth says. “So pull your candidates away from engaging with the citizenry. Send out talking points, send out press releases, but don’t let your candidates actually get in touch with citizens because they might say something that throws off the game.
“Obviously, it was a brilliant political strategy this time around. People are tired of the pandemic, we all just want to get out there and go to the garden centres and live our lives,” he adds.
That approach, Booth explains, is based on focusing on the leader whose image is crafted by the campaign team.
That leaves the people on the ground representing the individual ridings to rely upon that big picture without extending much of themselves to the electorate, he says.
He feels that approach, largely enabled through social media, creates a template that he worries might be followed in the future that he feels is not healthy for democracy.
New Brunswick voters have elected a Liberal majority government, tossing out the incumbent Progressive Conservatives after six years in power and handing the reins to the first woman ever to lead the province. Liberal Leader Susan Holt spent much of the campaign rolling out proposed fixes for a health-care system racked by a doctor shortage, overcrowded emergency rooms and long wait-times. She promised to open 30 community health clinics across the province by 2028. (Oct. 22, 2024)
Susan Holt has made history in New Brunswick by becoming the first woman to serve as the leader of the province’s Liberal Party, a significant milestone in the province’s political landscape. Holt’s leadership victory signals a new era of representation, gender equality, and change in the region, which has long been dominated by male politicians.
Holt’s journey to the top has been one of perseverance and dedication. Before entering politics, she built a distinguished career in the private sector, where she held numerous leadership positions. Her experience in business development and public policy has equipped her with the skills needed to navigate the complex world of politics.
In a province where women have historically been underrepresented in politics, Holt’s election represents a watershed moment. Women’s involvement in leadership roles has been steadily increasing nationwide, but New Brunswick, like many parts of Canada, has seen slower progress in achieving gender parity. Holt’s rise to the top of the Liberal Party not only shatters a glass ceiling but also serves as an inspiration for future generations of women aiming for political leadership.
As the leader of the New Brunswick Liberal Party, Holt has laid out a vision of inclusivity and progress. Her policies focus on economic development, healthcare reform, environmental sustainability, and addressing social issues that have plagued the province. She has also emphasized the importance of transparent governance and creating opportunities for underrepresented communities, making her platform both modern and forward-thinking.
Holt’s leadership arrives at a time when many voters are calling for change, especially in the face of challenges like economic uncertainty and the need for healthcare improvements. She aims to bring fresh ideas to tackle these issues while ensuring that all citizens, regardless of their background, have a voice in government decisions.
Susan Holt joins the ranks of other trailblazing women across Canada who have led provincial parties and governments. Women like former Alberta Premier Rachel Notley and Ontario’s Kathleen Wynne have paved the way, and now Holt is contributing to this growing legacy of female political leadership in Canada.
Her achievement highlights not only the growing number of women entering politics but also the demand for leaders who can bring diverse perspectives to the table. In a field often dominated by entrenched traditions, Holt’s election is a step toward a more inclusive and representative political landscape in New Brunswick.
Holt’s leadership signals a broader shift in Canadian politics, where more women and diverse voices are gaining prominence. For young women across the country, her rise serves as a powerful reminder that leadership roles are within reach, even in traditionally male-dominated spheres.
With her election, Susan Holt has proven that perseverance, skill, and a vision for change can break even the toughest barriers. Her leadership will not only reshape New Brunswick’s political future but also inspire others across Canada to pursue leadership positions and continue to challenge the status quo.
NDP Leader Carla Beck has two planned campaign events today, starting the day with an availability in Moose Jaw and then later this evening attending an event in the capital with the Regina Medical Staff Association.
Saskatchewan Party Leader Scott Moe, meanwhile, will speak in Prince Albert at the start of Voting Week in the province.
Saskatchewan residents can vote for five days starting today in the lead-up to next week’s provincial election, although polls won’t be open Sunday.
The NDP and the Saskatchewan Party are urging voters to cast their ballots early.
Voters can find their polling stations on their information cards or by visiting the Elections Saskatchewan website.
Chief electoral officer Michael Boda says there are about 810,000 registered voters in Saskatchewan.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 22, 2024.
