Ontario Byelections: Liberals Eye Milton Win Amid Local Issues, PCs Favored in Lambton-Kent-Middlesex
Ontario voters in Milton and Lambton-Kent-Middlesex will cast ballots in byelections on Thursday, the first electoral test for new Ontario Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie after months of sparring with Premier Doug Ford and his Progressive Conservatives.
Milton Byelection
The Milton byelection is seen as a winnable seat for the Liberals, with polling showing a tight race between Liberal candidate Galen Naidoo Harris and Progressive Conservative Zee Hamid. Local issues, such as the proposed quarry and GO Transit service, are playing a key role in the race. The Liberals have pledged to fight against the quarry, while the Ford government has announced plans to spend up to $3 billion on two-way, all-day GO Transit service between Toronto and Milton.
Lambton-Kent-Middlesex Byelection
The Lambton-Kent-Middlesex byelection is expected to be an easier win for the governing Progressive Conservatives. Polling shows PC candidate Steve Pinsonneault with a significant lead over Ontario Liberal Cathy Burghardt-Jesson. The riding was held for more than a decade by former labour minister Monte McNaughton before he resigned in 2023.
Significance of the Byelections
The byelections will provide an indication of the public’s attitudes toward Crombie’s leadership and the Ford government’s popularity. A Liberal win in Milton would be a boost for Crombie, while a Progressive Conservative win in Lambton-Kent-Middlesex would further solidify Ford’s hold on power. The byelections will also serve as a temperature check on the public’s attitudes toward local issues, such as the proposed quarry in Milton and GO Transit service.
The results of the byelections will be announced on Thursday evening.
