The Ontario legislature was formally dissolved yesterday (May 8) and the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario will issue a writ today naming Thursday, June 7th as the date of the 2018 Ontario general election.
After the writ drops, the election campaign will officially begin, including rules in place for election spending and fundraising.
The party leaders — including Liberal Premier Kathleen Wynne, PC leader Doug Ford, NDP leader Andrea Horwath, and Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner — are already hitting the campaign trail today.
You can expect to see signs popping up on lawns and at the sides of roads, ads from the major parties online and on television and radio, visits from the party leaders supporting the local candidates, and local candidates at your door seeking your support.
As of May 9th, the PCs continue to lead in the polls with 40 per cent support (enough to form a majority government), followed by the NDP at 29 per cent, with the Liberals trailing at 26 per cent. However, recent polling also suggests nearly half of Ontario voters haven’t fully made up their minds and most voters aren’t happy with any of the current leaders.
Here’s your guide to the provincial election in the Kawarthas:
New and changed provincial electoral districts in the Kawarthas
When the writ drops today for the election, Ontario’s previous 107 electoral districts will change to 124 for the 2018 general election, with some district boundaries also changing.
The changes were made in provincial legislation in 2015 to match federal election riding boundary changes and to reflect Ontario’s growing population.
In the Kawarthas, the previous Peterborough district is now called Peterborough—Kawartha, with Trent Lakes and North Kawartha townships moving from Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock into the new district and Otonabee-South Monaghan and Asphodel-Norwood townships moving to the new Northumberland—Peterborough South riding.
The new Northumberland—Peterborough South district was creating from the previous Peterborough, Northumberland—Quinte West, Durham, and Prince Edward—Hastings districts. The new Hastings—Lennox and Addington distrct was created from Lanark—Frontenac—Lennox and Addington and Prince Edward—Hastings districts.
Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock is now smaller, with with Trent Lakes and North Kawartha townships moving to Peterborough—Kawartha.
Maps of the districts from Elections Ontario are provided below, but if you are still unsure of your electoral district, you can visit eregistration.elections.on.ca/en/election/search and enter your postal code.
Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock
Peterborough—Kawartha
Northumberland—Peterborough South
Hastings—Lennox and Addington
Provincial candidates in the Kawarthas
Here are the declared candidates and party affliations for the electorial districts in the Kawarthas.
Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock
- Laurie Scott — Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario (incumbent)
- Brooklynne Cramp-Waldinsperge — Liberal Party of Ontario
- Zachary Miller — New Democratic Party of Ontario
- Gene Balfour — Ontario Libertarian Party
- Thomas Rhyno — Independent
Peterborough—Kawartha
- Jeff Leal — Liberal Party of Ontario (incumbent)
- Dave Smith — Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario
- Sean Conway — New Democratic Party of Ontario
- Gianne Broughton — Green Party of Ontario
- Jacob Currier — Ontario Libertarian Party
- Rod Roddick — Trillium Party of Ontario
- Bob Abrahams — Independent
Northumberland—Peterborough South
- Lou Rinaldi — Liberal Party of Ontario (incumbent)
- David Piccini — Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario
- Jana Papuckoski — New Democratic Party of Ontario
- Jeff Wheeldon — Green Party of Ontario
- John O’Keefe — Ontario Libertarian Party
- Derek Sharp — Trillium Party of Ontario
Hastings—Lennox and Addington
- Daryl Kramp — Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario
- Tim Rigby — Liberal Party of Ontario
- Nate Smelle — New Democratic Party of Ontario
- Sari Watson — Green Party of Ontario
- Greg Scholfield — Ontario Libertarian Party
- Lonnie Herrington — Trillium Party of Ontario
- Grant Dewar — Independent
A earlier version of this story incorrectly identified Daryl Kramp as the incumbent candidate for Hastings—Lennox and Addington. There is no incumbent candidate as this is a new riding created in 2015.
Upcoming all-candidate meetings and debates in the Kawarthas
Here’s a list of upcoming provincial candidate meetings and debates in the Kawarthas. All events are free and open to the public.
Peterborough—Kawartha
- Thursday, May 10th – The Buckhorn Rate Payers are hosting an an all-candidates meeting at 7 p.m. at the Buckhorn Community Centre (1782 Lakehurst Rd., Buckhorn).
- Monday, May 14th – Peterborough Public Health is hosting an all-candidates meeting on health and social issues from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Peterborough Public Health (185 King St., Peterborough). All locally registered candidates who are running for provincial election have been invited to participate. The meeting will be moderated by Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health for Peterborough Public Health.
- Tuesday, May 15th – Electric City Culture Council and Artspace are hosting an all-candidates debate on the arts at 8 p.m. at Artspace (378 Aylmer St. N., Peterborough). All of the candidates have confirmed with the exception of the independent candidate Bob Abrahams. Each candidate will have up to three minutes to speak about their party platform and key arts and culture issues, and to respond to five critical questions about arts advocacy: the lower income levels of local artists, investment in the Ontario Arts Council, arts education in our schools, and the cultural impact of responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. There will also be a question-and-answer period for the audience. The discussion will be moderated by Julia Harrison, President of the Reframe Film Festival.
- Wednesday, May 16th – Peterborough and the Kawarthas Association of Realtors (PKAR) and the Peterborough & The Kawarthas Home Builders Association are hosting an all-candidates meeting on housing, home ownershiop, and small business from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Peterborough Lions Community Centre (347 Burnham St. Peterborough). The panel discussion wil be moderated by 2018 PKAR president Kristi Doyle.
- Thursday, May 17th – The Peterborough Chamber of Commerce is also hosting an all-candidates meeting on issues affecting the business community from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Peterborough Waterfront (150 George St. N., Peterborough). Sandra Dueck of the CHamber will be moderating.
- Tuesday, May 22nd – For Our Grandchildren and Leap Manifesto Peterborough are hosting an all-candidates meeting on climate change and sustainability from 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, May 22nd at at Trinity United Church (360 Reid St., Peterborough. The meeting will focus on letting the candidates hear what their constituents feel on the issues, with the candidates responding at the end. Background information and questions have been sent to all provincial candidates in the areas of economic opportunities for the Peterborough area, natural spaces and biodiversity, agriculture and food, CO2 reduction, and a question from our youth community.
- Wednesday, May 23rd – The Kawartha Chamber of Commerce & Tourism is hosting an all-candidates meeting from 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, May 23rd at the Lakefield Legion (10 Nicholls St., Lakefield). David Goyette will be moderating. The meeting will feature a question-and-answer session moderated by David Goyette.
- Thursday, May 24th – The Youth Political Activist Coalition is hosting an “Action Against Poverty” community town hall from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Kenner Collegiate (633 Monaghan Rd. S., Peterborough). The town hall will cover issues related to housing, food security, employment, education, basic income, and health care. Jeaf Leal, Sean Conway, Gianne Broughton, and Jacob Currier have confirmed they will attend. Dave Smith has declined, and Rob Roddick has yet to confirm. Marion Burton will be attending to represent the Peterborough Labour Council. The event will be moderated by Morgan Carl.
- CANCELLED – Monday, May 28th – The Peterborough Sales & Ad Club is hosting a debate between the NDP, Liberal, and Conservative party candidates for Peterborough—Kawartha at 7 p.m. at Holiday Inn – Waterfront (150 George St. N., Peterborough). Vince Bierworth of Country 105 and Energy 99.7 will moderate the debate. The debate will be preceded by a dinner at 6 p.m. for Sales & Ad Club members and guests only (doors open at 5:30 p.m.).
- Thursday, May 31st – The Trent University Faculty Association, CUPE 3908, and Peterborough District Labour Council are hosting an all-candidates meeting on labour issues from 6 to 8 p.m. at McDonnel Street Activity Centre (577 McDonnel St., Peterborough, K9H 2Y1). Refreshments will be provided.
Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock
- Wednesday, May 16th – The Lindsay Chamber of Commerce is hosting an all-candidates meeting at 7 p.m. at Mackey’s Celebrations (35 Lindsay St. N., Lindsay). Each candidate will make opening remarks followed by a question and answer session, moderated by Ward Levine (Treasurer, RTO-ERO, District 18).
- Monday, May 28th – The Halbiruton Highlands Chamber of Commerce is hosting an all-candidates meeting from 7 to 9 p.m. at Pinestone Resort (4252 Haliburton County Rd. 21, Haliburton).
Northumberland—Peterborough South
- Thursday, May 10th – Local health organizations are hosting an all-candidates meeting on health issues from at 6 p.m. at Ganaraska Trails Public School (34 Percival St., Port Hope. There will be a meet and greet with the candidates at 6 p.m. followed by a discussion at 6:45 p.m. moderated by Lynda Kay.
- Tuesday, May 15th – The Trent Hills Chamber of Commerce is hosting an all-candidates meeting from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Campbellford District High School (119 Ranney St. N., Campbellford). The event will feature a meet and greet at 6 p.m. followed by a moderated question-and-answer session beginning at 6:30 p.m.
- Thursday, May 17th – Retired Teachers of Ontario is hosting an all-candidates meeting at 7 p.m. at Best Western Cobourg (920 Burnham St., Cobourg).
- Wednesday, May 23rd – Newcastle Chamber of Commerce is hosting an all-candidates meeting at 7 p.m. at Clarke High School (3425 Hwy 35/115, Newcastle).
- Thursday, May 24th – Northumberland 89.7 is hosting an all-candidates meeting from 7 to 9 p.m. at Skeena Hall (17 Mill St. S., Port Hope). This is a formal Q&A debate with a moderator. Email your questions for consideration to 2018debate@northumberland897.ca.
- Wednesday, May 30th – Sustainable Cobourg is hosting an all-candidates meeting on environmental issues from 7 to 9 p.m. at HTM Insurance Company (1185 Elgin St. W., Cobourg). The format will be a Q&A session moderated by Jayne Finn. Email your environmentally related questions for consideration to sustainablecobourg@gmail.com.
Hastings—Lennox and Addington
- Thursday, May 24th – The Education Workers Political Action Committee is hosting an all-candidates meeting on education issues from 7 to 8 p.m. at North Hastings High School (14 Monck St., Bancroft).
Note: We will update this list as more events are announced. If you are hosting or are aware of an event not included above, please email details to editor@kawarthanow.com.
