February 28, 2025
Ontario voters braved a snap winter election and delivered a blockbuster result that will echo through Queen’s Park for years. Doug Ford and his Progressive Conservatives didn’t just win—they made history, clinching a third straight majority. It’s a feat unseen since Leslie Frost’s 1950s dynasty. Ford’s victory speech was pure fire: “Donald Trump thinks he can break us… Well, the people have spoken!” Buckle up, readers—this $189-million gamble was a wild ride of upsets, comebacks, and twists that kept us glued to the vote count until the bitter end.
The Scoreboard: Who Won What?
As of midnight, with 90% of polls reporting, here’s the final tally:
- Progressive Conservatives (PCs): 80 seats (down 3 from 2022’s 83), 2.1 million votes, 40% popular vote. Ford’s machine held strong, even if it didn’t deliver the “largest mandate in history” he craved.
- New Democrats (NDP): 27 seats (down 4 from 31), 25% vote share. Marit Stiles kept Official Opposition status, but it was a bruising night.
- Liberals: 14 seats (up 6 from 8), 30% vote haul. Bonnie Crombie dragged her party back to official status—then lost her own riding in a shocker.
- Green Party: 2 seats (up 1), 5% vote. Mike Schreiner’s crew proved small but mighty.
- Independents: 1 seat. Haldimand-Norfolk’s Bobbi Ann Brady crushed the PCs solo.
Turnout? A measly 45%, matching 2022’s record low. Advance voting tanked to 36% of 2022 levels—seems Ontarians weren’t jazzed about this early election. But the numbers scream resilience, revenge, and a few jaw-dropping surprises.
Campaign Highlights: Drama That Delivered
This four-week sprint, sparked January 28 by Ford’s tariff-fearing call to arms, was a rollercoaster. Here’s what had us buzzing:
Ford vs. Trump: The Tariff Crusade
Ford framed this as a holy war against U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff threats, vowing to “protect Ontario” with Highway 401 expansions and jobs. It clicked—80 seats say voters bought the populist pitch, even if he shed a few from 2022.
Crombie’s Mississauga Meltdown
Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie bet big on her old mayoral stomping ground. She lost Mississauga East-Cooksville to PC Silvia Gualtieri—mother-in-law to Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown! The Liberals’ 14-seat gain was sweet, but Crombie’s personal defeat left her leading from the bleachers. “We’re back,” she declared, defiant. Readers, is this a comeback or a faceplant?
NDP’s Gritty Fight
Marit Stiles, in her first rodeo as NDP boss, pushed affordability with a grocery rebate pledge. She held Davenport, but her party bled—Hamilton Mountain flipped PC, and Algoma-Manitoulin went blue after ex-NDP MPP Michael Mantha split the vote as an independent. 27 seats kept her in the game, but it’s a step back.
Green Surge
Mike Schreiner’s Greens nearly nabbed a third seat in Parry Sound-Muskoka, losing narrowly to PC Graydon Smith. With Kitchener Centre locked down, their 2 seats signal a quiet rebellion brewing.
Polling Chaos
Bomb threats and staffing shortages forced nine stations to extend hours—Humber River Black Creek stayed open until 10:30 p.m. Democracy held, but it was a nail-biter.
Patrick Brown’s Shadow Looms
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown didn’t run, but his family stole the show. His mother-in-law, Silvia Gualtieri, delivered the upset of the night by toppling Crombie. Brown’s PC roots and Peel Region clout helped Ford dominate—six of Mississauga’s six ridings stayed blue. Love him or hate him, Brown’s a kingmaker in this story.
Why It Matters—And Why You Should Care
Ford’s 80 seats plant him among Ontario’s giants—think John Robarts or Bill Davis, but with more swagger and beer. His tariff-war gambit hit home, even as the Mounties circle that Greenbelt mess. The Liberals’ 14 seats signal life after years in the ditch, but Crombie’s loss stings—can she lead from outside? Stiles’ 27 seats keep the NDP alive, though their 8% drop in Hamilton-Niagara shows Ford’s stealing their lunch. And the Greens’ 2 seats? Small, but Schreiner’s vow to be the “unofficial official opposition” promises sparks.
Stat heads, feast on this: PCs won 80 seats with 2.1 million votes, while NDP and Liberals combined for 2.4 million but just 41 seats. First-past-the-post is brutal—and it’s Ontario’s game.
The Big Picture
This wasn’t just an election; it was a saga. Ford’s three-peat is historic, but cracks—lost seats, low turnout—hint at a restless province. Crombie’s Liberals are back, yet leaderless in the House. Stiles held the line, and Schreiner’s Greens are growing. With Trump looming and $189 million spent, Ontario’s future feels electric. Readers, you’re not just watching—you’re in this story. What’s next?