Following weeks of speculation that an early provincial election would be called, Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor has dissolved the legislature, and an election will be held on February 27^th 2025, a year and three months ahead of the fixed election date.

The reason for the early election call is that the Premier feels that the response to American tariff threats will require a new mandate from Ontario voters due to the scope of new measures that will be required, and to ensure that the next Premier’s term will last the duration of the Trump presidency.

As the campaigns kick off, we are seeing different areas of focus for each party. The Progressive Conservatives under Premier Ford will be running a campaign that focuses on an economic action plan that will be rolled out as the campaign progresses. This plan is expected to focus on protecting Ontario jobs and ensuring that the economy can withstand possible turbulence from American trade action.

Opposition parties are taking a different approach. The early focus with the Liberals, the NDP, and the Green Party has largely been that this election is wasteful and unnecessary during a time when the Premier should be responsive to the immediate shifts that may come in the form of American policy changes towards Canada. As the campaign progresses, Opposition parties can be expected to offer key differences in how they would manage key files such as healthcare, education, and housing.

Within the government, staff will move to caretaker mode.  Although the legislature is dissolved and political staff often take leaves of absence to work on campaigns, Minister’s offices remain open with a team of skeleton staff managing files that require immediate attention. Ministry officials will focus primarily on delivering previously approved programs and ensuring that they are prepared for the possibility of a new Minister or new government following the election.