The Votes are In
Huron's North Shore adds a bit more blue to the orange
Your North Shore MPPs (…pending official word on that last guy).
The 2025 provincial election is over, and Premier Doug Ford’s PC party will be returning a majority government to Queen’s Park in Toronto, a record-breaking third straight. It is a mixed bag for all major parties, with the PC realizing only a small increase in both seats and popular vote. Turnout was predictably low for a midwinter snap election called on dubious grounds. Elections Ontario is reporting province-wide turnout at 45.4% of eligible voters.
The NDP, under Marit Stiles, has retained official opposition status, and remained stronger than appeared possible in polling, and despite a decrease in seats. Always popular in the north, the NDP retains the Nickel Belt and Sudbury ridings. Stiles spent plenty of campaign time in North Shore ridings, where she made major platform announcements, and was a clear winner in the leader’s debate on northern issues.
Liberal leader Bonnie Crombie underperformed terribly, losing her own Mississauga East —Cooksville seat and keeping her party in third place, yet increasing the Liberal share of the popular vote and gaining back official party status. In her concession speech, Crombie committed to staying on as leader despite losing her place in the legislature. That is going to require a successful Liberal stepping aside and giving Crombie their seat.
The election result means definite (and possible) change to the North Shore map. The NDP lost a riding and very nearly gained one (maybe… still undecided… officially?). A historically close race to replace retired Sault Ste. Marie PC MPP Ross Romano is (at press time) still unofficial.
Thessalon’s popular mayor, Bill Rosenberg, made a very robust showing, taking Algoma-Manitoulin for the PCs from the NDP, though that almost certainly reflects a desire for a seat at the government table rather than a turn away from traditional North Shore issues.
Voter turnout across the North Shore surpassed the provincial average, despite… you know… February. With roughly half the eligible voting public making it to the polls, the region clearly takes elections more seriously than our provincial southern neighbours.
Here are the summaries. More coverage to follow as the impact of these voter decisions becomes clear.
Sudbury:
NDP incumbent, Jamie West, retains his seat and will return to Queen’s Park for Sudbury. A closely fought race with local pizza shop owner Max Massimiliano that resolved into a solid 46% victory for West. And Sudbury gets to keep its excellent pizza.
Results and electoral map courtesy elections.on.ca
Nickel Belt:
Hugely popular France Gélinas (NDP) retains her seat in an historic sixth straight win, beating the combined efforts of both the PC and Liberal candidates. Higher than average voter turnout here surely indicates a deep loyalty to the candidate, who was even praised by Greater Sudbury Councillor Natalie Labbée, running to unseat her. As Labbée indicated in her Shore Report interview, she will now continue as a City Councillor, and work with Gélinas for the good of the region.
Results and electoral map courtesy elections.on.ca
Algoma-Manitoulin:
Thessalon mayor, Bill Rosenberg, a very popular local figure along the North Shore, has somewhat easily wrestled this huge riding from the NDP. Voter turnout here was the highest along the North Shore, surpassing the provincial average by 6%. The relative enthusiasm to vote clearly indicated a desire for change, after scandal removed the sitting MPP from the NDP caucus, bringing chaos to what might otherwise have been a comfortable orange win.
Rosenberg’s impressive victory was no doubt aided by a split vote on the incumbent side, as Independent Michael Mantha drained significant vote from his former party’s exciting new candidate, North Shore paramedic David Timeriski. But that split vote does not fully account for Rosenberg’s final tally, and he heads to Queen’s Park with a strong mandate and great expectations for being a powerful northern voice on healthcare and infrastructure. Folks all along the North Shore will certainly expect him to work toward saving Thessalon Hospital, and speed promised highway upgrades.
Former Grand Chief of the Anishinabek Nation Reg Niganobe’s unsuccessful run as Liberal candidate is hopefully not the last we’ll see from this proven public servant and local leader.
Results and electoral map courtesy elections.on.ca
Sault Ste. Marie:
Wow. With 100% of the polls reported, the PCs retain Sault Ste. Marie by a mere 118 votes, the smallest margin here in 120 years. Newbie PC candidate Chris Scott appears to have won over veteran City Councillor and NDP candidate Lisa Vezeau-Allen in an absolute squeaker.
However, as of Friday afternoon, Vezeau-Allen had still not conceded defeat, and local media was indicating that a recount was still possible.
The story is not quite finished in the Soo. Let’s see if we have a finalized MPP here before the Greyhounds hit the ice against Barrie next Friday (Go Hounds!).
Results and electoral map courtesy elections.on.ca
Shore Report did our best to cover the provincial election for the region, interviewing as many candidates as possible, and highlighting the issues important to local residents. The surprise nature of the election seemed to catch a lot of candidates off guard, making media contact spotty.
As well, it would seem Premier Ford’s party had some sort of no-interviews edict in place. We were unable to speak directly with any of the PC candidates along the North Shore.
How to put this delicately?… that sucks. Candidates refusing to be scrutinized by local media is terrible for democracy. Shore Report will continue to work to bring its readers in contact with local decision makers.
We thank all of the candidates across the North Shore. Political campaigns are notorious life-disrupters. Shore Report recalls how our interview with Nickel Belt Liberal candidate, Natalie Labbée, had to take place late in the evening because she’d been called away to take care of an aging parent. It shows genuine care for public service that so many excellent candidates stepped forward for the North Shore.