After talking to Ontario Premier Doug Ford, a local conservative says there are no plans to have an early election.
Brandon Postuma is the Thunder Bay-Atikokan riding President, and points out not only are local ridings still looking for new candidates, but the province simply is not ready, especially with COVID-19. “A lot of associations including myself have been putting a lot of pressure on head office, to allow for nominations, since they’re the ones that have to start the process. They usually don’t do so until the cabinet ministers have found out if they are acclaimed or not.”
Postuma says rumours fueled by Toronto media have lead to the speculation. He adds the party is simply getting ready for the 2022 vote early, by establishing existing MPPs now, and the process for new candidates underway.
“Right now we are already seeking candidates, I will not be one of them. We will be having contested nomination in early spring, and we want to have one year for our candidate before the election,” says Postuma.
The riding president adds it’s simply too early for a vote.
“It’s like a Golden Rule… you would never have an election as a new Premier without three years under your belt. When we move into the three years, we’re still going to be in COVID, and they [the government] don’t have a plan for on-line,” says the riding President.
As for Derek Parks, who ran for Thunder Bay-Superior North in the last vote, he remains open to whether he will run.
In the opposition benches, local NDP MPP Judith Montieth-Farrell wouldn’t be surprised if an election was called before the scheduled June 2022 vote. She tells us the Premier announced last February he was on the campaign trail, and she further states during the summer he was on a campaign like tour and has been fundraising since the early days. The NDP MPP asks “Why he would want to give up a majority government is an interesting question…”
