Ontario voters are heading to the polls Thursday to take part in three provincial by-elections in the ridings of Hamilton East–Stoney Creek, Scarborough Southwest and York–Simcoe.
Polling stations will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with voters focused on key issues including health care, education and the rising cost of living, as well as the impact of the escalating trade tensions between Canada and the United States.
The Progressive Conservative Party, led by Premier Doug Ford, is seeking to retain its seats in Hamilton East–Stoney Creek and York–Simcoe, while the New Democratic Party (NDP) hopes to hold on to the Scarborough Southwest seat.
Hamilton East–Stoney Creek is expected to see a closely contested race following the retirement of Conservative MPP Neil Lumsden. In Scarborough Southwest, the main contest is expected to be between NDP candidate Fatima Shabaan and Liberal candidate Ahsan Hafiz, among seven candidates running in the riding.
In York–Simcoe, the Progressive Conservatives are expected to retain the seat, which became vacant following the resignation of MPP Caroline Mulroney.
The by-elections come amid growing economic pressures and ongoing trade tensions with the United States, making them another important test of the political parties’ support in Ontario.
