Doug Ford and the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario will form the next provincial government.
The PCs won their second straight majority government on Thursday in an election that saw the leader of the Liberal Party fail to win a seat. While PC leader Doug Ford, NDP leader Andrea Horwath, and Green Party leader Mike Schreiner easily won their ridings, Steven Del Duca was projected to go down to defeat PC candidate Michael Tibollo in the riding of Vaughn-Woodbridge.
As of 11:20 p.m., the PCs were either leading or had been elected in 83 ridings, while the NDP had 31, the Liberal Party had 8, the Green Party had one, and there was one Independant candidate elected.
In his victory speech, Ford thanked those who had worked so hard during the campaign and vowed that he would be a Premier for all Ontarians.
"If you are a miner in the north who's out of work, I want you to know we're building that road to the Ring of Fire. If you've had to worry about your job at the local auto plant, I want you to know we're investing in the future of Ontario's auto sector. If you're a student that wants to work in the tech sector, we will have a job waiting for you. If you're a newcomer with a degree who can't get a job in your field, we'll make sure you can get credentials you need," he said. "This is what we're working for. This is what the Ontario dream is all about, and my promise to you... you have my word, that every single day I will get up and I will get to work. And I will do everything in my power to deliver on this dream."
After Ford's speech, it was the turn of NDP leader Andrea Horwath to speak to her supporters. And in what was an expected announcement, she said she would not stay on as party leader. Through tears, Horwath said it was "time to pass the torch."
"I'm not shedding tears of sadness," she said. "I'm shedding tears of pride. Look at you, look at all of you. Look at what we have done together. Together, my friends, we have built a party that is stronger and more ready to govern than ever before."
While Horwath is stepping down as leader, she will have a seat in the Legislature. The same cannot be said of Steven Del Duca. The Liberal did not reclaim the riding of Vaughn-Woodbrige, which he lost in 2018. Without a seat in the Legislature and a failure to significantly increase the Liberal seat count, there was little chance Del Duca could stay on as leader.
"I have no doubt that the women and men that Ontario Liberals have elected to the Legislature will do their part, and in fact will do more than their part, to help grow a new and energetic progressive movement here in Ontario. It will, however, be a movement that will be led by a new leader," he said. "Earlier this evening, I informed our party president of my decision to step down from the leadership of our party, and I have asked him to meet with the executive to set a leadership contest for as soon as is reasonable."
This election saw a disappointingly low voter turnout. Early estimates suggest fewer than 45 per cent of eligible voters cast ballots in the election.