Seeking a mandate from the Ontario electorate ahead of what might be the stormiest four years for Canadians since WWII, Premier Doug Ford received it.

From about 45 percent of Ontario voters.

Locally, the results mirrored the provincial picture: about 48 per cent of eligible voters exercised their franchise in the Bay of Quinte riding. Incumbent PC MPP Tyler Allsopp cruised to an easy victory, receiving 20,999 votes and besting Liberal candidate David O’Neil by over 6,000.

In her second campaign, the NDP’s Amanda Robertson was unable to gain traction with Quinte area voters and wound up with a paltry 8,745 votes.

The Greens’ Lori Borthwick was fourth with 1,612.

Convincing Win

At his victory party at the Dugout restaurant in Belleville, about 50 supporters, including Bay of Quinte MP Ryan Williams and City Mayor Neil Ellis turned up to fete Mr. Allsopp on his second campaign win. 

The MPP admitted winning the September 19, 2024 by-election gave him the advantage when Quinte voters returned to the polls five months later.

“It was exciting to get another crack at campaigning so soon and refine that process a little bit with the knowledge we picked up back in September,” Mr. Allsopp said.

The fledgling MPP was pleased to be able to extend his brief first term at the Ontario Legislature. Serving as the local MPP and the parliamentary assistant to Minister of Long Term Care Natalia Kusendova-Bashta allowed him to learn the ropes while delivering for local residents.

He noted a pair of significant provincial investments in Prince Edward County, including nearly $20 million for the rehabilitation of County Rd. 49 and $18 million for the Wellington Water Treatment Plant project. Both investments will allow the County to realize new housing developments and grow its tax base.

“That investment in 49 is the first step in unlocking thousands of new homes in the Picton area, it’s a really important step for the County which doesn’t have the industrial tax base and has a residential tax base that’s really spread out geographically,” he said.

Mr. Allsopp is eager to get back to work for the riding. 

“I’m going to be on the phone all day Friday. We need five new doctors to staff Belleville General Hospital. Loyalist College needs help. We need to shore up our manufacturing sector. A recent economic study indicates Quinte would be one of the regions hardest hit in a trade war with the United States. The hard work starts tomorrow,” the MPP said. 

Ontario could lose up to 450,000 jobs as a result of U.S. initiated tariffs.

“If we don’t have people working in this province because of the trade war, we can’t fund healthcare, education and infrastructure. But now I know I am going to be here for at least the next four years, I can focus on rising to this challenge.”