KENORA — The 2023 Ontario Provincial Election saw significant outcomes across Northwestern Ontario, with Greg Rickford once again re-elected as the Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for Kenora–Rainy River. Dominantly securing 60 percent of the votes, Rickford marked his third consecutive term, attributing his success to the efforts of his campaign team and the support of his constituents. "It’s pretty cool I’ll tell you, I’m just so grateful for the constituents. I’m ready to get back to work," Rickford expressed after the victory.
Rickford's campaign focused heavily on Canadian-American relations, as many constituents voiced their concerns during door-to-door engagements. "I would say six out of ten doors I knocked on, [Canadian-American relations] was at the top of their issues," Rickford noted. He highlighted the potential impact of U.S. policies and tariffs on Ontario's economy, particularly how the aggressive approach from the previous U.S. administration could disproportionately affect the province.
Challenger Rudy Turtle of the NDP secured just over 19 percent of the vote, finishing with approximately 3,330 votes. Despite the loss, Turtle viewed his second-place finish as hard-won. "We are kind of disappointed with the outcome, but we did the best we could," he stated, discussing the challenges faced during the 27-day campaign. He pointed to logistical issues on First Nations, such as polling uncertainty at the Grassy Narrows First Nation, where residents experienced confusion over polling locations lacking proper notifications.
Echoing similar sentiments, Liberal candidate Anthony Leek reported gaining ground compared to his prior election run, jumping from around 1,800 votes to just over 3,000. "I think people are looking for a bit of change," Leek suggested, reflecting on his campaign's focus on local issues such as education, healthcare, and housing. He expressed hope of using this growth to strengthen the Liberal Riding Association for future contests.
Meanwhile, Kevin Holland was re-elected comfortably as the MPP for Thunder Bay–Atikokan, where he quickly addressed supporters at the Whitewater Golf Club. "But how about those numbers?" he exclaimed, pleasantly surprised by the support he received. After securing 13,727 votes, Holland outperformed his closest rival, Judith Monteith-Farrell of the NDP, by over 5,900 votes. This victory reinforced his status as the first Progressive Conservative candidate to represent the riding, validating the hard work he and his team have accomplished over the past couple of years. "You’ve gave me another mandate to represent this beautiful part of our province at Queen's Park, and I'm very grateful for the continued opportunity," Holland remarked.
Judith Monteith-Farrell, who previously served as MPP from 2018 to 2022, reflected positively on her campaign experience, stating, "It’s been great. I really have enjoyed interacting with the people of Thunder Bay. It's just been a really positive experience." Despite feeling the results were disappointing, she remains committed to community service and involvement.
Stephen Margarit, the Liberal contestant, recognized the uphill battle he faced during the election. "I went [into this campaign] knowing the cards were stacked against me," he mentioned, acknowledging the political dynamics at play. He congratulated Holland and indicated the respect he has for the challenges inherent to electoral politics, expressing interest in potentially running again.
Voter turnout across Thunder Bay-Atikokan was reported at 49.46 percent, indicating active civic engagement among the electorate. With all 73 polling stations reporting, the election yielded outcomes influencing not just the immediate future of Provincial Parliament but also broader sentiments within the community about governance and representation.
While the election results solidified certain existing political powers, the presence of minor party candidates must not be overlooked. Individuals like John Redins of the Green Party and independent Randy Ricci garnered approximately 2 percent of the votes, contributing to the ideological diversity within local politics.
The 2023 Ontario Provincial Election concluded with mixed reactions, as established politicians celebrated their wins, and candidates like Turtle and Margarit expressed hope for future elections. The conversations surrounding healthcare, housing, and the economy will continue to play pivotal roles as leaders pivot to address these urgent concerns for their constituents moving forward.