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Political parties

Progressive Conservatives Win Majority in Ontario Election

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Progressive Conservative leader Mike Harris was elected Premier of Ontario in a majority party win, sweeping out the New Democrat government. The unofficial election results show the Tories taking 81 seats, while the Liberal party took 31 seats and the New Democrat Party took 17. The results match polls taken during the last week of the campaign, with the Tories securing about 43 percent of the popular vote, the Liberals at 32 percent, and the New Democrats at 20 percent. The New Democrat Party loss comes as no surprise, as they have slowly fallen from about 70 percent support in 1990 to 20 percent in the last year.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Progressive Conservative party won a majority in the Ontario election, taking 81 seats.
  • The Liberal party took 31 seats, while the New Democrat Party took 17.
  • The Tories secured about 43 percent of the popular vote, while the Liberals took 32 percent and the New Democrats 20 percent.
  • The New Democrat Party loss comes after a decline in support from about 70 percent in 1990 to 20 percent in the last year.
  • The Conservative agenda, focused on cutting taxes, employment equity, and welfare work programs, drove the campaign.
  • Harris promised to slash taxes by 30 percent and still balance the province's budget within a four-year term.
  • The Tories proposed a program to force able-bodied welfare recipients to work for their benefits.
  • The Liberal campaign platform was an 82-page document, while the New Democrat leader, Rae, chose to attack the other parties' platforms.
  • Ontario has a debt of $65.5 billion (C$90 billion) and a population of 11 million people, with 6.4 million eligible to vote.

Statistics:

  • 81 seats: Progressive Conservative party
  • 31 seats: Liberal party
  • 17 seats: New Democrat Party
  • 43% popular vote: Progressive Conservatives
  • 32% popular vote: Liberal party
  • 20% popular vote: New Democrat Party
  • 70% support in 1990: New Democrat Party
  • 20% support in the last year: New Democrat Party
  • $65.5 billion (C$90 billion): Ontario's debt
  • 11 million people: Ontario's population
  • 6.4 million people: Eligible voters in Ontario
  • 651 candidates: Vied for election in Ontario
  • 3 issues: Driving the Conservative agenda (cutting taxes, employment equity, and welfare work programs)
  • 4-year term: Progressive Conservatives' goal for balancing the province's budget

Sources:

  • [ Toronto Star, June 8, 1995 ]
  • [ Globe and Mail, June 8, 1995 ]
  • [ CBC News, June 8, 1995 ]

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