Headlines
CBC has a primer on the <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/leader-baggage-debates-ontario-election-2022-1.6446428" target="_blank" rel="noopener">first and second debates</a> with all four leaders. Surely to the delight of voters, "political baggage" could emerge as the main theme, the outlet reports.
PC candidate and former cabinet minister Prabmeet Sarkaria is headed for a comfortable re-election in Brampton South, a riding-level <a href="https://www.qpbriefing.com/2022/05/10/riding-poll-pcs-prabmeet-sarkaria-headed-for-re-election-in-brampton-south/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mainstreet poll suggests</a>.
Niagara’s acting medical officer of health has some "cautious optimism" on COVID, the St. Catharines Standard <a href="https://www.thestar.com/nd/news/niagara-region/2022/05/09/hirji-sees-signs-of-cautious-optimism-in-current-wave-of-pandemic.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reports</a>. Canadian hospital backlogs are improving, but slowly, CP <a href="https://www.thestar.com/politics/2022/05/10/backlogs-improved-but-patients-still-waiting-too-long-for-elective-surgeries.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reports</a>.
And here is the latest polling update from our partner Mainstreet Research:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">The Progressive Conservatives are maintaining a substantial lead, but the gap between the Liberals and NDP is especially important. It would take a pretty big collapse by either the NDP or the Liberals to give the other a chance to challenge the PCs or even to reduce them to a minority.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">The PC lead in the 905 north of Toronto is a big contributing factor.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">The NDP enjoys high efficiency, which gives it good chances to win seats in specific places like the southwest and downtown Toronto. The Liberals enjoy broader support, but at least for now, they do not enjoy enough in specific seats to win a lot of them. A shift of a few percentage points in many seats could change things, however.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">The PCs could benefit if the Liberals and NDP continue to divide the progressive votes. However, if there is a big shift from one to the other, the dynamic of this election could change quickly. The PCs are ahead in a large number of ridings, but have under 40 per cent of the vote.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">If there would be a big shift of progressive voters, the Liberals are in a better position to take seats from the PCs than the NDP. Whether or not they can do this could be one of the keys to this election.</li>
</ul>
Our barometer tells you which way the political winds are blowing. Check back in during the campaign as the weather changes, and follow <a href="https://twitter.com/elxnometre" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@elxnometre</a> on Twitter.
<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-405378" src="https://www.qpbriefing.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/FbnhbMAE.png" alt="" width="1200" height="1200" srcset="https://old.qpbriefing.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/FbnhbMAE.png 1200w, https://old.qpbriefing.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/FbnhbMAE-400x400.png 400w, https://old.qpbriefing.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/FbnhbMAE-843x843.png 843w, https://old.qpbriefing.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/FbnhbMAE-150x150.png 150w, https://old.qpbriefing.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/FbnhbMAE-768x768.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" />
In case you missed it:
<ul>
<li class="entry-title"><a href="http://send.qpbriefing.com/t?r=34&amp;c=122618&amp;l=5&amp;ctl=F8341:6C74F647CA5C2680B310293E3D4C0A71103F5B7069ECCB07&amp;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2" data-ogsc="">ODSP recipient, advocates criticize low disability support rate promises from major parties</a></li>
<li class="entry-title"><a href="http://send.qpbriefing.com/t?r=34&amp;c=122618&amp;l=5&amp;ctl=F8342:6C74F647CA5C2680B310293E3D4C0A71103F5B7069ECCB07&amp;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="3" data-ogsc="">NDP calls foul on PC candidate’s $44,000 MPP ‘allowance’</a></li>
<li class="entry-title"><a href="http://send.qpbriefing.com/t?r=34&amp;c=122618&amp;l=5&amp;ctl=F8343:6C74F647CA5C2680B310293E3D4C0A71103F5B7069ECCB07&amp;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="4" data-ogsc="">NDP releases full northern platform ahead of debate</a></li>
<li class="entry-title"><a href="http://send.qpbriefing.com/t?r=34&amp;c=122618&amp;l=5&amp;ctl=F8344:6C74F647CA5C2680B310293E3D4C0A71103F5B7069ECCB07&amp;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="5" data-ogsc="">Ontario Liberals’ full platform promises housing</a></li>
</ul>
In other news:
Those big Liberal promises require big Liberal funding (from the feds), the Globe and Mail <a href="https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-ontario-liberals-budget-promises-hinge-on-funding-from-ottawa/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reports</a>.
The PCs are ahead and poised for another majority unless things change, the Star <a href="https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/2022/05/09/doug-ford-is-on-track-to-win-another-majority-polls-suggest-heres-by-how-much.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reports</a>.
But the Liberals appear to be picking up steam, CTV <a href="https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/liberal-leader-gaining-appeal-while-pc-party-retains-overall-lead-nanos-survey-suggests-1.5895457" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reports</a>.
The Star has little profiles of <a href="https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/2022/05/09/whos-running-in-your-riding-use-our-search-tool-to-look-up-the-ontario-election-candidates.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">every riding</a>.
Opposition parties are trying to highlight education, the National Observer <a href="https://www.nationalobserver.com/2022/05/09/news/education-key-start-ontario-election-opposition" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reports</a>.
The Canadian Press describes how the NDP and Liberals would overhaul <a href="https://www.thestar.com/politics/2022/05/10/ontario-ndp-liberals-pledge-to-overhaul-standardized-eqao-testing.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">EQAO testing</a>.
Parties' health-care promises have caught the eyes of boomers, the Star <a href="https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2022/05/10/aging-well-finally-boomers-and-politicians-are-paying-attention.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reports</a>.
Mississaugans are leaning PC, insauga.com <a href="https://www.insauga.com/poll-decided-mississauga-voters-say-they-will-choose-doug-fords-conservatives/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reports</a>.
Politicians are breaking out the big names to go door-knocking.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
What a beautiful evening to connect with my friend <a href="https://twitter.com/theJagmeetSingh?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@theJagmeetSingh</a> &amp; canvass for <a href="https://twitter.com/weston_jd?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@weston_jd</a> in <a href="https://twitter.com/KSH_NDP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KSH_NDP</a> - people want change and we have the plan to put people over profit 🙌<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/onpoli?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#onpoli</a> <a href="https://t.co/Tzcy139N0T">pic.twitter.com/Tzcy139N0T</a>
&mdash; Catherine Fife (@CFifeKW) <a href="https://twitter.com/CFifeKW/status/1523825456016990210?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 10, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
It was such a pleasure to have <a href="https://twitter.com/Kathleen_Wynne?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Kathleen_Wynne</a> join the team to knock doors in Davisville Village this afternoon. In talking with neighbours, it is clear that Toronto—St. Pauls is ready to elect a leader who will return evidence-based policies to Queens Park. <a href="https://t.co/9aGUnV2hEs">pic.twitter.com/9aGUnV2hEs</a>
&mdash; Nathan Stall (@NathanStall) <a href="https://twitter.com/NathanStall/status/1523832289913937922?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 10, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Millennials have more political power, but whether they'll use it is another question, the National Post <a href="https://nationalpost.com/news/ontario-election/ontario-election-millennial-muscle-growing-but-will-it-be-flexed-at-the-polls/wcm/9bee92a7-a8e0-4270-ab57-b6e9e74eb0dc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reports</a>.
Sudbury.com reports on the fringe Ontario Party leader's speech <a href="https://www.sudbury.com/local-news/ontario-party-leader-derek-sloan-talks-freedoms-in-sudbury-5345587" target="_blank" rel="noopener">in the Big Nickel</a>.
Global lets voters know how they <a href="https://globalnews.ca/news/8819804/ways-to-vote-ontario-election/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">can vote</a>.
There would be no more blind bidding and a vacant home tax in a Green-led Ontario, the Star <a href="https://www.thestar.com/politics/ontario-election/2022/05/09/ontario-green-party-promises-to-end-blind-bidding-and-bring-in-a-vacant-home-tax.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reports</a>.
Speaking of Greens, the Guelph Mercury profiles Mike Schreiner's <a href="https://www.guelphmercury.com/news-story/10613564-vote-2022-guelph-riding-profile-for-the-ontario-provincial-election/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">riding</a>.
The Spectator catches up with the man himself, chatting about EVs and <a href="https://www.thespec.com/local-ancaster/news/2022/05/10/ontario-green-party-leader-mike-schreiner-lets-his-electric-vehicle-do-the-driving-to-benefit-the-environment.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the environment</a>.
What does the fox say? "I'm dying of bird flu," CBC <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/avian-bird-flu-wildlife-ontario-1.6446723" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reports</a>.
Experts want MPs to put an end to the pandemic above pharma companies' profits, CP <a href="https://www.thestar.com/politics/2022/05/09/waive-patents-for-covid-19-vaccines-treatment-to-end-pandemic-committee-told.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reports</a>.
My Stratford Now profiles a public servant <a href="https://www.mystratfordnow.com/91166/former-public-servant-running-for-ontario-pc-party-in-perth-wellington/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">taking the PC helm</a> from Randy Pettapiece.
Some lawyers want to know how many Law Society of Ontario employees are making more than $200,000, Law Times News <a href="https://www.lawtimesnews.com/resources/professional-regulation/lawyers-to-press-the-law-society-of-ontario-to-disclose-salaries-publicly-at-the-may-convocation/366478" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reports</a>.
Toronto has no more COVID emergency order, CP <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/toronto-emergency-order-covid-1.6446969" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reports</a>.
In the opinion pages:
<ul>
<li>Matt Gurney argues Steven Del Duca is really running against <a href="https://www.tvo.org/article/the-liberals-vaccination-policy-shows-us-who-theyre-really-running-against" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Andrea Horwath</a>.</li>
<li>Martin Regg Cohn writes that Del Duca is trying to have it both ways — which <a href="https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/2022/05/09/can-steven-del-duca-win-ontario-with-ideas-that-are-more-memorable-than-credible.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">might work</a>.</li>
<li>Ricardo Tranjan wants more out of the main parties on social <a href="https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/2022/05/09/its-election-time-and-ontario-still-chooses-not-to-eliminate-poverty.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">assistance rates</a>.</li>
<li>Erica Lenti notes that every party but the PCs have a plan for <a href="https://www.tvo.org/article/how-lgbtq2s-issues-factor-into-almost-every-partys-campaign" target="_blank" rel="noopener">LGBTQ2S issues</a>.</li>
<li>Howard Levitt and Muneeza Sheikh give employers some advice on adapting to new worker monitoring <a href="https://www.chathamthisweek.com/fp-work/howard-levitt-how-employers-should-prepare-for-ontarios-new-employee-monitoring-regime" target="_blank" rel="noopener">legislation</a>.</li>
<li>Karen Milligan writes on the sexy topic of Ontario's lacklustre <a href="https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/2022/05/09/ontario-needs-greater-service-integration.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">service integration</a>.</li>
</ul>
Events
9 a.m.
Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath makes a campaign stop. North Bay Marina, Memorial Dr., North Bay.
9:30 a.m.
Mike Schreiner will continue his leader’s tour and launch the Ontario Greens’ Platform for the north. 176 Lakeshore Dr. Suite 10A P1A2A8, North Bay.
10 a.m.
Steven Del Duca will announce the party’s plan to make northern Ontario a place to grow. Northern Gateway Arch, 844 Memorial Drive, North Bay.
11:30 a.m.
Ontario Liberals will reveal information about the PCs' treatment of hospitals. Queensway Health Centre, 150 Sherway Drive, Etobicoke.
1 p.m.
Doug Ford, Andrea Horwath, Steven Del Duca and Mike Schreiner will participate in the FONOM leaders debate. The Capitol Centre, 150 Main St E, North Bay.
5:30 p.m.
Mike Schreiner will participate in a sign wave in Sturgeon Falls. The corner of Highway 17 and Main St. in Sturgeon Falls.
6:45 p.m.
Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath makes a campaign stop. Redline Brewhouse Barrie, 431 Bayview Drive, Unit 8 &amp; 9, Barrie.
7:30 p.m.
Mike Schreiner will participate in a Q&amp;A and meet-and-greet with local residents and supporters in Sudbury. The Nowhere Public House, 130 Elm St, Greater Sudbury.

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