Strap in or ship out
Organized labour pains, byelection heats up, strong mayor flex, Mines moves
ABOVE THE FOLD
SCOOP — CALLING ALL DEFECTORS — Another snap-vote sign: The PCs have officially opened their candidate nominations process. I broke the story yesterday.
What’s happening: According to an email PC Party president MICHAEL DIAMOND sent to MPPs and riding association presidents Wednesday, the Tories, like the Grits and NDP before them, are looking to line up their slate for the next election — whenever it happens to be.
Sitting MPPs are feeling the pressure and being asked if they’re in or out, sources tell me. That tracks with what insiders previously said: that PC nominations will ramp up in the fall — so don’t be surprised if we start seeing more incumbents jump ship to make way for fresh-blooded candidates.
That may have been what happened with TODD SMITH. Nominations technically opened up on August 14, two days before he abruptly stepped down as MPP for Bay of Quinte. That said, he was also ticked off about getting shuffled into Education and losing his much-beloved Energy file.
Who’s next? Back when PARM GILL left for Team PIERRE POILIEVRE, the rumour mill went into overdrive, churning out names of other possible defectors. And then some. There are also a few veterans on DOUG FORD’s crew who may want to retire — the same goes for the other parties, which are also kicking nominations into high gear. (Recall: The Grits have already nominated their incumbents.)
Are you one of those MPPs looking for the exit? Is your boss? I want to hear from you and I’ll keep you anonymous: sabrina@qpobserver.ca, or just reply to this email.
Nomination blitzkrieg: As for the folks sticking around, the PCs could acclaim their incumbents en masse, like they’ve done in the past, then start picking contenders for the rest of the ridings. Nomination rules have been set, and the Tories may want to wrap this process up before the winter holidays so their candidates can start pounding the pavement in the run-up to a potential early election next spring.
Are you seeking your party’s nod to run? Know of some nomination-related shenanigans? There’s no such thing as too-inside baseball: Send me your stories!
BYELECTION WATCH — Speaking of new candidates, New Democrats have picked their challenger in Bay of Quinte: AMANDA ROBERTSON, a local school board trustee.
Per the party’s bio: “Robertson serves as Vice Chair of Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board and is a board member and treasurer for the John Howard Society of Belleville. She lives in Belleville with her three children and husband, who is a local family doctor.”
Robertson will be formally acclaimed this evening.
The NDP placed second in the last round, with then-candidate ALISON KELLY coming in 12,308 votes behind longtime PCer TODD SMITH in 2022.
While it’s the PCs riding to lose — they’re already going hard with councillor TYLER ALLSOPP and dropping lit — the NDP is framing the byelection as a chance to send Premier DOUG FORD a message — so pay attention to turnout (typically low in byelections) and the margin of victory to see how that plays out.
UPDATE: The Liberals are running local councillor and radio morning show host SEAN KELLY. He’s got an edge — but it’s still a long shot.
Over to you, Greens. Other parties have until 2 p.m. on September 5 to lock in their contenders. E-Day is September 19 — a day before the Liberal convention, which will also feature education union brass: OSSTF’s KAREN LITTLEWOOD, OECTA’s RENÉ JANSEN in de WAL, AEFO’s GABRIELLE LEMIEUX and ETFO’s KAREN BROWN.
Insert eyes emoji: The timing of the byelection and the rest of the Liberal convention lineup, namely CHRISTY CLARK, have been making waves. Catch up.
HAPPENING TODAY
10 a.m.: Transportation Minister PRABMEET SARKARIA is up in Oshawa.
1:05 p.m.: And they’re off! The King’s Plate (finally) goes down at Woodbine Racetrack. Lieutenant Governor EDITH DUMONT will be in the stands. Ditto ex-minister, now-Woodbine VP MONTE McNAUGHTON.