Voters in Canada’s most populous and influential province went to the polls Thursday in five byelections that are seen as a major test for Premier Kathleen Wynne’s governing Liberal Party.
Ms. Wynne took power six months ago after Dalton McGuinty resigned in the wake of a series of scandals. The votes in Windsor, London, Ottawa and two Toronto ridings will provide an opportunity to see if voters hold her responsible for those scandals
The five contested seats were all vacated by Liberal cabinet ministers, and pundits say it is possible the Liberals could lose all five.
The Liberals were one seat short of a majority before the five resignations, and Ms. Wynne will still lead a minority government Friday regardless of the outcomes of the byelections.
The votes are also important for Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak. He lost a big lead prior to the 2011 general election. He also lost a long-held Tory seat in Kitchener-Waterloo in a 2012 byelection.
The Tories have not elected anyone in Toronto since 1999. They are hoping
deputy mayor Doug Holyday can win in Etobicoke-Lakeshore.
The New Democrats are widely expected to take Windsor-Tecumseh. They are in a two-way race with the Conservatives in London-South.
The Liberals are hoping to hold Scarborough-Guildwood and Mr. McGuinty’s old riding of Ottawa-South. The Tories are considered contenders in both ridings.
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