This coming June, Ontario voters will go to the polls and decide on the future of the province. The decision will be to choose between the incumbent Liberal government of Premier Kathleen Wynne, the surging New Democrats of veteran politician Andrea Horwath, or the at-present fractured Progressive Conservatives, whose leader, Patrick Brown, stepped down in January due to sexual misconduct allegations.

With four months left before the election, The Innis Herald takes a look at the variety of issues dominating the airwaves, the party politics plaguing the voters, and everything in between. Will Wynne retain her grip on power, or will Ontario voters end up looking elsewhere?

In the parties

The incumbent Liberal Party, led by Premier Kathleen Wynne, is trying to hold on for a record fifth term in government. The stakes are very high for Wynne; as the closest provincial ally for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, a strong, resounding victory in Ontario could bode well for the party in next year’s federal elections.

The main problem Wynne faces is historical unpopularity; in most polls from the past couple of months, the Progressive Conservatives have trumped the Liberals every time. The Liberal Party has been trying to portray a platform for change, bringing in a new minimum wage increase and improved Pharmacare, but it will be difficult for them considering that they have been in power since 2003.

Meanwhile, the Progressive Conservatives are fighting a potentially divisive leadership election, months before they attempt to overtake Wynne. Patrick Brown, a former federal Member of Parliament who became party leader a few years ago, resigned abruptly in January after CTV News reported several allegations of sexual misconduct against Brown.

The Progressive Conservative interim leader, Vic Fedeli, said he wouldn’t seek the permanent position, opening up the pathway for several contenders. Doug Ford, brother of former Toronto Mayor Rob Ford and one-term city councilor, made the announcement early on. Christine Elliott, a longtime MPP who ran against Brown, boasts many political connections across the aisle, having served Patient Ombudsman under Wynne. Finance executive Caroline Mulroney, daughter of former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, is a political rookie who has never held political office, yet holds an advantage in terms of her name recognition and seasoned campaign staff.

With the historically low polls for the Liberals, and the fragmented structure of the Progressive Conservatives, the New Democrats under the lead of Andrea Horwath are looking to rise above both parties and offer a new and different alternative for voters. Although having been in leadership for years now, Horwath is criticized within her own party for not making any electoral gains. This election could change that.

The New Democrats have also accused the Liberals of stealing their ideas and parts of their progressive platform, most notably the increase of the provincial minimum wage to $15, which will be fully implemented in January 2019. The party hasn’t formed government in Ontario since 1995, under Bob Rae, but a combination of factors could make it highly competitive in a historically centrist province.

Ontarians have a choice to make in the next few months. The Liberals have made significant strides in improving everyday lives since they first got to power more than a decade ago, but is it enough for people to keep them in Queen’s Park? Will Patrick Brown’s fall from grace lead to a similar descent for the Progressive Conservatives? And will the New Democrats be able to make themselves even more competitive, with the other parties being divided?

The decision lies with you. For more information, people can look at https://www.elections.on.ca/en.html and find out how to register and where to vote.