Get Ready for Ontario’s Provincial Election: What You Need to Know

Ontarians will head to the polls on February 27th to elect their next provincial government. This election comes at a crucial time, with key issues such as healthcare, housing, and transportation shaping the debate, understanding party positions is essential. This article summarizes key policies based on reports from Medscape, CityNews, and CTV News.

Ontario’s Healthcare Plans: What’s Being Promised?

As the healthcare system struggles to meet growing demands, political parties have outlined their strategies to expand access and improve services. According to Medscape (2025), each major political party in Ontario has proposed its own plan to address the crisis:

The Progressive Conservative Party has pledged $1.8 billion to enhance primary healthcare, aiming to connect two million Ontarians to family doctors by 2029. Their plan includes:

• Expanding 305 primary care teams across Ontario.
• Recruiting 100 internationally trained physicians for rural communities by 2025.
• Reducing wait times for Health Care Connect patients to 12 months.

The New Democratic Party (NDP) proposes a $4.05 billion investment to strengthen the healthcare workforce, including:

• Hiring 3,500 new doctors, with a focus on Northern Ontario.
• Utilizing 13,000 internationally trained doctors currently in Ontario.
• Establishing a centralized referral system for specialists.

The Liberal Party has pledged $3.1 billion to recruit 3,100 new doctors by 2029 and ensure access to a family doctor for all Ontarians. Their approach includes:

• Recruiting 650 family doctors through incentives.
• Establishing two new medical schools and adding 1,625 medical residency spots.
• Fast-tracking accreditation for 1,200 internationally trained doctors.

The Green Party has declared a “crisis of caring” and emphasizes workforce expansion. Their plan includes:

• Hiring more healthcare professionals.
• Ensuring every Ontarian has a primary care provider within 3-5 years.
• Opposing healthcare privatization and advocating for free mental health services under OHIP

Ontario's Housing Crisis: Key Takeaways from the Debate

A recent debate among Ontario’s political leaders highlighted ongoing housing challenges. CityNews (2025) reports that Ontario’s housing starts declined by 16% in 2024, with only 72,000 new homes built, falling short of the 125,000 annual target. Here’s what the party leaders has to said on the issue:

Political Perspectives on Housing

• NDP Leader Marit Stiles questioned the progress on housing commitments, noting gaps in development (CityNews).
• Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner emphasized the need for more affordable housing options (CityNews).
• Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie called for continued efforts to meet the 1.5 million homes 
• Premier Doug Ford highlighted initiatives such as cutting red tape and removing HST on purpose-built rentals. The government maintains its commitment to increasing housing supply despite challenges (CityNews).

Greenbelt Discussion

The debate also touched on Premier Ford’s initial plan to open parts of the Greenbelt for development, a decision later reversed after public pushback. The issue remains a point of discussion in housing policy (CityNews).

Ontario Highway Congestion 

The Ontario election campaign has highlighted transportation issues, focusing on highway congestion and affordability. A key debate centres on Highway 407, a major toll route across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Political leaders have made various pledges regarding toll reductions and congestion relief. CTV News (2025) outlines party pledges: 

• NDP Leader Marit Stiles promised to eliminate all tolls on Highway 407, starting with trucks on Day 1.”As your next premier, I will make the 407 toll-free, put money back in your pockets, and get you home to your loved ones faster,” Stiles stated (CTV News, 2025).
• Premier Doug Ford committed to removing tolls on publicly owned portions of Highway 407 and preventing municipal congestion charges.
  • “It’s never been more important to protect people’s wallets by putting more money back into their pockets,” Ford stated (CTV News).
• Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner supports the creation of dedicated truck lanes on Highway 407 and the removal of tolls for transport trucks as an immediate solution to address gridlock on the 401. (CTV News).
• Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie, has criticized the Conservatives for originally selling off Highway 407, blaming them for ongoing traffic congestion. Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie stated that serious solutions are needed to address gridlock but did not specify any plans regarding tolls. (CTV News).

Navigating the Election

As the election approaches, it’s important for voters to be equipped with the information and resources they need to make informed decisions. Community tools, including voter guides, surveys, and accessible local resources, can help people understand the issues and how they affect their daily lives. These tools can also empower individuals to get involved and ensure their voices are heard.

What the Metamorphosis Network is Doing

The Metamorphosis Network is a collaborative network of over 100 non-profit organizations and community groups based in the Peel Region (Mississauga, Brampton, and Caledon), working together to enhance service delivery, improve client care, and facilitate knowledge sharing. For decades, this network has been the backbone of community support services, advocating for the needs of residents and fostering positive change. Their mission is to provide a central point for communication between members, the Peel Region Transition Board, municipalities, the media, and other stakeholders. Additionally, the Network plays a key role in shaping policies and strategies that support high-quality community services.

With a strong focus on civic engagement, Metamorphosis also offers a nonpartisan Election Engagement Toolkit designed to help non-profits facilitate discussions about voting and encourage electoral participation in the region. The toolkit includes resources such as voter guides, activities to engage clients in discussions, and QR codes for accessing voter surveys and election-related materials.

You can find the full toolkit on the Metamorphosis Network website here.

Toolkit Resources:

• Super Simple Activities
• Why Voting Matters
• How to Vote Guide
• Hosting Conversations About Issues
• Hosting Conversations About Voting
• Election Poster
• QR Code - Voter Survey on Community Priorities 
• QR Code - Voting Guide
• QR Code - Why Voting Matters

Feedback can be shared via Bit.ly/YourProvincialPriorities or by emailing info@communitymetamorphosis.ca.

Join the Conversation!

With election day approaching, we want to hear from you! What’s top of mind for you in this election?

• Do you know your rights as a voter?
• Are you aware of how underfunding impacts your community?
• What changes do you want to see in your province, in Peel Region?

 Add your thoughts in the comments section below!

Your voice matters, and this election is a critical opportunity to shape the future of Ontario. Let’s ensure that every eligible voter is informed, engaged, and ready to make their vote count!