Bay of Quinte re-elects PC Tyler Allsopp; province sees third majority win for Doug Ford

Tyler Allsopp will return as the Bay of Quinte’s MPP.

Bay of Quinte riding voters have re-affirmed their choice of Tyler Allsopp to continue carrying the PC Party blue flag here as member of provincial parliament.

“Thank you Bay of Quinte for your confidence in me,” said Allsopp. “I’m excited to return to Queen’s Park to continue to serve you as we protect Ontario in these uncertain times, continue to grow the economy, and deliver investments in our communities.

“I’m grateful for my amazing family and dedicated volunteer team that worked so hard over the past month to support my re-election effort. To my opponents, I appreciate your dedication to our riding and I enjoyed our respectful interactions throughout this campaign.”

Bay of Quinte voter turnout was 48.40 per cent this time around, compared to 38.45 per cent in September’s byelection and 45.91 per cent in the last general election in 2022. There are 97,605 registered electors throughout the riding covering Prince Edward County, Quinte West and Belleville (only south of Hwy. 401).

In Thursday’s 44th Ontario general election, Allsopp won 20,999 votes (44.42 per cent of the vote) – a margin of 6,116 votes over David O’Neil, of the Liberal Party, who tallied 14,883 votes (31.48 per cent).

Allsopp first won the Bay of Quinte riding in the Sept. 19 byelection after the seat became vacant when PC Todd Smith resigned to take a job in the private sector. Allsopp won just over 38.69 per cent of the vote with a margin of about 2,000 votes, over Sean Kelly, the then Liberal Party candidate, who gained 33.32 per cent of the vote.

Allsopp had been a Belleville city councillor, and bicycle shop owner. He assumed his seat at Queen’s Park on Oct. 21, and was also affirmed as the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Long-Term Care.

NDP candidate Amanda Robertson garnered 8,745 votes (18.50 per cent) – slightly more than in the byelection.

The Green Party’s Lori Borthwick received 1,612 votes (3.41 per cent), also more than in the byelection.

In the last full general election in 2022, the voter turnout was 43,545 (45.91 per cent) of 94,852 total voters. Smith had won with 21,381 votes, or 49.30 per cent of the vote, followed by Alison Kelly (NDP) with 9,073 votes (20.9 per cent).

Thursday night, in less than 10 minutes after the polls closed, national media called the win for PC leader Doug Ford – winning a third straight majority, the first in the province in more than 65 years. (Updated with unofficial results – 99.93 per cent of polls) His party has 80 seats (42.97 per cent of the vote), up from the 79 the party had.

Ford had called the rare snap winter election on Jan. 24 – 15 months early – stating he needs a mandate from the public to “fight against U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs, the attack he’s coming against our families, our businesses, our communities.”

“Together we have made history,” Ford said Thursday night at his party headquarters in Toronto. “Together we have secured a strong, historic third majority mandate… a strong mandate that outlasts the Trump administration. A mandate to do whatever it takes to protect Ontario. Well, friends, the people have spoken.”

The NDP party under Marit Stiles maintained official opposition with 27 seats – but just 18.55 per cent of the vote.

Bonnie Crombie’s Liberal Party regained official party status (need 12, had 9) with 14 seats, but the leader did not win her seat. The party, however, had 29.95 per cent of the vote. She stated she will stay on as leader.

Mike Schreiner, Green Party leader, was happy his party retained its two seats with 4.83 per cent of the vote. The last seat is held by an independent.

There are 11,065,813 registered voters in Ontario. Voter turnout was 45.40 per cent.