Liberal three-peat

Dalton McGuinty falls just short of another majority.
The Liberals were tripped at the finish line in last night’s election, finishing one seat shy of the 54 seats needed
for a majority.
They lost 17 seats including the Hamilton one belonging to Revenue Minister Sophia Aggelonitis.
It’s the province’s first minority government in 26 years.
The Tories finished second with 37 and the N-D-P 17 seats.
Dalton McGuinty is the first three-term Liberal premier in Ontario in more than a century.
McMaster University political science professor Peter Graefe predicts a fairly stable legislative session despite the minority.
He says McGuinty is in a strong position because he knows the electorate don’t want another election.
Despite missing out on another majority, the premier says his party still met its goal of bringing an experienced Liberal government to another term in office.
He adds the Liberals will serve Ontarians faithfully with a “steady hand on the tiller” in rough economic times.
McGuinty also says he will not be making any backroom coalition deals with the Conservatives or New Democrats.
Meanwhile, a lot of soul-searching going on among Progressive Conservatives.
Leader Tim Hudak says while the results are disappointing for his party, there’s still much to be proud of, since they nearly matched the Liberals in popular support.
Hudak told supporters in his Niagara riding last night that Ontario voters have sent a message that his party has more work to do to regain power and he’s heard it.
The N-D-P headed back to Queen’s Park with more seats and
more power to make themselves heard.
Leader Andrea Horwath led the party to a seven-seat gain
with a positive and energetic campaign.
She says she wants to get back to the legislature as soon as
possible, and will be making demands around jobs, health care and affordability.