Official start to campaign

Wednesday marks the official start of the provincial election campaign. And on day one — the leaders party leaders were paying attention to some key ridings.

The leaders started off in some key ridings Wednesday — like Kitchener, which used to be a Liberal stronghold until an NDP byelection win and now Liberal house leader John Milloy who barely won the last election, will not be seeking to regain his seat. There were also stops in Mississauga, Ottawa and Niagara Falls.

The leaders spent the day trying to be seen and heard by voters.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath: “People are struggling, squeezed out of middle class, and we’re committed to making sure life gets better not harder.”

Liberal Leader Kathleen Wynne: “It’s clear we are interested investments stay in place, people have access to good jobs. Tim Hudak wants people to have low skill, low wage jobs”

PC Leader Tim Hudak: “I have no doubt this will be a single issue campaign. And my thoughts are with people who don’t have a job right now, but want to do better.”

But one place they won’t be seen is in political ads on TV, radio and in print. A media blackout is now in effect until May 20th — but it doesn’t apply to YouTube or other websites.

“Blackout provisions put in place to make sure there was a level playing field, so the government of the day couldn’t have a snap election without giving the other parties the opportunity to have media advertising. That’s the historical context. With the advent of social media, it might be time to revisit some of those provisions.”

Chief Electoral Officer Greg Essensa was with Lt. Governor David Onley, signing the writs for the 41st Ontario election. His budget for this election is about $90 million, but in 2011, the agency spent less, 79 million. Essensa says he has been efficient. And his backdrop was clearly recycled from an earlier election.

Also Wednesday — former Tory Finance Minister Peter Shurman, who quit in a spending scandal and has had harsh words for his former leader Tim Hudak. He was on radio saying he thinks Kathleen Wynne has the best chance of winning this election. Wynne responded by saying she hopes to gain support from all sides of the political spectrum. Advance polls open May 31st.