It's Election Day in Ontario.
Voters are heading to the polls in the 43rd Ontario General Election, with Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford seeking a second term as premier with a PC majority, while NDP Leader Andrea Horwath's hoping to transition from Opposition Leader to the first NDP government since 1995, and Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca - a former cabinet minister chosen to head the party in 2020 - is hoping for a substantial rebound from the party's devastating performance in 2018, eyeing a return to government.
While the COVID-19 pandemic has loomed over the election - with health and long-term care both major issues for all parties - affordability has been a major focus, with Ford accusing other parties of wanting to raise taxes and make things more expensive, while the other parties dispute the claim and suggest Ford will make substantial cuts to services.
Locally, New Democrat Michael Mantha is seeking a fourth term representing Algoma-Manitoulin, opposed by PC candidate - and current Hornepayne Mayor - Cheryl Fort, Liberal candidate - and Manitoulin hospital executive - Tim Vine, New Blue Party candidate Ron Koski, Green Party candidate Maria Legault, and Ontario Party candidate Frederick Weening.
Jo Langham - Elections Ontario manager of media and public engagement - reminds voters who are not on the voter's list can still be added today.
Langham also reminds voters to bring ID.
Polls are open from 9 am to 9 pm today, locally located at Wawa's Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre, Chapleau's Municipal Office, Dubreuilville's Municipal Complex and Social Centre, and White River's Mountain View Complex - check your voter's card or the Elections Ontario website to confirm where to go.
Below are interviews with four of the six candidates for the local Algoma-Manitoulin riding:
Efforts were made to reach out to the other two candidates, Maria Legault (Green Party) and Frederick Weening (Ontario Party), but they did not respond and so arrangements could not be made for interviews.