The Toronto Star reports on the latest polling information for the Ontario byelections:
The Progressive Conservatives are well ahead in two longtime Liberal strongholds — one in Toronto and the other former premier Dalton McGuinty’s Ottawa riding, according to a Forum Research poll.
The polling firm on Wednesday looked at three of the five Aug. 1 races:
- Etobicoke—Lakeshore, where Toronto deputy mayor Doug Holyday is leading.
- Scarborough—Guildwood, where the Liberal candidate Mitzie Hunter has the edge.
- Ottawa South, where almost half of the voters would support Tory candidate Matt Young.
Regardless of the outcomes, the Liberals’ minority position in the 107-seat legislature will not be affected.
Winning Etobicoke—Lakeshore would mark a crucial breakthrough for the Conservatives in Toronto, where they have been shut out of since 2003, and an important win for Tory Leader Tim Hudak, who is consistently the least popular party leader.
“This race was very competitive to start with, and Tim Hudak has been showing up a lot. Doug Holyday has been handling the media well and it’s beginning to show,” Forum Research president Lorne Bozinoff told the Star Thursday.
Holyday was a high-profile last minute entry in the race.
