TORONTO -- Polls have opened in two provincial byelections in the Liberal stronghold of Ottawa-Vanier and in Niagara West-Glanbrook, the riding held by former Progressive Conservative leader Tim Hudak since 1995.
PC Leader Patrick Brown calls Ottawa-Vanier the safest Liberal seat in Ontario, and says if the Tories even come close it'll show just how angry voters are over soaring electricity prices.
Brown says if the high-profile Tory candidate in Ottawa-Vanier, former provincial ombudsman Andre Marin, comes within 10 points of Liberal Nathalie Des Rosiers "it'll be embarrassing" for Premier Kathleen Wynne.
Sam Oosterhoff, the 19-year-old PC candidate in Niagara who hopes to become the youngest ever member of the Ontario legislature, says people are angry about their hydro bills and industrial wind turbines installed in the riding.
Liberal candidate Vicki Ringuette insists she wasn't hearing complaints from voters about electricity rates, and mocks Oosterhoff by saying she at least has paid a hydro bill.
Premier Kathleen Wynne says the government realizes the cost of electricity has been a burden for people across the province, but she's not sure how the issue will play in today's byelections.
Brown calls Niagara West-Glanbrook a swing riding, but the Tories have held it since 1995, longer than their candidate has been alive.
