Zingers and punchlines: Breaking down what happened this week on the Ontario campaign trail
Zingers and punchlines: Breaking down what happened this week on the Ontario campaign trail
The four major Ontario party leaders took part in their second, and final, election debate this week.
Voters were given an opportunity to see these potential premiers talk about health care, the economy, education and leadership—but it was the one-line zingers and punchlines that showed viewers what they can expect after election day.
On this week's episode of Ballot Box, the team gives you the debate highlights and brings in some experts to talk about candidates' strategies moving forward. Here's the breakdown:
- Two of Ontario’s four main party leaders tested positive for COVID-19
- Leaders Doug Ford, Andrea Horwath, Steven Del Duca and Mike Schreiner all took part in the official election debate Monday night. Here are the top 6 moments to watch
- A new poll shows the Progressive Conservatives maintaining their lead while the NDP slips to third place
- Experts weigh in on why Ford has shied away from the media this election cycle
- NDP changes ODSP campaign pledge and adds removing tolls for truckers on Highway 407 to their promises
- Del Duca google searches skyrocket
- Hazel McCallion endorses Doug Ford for premier
With the debate now over, what happens next? CTV News Toronto's Queen's Park reporter Siobhan Morris joins Ballot Box this week to talk about what voters can expect in the remaining week and a half before election day.
"I think what you'll start to see now is based on the debate and the reaction that people had to the leaders and their ideas on offer is really fine tuning the messages for ridings that now parties think that they can win or that they're afraid they might lose," Morris said.
CTV News Toronto also has a breakdown of who the voters are in Ontario, outlining how they cast their ballots in 2018 and what issues may be top of mind on June 2.
To view the map, click here.
Ballot Box is your one-stop shop for news from the campaign trail, breaking down the promises, politics and punches thrown during the week. The podcast airs every Friday on the iHeart radio app before becoming available on other streaming platforms.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING | Brown campaign accuses Conservative party of acting in favour of Poilievre after disqualification from leadership race
The campaign for Patrick Brown said it was consulting its legal team after the leadership election organizing committee of the federal Conservatives voted to disqualify him from the race late Tuesday.

Woman who was set on fire on Toronto bus has died, police confirm
A woman who was set on fire while on a Toronto bus in a random attack last month has died, police say.
Assembly of First Nations delegates reject resolution calling for chief's suspension
An emergency resolution before the Assembly of First Nations annual meeting to reaffirm the suspension of National Chief RoseAnne Archibald has failed in Vancouver.
'We're all really shaken up': Father recounts reuniting with missing daughter as U.S. man is charged
The father of the Edmonton girl who was missing for nine days said he was getting ready to post another update on Facebook last Saturday when police knocked on his door.
Two young ER doctors quit Montreal jobs, blaming Quebec's broken health-care system and Bill 96
Two young emergency room doctors, raised and trained in Montreal, are leaving their jobs after only two years to move back to Toronto – and they say the Quebec health-care model and Bill 96 are to blame.
Tamara Lich breached conditions by appearing with fellow convoy leader: Crown
The Crown is seeking to revoke bail for Tamara Lich, a leader of the 'Freedom Convoy,' after she appeared alongside a fellow organizer in an alleged breach of her conditions.
Parade shooting suspect charged with 7 counts of murder
A man charged Tuesday with seven counts of murder after firing off more than 70 rounds at an Independence Day parade in suburban Chicago legally bought five weapons, including the high-powered rifle used in the shooting, despite authorities being called to his home twice in 2019 for threats of violence and suicide, police said.
Bank of Canada's rapid rate hikes likely to cause a recession, study finds
The Bank of Canada's strategy of rapidly increasing its key interest rate in an effort to tackle skyrocketing inflation will likely trigger a recession, says a new study released Tuesday from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.
Canada is the first country to ratify Finland and Sweden's accession to join NATO
Canada became the first country to ratify Finland and Sweden's accession protocols to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Tuesday.