1990 Ontario general election

Last updated

1990 Ontario general election
Flag of Ontario.svg
  1987 September 6, 1990 1995  

130 seats in the 35th Legislative Assembly of Ontario
66 seats needed for a majority
Turnout64.45% [1]
 First partySecond partyThird party
  Bob Rae, Toronto City Summit Alliance (cropped).jpg David Peterson (2005).jpg Mike Harris July 2003 (cropped).jpg
Leader Bob Rae David Peterson Mike Harris
Party New Democratic Liberal Progressive Conservative
Leader since February 7, 1982 February 21, 1982 May 12, 1990
Leader's seat York South London Centre (lost re-election) Nipissing
Last election199516
Seats won743620
Seat changeIncrease2.svg55Decrease2.svg59Increase2.svg4
Popular vote1,509,5061,302,134944,564
Percentage37.6%32.4%23.5%
SwingIncrease2.svg11.9pp Decrease2.svg14.9pp Decrease2.svg1.2pp

Ontario Provincial Election 1990 - Results Map.svg
Popular vote by riding. As this is an FPTP election, seat totals are not determined by popular vote, but instead via results by each riding. Click the map for more details.

Premier before election

David Peterson
Liberal

Premier after election

Bob Rae
New Democratic

The 1990 Ontario general election was held on September 6, 1990, to elect members of the 35th Legislative Assembly of the province of Ontario, Canada. The governing Ontario Liberal Party led by Premier David Peterson was unexpectedly defeated. Although the Peterson government, and Peterson himself, were very popular, [2] he was accused of opportunism in calling an election just three years into his mandate. In a shocking upset, the New Democratic Party (NDP), led by Bob Rae, won a majority government. This marked the first time the NDP had won government east of Manitoba, and to date the only time the NDP formed the government in Ontario.

Contents

Not even the NDP expected to come close to winning power. Rae had already made plans to retire from politics after the election; however, the NDP managed to take many seats in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) from the Liberals, and Rae himself represented York South, in Metro Toronto. They also did better than ever before, or in some cases since, in many other cities and rural areas. The NDP finished only five points ahead of the Liberals in the popular vote, but due to the nature of the first-past-the-post electoral system, which ignores the popular vote and awards power based on the number of ridings won, the NDP's gains in the GTA decimated the Liberal caucus. The Liberals lost 59 seats, the second-worst defeat for a governing party in Ontario. At the time, it was the Liberals' worst showing in an Ontario election. Peterson himself was heavily defeated in London Centre by NDP challenger Marion Boyd, losing by 8,200 votes, one of the few times a provincial premier has lost their own seat.

Although Mike Harris' Progressive Conservative Party was unable to overcome voter distrust of the federal Progressive Conservative government of Brian Mulroney, his party managed to make a net gain of four seats. Although Harris was from northern Ontario, the Tories were particularly weak in that region, placing fourth, behind the Liberals, NDP, and the right-wing Confederation of Regions Party (CoR) in six northern Ontario ridings (Algoma, Cochrane South, Nickel Belt, Sudbury, Sudbury East, and Sault Ste. Marie). The CoR also placed ahead of the Progressive Conservatives in the Renfrew North and Cornwall ridings in eastern Ontario. Although they received only 1.9% of the vote provincewide, they managed 7.8% in the 33 ridings in which they actually fielded a candidate.

The Green Party of Ontario placed third, ahead of the NDP, in Parry Sound riding, where former Liberal leadership candidate Richard Thomas was the party's candidate.

The Ontario Legislature after the 1990 election. 35th Ontario Legislature.png
The Ontario Legislature after the 1990 election.

Riding name change

Before the election, an Act was passed, changing the name of Prince Edward—Lennox to Prince Edward—Lennox—South Hastings. [3]

Opinion polls

Evolution of voting intentions at provincial level
Polling firmLast day
of survey
Source ONDP OLP PCO OtherMESample
Election 1990September 6, 199037.632.423.56.5
Angus Reid-SouthamAugust 30, 1990 [4] 38342443.3804
Environics August 21, 1990 [5] 3440233.11,008
Leader's debate held (August 20, 1990) [6]
Decima August 13, 1990 [7] 304028
Election called (July 30, 1990) [8]

During the 34th Parliament of Ontario

Evolution of voting intentions at provincial level
Polling firmLast day
of survey
Source ONDP OLP PCO OtherMESample
GallupJuly 1990 [9] 244326
Environics July 8, 1990 [10] 2650223.21,000
EnvironicsApril 1990 [11] 284723
EnvironicsDecember 1989 [12] 2642303.2
EnvironicsSeptember 1989 [12] 2645283.2
EnvironicsJuly 6, 1989 [13] 2545293.21,012
EnvironicsDecember 13, 1988 [14] 2143341,025
Angus ReidOctober 1988 [15] 205325
EnvironicsMay 1988 [16] 25452813.21,003
EnvironicsMay 1988 [16] 25452813.21,003
GallupMay 14, 1988 [17] 2550245571
EnvironicsFebruary 1988 [18] 2454213.21,003
EnvironicsNovember 22, 1987 [19] 2452233.21,008
Election 1987 September 10, 198725.747.323.53.5

Results

[1]

Elections to the 35th Parliament of Ontario (1990)
Political partyParty leaderMPPsVotes
Candidates 1987 Dissol. 1990±#%± (pp)
New Democratic Bob Rae 13019197455Increase2.svg1,509,50637.6%11.9Increase2.svg
Liberal David Peterson 13095933659Decrease2.svg1,302,13432.4%14.9Decrease2.svg
Progressive Conservative Mike Harris 1301617204Increase2.svg944,56423.5%1.2Decrease2.svg
Family Coalition Donald Pennell68110,8312.8%1.5Increase2.svg
Confederation of Regions Dean Wasson 3375,8731.9%New
Green Katherine Mathewson 4030,0970.8%0.7Increase2.svg
Libertarian James Stock4524,6130.6%0.2Increase2.svg
Freedom Robert Metz106,0150.1%Steady2.svg
Communist Elizabeth Rowley 41,1390.1Decrease2.svg
Independent  1513,3070.3%Steady2.svg
Vacant1
Total6151301301304,018,079100.00%
Blank and invalid ballots52,575
Total ballots cast4,070,654
Registered voters / turnout6,315,94964.5%1.8Increase2.svg
Popular vote
New Democratic
37.57%
Liberal
32.41%
PC
23.51%
Others
6.51%
Seats summary
New Democratic
56.92%
Liberal
27.69%
PC
15.38%

Synopsis of results

Results by riding - 1990 Ontario general election [1]
RidingWinning partyTurnout
[a 1]
Votes [a 2]
Name [a 3] [a 4] 1987 1st
place
VotesShareMargin
#
Margin
%
2nd
place
3rd
place
NDPLibPCFCPCoRIndOtherTotal
 
Algoma  NDP NDP8,22158.65%4,64833.16% Lib CoR65.62%8,2213,5734331,79014,017
Algoma—Manitoulin  Lib Lib5,96138.86%2071.35% NDP PC61.25%5,7545,9612,1631,11434715,339
Beaches—Woodbine  NDP NDP14,38158.35%8,05232.67% Lib PC65.95%14,3816,3293,53540024,645
Brampton North  Lib Lib11,68634.92%980.29% NDP PC58.35%11,58811,6867,6191,46643466933,462
Brampton South  Lib Lib12,91832.31%4241.06% NDP PC59.36%12,49412,91811,3952,51166739,985
Brantford  Lib NDP17,73648.63%4,09211.22% Lib PC66.71%17,73613,6443,0871,41359436,474
Brant—Haldimand  Lib Lib10,75137.35%1,4695.10% NDP PC61.18%9,28210,7516,2281,5201,00428,785
Bruce  Lib Lib11,47637.71%3,51111.54% NDP PC68.92%7,96511,4767,3493,63930,429
Burlington South  PC PC17,08452.53%8,89927.36% NDP Lib69.48%8,1855,54417,0841,70732,520
Cambridge  NDP NDP21,80660.28%14,24939.39% Lib PC64.84%21,8067,5574,4492,36436,176
Carleton  PC PC17,86046.91%7,71720.27% Lib NDP65.15%10,07110,14317,86038,074
Carleton East  Lib Lib19,05953.88%9,08325.68% NDP PC63.52%9,97619,0595,1171,22435,376
Chatham—Kent  Lib NDP13,93044.74%3,96712.74% Lib PC63.01%13,9309,9635,6191,62631,138
Cochrane North  Lib NDP6,61840.47%1430.87% Lib PC62.16%6,6186,4753,26116,354
Cochrane South  PC NDP11,46047.61%2,0998.72% Lib CoR62.95%11,4609,3611,0192,22924,069
Cornwall  Lib Lib12,72546.53%5,68120.77% NDP CoR63.79%7,04412,7253,1694,40927,347
Don Mills  Lib NDP9,74034.20%9543.35% Lib PC64.23%9,7408,7867,6315621,76428,483
Dovercourt  Lib NDP10,60454.25%3,98920.41% Lib PC66.27%10,6046,6151,2391,09019,548
Downsview  Lib NDP13,44056.58%5,22121.98% Lib PC66.08%13,4408,2191,47761923,755
Dufferin—Peel  Lib PC10,89934.66%5721.82% Lib NDP66.56%8,62710,32710,8991,59431,447
Durham Centre  Lib NDP12,59435.88%2,3486.69% Lib PC61.23%12,59410,2469,1261,1861,08785735,096
Durham East  PC NDP10,96032.74%530.16% PC Lib63.43%10,9607,83610,9072,4871,28633,476
Durham West  Lib NDP16,36637.47%1,9824.54% Lib PC62.36%16,36614,38411,1671,76143,678
Durham—York  Lib NDP12,29733.89%1,2303.39% Lib PC61.90%12,29711,06710,9042,01636,284
Eglinton  Lib Lib12,03235.97%1730.52% PC NDP69.98%7,77212,03211,8591,78833,451
Elgin  Lib NDP14,18941.67%4,46613.12% Lib PC66.51%14,1899,7239,0311,10434,047
Essex-Kent  Lib NDP15,85852.66%5,89019.56% Lib PC67.52%15,8589,9682,7391,55130,116
Essex South  Lib Lib10,57536.02%2120.72% NDP PC59.40%10,36310,5756,3352,08529,358
Etobicoke—Humber  Lib Lib13,58238.61%3,53310.04% NDP PC70.29%10,04913,5829,2891,29296635,178
Etobicoke—Lakeshore  NDP NDP18,11857.23%11,11235.10% Lib PC66.15%18,1187,0064,8541,05362931,660
Etobicoke—Rexdale  NDP NDP17,62067.07%13,03549.62% Lib PC61.42%17,6204,5853,24382226,270
Etobicoke West  Lib PC13,71340.56%3,63110.74% Lib NDP69.86%7,99210,08213,7131,04530467433,810
Fort William  Lib Lib11,79844.44%1,3455.07% NDP PC62.74%10,45311,7984,30026,551
Fort York  Lib NDP11,02346.30%1,3675.74% Lib PC63.48%11,0239,6562,25833053923,806
Frontenac—Addington  Lib NDP9,69633.24%1,4705.04% Lib PC65.15%9,6968,2268,2112,0201,02129,174
Grey  Lib PC13,74236.11%2,4626.47% NDP Lib65.20%11,28010,25713,7422,15762038,056
Guelph  Lib NDP15,05137.91%3,1077.83% Lib PC69.48%15,05111,94410,1841,60292039,701
Halton Centre  Lib Lib13,49435.03%1,2153.15% PC NDP63.12%10,16313,49412,2791,2321,35538,523
Halton North  Lib NDP8,51030.94%5481.99% Lib PC64.50%8,5107,9627,4992,4891,04327,503
Hamilton Centre  Lib NDP14,02955.32%6,21524.51% Lib PC59.78%14,0297,8142,1163651,03425,358
Hamilton East  NDP NDP20,28971.60%14,76452.10% Lib PC61.70%20,2895,5251,67684628,336
Hamilton Mountain  NDP NDP22,48859.76%14,77939.28% PC Lib66.55%22,4887,4327,70937,629
Hamilton West  NDP NDP18,55056.59%11,31434.52% Lib PC67.90%18,5507,2364,3612,32430632,777
Hastings—Peterborough  PC NDP11,28339.89%8963.17% PC Lib68.76%11,2834,28510,3871,1991,12828,282
High Park—Swansea  Lib NDP11,43245.12%3,27312.92% Lib PC64.83%11,4328,1594,67440966325,337
Huron  Lib NDP10,02034.47%9543.28% PC Lib71.47%10,0206,6539,0662,93140029,070
Kenora  Lib Lib8,15240.55%3311.65% NDP Ind61.67%7,8218,1521,7762,35720,106
Kingston and the Islands  Lib NDP10,18437.99%2,0927.80% Lib PC57.00%10,1848,0927,0791,45226,807
Kitchener  Lib NDP15,75046.82%6,01917.89% Lib PC62.90%15,7509,7316,1572,00233,640
Kitchener—Wilmot  Lib NDP16,05643.94%5,18714.20% Lib PC60.09%16,05610,8697,3422,27036,537
Lake Nipigon  NDP NDP8,33565.19%5,25241.08% Lib PC59.98%8,3353,08373563212,785
Lambton  Lib NDP8,69131.40%1,0263.71% PC Lib68.17%8,6917,2917,6653,55747127,675
Lanark—Renfrew  PC PC11,06332.48%1,3984.10% Lib NDP60.37%8,5419,66511,0631,8532,93834,060
Lawrence  Lib Lib11,78644.70%1,6076.10% NDP PC65.68%10,17911,7863,55784226,364
Leeds—Grenville  PC PC16,84649.07%7,67422.35% Lib NDP66.18%8,3129,17216,84634,330
Lincoln  Lib NDP12,11735.49%1,0623.11% Lib PC68.07%12,11711,0559,4071,56234,141
London Centre  Lib NDP17,83751.31%8,16623.49% Lib PC66.05%17,8379,6715,34898234558234,765
London North  Lib PC18,07941.30%4,0749.31% NDP Lib67.80%14,0059,99018,0791,09560143,770
London South  Lib NDP17,43842.41%5,65113.74% Lib PC65.61%17,43811,7879,8281,42763541,115
Markham  PC PC25,59549.97%10,46720.43% Lib NDP64.39%8,45915,12825,5951,08631164251,221
Middlesex  Lib NDP12,52232.62%5201.35% Lib PC68.80%12,52212,0028,9574,00789438,382
Mississauga East  Lib Lib12,44839.29%3,27110.32% NDP PC61.61%9,17712,4488,2851,36341131,684
Mississauga North  Lib Lib12,65837.85%1,4424.31% NDP PC57.77%11,21612,6587,99063294633,442
Mississauga South  PC PC17,12652.45%9,54729.24% NDP Lib65.68%7,5796,62417,1261,32332,652
Mississauga West  Lib Lib20,03842.11%6,10012.82% NDP PC59.59%13,93820,03811,94577189247,584
Muskoka—Georgian Bay  Lib NDP13,42240.63%2,9188.83% PC Lib67.65%13,4229,10510,50433,031
Nepean  Lib Lib13,72342.45%3,85311.92% PC NDP62.91%7,45313,7239,8701,28232,328
Niagara Falls  Lib NDP13,88446.37%5,90519.72% Lib PC63.38%13,8847,9793,8966743,14136529,939
Niagara South  Lib NDP11,16146.56%3,92916.39% Lib PC65.10%11,1617,2324,0321,54723,972
Nickel Belt  NDP NDP9,92558.54%6,65839.27% Lib CoR69.07%9,9253,2679672,79616,955
Nipissing  PC PC15,46945.85%4,72414.00% Lib NDP70.16%7,03910,74515,46948833,741
Norfolk  Lib NDP14,85041.03%3,87910.72% Lib PC67.95%14,85010,97110,37436,195
Northumberland  Lib Lib11,98433.53%1,0943.06% PC NDP66.93%9,58111,98410,8901,2131,67739535,740
Oakville South  Lib PC10,94934.98%1080.35% Lib NDP66.73%6,42310,84110,9499961,0571,03831,304
Oakwood  Lib NDP10,42348.74%2,28010.66% Lib PC67.69%10,4238,1431,6711,14721,384
Oriole  Lib Lib10,65541.86%2,2148.70% NDP PC66.13%8,44110,6555,43592325,454
Oshawa  NDP NDP16,60161.09%11,48542.27% Lib PC51.99%16,6015,1163,8711,58527,173
Ottawa Centre  Lib NDP14,52247.70%2,8669.41% Lib PC67.17%14,52211,6562,72380916057630,446
Ottawa East  Lib Lib16,36362.41%10,26039.13% NDP PC55.23%6,10316,3632,20382672326,218
Ottawa—Rideau  Lib Lib13,45445.31%4,60915.52% NDP PC59.96%8,84513,4545,2341,04986125229,695
Ottawa South  Lib Lib13,84545.87%6,01919.94% NDP PC68.56%7,82613,8457,39950361230,185
Ottawa West  Lib Lib13,90841.61%4,84014.48% PC NDP65.68%8,39113,9089,0681,0441,01133,422
Oxford  Lib NDP12,68434.75%2,8247.74% PC Lib67.65%12,6849,8029,8603,18297636,504
Parkdale  Lib Lib8,08046.39%5233.00% NDP PC61.22%7,5578,08094127356617,417
Parry Sound  PC PC10,07843.78%4,95321.52% Lib Grn65.09%2,9935,12510,0787634,06123,020
Perth  Lib NDP11,71236.83%2,9919.41% Lib PC66.24%11,7128,7218,6002,76931,802
Peterborough  Lib NDP13,81332.98%1850.44% Lib PC66.65%13,81313,6288,8843,6521,58632541,888
Port Arthur  Lib NDP11,91942.88%1,0343.72% Lib PC62.22%11,91910,8853,8541,14027,798
Prescott and Russell  Lib Lib25,87964.97%16,51041.45% NDP PC59.27%9,36925,8792,8481,11961839,833
Prince Edward—Lennox—South Hastings  Lib NDP9,20433.17%9053.26% PC Lib61.45%9,2048,1888,2992,06127,752
Quinte  Lib Lib11,11437.43%4,10413.82% NDP PC59.41%7,01011,1145,8252,3313,41129,691
Rainy River  NDP NDP7,83861.47%3,96031.06% Lib PC66.34%7,8383,8781,03512,751
Renfrew North  Lib Lib13,08243.32%7,16623.73% NDP CoR65.62%5,91613,0824,5861,1045,51030,198
Riverdale  NDP NDP14,08661.97%8,51437.46% Lib PC62.45%14,0865,5721,5781,49322,729
St. Andrew—St. Patrick  Lib NDP10,32134.45%1,0803.61% PC Lib66.89%10,3218,9389,2411,45629,956
St. Catharines  Lib Lib11,56538.76%9363.14% NDP PC66.77%10,62911,5653,9261,3312,38429,835
St. Catharines—Brock  Lib NDP9,53834.71%1,1594.22% Lib PC65.85%9,5388,3796,9698731,44927027,478
St. George—St. David  Lib Lib10,71836.08%720.24% NDP PC64.63%10,64610,7186,95593245529,706
Sarnia  PC NDP10,86036.71%2,3207.84% Lib PC64.84%10,8608,5406,2692,69165257429,586
Sault Ste. Marie  NDP NDP14,03636.26%6971.80% Lib CoR68.26%14,03613,3393,3477,99138,713
Scarborough—Agincourt  Lib Lib13,34744.32%4,70715.63% PC NDP63.54%6,76313,3478,6401,36830,118
Scarborough Centre  Lib NDP12,32445.21%3,06811.25% Lib PC64.45%12,3249,2565,68227,262
Scarborough East  Lib NDP11,70035.55%1,7745.39% Lib PC63.47%11,7009,9269,8903681,03132,915
Scarborough—Ellesmere  Lib NDP14,03648.20%4,61915.86% Lib PC66.79%14,0369,4174,85581129,119
Scarborough North  Lib Lib13,39344.56%3,91613.03% NDP PC57.86%9,47713,3935,3671,19962030,056
Scarborough West  NDP NDP14,34051.16%7,81927.90% Lib PC65.21%14,3406,5215,76999640128,027
Simcoe Centre  Lib NDP15,71137.79%2,8426.84% Lib PC62.46%15,71112,86910,0132,97941,572
Simcoe East  PC PC14,82839.65%7401.98% NDP Lib67.46%14,0887,21914,8281,26337,398
Simcoe West  PC PC11,71036.49%1,8405.73% NDP Lib63.84%9,8707,76511,7102,74432,089
Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry  PC PC11,88740.87%3,50112.04% Lib NDP65.77%5,3578,38611,8873,45229,082
Sudbury  Lib NDP13,40741.21%3,39710.44% Lib CoR66.57%13,40710,0103,3185,79532,530
Sudbury East  NDP NDP17,53658.00%10,05233.25% Lib CoR70.87%17,5367,4841,4583,75430,232
Timiskaming  Lib Lib8,36442.29%2,17310.99% NDP PC67.57%6,1918,3642,2612,25071319,779
Victoria—Haliburton  Lib NDP15,46744.33%6,52018.69% PC Lib69.10%15,4677,6688,9471,41997141734,889
Waterloo North  Lib PC14,55237.43%3,2548.37% NDP Lib62.03%11,2989,44114,5522,94664638,883
Welland-Thorold  NDP NDP20,48863.62%12,93140.16% Lib PC69.80%20,4887,5572,89387838632,202
Wellington  PC PC12,14139.62%1,3044.26% NDP Lib66.44%10,8377,66812,14130,646
Wentworth East  Lib NDP15,22444.63%3,1479.23% Lib PC66.82%15,22412,0775,60953366834,111
Wentworth North  Lib NDP11,47234.05%880.26% Lib PC69.63%11,47211,3848,7401,23686033,692
Willowdale  Lib PC11,95735.20%8342.46% Lib NDP63.33%9,12511,12311,9571,07468833,967
Wilson Heights  Lib Lib12,27244.26%2,6549.57% NDP PC62.99%9,61812,2724,91392227,725
Windsor—Riverside  NDP NDP21,14471.03%14,50448.72% Lib PC62.16%21,1446,6401,09688929,769
Windsor—Sandwich  Lib NDP15,95254.45%4,14514.15% Lib PC58.96%15,95211,8071,18635329,298
Windsor—Walkerville  Lib NDP15,89955.19%4,31814.99% Lib PC59.74%15,89911,5811,32728,807
York Centre  Lib Lib28,05645.57%9,20614.95% NDP PC61.85%18,85028,05614,65661,562
York East  Lib NDP10,68935.81%7892.64% Lib PC68.03%10,6899,9008,02138085829,848
York Mills  Lib PC13,03744.64%2,6479.06% Lib NDP68.30%4,83010,39013,03795029,207
York North  Lib Lib11,45234.25%1480.44% PC NDP63.14%10,68111,45211,30433,437
York South  NDP NDP16,64266.70%12,10848.53% Lib PC66.80%16,6424,5342,5611,21224,949
Yorkview  Lib NDP9,94549.58%1,6198.07% Lib PC61.11%9,9458,3261,25423130320,059
  1. including spoilt ballots
  2. minor political parties receiving less than 1% of the popular vote are aggregated under "Other"; independent candidates are aggregated separately
  3. order is as given in EO reports
  4. Names are as specified in 1976 Act plus 1990 amendment - EO file has errors
  = open seat
  = turnout is above provincial average
  = winning candidate was in previous Legislature
  = not incumbent; was previously elected to the Legislature
  = incumbent had switched allegiance
  = incumbency arose from byelection gain
  = previously incumbent in another riding
  = other incumbents renominated
  = previously an MP in the House of Commons of Canada
  = multiple candidates

Comparative analysis for ridings (1990 vs 1987)

Summary of riding results by turnout and vote share for winning candidate (vs 1987) [a 1]
Riding and winning partyTurnoutVote share
 %Change (pp) %Change (pp)
 
Algoma  NDPHold 65.62-3.19
 
58.65-2.25
 
Algoma—Manitoulin  LibHold61.25-0.89
 
38.86-7.19
 
Beaches—Woodbine  NDPHold65.954.124.12
 
58.358.618.61
 
Brampton North  LibHold58.354.214.21
 
34.92-15.90
 
Brampton South  LibHold59.364.114.11
 
32.31-20.27
 
Brantford  NDPGain66.71-2.18
 
48.6315.1115.11
 
Brant—Haldimand  LibHold61.184.354.35
 
37.35-22.00
 
Bruce  LibHold68.921.241.24
 
37.71-23.02
 
Burlington South  PCHold69.481.781.78
 
52.5311.2111.21
 
Cambridge  NDPHold64.841.911.91
 
60.2825.7925.79
 
Carleton  PCHold65.15-0.07
 
46.913.303.3
 
Carleton East  LibHold63.522.612.61
 
53.88-10.21
 
Chatham—Kent  NDPGain63.013.413.41
 
44.7418.2818.28
 
Cochrane North  NDPGain62.16-1.03
 
40.475.685.68
 
Cochrane South  NDPGain62.950.590.59
 
47.6121.7321.73
 
Cornwall  LibHold63.79-0.54
 
46.536.306.3
 
Don Mills  NDPGain64.235.105.1
 
34.2010.6110.61
 
Dovercourt  NDPGain66.27-1.75
 
54.259.279.27
 
Downsview  NDPGain66.082.902.9
 
56.5810.4610.46
 
Dufferin—Peel  PCGain66.563.583.58
 
34.663.363.36
 
Durham Centre  NDPGain61.23-0.22
 
35.884.944.94
 
Durham East  NDPGain63.432.722.72
 
32.748.418.41
 
Durham West  NDPGain62.363.203.2
 
37.4720.6220.62
 
Durham—York  NDPGain61.903.193.19
 
33.8915.9215.92
 
Eglinton  LibHold69.982.252.25
 
35.97-8.77
 
Elgin  NDPGain66.51-0.26
 
41.6717.9917.99
 
Essex-Kent  NDPGain67.522.212.21
 
52.6611.6711.67
 
Essex South  LibHold59.404.164.16
 
36.02-22.92
 
Etobicoke—Humber  LibHold70.293.703.7
 
38.61-22.44
 
Etobicoke—Lakeshore  NDPHold66.150.270.27
 
57.2312.6412.64
 
Etobicoke—Rexdale  NDPHold61.421.411.41
 
67.0715.0315.03
 
Etobicoke West  PCGain69.863.883.88
 
40.5611.7911.79
 
Fort William  LibHold62.74-4.95
 
44.445.975.97
 
Fort York  NDPGain63.485.045.04
 
46.303.953.95
 
Frontenac—Addington  NDPGain65.154.024.02
 
33.2413.0113.01
 
Grey  PCGain65.200.960.96
 
36.110.310.31
 
Guelph  NDPGain69.487.257.25
 
37.9110.7010.7
 
Halton Centre  LibHold63.123.723.72
 
35.03-18.00
 
Halton North  NDPGain64.506.966.96
 
30.947.157.15
 
Hamilton Centre  NDPGain59.781.021.02
 
55.3216.4316.43
 
Hamilton East  NDPHold61.701.451.45
 
71.6014.7814.78
 
Hamilton Mountain  NDPHold66.550.640.64
 
59.7616.9516.95
 
Hamilton West  NDPHold67.902.952.95
 
56.5914.1314.13
 
Hastings—Peterborough  NDPGain68.762.612.61
 
39.8913.7813.78
 
High Park—Swansea  NDPGain64.83-0.11
 
45.1213.6913.69
 
Huron  NDPGain71.473.903.9
 
34.4720.0620.06
 
Kenora  LibHold61.67-0.48
 
40.550.040.04
 
Kingston and the Islands  NDPGain57.000.690.69
 
37.9913.3313.33
 
Kitchener  NDPGain62.906.316.31
 
46.8218.2918.29
 
Kitchener—Wilmot  NDPGain60.094.594.59
 
43.9419.6419.64
 
Lake Nipigon  NDPHold59.98-4.55
 
65.191.121.12
 
Lambton  NDPGain68.171.461.46
 
31.4019.9919.99
 
Lanark—Renfrew  PCHold60.37-0.50
 
32.48-10.26
 
Lawrence  LibHold65.68-1.34
 
44.70-8.32
 
Leeds—Grenville  PCHold66.18-2.33
 
49.075.895.89
 
Lincoln  NDPGain68.072.732.73
 
35.4914.6714.67
 
London Centre  NDPGain66.059.379.37
 
51.3123.2123.21
 
London North  PCGain67.804.024.02
 
41.3022.7822.78
 
London South  NDPGain65.613.063.06
 
42.4122.8422.84
 
Markham  PCHold64.393.783.78
 
49.975.775.77
 
Middlesex  NDPGain68.802.912.91
 
32.6215.8915.89
 
Mississauga East  LibHold61.611.741.74
 
39.29-11.10
 
Mississauga North  LibHold57.773.793.79
 
37.85-18.18
 
Mississauga South  PCHold65.680.780.78
 
52.4510.2110.21
 
Mississauga West  LibHold59.592.912.91
 
42.11-18.25
 
Muskoka—Georgian Bay  NDPGain67.652.492.49
 
40.6316.3816.38
 
Nepean  LibHold62.910.430.43
 
42.45-6.01
 
Niagara Falls  NDPGain63.385.405.4
 
46.3716.5416.54
 
Niagara South  NDPGain65.108.918.91
 
46.5625.4025.4
 
Nickel Belt  NDPHold69.07-1.15
 
58.540.330.33
 
Nipissing  PCHold70.161.351.35
 
45.85-4.83
 
Norfolk  NDPGain67.954.924.92
 
41.0314.4514.45
 
Northumberland  LibHold66.93-0.04
 
33.53-10.29
 
Oakville South  PCGain66.731.911.91
 
34.98-5.36
 
Oakwood  NDPGain67.690.400.4
 
48.746.206.2
 
Oriole  LibHold66.131.121.12
 
41.86-17.82
 
Oshawa  NDPHold51.99-2.08
 
61.0915.2415.24
 
Ottawa Centre  NDPGain67.174.004
 
47.707.637.63
 
Ottawa East  LibHold55.232.172.17
 
62.41-11.85
 
Ottawa—Rideau  LibHold59.960.540.54
 
45.31-4.89
 
Ottawa South  LibHold68.560.910.91
 
45.87-5.01
 
Ottawa West  LibHold65.684.084.08
 
41.61-8.85
 
Oxford  NDPGain67.65-0.59
 
34.7516.1316.13
 
Parkdale  LibHold61.22-1.31
 
46.39-23.07
 
Parry Sound  PCHold65.090.840.84
 
43.78-9.81
 
Perth  NDPGain66.243.093.09
 
36.8316.2016.2
 
Peterborough  NDPGain66.652.912.91
 
32.984.694.69
 
Port Arthur  NDPGain62.22-5.63
 
42.883.443.44
 
Prescott and Russell  LibHold59.27-0.79
 
64.97-10.83
 
Prince Edward—Lennox—South Hastings  NDPGain61.450.220.22
 
33.1715.3815.38
 
Quinte  LibHold59.412.192.19
 
37.43-24.65
 
Rainy River  NDPHold66.34-5.20
 
61.4720.9220.92
 
Renfrew North  LibHold65.62-1.54
 
43.32-19.41
 
Riverdale  NDPHold62.451.421.42
 
61.9717.0817.08
 
St. Andrew—St. Patrick  NDPGain66.892.382.38
 
34.4516.3716.37
 
St. Catharines  LibHold66.774.284.28
 
38.76-24.54
 
St. Catharines—Brock  NDPGain65.852.442.44
 
34.719.819.81
 
St. George—St. David  LibHold64.632.742.74
 
36.08-15.07
 
Sarnia  NDPGain64.84-0.83
 
36.7121.4621.46
 
Sault Ste. Marie  NDPHold68.26-2.15
 
36.26-12.74
 
Scarborough—Agincourt  LibHold63.540.120.12
 
44.32-13.22
 
Scarborough Centre  NDPGain64.45-0.14
 
45.2115.8515.85
 
Scarborough East  NDPGain63.474.234.23
 
35.5512.5012.5
 
Scarborough—Ellesmere  NDPGain66.793.083.08
 
48.208.148.14
 
Scarborough North  LibHold57.86-1.99
 
44.56-18.47
 
Scarborough West  NDPHold65.213.613.61
 
51.164.924.92
 
Simcoe Centre  NDPGain62.46-0.01
 
37.7917.4517.45
 
Simcoe East  PCHold67.460.490.49
 
39.652.742.74
 
Simcoe West  PCHold63.842.792.79
 
36.49-5.46
 
Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry  PCHold65.77-1.26
 
40.872.492.49
 
Sudbury  NDPGain66.57-0.84
 
41.2112.7112.71
 
Sudbury East  NDPHold70.872.622.62
 
58.003.033.03
 
Timiskaming  LibHold67.57-2.42
 
42.29-6.58
 
Victoria—Haliburton  NDPGain69.106.136.13
 
44.3329.5729.57
 
Waterloo North  PCGain62.035.105.1
 
37.4310.3610.36
 
Welland-Thorold  NDPHold69.801.121.12
 
63.625.745.74
 
Wellington  PCHold66.443.913.91
 
39.62-1.45
 
Wentworth East  NDPGain66.822.502.5
 
44.6316.5416.54
 
Wentworth North  NDPGain69.634.634.63
 
34.0511.8411.84
 
Willowdale  PCGain63.330.0035.201.161.16
 
Wilson Heights  LibHold62.99-0.17
 
44.26-13.23
 
Windsor—Riverside  NDPHold62.16-3.05
 
71.0313.3813.38
 
Windsor—Sandwich  NDPGain58.960.040.04
 
54.4511.7911.79
 
Windsor—Walkerville  NDPGain59.74-3.62
 
55.199.979.97
 
York Centre  LibHold61.856.266.26
 
45.57-16.87
 
York East  NDPGain68.033.373.37
 
35.8112.7712.77
 
York Mills  PCGain68.300.530.53
 
44.644.754.75
 
York North  LibHold63.143.113.11
 
34.25-14.20
 
York South  NDPHold66.80-3.66
 
66.7019.6019.6
 
Yorkview  NDPGain61.11-0.23
 
49.5821.4021.4
 
  1. Summarized from "Data Explorer". Elections Ontario . Retrieved December 15, 2022.

MPPs elected by region and riding

Party designations are as follows:

  Liberal
  NDP
  PC

Two-tone colour boxes indicate ridings that turned over from the 1987 election, eg:

   (Liberal in 1987 and NDP in 1990)

Summary analysis

Party candidates in 2nd place [1]
Party in 1st placeParty in 2nd placeTotal
NDPLiberalPC
New Democratic 641074
Liberal 29736
Progressive Conservative 81220
Total377617130
Principal races, according to 1st and 2nd-place results [1]
PartiesSeats
  New Democratic   Liberal 93
  New Democratic   Progressive Conservative 18
  Progressive Conservative   Liberal 19
Total130
Candidates ranked 1st to 5th place, by party [1]
Parties1st2nd3rd4th5thTotal
  New Democratic 7437181130
  Liberal 367618130
  Progressive Conservative 2017849130
  Confederation of Regions 817732
  Green 1152137
  Independent 141015
  Family Coalition 57966
  Libertarian 131932
  Freedom 178
  Communist 11

Seats changing hands

Of the 130 seats, 20 were open because of MPPs who chose not to stand for reelection, and voters in 63 seats changed allegiance from the previous election in 1987.

Elections to the 35th Legislative Assembly of Ontario – seats won/lost by party, 1987–1990
Party1987Gain from (loss to)1990
NDPLibPC
New Democratic 1951474
Liberal 95(51)(8)36
Progressive Conservative 16(4)820
Total130(55)594(8)130

The following seats changed allegiance from 1987:

Resulting composition of the 35th Legislative Assembly of Ontario
SourceParty
NDPLibPCTotal
Seats retainedIncumbents returned1435958
Open seats held5139
Seats changing handsIncumbents defeated45651
Open seats gained10111
Byelection gains held11
Total743620130

Significant results among independent and minor party candidates

Those candidates not belonging to a major party, receiving more than 1,000 votes in the election, are listed below:

RidingPartyCandidatesVotesPlaced
Dufferin—Peel   Libertarian Bob Shapton1,5944th
Frontenac—Addington   Independent Ross Baker1,0215th
Kenora   Independent Henry Wetelainen2,3573rd
Mississauga East   Independent Peter Sesek1,3634th
Mississauga South   Green Scott McWhinnie1,3234th
Oakville South   Green Josef Petriska1,0385th
Ottawa West   Green Ian Whyte1,0115th
Parry Sound   Green Richard Thomas4,0613rd
St. Andrew—St. Patrick   Green James Harris1,1124th
Scarborough—Agincourt   Libertarian William Galster1,3684th
Simcoe East   Libertarian John McLean1,2634th

Post-election changes

Party affiliation switches

Tony Rizzo (NDP) became an independent MPP on October 10, 1990, after questions were raised about labour practices in his bricklaying firms. He would later rejoin the NDP caucus.

Dennis Drainville (NDP) became an independent MPP on April 28, 1993, as a protest against the Rae government's plans to introduce casinos to the province. He later resigned his seat in the legislature, resulting in a by-election.

Will Ferguson (NDP) became an independent MPP on April 30, 1993, following accusations relating to the Grandview scandal. He later rejoined the NDP caucus on June 21, 1994, having been cleared of all charges.

John Sola (L) became an independent MPP on May 11, 1993, after making comments about Canadian Serbs that most regarded as racist.

Peter North (NDP) became an independent MPP on October 27, 1993, claiming he had lost confidence in the Rae government. He tried to join the Progressive Conservatives, but was rebuffed.

Byelections

Due to resignations, five by-elections were held between the 1990 and 1995 elections.

Electoral districtCandidatesIncumbent
LiberalPCNDPOther
Brant—Haldimand
March 5, 1992
Ronald Eddy
9,565
David Timms
4,758
Christopher Stanek
2,895
Donald Pennell (FCP)
2,056
Ella Haley (G)
759
Janice Wilson (Ind)
250
Robert Nixon
resigned July 31, 1991
Don Mills
April 1, 1993
Murad Velshi
5,583
David Johnson
9,143
Chandran Mylvaganam
1,513
Diane Johnston (Ind Renewal)
498
Denise Mountenay (FCP)
383
Bernadette Michael (Ind)
206
David Pengelly (F)
161
Sat Khalsa (G)
141
Margery Ward
died January 22, 1993
St. George—St. David
April 1, 1993
Tim Murphy
8,750
Nancy Jackman
6,518
George Lamony
1,451
Louis Di Rocco (FCP)
347
Phil Sarazen (G)
209
Judith Snow (Ind Renewal)
119
Ed Fortune (Ind)
107
Robert Smith (Ind)
72
John Steele (Comm League)
57
Ian Scott
resigned September 8, 1992
Essex South
December 2, 1993
Bruce Crozier
12,736
Joan Flood
3,295
David Maris
1,100
Joyce Ann Cherry (FCP)
1,060
Michael Green (G)
132
John Turmel (Ind)
84
Remo Mancini
resigned May 10, 1993
Victoria—Haliburton
March 17, 1994
Sharon McCrae
9,571
Chris Hodgson
11,941
Art Field
1,378
Ron Hawkrigg (Lbt)
252
Bradley Bradamore (Ind)
217
John Turmel (Ind)
123
Dennis Drainville
resigned September 27, 1993

Vacancies

In addition, four seats were vacant in the final months of the legislature, as the sitting members resigned and by-elections were not held to replace them before the 1995 election:

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "1990 General Election". elections.on.ca. Elections Ontario . Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  2. Mackie, Richard (July 14, 1990). "Buoyant Liberals gather in Toronto for election talks". The Globe and Mail. p. A5.
  3. Representation Amendment Act, 1990 , S.O. 1990, c. 1
  4. "Ontario NDP ahead of governing Liberals, poll finds". The Gazette. September 1, 1990. p. A1.
  5. "Ontario Liberal support plunges 10 points, poll shows". The Gazette. August 28, 1990. p. B1.
  6. Trickey, Mike (August 18, 1990). "TV debate likely to turn election heat up in Ontario". The Vancouver Sun. p. B3.
  7. "Leaders hone rhetoric to razor's edge for TV debate; Even smallest gaffes could be politically costly". The Ottawa Citizen. August 20, 1990. p. A4.
  8. Hall, Chris (September 1, 1990). "Ontario votes Sept. 6". The Ottawa Citizen. p. 1.
  9. "No summer of love for Ontario's NDP". The Globe and Mail. July 26, 1991. p. A12.
  10. Mackie, Richard (July 14, 1990). "Buoyant Liberals gather in Toronto for election talks: Meetings, polls fuel speculation about Ontario vote in September". The Globe and Mail. p. A5.
  11. Wood, Nancy (June 29, 1990). "Ontario party leaders gearing up as signs point to summer election". The Toronto Star. p. A17.
  12. 1 2 Mackie, Richard (January 27, 1990). "Peterson becoming like Wile E. Coyote". The Globe and Mail. p. D1.
  13. "Ontario Grits grinning over lead". The Edmonton Journal. July 12, 1989. p. A3.
  14. Gooderman, Mary (January 18, 1989). "Ontario Liberals, New Democrats lose ground in post-election poll". The Globe and Mail. p. A3.
  15. Trickey, Mike (December 17, 1988). "Grit support dips, PCs pick up slack in new opinion poll". The Ottawa Citizen. p. B4.
  16. 1 2 Fox, Brian (June 17, 1988). "Some of premier's lustre gone". The Windsor Star. p. A6.
  17. Walker, William (June 4, 1988). "Peterson rated more popular than policies". The Windsor Star. p. A8.
  18. French, Orland (March 4, 1999). "For whom the poll tolls". The Globe and Mail. p. A3.
  19. Sheppard, Robert (December 3, 1987). "Peterson's Liberals gaining popularity, latest figures show". The Globe and Mail. p. A19.