Sylvia Jones re-elected for fifth consecutive term

Written By Sam Odrowski

Conservative politician, Sylvia Jones is now serving her fifth consecutive term as MPP in Dufferin¬–Caledon. 

She holds one of 83 seats claimed by Doug Ford's Progressive Conservative last Thursday (June 2), giving the party well over the 63 seats needed to form a majority government. 

Jones was re-elected with 49.7 per cent of the vote late last Thursday (June 2). Runner up Bob Gordanier of the Liberal Party had 18.8 per cent, Green candidate Laura Campbell had 14.1 per cent, NDP candidate Tess Prendergast had 10.8 per cent, and New Blue candidate Andrea Banyai had 5 per cent.

The Free Press spoke with each candidate following the election results last week. Each of them shared how they think their campaign went and plans going forward. 

At MPP Jones' election party, following the announcement of her victory, she said she's incredibly proud to have been elected to serve Dufferin¬¬–Caledon for another four years.

“When you are re-elected in your community, it is an amazing feeling of endorsement of what I've been doing as an MPP, and what I plan to continue to do,” she remarked.

When asked what her plans are for the next four years, Jones said “building for the future” by accomplishing what's been set out in her campaign, such as rebuilding Ontario's economy. This is to be achieved by bringing in more manufacturing jobs, support for businesses, and investing in the auto sector.

“As we talked about in our campaign, we're making sure that people can live work and play in Dufferin–Caledon, tackling housing affordability, seniors' affordability,” Jones noted.

She said affordability is a key issue, which she heard about the most on the campaign trail.

“I have never heard more people say that they were concerned that their families, that their children are not going to be able to afford a home in the community they grew up in,” Jones remarked. “I've heard from people who say their elderly parents who want to move out of that home that has the maintenance of grass cutting and snow clearing, they can't find a place locally, and it's not right. We're going to make sure that that people who want to live in Dufferin–Caledon have that opportunity.”

Laura Campbell, who led the Dufferin–Caledon Green Party in the 2018 provincial election as well, said this year's campaign was their biggest yet, with the most volunteers.

“It was such a great campaign,” she said. “We organized so strongly around key environmental and social issues, like Stop the 413, doubling ODSP, supporting families who have children with autism. All these issues helped folks in the area realize just how great the green platform is.”

Campbell said the local Green Party is also proud of its increase in vote percentage from 2018 when it saw 12.5 per cent, up to 14.1 per cent this year.

“Of course, we wanted to do better, but the reality is that it's a broken electoral system that we are operating in. The system itself discourages people from going to vote, because they don't think that their vote is going to make a difference,” she said. “We have 110,000 eligible voters in Dufferin–Caledon and only 23,000 of those people voted for Doug Ford's party.”

A proportional representation system would work more fairly, according to Campbell.

She added that looking at the record low voter turnout in last week's election at 43.5 per cent, the Progressive Conservatives don't have a very strong mandate to govern. Less than 20 per cent of eligible voters in Ontario supported Doug Ford, since they received just 40.8 per cent of ballots that were actually cast.

Going forward Campbell said she plans to continue her advocacy for social issues, the environment, and staying involved with the Dufferin–Caledon's Green Party. 

“I think the citizens of Dufferin–Caledon should know that I'm not going anywhere. Whether it's me who puts my name forward or we have another brilliant candidate stepping up to the plate, Ontario Greens are not going anywhere,” said Campbell.

Dufferin–Caledon NDP candidate, Tess Prendergast, who saw 10.8 per cent of the vote, said her party now has increased visibility in the riding and she's pleased with how the campaign went. 

“In the past decade, there hasn't been much of an NDP presence in Dufferin–Caledon, so I was really happy with the riding association, to renew our presence and just get our message out there of social justice and concern for the environment, and everyday people,” said Prendergast.

She told the Free Press low voter turnout is the bigger issue with the provincial election, as the Progressive Conservatives have 100 per cent of the power with just 20 per cent of the overall eligible vote.

Prendergast said she plans on running again under the NDP banner in the 2026 provincial election but in the meantime, she'll remain vigilant with keeping the Ford government accountable.

“I will keep fighting to stop the Highway 413. I'll keep fighting to preserve farmland, agricultural lands, and promote public education and public health care,” Prendergast noted.

Andrea Banyai, Dufferin–Caledon candidate for the New Blue Party, saw 5 per cent of the overall vote locally. 

For a brand new, grassroots political party, she said she's thrilled with the support she saw since voter turnout was historically low this year. Banyai estimates 1,500 of the 2,287 votes she received came directly from canvassing, spreading her party's message at the door. This is because it's unlikely the public was hearing about the party from other channels.

“We probably knocked on or hit over 50,000 doors, I would say, in the two weeks before the election,” Banyai said. “Our campaign went great. We did everything that we could do from a grassroots, old fashioned way of doing things ¬– door to door pamphlets, signs, flags – the campaign was great for me.”

One issue she found on the campaign trail was the amount of people unaware of which day the election was happening. Banyai said it should be advertised and marketed better so everyone knows when to vote.

She told the Free Press an interesting part of the campaign was canvassing with volunteers and learning that they came from all different political backgrounds. Banyai said many of them weren't traditionally conservative, but had a strong desire to see a change from the establishment parties.

Going forward, Banyai said she will stay on as the candidate for New Blue locally and continue to advocate for good government, while holding the current government accountable.

“I'll be watching Parliament very closely to see what the Conservatives and Sylvia Jones have to say,” she remarked.

Liberal candidate for Dufferin–Caledon, Bob Gordanier was unavailable for an interview with the Free Press but provided the following statement:

“Although the results of the election were not what we would have hoped for, the people of Dufferin-Caledon have made their choice. Our campaign's result has solidified that the Liberals are the only competitor to the PC Party in Dufferin-Caledon.”

The statement continues, “I want to thank my fellow candidates for running in this race – you make our democracy stronger. I wish Ms. Jones success as she serves our riding as MPP. Liberals will be here to keep her, Doug Ford and the PC Party accountable to the people of Ontario.”