Ottawa voters heading to the provincial polls in rare winter election

For the first time in decades, Ontarians will head to the polls in the winter, and there are concerns for voter turnout. CTV’s Kimberley Fowler reports.

For the first time in more than four decades, voters in Ontario will be heading to the polls in the winter.

Elections are rare this time of year. The last provincial winter election was on Mar. 19, 1981, and the last time an Ontario election was held in February was on Feb. 27, 1883.

Some are concerned the cold weather and snow could lead to a low voter turnout.

Jamie Fortune and Moira Wilkie, residents in Lanark County, are setting up their taffy stand in Ottawa for Winterlude. Although politics may not be top of mind on the first day of the annual event, they say they’re going to vote in the upcoming provincial election.

“A lot of our vehicles have plows on them, so we’ll make it out to the polls for sure,” said Wilkie.

“We’re hardy rural folk and we want to have our voices heard, so we’ll be voting in however manner,” said Fortune. “There’s early polls … a number of different options, so I don’t think it’ll be a problem for me anyway.”

Some political experts believe unpredictable February weather could be a contributing factor in this upcoming election, as potential voters may opt to stay home and skip going to the polls.

“I think people will still go out,” said Matthew Alla, a student at the University of Ottawa. “I do think the election is kind of a bad call in my opinion, but it’s kind of a waste of taxpayer money… What can you do? At least, I’m still going to vote.”

The province recorded the lowest voter turnout in its history during the 2022 election with just 43.5 per cent of eligible voters casting a ballot. Across Ottawa’s eight ridings, the turnout was slightly above the provincial average, at an average of 46.5 per cent.

Some are predicting an even lower number this time around.

“Winter elections are tough,” said Lori Turnbull, Faculty of Management professor at Dalhousie University. “That’s why governments typically avoid them because you don’t want to make it more difficult for people to vote. You’re running the potential risk that people will not show up in the polls that day obviously because of weather, because of snow, because it’s just cold.”

Many voters are worried about U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff threat. That, and other pressing issues for Ontarians, could drive people to the polls.

“When people feel that the election is important, when there is a particularly urgent issue, it can be enough to drive people to the polls even if they were to otherwise stay home,” said Turnbull.

Advance voting for the Ontario election is set to be held from Feb. 20 to 22.

On election day, Feb. 27, poles will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.