1) Election winners: Barrie, Simcoe County, Parry Sound-Muskoka

Courtesy Barrie360.com

By Ian MacLennan, April 29, 2025

The ballots are counted and the results are in! As Canadians across the country cast their votes in the 2025 federal election, several key ridings in our region saw incumbents hold strong and familiar faces return to Parliament. From Simcoe County to Muskoka, here’s a look at who’s been elected to represent you in Ottawa, what they stand for, and what they’ve been up to leading into this campaign.

John Brassard: Barrie South – Innisfil: Conservative incumbent

John Brassard has secured another term as MP for Barrie South–Innisfil, campaigning on a platform focused on economic recovery, energy independence, public safety, and affordability. A familiar face in the riding, Brassard emphasized a “Canada-first” agenda, voicing concerns over housing affordability, rising crime rates, and the country’s economic future under the Liberals. He remains a strong supporter of Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre’s plans for addiction treatment expansion, tougher crime measures, and safeguarding programs like CPP, OAS, and GIS.

RELATED: See more details of John Brassard’s campaign …

Doug Shipley: Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte: Conservative incumbent

Doug Shipley has been re-elected in Barrie–Springwater–Oro-Medonte, highlighting the urgent need for change amid growing concerns over affordability, housing, and crime. A hands-on representative known for strong local service, Shipley is backing Conservative plans for major tax cuts, debt reduction, and economic reform. Drawing from his experience on Barrie City Council, he emphasized the importance of fiscal responsibility and restoring hope for young Canadians struggling with the dream of homeownership.

RELATED: Get to know conservative MP Doug Shipley a little more …

Adam Chambers: Simcoe North: Conservative incumbent

Adam Chambers retained his seat in Simcoe North, bringing legal, financial, and entrepreneurial experience back to Parliament. A vocal advocate for financial transparency and regulatory reform, Chambers introduced legislation to crack down on tax evasion and misleading identity practices. Locally rooted and nationally engaged, Chambers continues to serve on the Finance Committee and remains active in global human rights advocacy through his co-leadership on the Parliamentary Friends of a Democratic Burma.

Terry Dowdall: Simcoe-Grey: Conservative incumbent

Terry Dowdall was re-elected in Simcoe–Grey, continuing his work as a strong voice for veterans, seniors, and small business owners. A champion for mental health and rare disease treatment access, Dowdall has pushed for better healthcare support while standing firmly for fiscal responsibility. With a deep background in municipal leadership and ties to Canadian Forces Base Borden, Dowdall is once again bringing grassroots priorities to the national stage.

Scot Davidson: New Tecumseth-Gwillimbury: Conservative incumbent

Scot Davidson secured re-election in New Tecumseth–Gwillimbury, continuing his advocacy for small businesses, rural communities, and environmental stewardship. A former entrepreneur, Davidson has been a vocal proponent of reducing regulatory burdens and supporting Canada’s agricultural sector. His successful passage of Bill C-280 in 2024, which established financial protections for fresh produce growers, underscores his commitment to local economies. Davidson remains dedicated to preserving the health of the Lake Simcoe watershed and enhancing the quality of life for his constituents.

Scott Aitchison: Parry Sound-Muskoka: Conservative incumbent

Scott Aitchison was re-elected in Parry Sound–Muskoka, reaffirming his role as a strong advocate for rural communities. With a background in municipal politics and a tenure as Huntsville’s mayor, Aitchison brings a wealth of experience to Parliament. He has been outspoken on the need for affordable housing and has criticized federal inaction in rural areas. Aitchison’s commitment to inclusive and compassionate leadership continues to resonate with his constituents.

2) (Updated) Carney says he won’t make a pact with NDP, confirms King Charles to launch Parliament

Courtesy Barrie360.com and Canadian Press

By Dylan Robertson, May 2, 2025

King Charles will visit Ottawa to deliver the speech from the throne at the end of this month in a show of support for Canadian sovereignty, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Friday.

The news came in his first press conference since leading the Liberals to a fourth straight mandate in Monday’s election, where he laid out the priorities for his first few months, promising to “embark on the biggest transformation of our economy since the end of the Second World War.” 

“This will be an incredibly exciting time as we take control of our economic destiny to create a new Canadian economy that works for everyone,” Carney said in a news conference at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa.

The first step toward enacting that promise comes next week when Carney meets with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, fulfilling the promise the two made in the first week of the election campaign to embark on talks toward a new security and economic deal between the countries as soon as the Canadian election was over.

The week of May 12 Carney said he will name his new cabinet, which he said hasn’t yet been finalized. Carney appointed 23 members to his first cabinet on March 14, down from 39 in the final cabinet under prime minister Justin Trudeau. Carney would not say how big the new cabinet will be but said he would continue the tradition Trudeau began of maintaining gender parity for his front bench.

Carney said Parliament will then be recalled on May 26, and the King will read the speech outlining the new government’s priorities on May 27. It will be the first Canadian tour for King Charles since his coronation.

Carney said he invited King Charles and Queen Camilla to launch this session of Parliament as it “underscores” Canadian sovereignty in the face of U.S. President Donald Trump’s talk of annexation.

“This is an historic honour which matches the weight of our times,” Carney said.

The royals last visited Canada in May 2022, and have been silent regarding Trump’s talk of annexing Canada. The British government has sought to use the royals to improve Trump’s relations with the U.K., giving Trump an invitation in March to meet King Charles.

Carney said that in a Tuesday call with Trump, the president did not bring up the prospect of Canada becoming a U.S. state.

The prime minister said he wants to work constructively with other parties and praised Canadians for sticking with the democratic process as democracies face strains elsewhere. But he said the Liberals will not enter into a formal pact with the NDP to maintain the minority government.

Carney said his legislative priorities include a middle-class tax cut that would take effect by July, an expansion of the dental-care program to eight million people and a number of measures to tackle the housing shortage.

Carney and Trump have spoken by phone twice in recent weeks, including on Tuesday, but the May 6 meeting at the White House will be their first face-to-face meeting.

“Are we going to collaborate in these (strategic) sectors including for example critical minerals, the automotive sector, aluminum — there are examples, in energy for example — or are we going to divide the North American market? It’s not clear,” Carney said in French.

“It’s not a good choice, the second. That is clear. But if he wants, Canada has other options.”

Carney said he intends to use the G7 leaders’ summit next month in Alberta to advance Canadian interests on the world stage.

“We will strengthen our relationships with reliable trading partners and allies,” he said. “Canada has what the world needs, and we uphold the values the world respects.”

The Liberals won 168 seats in the election, four shy of what was needed to secure a majority mandate. 

When asked whether he wants to poach MPs from other parties to build a majority government, Carney said his party already has a strong mandate, with seats in each province and a large share of the total vote.

He also said he would not seek a formal agreement with the NDP to avoid a snap election. Carney’s predecessor Justin Trudeau had a confidence-and-supply agreement with the NDP, and parties can also form coalition governments.

“In order to do what we need to do as a country … we will need to work in partnership with all the provinces, with Indigenous Peoples,” he said.

Carney said he had very constructive conversations recently with Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet.

Poilievre lost his own seat in the election, and the Conservatives announced Friday Alberta MP Damien Kurek would step aside to open a seat for Poilievre to run in when a byelection is called.

Carney said he’d call that byelection when the Conservatives ask for it, putting to rest suggestions he could keep Poilievre out of the House of Commons for more than six months by delaying the byelection call as long as he could.

“No games, nothing. Straight,” Carney said.

The Conservative party won 144 seats, while the Bloc Québécois holds 23, the NDP has seven and the Green Party has one.

In the days since the election, Carney has spoken to multiple international leaders, including King Charles, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, European Council President Antonio Costa, French President Emmanuel Macron, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.

3) (Updated) Alberta MP to step aside to allow Pierre Poilievre to run for seat in Parliament

Courtesy Barrie360.com and Canadian Press

By David Baxter, May 2, 2025

Conservative MP Damien Kurek is set to step aside to allow Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to run in a byelection in the Battle River—Crowfoot riding in Alberta.

Kurek said he is stepping aside “temporarily” as MP for the riding, which he has held since 2019.

The Conservative party confirmed that Poilievre will run in the Battle River—Crowfoot byelection once it’s called.

Poilievre said that he accepts Kurek’s impending resignation with “humility and appreciation” in a post on the social media site X.  “Damien’s selfless act to step aside temporarily as a member of Parliament shows his commitment to change and restoring Canada’s promise,” Poilievre wrote. 

This is Poilievre’s first public comment since he lost his riding early Tuesday morning. 

A party spokesperson said Kurek will need to be sworn in as a MP before he resigns his seat.

Kurek said he plans to seek re-election in the riding in the next general election.

“Although it will be hard to temporarily step away from this role, in this region I love and have always called home, the mandate given to me is one that clearly states that change is needed. Offering this seat to our party leader is an important step in that process,” Kurek said in a media statement.

Just before Kurek’s announcement, Prime Minister Mark Carney said he would call a byelection “as soon as possible” once the Conservatives have a member resign their seat so that Poilievre can run again.

Poilievre lost the Carleton riding to Liberal Bruce Fanjoy in the general election. He was first elected in 2004 and has won in the suburban Ottawa riding six subsequent times over the last 21 years.

The earliest a byelection could be called is 11 days after Kurek’s resignation. The campaign period needs to be at least 36 days.

This means Poilievre could return to the House of Commons on the first day of the fall sitting, set for Sept. 15.

Kurek won the riding with nearly 82 per cent of the vote.

4) Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre loses his long-held seat in Ottawa

Courtesy Barrie360.com and Canadian Press

By Canadian Press Staff, Apri 29, 2025

The Canadian Press decision desk is projecting that Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has lost in the Ottawa riding of Carleton.

Poilievre first took the seat in 2004 and won it six subsequent times.

Liberal candidate Bruce Fanjoy was leading in the riding by more than 3,700 votes with over 99 per cent of polls reporting.

Fanjoy, a political rookie, tirelessly knocked on doors in his bid to unseat Poilievre, saying the riding deserved better.

In an address to supporters after midnight, Poilievre acknowledged the Conservative party’s defeat at the hands of the Liberals in the general election, but indicated he would continue as leader.

Poilievre took the Conservative reins in 2022, winning the leadership on the first ballot.

5) Jonathan Pedneault resigns as Green Party co-leader after party took only one seat

Courtesy Barrie360.com and Canadian Press

By Nick Murray, April 30, 2025

Jonathan Pedneault has announced his resignation as Green Party co-leader, effective immediately.

The move comes after the party secured only one seat in the recent federal election, when fellow co-leader Elizabeth May won her riding in B.C.

The party fell to only 1.3 per cent national support and chose not to run candidates in more than 100 ridings in order to prevent Conservative wins.

The decision to pull back some candidates cost the Greens their spots in the two nationally televised debates.

The Greens also lost a seat in the House of Commons when Mike Morrice was defeated by the Conservative candidate in Kitchener Centre by 358 votes.

Pedneault ran in the Liberal stronghold of Outremont in Montreal and finished in fifth place.

6) (Updated) Bloc could hold balance as Liberals win 4th mandate, Singh set to resign as leader

Courtesy Barrie360.com and Canadian Press

By Dylan Robertson, April 29, 2025

Prime Minister Mark Carney promised to unite the country and govern for all after Canadians handed the Liberals a fourth consecutive mandate in Monday’s federal election.

“Who is ready,” he shouted to cheers and applause and people chanting his name in a crowded hockey arena in Ottawa in the wee hours of the morning. “Who is ready? Who is ready to stand up for Canada with me? And who is ready to build Canada strong?”

The final size of Carney’s caucus was not clear early Tuesday morning because a handful of seats were still too close to call — but it looked likely that his government would have to have to work with other parties to pass legislation.

“Let’s put an end to the division and anger of the past,” Carney said in his victory speech, noting that millions had voted against his Liberal party.

“We are all Canadian, and my government will work for and with everyone.”

He spoke shortly after Pierre Poilievre’s concession speech, which saw the Conservative leader hush some booing from the crowd when he congratulated Carney on his win.

“No, no, we’ll have plenty of opportunity to debate and disagree. But tonight we come together as Canadians,” Poilievre said.

It was still not clear in the early hours of Tuesday morning whether Poilievre had held his Ottawa-area riding of Carleton against a robust challenge from Liberal candidate Bruce Fanjoy.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh lost his Vancouver-area seat and announced he’d be resigning as NDP leader once the party selects an interim replacement.

“We may lose sometimes and those losses hurt,” Singh said, fighting emotion as he stood beside his wife on a stage in Burnaby, B.C.

“We’re only defeated when we believe … those that tell us that we can never dream of a better Canada, a fairer Canada, a more compassionate Canada.”

The party held 24 seats at the dissolution of Parliament and needs 12 to obtain official party status, which comes with additional privileges and research funding in the House of Commons. The NDP was leading or elected in just seven ridings as of 2 a.m. EDT.

Poilievre said he will hold the Liberal government to account, adding that his purpose in politics “will continue to be” working for Canadians to build a safe and affordable country.

“We have to learn the lessons of tonight so that we can have an even better result the next time,” he said, adding that he ran in “a very difficult environment.”

Carney will take a seat in the House of Commons for the first time, having won his Ottawa-area riding. He said he will make mistakes as prime minister but promised to admit to them and correct them.

“We will fight back with everything we have to get the best deal for Canada,” he said. “Together, we will build a Canada worthy of our values.”

Earlier in the evening, cheers erupted at the hockey arena where Liberal supporters gathered to watch the results after media outlets declared the party would form government.

At that same moment, Conservative supporters who gathered at a downtown Ottawa convention centre went silent. A man wearing a “Pierre Poilievre for prime minister” T-shirt held his head in his hands.

Some expressed frustration and disbelief after hearing the news that Carney would remain prime minister. “I truly do not understand,” said Joanne Gurman.

About 20 minutes after the call was made, some of the Conservative faithful began a chant of “bring it home” — one of Poilievre’s most popular slogans during the campaign.

The Liberals have seen a massive rebound since the start of the year, after more than a year of the Conservatives being favoured to win a majority government while Justin Trudeau was in power.

Both the Liberals and Conservatives gained seats while losing incumbents.

Those losses include outspoken Conservative incumbent Michelle Ferreri of Peterborough, Ont., and a Newfoundland riding that the Liberals held for a decade under Gudie Hutchings, a cabinet minister who opted to not run again.

The Liberals flipped Toronto — St. Paul’s, with Leslie Church defeating Conservative Don Stewart less than a year after she lost to him in a byelection that sent shock waves through the party last summer and put pressure on Trudeau to resign.

Carney, Singh and Poilievre spent five weeks pitching their cases to voters.

Carney, a former central banker and a political neophyte, presented himself during the campaign as a safe pair of hands for a country facing Trump’s economic threats, while Poilievre focused on addressing crime and the high cost of living.

Singh started the campaign saying he was running for prime minister, but he changed his message after two weeks and started calling on Canadians to elect New Democrats to protect social programs.

Trump loomed large over the campaign with his tariff threats and calls for Canada to become a U.S. state, causing Carney to leave the campaign trail at various times to hold meetings in his capacity as prime minister.

The American president even weighed in early on election day with a post on his Truth Social platform, where he repeated calls for Canada to join the U.S. and wished “good luck to the Great people of Canada.”

“Elect the man who has the strength and wisdom to cut your taxes in half, increase your military power, for free, to the highest level in the World, have your Car, Steel, Aluminum, Lumber, Energy, and all other businesses, QUADRUPLE in size, WITH ZERO TARIFFS OR TAXES, if Canada becomes the cherished 51st. State of the United States of America,” he wrote.

On the final full day of the campaign, all major party leaders paused to address a deadly vehicle attack at a Filipino community event in Vancouver that took the lives of at least 11 attendees, leaving more injured in hospital.

When Parliament was dissolved, the Liberals held 153 seats in a minority government and the Conservatives formed the official Opposition with 120 seats. The Bloc Québécois held 33 seats, the NDP 24 and the Greens two. There were three independent MPs.

Because of changes to riding boundaries, the 2025 general election had 343 seats contested, up from 338.

— With files from Kyle Duggan, Sarah Ritchie, and Craig Lord in Ottawa, Rianna Lim in Toronto and David Baxter in Burnaby, B.C.

7) (Updated) Elections Canada resumes vote counting with majority still in question

Courtesy Barrie360.com and Canadian Press

By Canadian Press Staff, April 29, 2025

The shape of the next Liberal government is becoming clearer as ballot counting continues after a historic election day in Canada.

Canadians still won’t know until later Tuesday whether Mark Carney’s Liberals have won a majority or minority mandate from voters.

Elections Canada decided early Tuesday morning to pause the marathon counting of special ballots with a handful of ridings still too close to call. 

One of those outstanding seats was the Ottawa riding of Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, but The Canadian Press decision desk has now projected Liberal Bruce Fanjoy’s win over Poilievre.

The tallying of votes resumed at 9:30 a.m. ET.

Special ballots are cast by mail or at Elections Canada offices by voters who are away from their ridings during the election.

The Liberals were leading or elected in 168 seats when the counting was paused, four short of a majority. Elections Canada estimated that the uncounted votes could affect the results in about a dozen ridings.

A majority government would allow the Liberals to pass legislation without the support of other parties. If the final result remains a minority, the Liberals would need help to pursue their agenda.

In his victory speech, Carney pledged to unite a divided country in the face of ongoing tensions with the United States. He promised to lead a government that represents all Canadians and said the country works when Canadians pull together.

“Let’s put an end to the division and anger of the past,” Carney said. “We are all Canadian, and my government will work for and with everyone.”

Poilievre said during his speech that he would stay on as Conservative leader despite his party’s loss. He hushed some booing from the crowd when he congratulated Carney on his win.

“No, no, we’ll have plenty of opportunity to debate and disagree. But tonight we come together as Canadians,” Poilievre said.

“We have to learn the lessons of tonight so that we can have an even better result the next time.” 

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh lost his Vancouver-area seat and announced he would be resigning as party leader once the party selects an interim replacement.

“We may lose sometimes and those losses hurt,” Singh said, fighting emotion as he stood beside his wife on a stage in Burnaby, B.C.

“We’re only defeated when we believe … those that tell us that we can never dream of a better Canada, a fairer Canada, a more compassionate Canada.”

At least a dozen New Democrat MPs lost their seats, and preliminary results show it may be difficult for the NDP to maintain official party status, which gives a party access to research funding and more opportunities to make queries during question period.

Carney is expected to meet soon with U.S. President Donald Trump. 

He held his first phone call with Trump during the first week of the election campaign. The two agreed that they would immediately launch discussions on a new trade and security pact following the election.

Trump loomed large over the campaign with his tariff threats and calls for Canada to become a U.S. state. 

8) (Update) Canadians give Liberals 4th mandate; Carney wins Ottawa riding

Courtesy Barrie360.com and Canadian Press

By Dylan Robertson, April 29, 2025

Canadians handed the Liberals a fourth mandate on Monday, with Prime Minister Mark Carney set to lead Canada through an economic crisis triggered by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Carney will also take a seat in the House of Commons for the first time, having won the Ottawa riding of Nepean.

Tight Race: Majority Still Uncertain

At midnight EDT ballots were still being counted and dozens of seats were too close to call. It’s not yet known whether the Liberals will lead a majority or minority government.

Election Night Emotions Run High

Cheers erupted at the Ottawa hockey arena where Liberal supporters gathered to watch the results after media outlets declared the party would form government.

At that same moment, cheers of hope turned to silence and a man wearing a “Pierre Poilievre for prime minister” T-shirt held his head in his hands as the news broke at the downtown Ottawa convention centre where Conservative supporters were gathered.

Some expressed frustration and disbelief after hearing the news that Carney will still be prime minister.

“I truly do not understand,” said Joanne Gurman.

Within minutes, Conservative supporters were cheering again as the results appeared to tighten, with many chanting “Bring it home” — one of Poilievre’s most prominent campaign slogans.

Party-by-Party Highlights

At the NDP venue in a suburb of Vancouver, the mood was tense as a few dozen supporters trickled in from polling offices. Some NDP supporters said they were taking solace in the fact that Poilievre would not form government. It was not yet clear whether NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh would be able to hold his riding.

The Liberals have seen a massive rebound since the start of the year, after more than a year of the Conservatives being favoured to win a majority government while Justin Trudeau was in power.

Early results suggest the NDP could lose many of its seats as some left-centre voters turned to the Liberals as an alternative to Poilievre’s Conservatives.

Riding Highlights and Upsets

In the Ontario riding of Peterborough, outspoken Conservative incumbent Michelle Ferreri has been defeated by Liberal candidate Emma Harrison.

Liberals have flipped Toronto—St. Paul’s, with Leslie Church defeating Conservative Don Stewart less than a year after she lost to him in a byelection.

That loss, in what is typically considered a safe seat for the Liberals, sent shock waves through the party and pressure immediately began to mount on Trudeau to resign.

The Newfoundland riding that had been held for a decade by Gudie Hutchings, a Liberal cabinet minister, has flipped to the Conservatives. Hutchings had opted not to seek another mandate in this election.

The Tories have lost the South Shore—St. Margarets riding in Nova Scotia, which had been held by Rick Perkins since 2021. Liberal candidate Jessica Fancy-Landry has taken the riding.

Campaign Reflections and Key Issues

Carney, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh spent five weeks pitching their cases to voters.

Each of the main party leaders settled into their home ridings Monday after an eventful but compressed election period that lasted the minimum 37 days.

Carney, a former central banker and a political neophyte, presented himself during the campaign as a safe pair of hands for a country facing Trump’s economic threats, while Poilievre focused on addressing crime and the high cost of living.

While Singh started the campaign saying he was running for prime minister, he changed his message after two weeks and started calling on Canadians to elect New Democrats to protect social programs.

Trump’s Influence on the Canadian Election

Trump loomed large over the campaign with his tariff threats and calls for Canada to become a U.S. state, causing Carney to leave the campaign trail at various times to hold meetings in his capacity as prime minister.

The American president even weighed in early on election day with a post on his Truth Social platform, where he repeated calls for Canada to join the U.S. and wished “good luck to the Great people of Canada.”

“Elect the man who has the strength and wisdom to cut your taxes in half, increase your military power, for free, to the highest level in the World, have your Car, Steel, Aluminum, Lumber, Energy, and all other businesses, QUADRUPLE in size, WITH ZERO TARIFFS OR TAXES, if Canada becomes the cherished 51st. State of the United States of America,” he wrote.

Election Overshadowed by Tragedy

On the final full day of the campaign, all major party leaders paused to address a deadly vehicle attack at a Filipino community event in Vancouver that took the lives of at least 11 attendees, leaving more injured in hospital.

The Final Numbers

When Parliament was dissolved, the Liberals held 153 seats in a minority government and the Conservatives formed the official Opposition with 120 seats. The Bloc Québécois held 33 seats, the NDP 24 and the Greens two. There were three independent MPs.

Because of changes to riding boundaries, the 2025 general election had 343 seats contested, up from 338. Majority government status requires a minimum of 172 seats.

— With files from Kyle Duggan, Sarah Ritchie, and Craig Lord in Ottawa, Rianna Lim in Toronto and David Baxter in Burnaby, B.C.

9) Elections Canada says more than 19.2M voters cast a ballot in federal election

Courtesy Barrie360.com and Canadian Press

By Alessia Passafiume, April 29, 2025

Elections Canada says more than 67 per cent of eligible voters cast a ballot in the federal election — more than 19.2 million people.

While this election was widely expected to see increased turnout, it did not surpass the record set in March 1958, when 79.4 per cent of eligible electors voted.

But turnout was higher than in the last federal election, when 62.6 per cent of eligible voters headed to the polls.

With votes still being counted, voter turnout still has some room to climb.

The Liberal party is currently leading with 43.6 per cent of the total vote and is set to hold 168 seats, while the Conservative party has 41.4 per cent of the vote and an estimated 144 seats.

The Bloc Québécois took 6.4 per cent of the votes and 23 seats, while the NDP took 6.3 per cent of the vote and currently holds seven seats.