The next provincial election in Ontario is not until June 2026 but one hopeful candidate is getting a head start.
Trevor Stewart, who is also Ward 7 Councillor in the City of Clarence-Rockland, announced on Saturday, April 20 that he is seeking the Ontario Liberal Party nomination in the riding of Glengarry-Prescott-Russell for the 2026 election.
Stewart announced his candidacy in front of a crowd of Liberal supporters at the Hammond Golf and Country Club. If Stewart is selected by Liberal party members as the candidate, his name would appear on the ballot for Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) in the next election. The riding is currently represented by Progressive Conservative (PC) MPP Stéphane Sarrazin.
“The status quo just isn’t working anymore,” Stewart said, referring to the record of the governing PC’s under Doug Ford on health, education, and housing.
Stewart said the Ford government has made things more difficult for nurses, teachers, and farmers in Ontario.
“The way this government operates has quite frankly no rhyme or reason,” Stewart said.
The Liberal hopeful blamed the Ford government for the current housing crisis.
“We must take bold action to resume course,” Stewart said.
Stewart, who is 24 years old, said he represents a new generation of franco-ontariens and said French-language services have been reduced by the current government. He also alleged people are delaying receiving medical care because they cannot access it quickly.
“Need I tell you, this is not what a compassionate province looks like,” Stewart remarked.
Stewart is a life-long resident of Clarence-Rockland and the audience at his announcement in Hammond indicated his current support base is in the western part of Prescott-Russell. However, he said that since being elected as a city councillor, he has attempted to better connect with municipal officials across the region. He pledged to ensure the region gets more recognition in Toronto.
“It’s about time the eastern region gets its fair share,” Stewart said.
As an example, Stewart questioned why the Ford government recently agreed to return the freeway section of former Highway 17, now Ottawa Route 174 to provincial jurisdiction while it did not agree to re-assume responsibility for the remainder of the highway, which is County Road 17 in Prescott-Russell.
Stewart is currently the Executive Assistant to Glengarry-Prescott-Russell Member of Parliament (MP) Francis Drouin. The MP described Stewart as his “second in command,” in an enthusiastic endorsement.
“I know Trevor is capable of doing the job,” Drouin said.
He added that Stewart is not too young and is well-engaged with issues and the community.
Stewart also received strong encouragement from former Liberal MP and MPP Don Boudria, who served in the Ontario legislature from 1981 to 1984, and in the House of Commons from 1984 to 2006.
“To decide to become a candidate is not a small thing,” commented Boudria.
He recalled how his long career in politics began as a municipal councillor in the former Township of Cumberland.
“When he (Stewart) is your Member of Provincial Parliament, he will make Ontario better,” Boudria said.
No date has been set for the Ontario Liberal Party nomination in Glengarry-Prescott-Russell. Stewart is the first individual to seek the candidacy.
Photos: James Morgan
