Bay of Quinte byelection called to replace Todd Smith

A provincial byelection has been called for Bay of Quinte to fill the seat vacated by former education minister Todd Smith.

Smith resigned his eastern Ontario seat on Aug. 16 to take a job in the private sector. He was named education minister in early June after serving as minister of energy for three years.

Simcoe North MPP Jill Dunlop was made Ontario's new education minister.

Byelection day has been set for Sept. 19.

Early voting began Aug. 22 by special ballot and advance voting at polling locations runs Sept. 8 to 13. Anyone who wants to vote by mail has until Sept. 13 to submit an application.

The Ontario PCs have nominated Tyler Allsopp as their candidate. Allsopp has been a city councillor in Belleville since 2021 and served as treasurer of the city's Enrichment Centre for Mental Health.

The Ontario NDP candidate is Amanda Robertson, who serves as vice chair of the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board and treasurer for the John Howard Society of Belleville.

The Ontario Liberal Party is putting Belleville city councillor and radio host Sean Kelly forward and the Greens are running former Belleville General Hospital respiratory therapist Lori Borthwick.

Maragret Schuler is up for the New Blue Party, Mark Snow represents the Libertarian Party and John Turmel is running (again) as an Independent.