POLITICAL DIVIDE WON ELECTION SMITH VS. RICHTER BATTLE IN MOSTLY URBAN/RURAL SPLIT
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com
PARRY SOUND-MUSKOKA — Last week’s provincial election appears to have been won mostly in the riding’s burbs with surprising exceptions.
Polling results show the two front-runners battling it out in closer races in the urban centres of Parry Sound-Muskoka.
Before Graydon Smith won eventual re-election over Matt Richter by 2,371 votes.
The PCs had 21,731 ballots cast their way and the Greens 19,360.
Liberals with 2,872 votes and the NDP 1,329 took 4,201 away from Richter and Smith.
The political divide was predictable and consistent with past riding results, with PC’s Blue hold remaining strong in the north west and south east.
On April 14 the Ontario legislature resumes with the Speech from the Throne and an majority Progressive Conservative government along with the appointment of cabinet.
Looking at a small selection of all the Elections Ontario polling results, including 11 advance polls, they resulted in Smith gradually winning up and down over Richter.
For example, in among advance polls:
At the two polls in Huntsville at the returning office over three days the weekend before the election, Richter edged Smith 2,492 to 2,426.
Also that advance weekend in Bracebridge at the Muskoka Lumber Community Centre, Greens won 1,735 to 966 for the PCs; and also at the Bobby Orr Community Centre in Parry Sound Richter 821, Smith 811.
At the same time in Gravenhurst at the Seniors’ Centre another Green advantage 821-811.
But in Burk’s Falls the Thursday, Friday, Saturday Smith was ahead 231-155, similar to Port Carling where the MPP led 155-129.
On election day, Thursday Feb. 27, in Restoule (187-33), two in Argyle (176-30, 187-33), Pointe Au Baril (92-33) and Hagerman Dunchurch (115-60, 131-60).
In Magnetawan north east of Parry Sound and north west of Huntsville, Smith’s lead narrowed (281-219).
At the Bobby Orr Community Centre in Parry Sound Richter won (968-723), an exception where Tories have previously proven strong with former premier Ernie Eves.
In other polls Smith hung tough at one in Port Carling (217-169) and at another in Bala (245-195).
Many of the communities had multiple polls it must be pointed out based on the number of voters.
Several smaller polling stations were held at some retirement facilities, including for example McVittie Place in Bracebridge where Smith won 17-12; at the Alexander in Gravenhurst Richter edged Smith 16-15; but at Muskoka Shores in Gravenhurst it was a PC win 11-7. Richter rebounded at Gravenhurst’s Granite Ridge 13-12; the Pines in Bracebridge 17-6 for Smith.
Among the three largest Muskoka towns, at the Ryde Community Co-op Smith won 174-88; Richter took it at the Gravenhurst Seniors’ Centre 628-624; at the Catholic Church in Gravenhurst Smith won there 661-650; the Bracebridge Legion Smith 280, Richter 177; Bracebridge MLCC Richter 593, Smith 521; Bracebridge Sportsplex Smith beat Richter 1054-946; Bracebridge Rotary Centre Richter beat Smith 622-491.
In Huntsville at Faith Baptist Church 865-698 for Smith; Huntsville Active Living Centre 677-631 for Smith; Huntsville Legion 381-342 for Richter.
At the Wahta admin building it was Richter 7-6; at the Walker’s Point Community Centre Smith 71, Richter 39; Bala Community Centre 245-195 for Smith;
In Lake of Bays Smtih won 96-82, 96-82 and 101-71; in Dwight it was PCs 318-232 Greens; Milford Bay 129-117 PCs; in Port Sydney it was Smith again 407-344; Utterson had it 407-344 and 96-82 Smith over Richter; Utterson 111-79 and 88-71 also for Smith.
See the full list of attached results here below by downloading the link:
Vote Totals From Official Tabulation – Parry Sound—Muskoka 084
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