Ontarians head to the polls to elect the next provincial government on Feb. 27 — less than a week from today.
Parkdale—High Park is a provincial riding in Toronto's west end that encompasses the neighbourhoods of Parkdale, Roncesvalles, South Kingsway, Bloor West Village and High Park.
It was previously represented by the NDP’s Bhutilla Karpoche, who held the seat since 2018. Karpoche is leaving Queen’s Park because she was nominated to run for the federal NDP in the riding.
Provincially, Parkdale—High Park has been a safe NDP seat since 2006 but federally it is held by the Liberal Party of Canada.
Here’s who voters in Parkdale—High Park can choose from on their ballot this election.
NDP candidate Alexa Gilmour
The Ontario NDP nominated United Church minister Alexa Gilmour to run in Parkdale—High Park.
Gilmour is not the first United Church minister to be nominated to represent the party in that riding — in 2006, minister Cheri DiNovo was nominated as the NDP candidate and went on to hold the MPP seat from 2006 to 2017.
Gilmour was most recently the reverend in charge of Windermere United Church in Swansea, where she started several social outreach initiatives. She has been a regular contributor to Broadview magazine, formerly the United Church Observer. She has five children.
The NDP’s Toronto-specific campaign platform pledges to provide more funding for the TTC, build provincially funded affordable housing projects and upload homeless shelter costs to Queen’s Park.
NDP Leader Marit Stiles has said an NDP government, if elected, would reverse the closure of the Ontario Science Centre and cancel the plan to let Austrian firm Therme build a spa at Ontario Place.
Liberal candidate Nadia Guerrera
The Liberals are running Nadia Guerrera, an educator in the Toronto Catholic District School Board. She also works on industry-academic partnerships for Loyalist College, according to her LinkedIn profile.
This is the third time she has run as an Ontario Liberal Party candidate.
Guerrara has also led public art initiatives and Holodomor public awareness campaigns. Former Liberal premier Kathleen Wynne called her a “fearless advocate whose classroom experience will make her an innovative and inspiring MPP.”
The Liberals’ campaign is focussed on improving Ontario's health-care system. Leader Bonnie Crombie has also pledged to install safety doors on TTC subway platforms.
PC candidate Justine Teplycky
The PC Party is running candidate Justine Teplycky, who spent several years working as a political staffer for Progressive Conservative cabinet ministers like Municipal Affairs Minister Paul Calandra.
Prior to working in politics, Teplycky was a journalist for Newstalk 1010.
She was acclaimed by the party as a candidate in early January. The PC Party is running several political staffers in Toronto-area ridings where it is unlikely to pick up a seat.
The PC Party is pledging to build a tunnel under Highway 401 to reduce traffic congestion, remove bike lanes on Toronto streets, and secure the economy and Ontario jobs in the face of tariff threats from U.S. President Donald Trump.
Green candidate Anna Gorka
The Greens are running Anna Gorka, an architect who has worked on walkable city prototypes and the Humber River Run flood mitigation initiative. She is also involved in Parkdale Legal Aid and the Landlord and Tenant Board, per the party.
Gorka has run as a candidate for the federal Green Party in the past.
The Green Party is campaigning on building affordable rental housing, increasing housing density and starting a universal basic income program.
The Liberals, NDP and Greens have all pledged to double ODSP rates for disabled Ontarians, many of whom live in poverty.
Visit Elections Ontario’s website to find out where to vote in Parkdale—High Park on Thursday, Feb. 27.
- With files from Patrick Cain
