Parry Sound—Muskoka

Parry Sound—Muskoka is a sprawling riding in central Ontario’s cottage country, encompassing the towns of Huntsville, Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, and Parry Sound. Long-serving Progressive Conservative MPP Norm Miller had represented the riding since winning a by-election in 2001, but announced he would not seek re-election after 21 years in office. His retirement opened the seat for the first time in two decades, setting up what became one of the closest races in the province.

The riding is defined by its seasonal tourism economy, with Muskoka’s lakes and forests attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. However, this seasonal affluence masks significant challenges for year-round residents, including a housing affordability crisis intensified by the pandemic-era influx of remote workers and cottage buyers.

Candidates

Graydon Smith (Progressive Conservative) — Smith served as Mayor of Bracebridge from 2010 to 2022 and was President of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO). He grew up in Port Sydney and was recognized for his leadership during severe floods in the region in 2013 and 2019. Before entering municipal politics, his family owned and operated a local business in Port Sydney.

Matt Richter (Green Party) — Richter was a teacher with the Trillium Lakelands District School Board for over 17 years. He also operated a food production company.

Erin Horvath (NDP) — Horvath was a community entrepreneur who co-founded The Hub Muskoka, an award-winning co-working centre in Huntsville. She had earned the most votes of any NDP candidate in the riding’s history when she ran in 2018.

Andrew John Cocks (Ontario Party), Doug Maynard (New Blue Party), Daniel Predie Jr. (Independent), and Brad Waddell (People’s Political Party) also ran.

Local Issues

Housing affordability dominated the campaign in Parry Sound—Muskoka. Workers in the tourism and service sectors reported being unable to find affordable rental housing, with new construction disproportionately serving wealthy seasonal residents and cottagers rather than year-round workers. Daycare waitlists stretched over a year, public transit was limited, and workers described being unable to cover rent, utilities, and food even with long work weeks. Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner visited the riding to pledge 1,000 new affordable rental units if elected.

Health-care access in this large, rural riding was another key concern. Miller’s tenure ended with an announcement that Muskoka’s two hospitals would be redeveloped, but residents continued to worry about physician and nurse recruitment in a region with limited urban amenities. The Greens proposed increasing the number of Nurse Practitioner-led clinics in the north, including three specifically in the riding. The pandemic had also exposed gaps in mental health services across the region, with candidates across party lines acknowledging the need for expanded supports.