Etobicoke North

Premier Doug Ford sought re-election in his home riding of Etobicoke North, running for a third consecutive term as both the local MPP and the leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservatives. The riding, encompassing the diverse communities of Rexdale, Thistletown, and Smithfield in Toronto’s northwest, is one of the most ethnically diverse areas in the Greater Toronto Area. Ford called the snap election for February 27, 2025 — the province’s first winter election in over 140 years — arguing that he needed a renewed mandate to confront the threat of American tariffs on Canadian goods.

Candidates

Doug Ford (Progressive Conservative) — Ford is a lifelong Etobicoke resident and co-owner of Deco Labels and Tags, a printing business founded by his father, who served as an MPP from 1995 to 1999. Ford represented Ward 2 on Toronto City Council from 2010 to 2014 before winning the PC Party leadership and becoming premier in 2018. The 2025 election was fought on his record as premier and his pitch to protect Ontario’s economy amid trade uncertainty.

Julie Lutete (Liberal) — Lutete is a Francophone community leader who immigrated to Canada from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. She serves as president of the Coalition of Black Francophones of Ontario and executive director of Auberge Francophonie. Over twenty years in the community, she helped expand healthcare services at the Rexdale Community Health Centre and worked to improve access to affordable housing for local residents.

Bryan Blair (NDP) is a lifelong Torontonian and resident of Etobicoke North. Chelsey Edwards (Green Party), Andy D’Andrea (Ontario Party), and John Gardner (New Blue Party) also contested the riding.

Local Issues

Affordable housing and tenant protections remained critical issues in a riding with a large proportion of renters and social housing residents. Parts of northwest Etobicoke had experienced declining socio-economic indicators in recent years, and residents in Rexdale’s apartment towers called for stronger rent control and more supportive housing options. Community organizations, including the Rexdale Community Health Centre and the Rexdale Women’s Centre, continued to advocate for greater investment in social services, youth programming, and recreational facilities in neighbourhoods long described as underserved.

Public safety and gun violence prevention were persistent concerns in northwest Etobicoke, driving calls for more youth employment programs and community outreach initiatives. The province’s tariff-focused election framing also resonated in a riding where many residents work in sectors exposed to cross-border trade, including manufacturing and logistics. Healthcare access remained a concern for a community with large numbers of essential workers and multi-generational households.