Provincial election just one month away, but still no Liberal candidate in Barrie-Innisfil

The 2022 provincial election campaign is in full swing for Barrie-area candidates, with one glaring omission.

The Barrie-Innisfil and Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte (BSOM) ridings have MPP hopefuls out knocking on doors and making calls as the June 2 election is now just one month away.

While the Barrie-Innisfil race in the city's south end is underway, it's still missing a Liberal candidate as of Monday.

Progressive Conservative candidate Andrea Khanjin, the incumbent MPP in Barrie-Innisfil, is already on the campaign trail, as are familiar faces Pekka Reinio for the NDP and Bonnie North for the Green Party. The NOTA Party has named Bob Walker as its candidate in Barrie-Innisfil.

However, as of Monday, no one has been named as the Liberal candidate in Barrie-Innisfil. 

BarrieToday emailed the Ontario Liberal Party to determine its candidate in the south-end riding. 

“Currently, the Ontario Liberal Party has not yet nominated a candidate in the riding of Barrie-Innisfil," said the unnamed spokesperson. 

The email added the party continues "to actively work to nominate a stellar team of candidates in every corner of our province.”

Meanwhile, the BSOM race will be interesting as longtime Barrie mayor Jeff Lehman is running for the Liberal Party, looking to unseat incumbent Doug Downey from the Progressive Conservatives.

Political newcomers Beverley Patchell (NDP) and Elyse Robinson (Green Party) are also confirmed to be running in the north-end riding. A website belonging to None of the Above (NOTA) Party names Darren Roskam as its candidate.

An email from Elections Ontario media relations officer Nicole Taylor told BarrieToday a complete list of nominated candidates will be available after the close of nominations at 2 p.m. on May 12.