I’ve spent the last few days searching for answers to a simple question: “Who is running in my riding of Northumberland?” Finding clear information has been a challenge, so I’ve compiled everything you need to know to make an informed decision in the Ontario provincial election on February 27, 2025.

What is my Riding?

Northumberland-Peterborough South is a large riding spanning approximately 3,001 square KM. It includes: Municipality of Brighton, Municipality of Port Hope, Municipality of Trent Hills, Town of Cobourg, Township of Alnwick-Haldimand, Township of Asphodel-Norwood, Township of Cramahe, Township of Hamilton, Township of Otonabee-South Monaghan, City of Quinte West, Municipality of Clarington.

If you want to confirm the riding you live in head over to elections Ontario to double check, all you need is your postal code.

If you live in this area, this guide is for you! Bookmark this page as I’ll be updating it with more election details as they come in. Stay informed and make your vote count!

Why Your Vote Matters

Many people say, “I don’t want to get political.” But here’s the thing—your vote matters. By voting, you have a say in who represents you locally and provincially. This representation affects everything from healthcare and education to transportation and environmental policies. Essentially, voting is an opportunity to actively participate in shaping the future of your communities and province.

How Ontario’s Election Works

We don’t vote directly for the premier. Instead, we elect a Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP), who then votes for their party’s leader. So, if you support a particular party leader, you should vote for the local candidate from that party.

Key Election Details

• Election Date: February 27, 2025
• Why the Early Election? Ontario Premier Doug Ford has called a provincial election in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed 25% tariff on Canadian imports, arguing that Ontario needs a renewed mandate to protect its economy.

How Do I Learn More about my Candidate

I think it’s important that you do your research. Over the next few weeks, you’ll see a lot of posts shared on your social media. That’s because every election matters—and the most important thing you can do is vote informed.

In our riding, there will be several events, including town halls, debates, and interviews. I’ll compile all the details in a separate blog post and link it here once it’s ready.

Make sure to tune in to Northumberland 89.7—yes, the radio station where I host two shows! The station is dedicated to keeping our community informed. I’ll share the full broadcast schedule soon, but in the meantime, you can listen by:
📻 Turning your dial to 89.7 FM
💻 Streaming online at northumberland897.ca
🔊 Simply asking, “Alexa, play Northumberland 89.7,”—and, like magic, she does!

Stay informed, stay engaged, and most importantly—vote!

Who Are our Local Candidates (in alphabetical order)

All Bios are taken and shortened from candidates websites

Joshua Chalhoub New Blue Party

Maxwell Groves The Green Party

Born and raised in Port Hope, Northumberland County, Maxwell Groves has returned home after years in Toronto, eager to give back to his community.

He was inspired to run for the Green Party because he believes rural communities are often overlooked by mainstream politics and need a strong voice in government.

As an avid outdoorsman and conservationist, Maxwell is passionate about protecting watersheds, preserving farmland, and promoting sustainable agriculture. He is also committed to improving rural transit to help residents access essential services and finding innovative, sustainable solutions to homelessness.

Bruce Lepage New Democratic Party (NDP)

Bruce Lepage is committed to ensuring that government works for everyone—not just the well-heeled and well-connected. His priority has always been people and helping everyone achieve a good quality of life.

With his wife having grown up in Cobourg, Bruce knew that Northumberland County was the perfect place to raise their son. They moved to Port Hope in 1999 and settled in Cobourg in 2003. Bruce spent over 30 years teaching physics, general science, philosophy, and history—first in Toronto, then in local schools. From 2007 until his retirement in 2022, he served as the IB Coordinator at Cobourg DCI East/Cobourg Collegiate. Beyond the classroom, Bruce coached basketball and soccer, volunteers with his therapy dog, Camus, and is a dedicated community activist, advocating for affordable housing, human rights, electoral reform, healthcare, and workers’ rights.

Bruce believes that by working together, we can improve life for everyone in Northumberland-Peterborough South. Together, we can tackle the housing crisis, address the shortage of medical professionals, and make life more affordable for workers, families, seniors, and those in need. Let’s build a stronger community—together!

Dorothy Noronha  Ontario Liberal Party

For over 20 years, Northumberland has been home to Dorothy Noronha, who, along with her family, cherishes their residence nestled in the Northumberland forest.

Currently, Dorothy teaches business and leadership at Cobourg Collegiate Institute (CCI) and is a member of the CCI Senior Boys Basketball coaching team. One of her greatest joys is welcoming CCI graduates back to share their business successes with current students.

Before transitioning to teaching, Dorothy built a wealth of business experience as an employee benefits and pension specialist, a wealth and estate planning counselor, and a marketing professional in the healthcare sector. With over three decades of experience running small businesses, she brings real-world expertise into the classroom.

She aims to tackle ER wait times, family doctor shortages, and what she describes as the erosion of public services under Doug Ford’s government.

David Piccini Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario

David Piccini is the MPP for Northumberland-Peterborough South and Ontario’s Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skills Development. Previously, he served as Minister of Environment, Conservation, and Parks. Before joining the cabinet, David was the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Training, Colleges, and Universities and a member of the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs.

His career began in the federal public service, where he worked in the Office of the Minister of International Trade, contributing to key initiatives such as the Canada-Europe Free Trade Agreement. He later joined the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, playing a key role in establishing the Canadian International Health Education Association.

A lifelong resident of Port Hope, David lives there with his wife and two dogs.  He remains actively involved in his community as a member of the Royal Canadian Legion and a supporter of local youth soccer programs.

How To Vote

We have pulled some relevant information here, however, if you have more questions head over to elections Ontario for more information on how to vote

Voting Early

Early voting has begun and will continue until Wednesday, February 26th. If you’re unsure about your plans for Thursday, February 27th, or if you’re concerned about the weather (especially snow), it’s a great idea to vote early!

You can cast your vote at the Northumberland—Peterborough South Local Election Office:

Location:
330 Ward St, Unit 1
Port Hope, ON
Phone: 1-(833) 405-2633

Voting hours:

• Monday to Saturday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
• Sunday: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Voting by Mail

You can apply online to vote by mail and track the status of your application. Deadline to apply is 6pm EST on February 21st. 

Once your application is reviewed and approved:

• You will no longer be able to choose another voting option.
• A voting kit, including a ballot, will be mailed to the address you provide. Please allow up to four days for processing.
• You can return your completed voting kit using the prepaid envelope or drop it off at your local election office.

To be counted, Elections Ontario must receive your completed voting kit by 6:00 PM (Eastern Time) on election day.

In Person on Election Day

Voting day is Thursday, February 27, 2025. Voting location details will be available after February 14, 2025. Check back then or visit the Elections Ontario website to find your designated voting location.

Do I need to Register to Vote?

In Canada, you don’t need to pre-register to vote, but it can make election day much easier.

By registering in advance, you can:

• Confirm that your information is accurate and linked to the correct address.
• Receive a voter information card by mail, which makes the voting process smoother.
• Ensure you are listed in the riding where you live.

You can register using this link—it takes less than five minutes, I promise!

I don’t have a permanent address or ID how can I vote?

I can’t share this enough. Voting is not a privilege to those that have a roof over their head. It is a right that is granted to every single Canadian Citizen. I know that there are so many in our community that are unhoused or have insecure housing. However, there is a way that you can vote and make a difference this election.  If you know someone or support someone that is unhoused, please help them register if they want to vote.

If you do not have a permanent address, you can still vote at an advance voting location or on election day. The place where you most frequently eat or sleep in the past five weeks will be considered your address.

If you do not have ID showing both your name and home address, the administrator of your shelter, food bank, or community health care facility that you use most often will provide you with a Certificate of Identity and Residence form.

Both you and the administrator must sign the form, which you will then use as your ID when you go to vote. The administrator will help you find your assigned voting location using our Voter Information Service and will write this information on the form.

Take the signed form to your assigned voting location and present it to the election official. They will collect the form from you and issue you a ballot to cast your vote.

There is no excuse to cast your ballot on Thursday February 27th. Do your best to cast is as an informed voter! And don’t forget to listen to Northumberland 89.7 to get all your election news!