AJAX RIDING: 8 CANDIDATES ON BALLOT

NO INCUMBENT RUNNING IN UPCOMING PROVINCIAL ELECTION

THE RIDING: The Ajax riding encompasses the entire town of Ajax, which has 126,666 residents, according to 2021 census data.

THE RACE: "This is an election for the Progressive Conservatives to lose, they're in the driver's seat right now," says David Sheinin, a history professor at Trent University and political commentator.

But Sheinin says Ajax is one of two ridings in Durham up for grabs after Rod Phillips announced he would not seek reelection.

Patrice Barnes is running for the Progressive Conservatives.

"We really don't know who's going to win the Ajax riding, although the NDP seem to be out of it," Sheinin says of recent data.

Since the interview, Christine Santos was named the New Democratic

Party candidate.

Former mayor Steve Parish had announced he was running for the Ontario NDP but, shortly thereafter, history changed his plans. Parish was mayor when Ajax council chose to name a street after the captain of a German war ship during the Second War, and after coming under public scrutiny he withdrew.

"Liberals haven't resonated enough with voters to take them over the top, since again, people are worried about a split vote on the left or centre left," Sheinin says.

Liberal party candidate Amber Bowen announced she was running early in the campaign.

The other candidates are: Frank Lopez for the None of the Above Party; Garry Reader for New Blue Party of Ontario; Aaron Hopkins for Ontario Party;

Neil Runnalls for Green Party of Ontario; and Intab Ali and Allen Hadley, both independents.

THE ISSUES: Joan Wideman, vice-president of corporate services of Lenbrook Canada Solutions and Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade's chair of the government relations committee, says a member survey found broadband, a plan to get people back to work after the pandemic, housing costs and improving the hospital system are key issues.

The need for broadband was evident for all types of businesses during the pandemic.

"It's a fundamental utility," she says. "What are you doing to make sure we have the structure and the strategy for that infrastructure?"

High housing prices are driving young people out of the area.

"They're moving to other places to just try to afford something," Wideman says.

A skilled labour shortage is affecting all levels of employment.

"They need to find out why and

give us an answer on what they're going to do about it," she says.

Businesses want a plan for an economic recovery from the pandemic.

"Some have pivoted and done well but it's been very challenging," Wideman says. "Some of us have lasted but are just hanging on by our fingernails."

Better transportation infrastructure, inflation, and hospital and long-term care improvements are all big concerns for the board.

In March, Mayor Shaun Collier called on candidates to commit to including the upper reaches of the Carruthers Creek headwaters in the Greenbelt.

"The matter is of great concern to Ajax voters due to the potential downstream impacts that development in the area (northeast Pickering) would have on Ajax residents," he said.

He said the designation would ensure this ecologically sensitive area is protected permanently.

"Our focus should be on creating more options to live and work in current community areas," he said.

Sheinin expects inflation, the economy and housing to be the issues that dominate election discussion over the coming weeks — in Durham and across Ontario.

BACKGROUND: Liberal MPP Joe Dickson held the Ajax-Pickering seat since 2007, but lost to PC Rod Philips in 2018 in the new Ajax riding. Phillips, who served in three cabinet portfolios, announced in January he was stepping down and would not seek reelection.