It's the dead of winter. You've been shoveling snow for weeks. You keep hearing the political ads, but it's just dawning on you that election day is Thursday -- this coming Thursday.
If you're struggling to figure out your vote, this is the article for you.
And if you're one of our regular readers who is super plugged-in to this snap winter election, this article is a good one to send to your less-engaged friends. Voter turnout was a dismal 43 per cent in the last election, so every share helps.
If you haven't been able to keep up, this last-minute voter guide will help you get up to speed.
Who are the party leaders?
PC Leader Doug Ford triggered an early election, sending us to the polls a year earlier than expected in a move that will cost some $189 million. He says his party needs an even stronger mandate to deal with the potential tariff threat from U.S. President Donald Trump, even though it already had a majority at Queen's Park for seven years.
Most voters know Ford at this point -- for many, it's a love or loathe situation -- and he's spent most of the campaign defending his big ideas (including a multibillion-dollar tunnel under Hwy. 401 in the GTA) and his record.
If you want to see more of Ford, check out the debate CBC News hosted on Family Day. It's 90 minutes, so if you'd like only the highlights, those are right below. Note: Ford has declined a one-on-one interview with CBC News during the campaign despite multiple requests.
Here's the shorter version:
Marit Stiles leads the NDP. Born in Newfoundland, she's gone from Toronto school trustee to MPP -- parents may remember her as the party's education critic during the COVID-era -- and has led the New Democrats since Andrea Horwath stepped down after the 2022 election.
The NDP was the Official Opposition, which means you've probably seen Stiles fighting to hold the government to account. On the campaign trail, her focus has mainly been on affordability issues.
Here's her interview with CBC Radio's Metro Morning:
Bonnie Crombie is the Ontario Liberal leader. You may remember her as Mississauga's long-time mayor, although she was a federal Liberal MP for three years before that.
She captured the Liberal leadership in December of 2023 and has tried to make health care, and getting Ontarians access to family doctors, the top election issue.
Here's her Metro Morning interview:
Mike Schreiner leads the Green Party and represents Guelph at Queen's Park. His party only holds two seats, but is a sharp critic of Ford's PCs.
Schreiner's party has also released a platform, complete with plans to tackle big issues like the province's housing crisis.
You'll cast your ballot for your riding's member of provincial parliament, not who you want to see as premier.
Who's running in your riding? Check with Elections Ontario if you've missed all the campaign signs have been buried in snow.
Forget the leaders, what are their plans?
This campaign has seen party leaders release their promises one at a time. As of Friday, three of four have now released costed platforms, and the PCs have said they will release their plan on Monday.
Lucky for you, the CBC's Andrew Foote has read all of these and crunched them down into something more digestible. You can read our platform tracker here, and yes, we'll update it when Ford's party gives us more specifics about how, exactly, they will "protect Ontario."
If you really want the full details, head to the party websites.
Platforms make my head spin. I care about issues
Government policy isn't for everyone. But it does matter for some of the big issues facing this province. Here's a look at some of those issues and what the parties are doing about it.
Show me the money
This election is also first time people are getting their voting cards and a $200 cheque from the government in the mail at the same time.
Affordability is a big issue, so our Mike Crawley broke down how each party's trying to woo you with promises that either save you money or straight up give you cash.