With our serving MPP John Yakabuski’s announcement last November that he would not stand for re-election when Ontarians next go to the polls, readers are looking closely at the candidates for Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke as they come on board. Elections Ontario is due to provide the Official Candidates’ List after 2pm on February 13th 2025 (the closing date for nominations), but in the meantime the candidates listed below have already declared. The Current has published their initial statements (if available) for your convenience. Click on the names below to read.
Marshall Buchanan – Ontario New Democratic Party.
Billy Denault – PC Party of Ontario.
Anna Maria Dolan – Green Party of Ontario (GPO).
Oliver Jacob – Ontario Liberal Party.
Mr. Buchanan, Ms. Dolan and Mr. Jacob may be familiar to voters from the last provincial election, but Mr. Denault is a newcomer to the provincial race. Mr. Buchanan is not yet listed on the Ontario Elections website so we have published the NDP announcement of his candidacy, and Ms. Dolan’s information is not yet provided by the GPO.
A little bit of history
Barry’s Bay residents have made significant contributions in provincial politics having provided MPPs for this area for some 77 years out of the last 100. MPP John Yakabuski served 21 years in the Ontario Legislature, having been chosen by constituents in six consecutive elections. Yakabuski is one of four Barry’s Bay natives who have represented this area at Queens Park since 1929. His father, Paul Yakabuski, was MPP for Renfrew South for 24 years, from 1963 until 1987. Towards the end of that period Sean Conway was MPP for Renfrew North and after the two ridings merged in 1987 to become Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke, he continued to represent the area. After Conway (a Liberal) retired in 2003, Yakabuski was elected. Conway’s grandfather, Tom Murray, (also Liberal) served as the provincial representative from 1929 to 1945.
Voter information – highlights
- If you are a Canadian citizen aged 18 years or more, and an Ontario resident, you are eligible to vote.
- Confirm, update or add your voter information to the Register by February 17 to receive a voter information card in the mail with information on when and where to vote.
- Voter information cards will be in the mail from February 17 to 22.
- Apply to vote by mail before February 21 at 6 pm (Eastern Time) to receive your voting kit in the mail. Elections Ontario must receive your completed voting kit by 6 pm (Eastern Time) on February 27 to be counted.
- Vote in person at your local election office from January 30 until 6 pm (Eastern Time) on February 26. Remember to bring your ID.
Click HERE to visit Elections Ontario website.
Photos submitted for Mr. Buchanan, Mr. Denault, Mr. Jacob. Ms. Dolan’s photo from The Current archives.