“If you have been following it all, you know that Ford and the (Progressive Conservatives) in Ontario have wanted to have an early election for some time,” John Shields, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Politics and Public Administration at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) said.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford officially set a provincial election in motion Tuesday for Feb. 27, more than a year before the next fixed election date.

The writ has dropped, and Ontario has officially entered its 44th election cycle. Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles, Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford, Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner and Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie are all hitting the campaign trail Wednesday.