The Southern Ontario/WNY Radio-TV Forum / Local Broadcaster Apparently Running For Office In Ont. Election

**Posted by RadioActive** January 30, 2025 7:19 am

AM640, where she makes regular appearances, is reporting former CP24 and 680 anchor Stephanie Smyth will likely be named the candidate for the Liberals in the riding of Toronto-St. Paul's.

The station says the decision comes as almost all the parties scramble to find candidates for the provincial vote at the end of February, since it was called so suddenly and there wasn't a lot of time to find the right person for each riding.

She's high profile, Toronto generally leans left, and there's a very good chance this former news personality could become an MPP.

**Posted by Shorty Wave** January 30, 2025 8:12 am

She has the profile so could do well. I can imagine RA that there will be a few more coming out of the woodwork for this, you’re right about parties scrambling, 28 days or so, yesh!

**Posted by Aytononline** January 30, 2025 9:50 am

I have a lot of respect for anyone who puts there name forward. It's not an easy thing to do. But I disagree with this being a surprise. The media has been talking about it for over 6 months. That's lots of time to get people lined up.
I will be watching to see where the party's focus there energy and budgets. Will they be trying to get on the morning shows on tv and radio or will they focus on podcasts. Will the party leaders give any time to the local tv station in Thunder Bay or just stick with the Toronto /Ottawa stations.
I will also be following how much money CTV, Global, and City put into this. If any of the party leaders goes to a small community 6 or 8 hour drive from Toronto for a big announcement will any Toronto reports follow.
Lots of things to follow that are not political in this election.

**Posted by RadioActive** January 30, 2025 10:11 am

By surprise, I meant the timing of the vote caught several parties flatfooted, still trying to find candidates to fill every riding. As you note, this was not a case of if but when. I would have thought they would have some idea who their candidates would be well in advance. But apparently not.

Recent news reports indicate some parties are still scrambling to be sure every riding across the province is represented.

I think Smyth has an excellent chance - she's a well known name running in a traditional Liberal riding. But it also means you won't be hearing her on 640's "Think Tank" panel during the duration of the race, since rules prevent favouring one candidate over another.

The timing is interesting in another way - Smyth just recently launched her own online venture, a daily morning update called "Cock-A-Doodle News." What happens to that if she wins remains to be seen.

**Posted by Aytononline** January 30, 2025 10:28 am

One more note, The Herle Burly podcast did a debrief of the Nova Scotia election. They found that the main networks had no one available outside of Halifax. The parties ended up setting up a media room and gave daily press briefings so the few reports that are left would not have far to travel. I don't think Ontario is at that point yet but we may be getting closer.