The media release from the Government of Ontario was succinct and to the point. “Premier Doug Ford today confirmed that the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, has accepted the premier’s advice to sign a proclamation dissolving the 42nd Parliament of the Province of Ontario.” Ontario’s general election officially began at 4 pm and started a month-long countdown to Election Day.

“This election is about one simple thing. Either the people of this province are going to choose to go backwards … or they’re going to choose prosperity, getting things built, bridges, roads and highways like we’re doing,” Ford told reporters as he was heading into to see Dowdeswell.

Ford also announced a campaign kick-off event Wednesday at the Toronto Congress Centre at 7 pm.

“This election is about hope. Together we can fix what matters most to people: health care, the cost of housing, and making life more affordable. Your priorities are my priorities,” said NDP leader Andrea Horwath in a statement on Tuesday. “Doug Ford’s Conservatives are in it for their buddies. But we can come together and elect a government that works for you.”

Liberal leader Steven Del Duca spent his election announcement day pushing his party’s plan for the environment, and capitalizing on the Monday’s announcement about $1 transit fares. “Through the environment plan we’re releasing today, Ontario Liberals are offering a choice: Doug Ford, who wants to waste billions on a highway that won’t improve traffic — or an Ontario Liberal government that will provide smart and affordable ways for families to make sustainable choices,” said Del Duca.

The Green Party, meanwhile, announced on Tuesday that they will fully invest in the Northlander train between Toronto and Cochrane including $220 million in capital costs and annual operating subsidies for $12 million. “It’s time to finally provide the affordable and accessible transit that the people of my riding and the North need and deserve,” said Green Party leader and Guelph MPP Schreiner.

Schreiner will announce the inclusion of the Northlander funding at a campaign stop in Huntsville tonight, before he undertakes the first full day of campaigning with stops at six different offices in Toronto and Orangeville, and then ending the day with a campaign rally at his own office at 265 Edinburgh Road South here in Guelph.

In terms of other local campaign events, Progressive Conservative candidate Peter McSherry will be holding a meet and greet event with Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development Monte McNaughton at his campaign office at 336 Speedvale Avenue West this Friday at 3 pm.

NDP candidate James Parr will be holding a meet and greet event with himself and members of his team at St. George’s Park on Saturday at 2 pm, and Liberal candidate Raechelle Devereaux will be having her weekly meet and greet outside her campaign office on Carden Street from 9 to noon.