Now that the provincial election dust has settled, Matt Richter – who ran for MPP in Parry Sound-Muskoka – has announced he will continue his work as Deputy Leader of the Ontario Green Party.
“These challenges won’t wait for the next election, and neither should we,” said Richter. “I recognize how overwhelmed people are feeling right now in the face of so much uncertainty caused by President Trump’s erratic and unpredictable behaviour. At the same time, I am keenly aware that so many of the day-to-day issues raised during the Ontario election still require urgent action—at the provincial level.”
A news release from the Ontario Green Party stated that the election campaign brought widespread attention to the affordable housing crisis, healthcare burnout, chronic underfunding in education, and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events.
Richter was defeated in the election by Conservative Graydon Smith by just over 2,000 votes. This is Smith’s second term as MPP. During his first term, he served as Premier Doug Ford’s Minister of Natural Resources. Following the recent election, he was appointed as the Associate Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
While he may not hold a seat at Queen’s Park, Richter says he’s still committed to holding the provincial government accountable and addressing key priorities with his elected party colleagues – Mike Schreiner and Aislinn Clancy. The news release also stated that he will work with local residents, organizations, stakeholders, and community leaders to advocate for the people of his and other rural and northern communities.
Throughout the campaign, Richter strongly emphasized that Green Party leader Mike Schreiner wasn’t his boss and that he would instead take direction from residents of the riding. He maintains that his role isn’t confined to being a voice for the party—it’s about being a “strong, independent voice for the people of Parry Sound-Muskoka.”
