In the final result, Premier McGuinty's party fell one seat short of winning a majority government.

Under amendments passed by the Legislature in December 2005, Ontario elections were now held on fixed dates, namely the first Thursday of October every four years.

[2] The writ of election was issued by Lieutenant Governor David Onley on September 7, 2011.

Also in March 2009, Andrea Horwath replaced Howard Hampton as leader of the NDP at the leadership election.

Dalton McGuinty won 95 percent support for his leadership at an Ontario Liberal annual general meeting after the 2007 election, and ran again in 2011.