Campaign buses hit the road in Ontario this week, with Liberal Leader Dalton McGuinty aiming for a hat trick as premier. Though up against two rookies in opposition, he faces stiff competition.
Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak has painted Mr. McGuinty as the "tax man" and is hoping to capitalize on the anti-incumbent streak that propelled right-wing populist Rob Ford to victory in the Toronto mayoral race.
And the NDP's Andrea Horwath, angling to build on federal momentum and the late Jack Layton's legacy, is pitching her third-place party as a genuine alternative to the red and blue teams that have controlled Queen's Park since 1995.
At the beginning of the week, a Nanos Research poll pointed to a volatile three-way race. The Tories enjoyed 35.4 per cent popular support, giving them a narrow lead over the Liberals, with 31.9 per cent, while the New Democrats surged to their highest level in recent memory with 22.8 per cent.
On Thursday, however, a Harris/Decima poll put Mr. McGuinty well up on Mr. Hudak. Though it could prove to be an outlier, 40 per cent of those surveyed opted for the Liberals, 29 per cent chose the Tories and 24 per cent backed the New Democrats.
With all this in mind, Nanos Research president Nik Nanos joins us online Friday at 11 a.m. ET to take your questions on the opening stage of the campaign.
Follow along in the panel below or click here for a smartphone-friendly interface.