ONTARIO ELECTION ADVERTISING BEGINS
By Adnews Staff
Television election advertising by Ontario's political parties began yesterday. The New Democratic Party released two 30-second television commercials. The first, called "Hydro Across Ontario," depicts party leader Howard Hampton travelling the province and discussing the privatization of hydro. The second displays red and blue spinning tops and the copy "Do you want Spin or Substance?" The ads were created by BANG! Media of Toronto. Outdoor and radio advertising are also in use. The first in a series of Liberal Party election ads also broke yesterday. The ad shows Liberal leader Dalton McGuinty talking to Ontarians and ends with the Web address "choosechange.ca". Advertising for the Liberal election campaign is being done by Peter Byrne of Toronto-based Bensimon Byrne and a group of volunteers. The Progressive Conservative election campaign consists of three television commercials created in-house. The first is a leadership ad featuring Premier Ernie Eves. The remaining two compare Eves to McGuinty and end with the line, "He's still not up to the job." The election will take place on Oct. 2.