But that also carries risks. In 1990, voters punished Liberal premier David Peterson, also enjoying a majority government, who called an early election with a recession looming, Wiseman noted. Peterson lost badly. “I think a lot of people felt a bit uneasy about how things were going to turn out economically,” Wiseman said.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has officially set a provincial election in motion for Feb. 27, more than a year before the next fixed election date.