The race is on: Ontario’s NDP and Liberals battle to claim their place as the best choice against Ford [Video]

As Ontario’s election campaign kicks off, experts say the fight is on between the provincial New Democrats and Liberals to stake out their place as the main rival to Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford.

Both NDP Leader Marit Stiles and Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie have come out of the gate trying to strike contrasts with each other on style and substance, and have already exchanged verbal barbs. Experts says it’s all part of the so-called “progressive primary”, the fight between Ontario’s centre-left parties to become a competitive alternative to the PCs.

During her campaign launch this week, Stiles likened the Liberals to a car in the repair shop, making a direct appeal to their traditional voters.

“Today’s Liberal leader would be right at home as a cabinet minister in Doug Ford’s government,” Stiles said, surrounded by supporters. “Bonnie Crombie doesn’t want to get rid of Doug Ford. Bonnie Crombie wants …