While they don't get as much time in newspapers or on TV, a number of fringe political parties exist that may one day change the political landscape, according to one expert.

"If there is a sense in the population that people feel underrepresented by the existing parties, then one of these parties can spring forward and become a serious party," James Laxer, a political science professor from York University, told CTV.ca.

Leading the charge in Ontario is the Green Party, which is running 102 candidates in 103 ridings. It has been gaining attention for its platform of a more sustainable province, environmentally and fiscally. However, it grabbed the most headlines for its failed push to be part of the leadership debate.

Several other parties have gained less mention during the campaign. They include:

• The Family Coalition Party of Ontario: 51 candidates
• The Freedom Party of Ontario: 23 candidates
• The Communist Party of Canada: 6 candidates
• The Ontario Liberation Party: 5 candidates
• The Ontario Provincial Confederation of Regions Party: 1 candidate
• Independent: 24 candidates

Laxer said he doesn't expect the Green Party, or any party, to win any of the ridings during this election. "Let me put it to you this way -- I will fall over in a dead faint if they do," he told CTV.ca.

However, he said that doesn't mean they won't be considered in the future. Laxer used the example of the Reform Party, founded by Preston Manning. When it started, it was dismissed as not legitimate but became the official Opposition and led to the creation of the Canadian Alliance.

"So despite the barriers, new parties, when they represent a strong enough trend in the population, do actually manage to break through and become established."

And there are barriers. For one, it costs candidates $200 dollars to run in a riding. With 103 ridings, that comes to $20,600 for the party. As well, if that party doesn't get more than 15 per cent of the vote, they lose that money.

"So before you've done anything, that money is down the drain," Laxer said.

Green Party leader Frank de Jong said he doesn't have any problem with the electoral system. "You just have to do the homework and put up quality candidates and develop your platform," he said.

"Anyone can buy signs and pamphlets."

De Jong is more upset that his party wasn't allowed to participate in the leader's debate. The Green Party fought the exclusion but ultimately lost.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission ruled that the consortium of broadcasters organizing the debate had the right to exclude the Greens.

"It's going to mean reduced profile for us," de Jong said. "But we're still going to run as strong as we can and our goal is to elect MPPs as soon as possible. And my goal is to premier on Oct. 3."

While that won't happen this time around, the Green Party is gaining in popularity. It has shown up in a recent Ipsos-Reid poll with four per cent voter support. While that's far behind the Liberals (50 per cent) and Tories (33 per cent), it's just eight points behind the New Democratic Party.

"They clearly are big enough to have been able to overcome these barriers and run in 102 ridings," Laxer said. "It's possible that they could be moving toward the status of becoming a serious political party."

One factor that could determine whether a new party emerges is voter apathy. Laxer said a generation ago, over 70 per cent of Ontarians voted. Now, he says, it's just over 50 per cent.

That could be because they think there's no point in voting, there's no one to vote for, or it doesn't make any difference if they participate.

"And that can sometimes create the basis for some new party to come along and say, 'Hey, you're feeling kind of left out and we can represent some of the things you care about.'"