Holy smokes.

After advanced voting has already opened in the 2011 Ontario election campaign, the Dalton McGuinty Liberals announced Saturday that they'll scrap the proposed Mississauga power plant if they're elected.

It is the second major electricity generation plant the Liberals have pulled the plug on in politically-vulnerable ridings in the west end of the GTA.

The proposed gas-fired plant has slated to be built just west of the Sherway Gardens mall on Loreland Ave.

Just last fall, the McGuinty government decided against a larger gas-fired plant in Oakville.

The Tories say the latest Liberal move is a desperate attempt to save seats.

In a news release, Ontario Liberal candidates Charles Sousa, Donna Cansfield, Laurel Broten and Dipika Damerla say the party would work with the developer to find a new location for the plant.

"Since the plant was proposed in 2005, our neighbourhoods have grown considerably and I know folks in the community are concerned," Sousa says. "Ontario Liberals will make sure we have enough electricity in the right places, and ensure the rules for power-generating facilities will put Ontario families first."

The Liberals announced the reversal on a Saturday when the premier was off his official tour and unavailable for questions, and after a new poll that shows the party in a dead heat with the Tories.