The Ontario Liberals are set to initiate their third leadership race since 2020, prompted by Bonnie Crombie’s resignation announcement following a lukewarm reception at the party’s annual general meeting. At the recent Ontario Liberal AGM, delegates voted on the possibility of a new leadership race, with 57 percent opposing it. While this margin slightly exceeded the 50 percent threshold required by the party’s constitution for Crombie to remain as leader, some members had advocated for her resignation if the support fell below 66 percent.
Shortly after the results were disclosed, Crombie acknowledged in a statement that it would be in the party’s best interest to transition towards a leadership vote, announcing her intention to resign once a new leader is chosen. This decision came after Crombie initially expressed plans to continue as leader, emphasizing that a leadership contest at this time would not benefit the party.
In her statement to CBC, Crombie highlighted consultations with her family, colleagues, and the party executive before finalizing her decision. She stressed the readiness of the party to manage a leadership race effectively. Crombie, who emerged victorious in the party’s previous leadership race in late 2023, reiterated her commitment to ensuring a smooth transition towards a new leadership election.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford extended gratitude to Crombie for her dedication to public service in a statement shared on social media platform X. The AGM marked the party’s first gathering since the February election, where they expanded their seat count to 14, regaining official party status but falling short of forming the Official Opposition and leaving their leader without a legislative seat.
Looking ahead, Noah Parker, an organizer aligned with a group pushing for a leadership race, acknowledged Crombie’s contributions while expressing eagerness to participate in electing a new leader. He cited the transformative impact of leadership contests, drawing parallels to recent successes within the federal Liberals and emphasizing the importance of steering the party towards electoral victory against Doug Ford.
The runner-up in the 2023 leadership race, Liberal MP Nate Erskine-Smith, advocated for rejuvenation at the provincial party’s helm, hinting at potential leadership aspirations in correspondence with supporters. Parker endorsed the idea of Liberal MP Karina Gould pursuing the leadership role, alongside other potential candidates such as Liberal MP Yasir Naqvi and former Liberal MP Ted Hsu, who were contenders in the 2023 race.
Reflecting on her background, Crombie recounted her journey from modest beginnings, emphasizing her hard work and perseverance in attaining success. Her trajectory included stints in the corporate sector and a transition into politics, driven by experiences that shaped her resolve. Crombie’s tenure as Mississauga Mayor and her confrontations with Doug Ford during the 2023 leadership race underscored her commitment to challenging the status quo and advocating for her community’s interests.