Bonnie Crombie’s political future is hanging in the balance after Ontario Liberal delegates spent two days voting on whether she should remain leader or face a new leadership race. The results, now sealed, will be revealed Sunday afternoon at the party’s annual general meeting in Toronto — a decision that could define the party’s path heading into the next provincial election.
Crombie, who led the party back to official status but failed to secure a seat in Mississauga, acknowledged past missteps but urged members to stay the course. In a speech to hundreds of delegates Saturday, she cast the Liberals as “a party of opportunity, not for the few, not for the privileged, but for everyone,” earning a standing ovation from much of the room — though some tables remained seated, a sign of lingering division.
Behind the scenes, Crombie’s campaign worked hard to shore up support. Party members received robocalls and text messages from Crombie herself, urging them to “please vote ‘No’ to a leadership contest.” She would not say who funded the outreach, beyond clarifying it was privately paid for, and the party confirmed it was not an official expense.
While a simple majority would allow Crombie to stay on as leader, insiders suggest anything less than a strong endorsement could trigger renewed calls for her to step aside. Crombie has promised to run in the first “viable” seat that opens up and pledged to sharpen her message against Doug Ford’s government, focusing on economic anxiety and opportunity for all Ontarians.
Sunday’s results will reveal whether party members are ready to give Crombie the mandate she’s asking for — or send the Ontario Liberals back into another leadership race just as they attempt to rebuild.