Former federal cabinet minister Navdeep Bains is stepping down from Rogers Communications, a move widely seen as clearing the path for a potential bid for the leadership of the Ontario Liberal Party.
The announcement came Friday in a memo to staff from Rogers CEO Tony Staffieri, who said Bains will leave his role as chief corporate affairs officer effective May 8.
Staffieri thanked Bains for his contributions over the past three years, citing his work in strengthening the strategic importance of the telecommunications sector with stakeholders across the country and advancing the company’s sustainability efforts.
Bains’s departure comes just days after reports surfaced that he is seriously considering entering the Ontario Liberal leadership race, which is scheduled to be decided on Nov. 21.
Although Bains has not publicly confirmed his intentions, sources close to the former industry and innovation minister say he has received significant encouragement from party supporters and allies to seek the leadership.
At last weekend’s federal Liberal convention in Montreal, Bains was reportedly meeting party members and supporters, while also reaching out to Liberal MPs and MPPs in Ontario to assess support for a possible campaign.
Bains had previously weighed a leadership run in 2023, when Bonnie Crombie won the contest, but ultimately decided the timing was not right for his family. Supporters now say he believes the current moment offers a stronger opportunity to return to frontline politics.
The Ontario Liberals are attempting to rebuild after three consecutive election losses to Premier Doug Ford and currently hold third-party status at Queen’s Park. Once dominant under former premiers Dalton McGuinty and Kathleen Wynne, the party has struggled to regain momentum since its 2018 defeat.
Ford brushed aside speculation about Bains’s possible candidacy when asked earlier this week, saying he remains focused on governing and is unconcerned about who enters the race.
Several names are already being discussed as potential contenders, including Nate Erskine-Smith, Rob Cerjanec and Lee Fairclough.
If Bains enters, many observers believe he would immediately reshape the contest. His reputation as a strong organizer, fundraiser and strategist — combined with experience helping rebuild the federal Liberals before their 2015 return to power under Justin Trudeau — could make him a formidable contender.
For Ontario Liberals searching for a path back to government, Bains’s decision may mark the start of a significant new chapter.