The Ontario Liberal Party is preparing to launch another leadership race after Bonnie Crombie announced she will resign as party leader following a weak result in her leadership review. Crombie, who took over in 2023, made her decision public Sunday after receiving just 57 per cent support at the party’s annual general meeting.
This marks the Liberals’ third leadership contest since 2020, continuing a turbulent period for a party still working to recover from its crushing 2018 defeat under Kathleen Wynne, when it was reduced to just seven seats.
Despite the internal challenges, Liberal MPP John Fraser — twice interim leader — says the party is in a stronger position than in past races, with official party status, more seats, better fundraising capacity, and 30 per cent of the popular vote in the most recent election. He expects plenty of candidates to step forward for the top job, though he confirmed he won’t be among them.
The Liberals now face the task of choosing a leader who can unify the party, sharpen its message, and position it as a serious contender to take on Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservatives in the next provincial election.