The Ontario Liberal Party is preparing to embark on its third leadership race since 2020 following the announcement by Bonnie Crombie that she will resign as leader once a successor is chosen. Crombie, who secured the party leadership in 2023 and led it through February’s snap provincial election, made the decision after receiving just 57 per cent support in a weekend leadership review — short of the 66 per cent threshold many Liberals considered necessary for her to stay on.
Despite growing the party’s seat count from nine to 14 and regaining official party status, Crombie faced mounting pressure from within the party after failing to secure a seat in the legislature herself. The Ontario Liberals released a statement thanking Crombie for her leadership, noting:
“We are grateful for Bonnie’s unrelenting drive for our party’s success. This was Bonnie’s decision, and we admire her courage to put the party and her team first.”
Potential Contenders Emerge
As the party prepares to set timelines for the contest, several names are being floated as potential candidates:
- Jeff Lehman – The former three-term Mayor of Barrie is “strongly considering” entering the race and could make a decision within the coming week.
- Nate Erskine-Smith – The Toronto MP and former federal housing minister, who narrowly lost to Crombie in the 2023 leadership race, is seen as a likely frontrunner if he decides to run.
- Karina Gould – Current Burlington MP and former Trudeau-era cabinet minister, has been quietly gauging support for a possible bid.
- Dr. Andrew Boozary – A primary care physician and health equity advocate, considered a “fresh voice” in political circles. Boozary recently spearheaded a physician-prescribed housing initiative in Toronto.
- Adil Shamji – ER physician and MPP who dropped out of the 2023 leadership race to back Crombie, is weighing a comeback run.
- Ted Hsu – MPP for Kingston and the Islands, physicist, and former federal MP, who ran in the 2023 race on a “fresh start” message.
Other names that have surfaced include Marco Mendicino, former interim chief of staff to Prime Minister Mark Carney, and Navdeep Bains, former minister of innovation, though sources say both are unlikely to run.
Next Steps
The Ontario Liberal Party will set formal rules, including entry fees (previously $100,000) and signature requirements (250 endorsements), in the coming weeks. Organizers anticipate a competitive race as the party seeks to choose a leader who can mount a strong challenge to Premier Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservatives in the 2029 election.
Political observers say this race could shape the party’s identity for the next decade, determining whether Liberals move further toward centrist, progressive policies or lean into populist appeals to regain suburban and rural voters.