Bonnie Crombie has stepped down as the leader of the Ontario Liberal Party, following a lackluster leadership vote in the fall. Initially planning to stay until a successor was chosen, she has now decided to make an early departure. Crombie stated, “As we embark on a new year, I believe the timing is right for both me and the party to progress.” She expressed pride in the collaborative efforts to revitalize and rejuvenate the party.
Having served as the mayor of Mississauga, Ont., Crombie announced her decision to resign in September after receiving only 57% support in a leadership vote during the party’s annual general meeting. Kathryn McGarry, president of the Ontario Liberal Party, acknowledged Crombie’s crucial role in rebuilding the party and preparing it for the future.
The party will soon appoint an interim leader as it navigates the leadership transition process, with plans to announce the date for the leadership contest shortly. A number of potential candidates are contemplating leadership bids following Crombie’s resignation, including Liberal MP Nate Erskine-Smith, who is preparing for another potential run for the top provincial party position.
Additionally, Ontario Liberal caucus members Lee Fairclough and Rob Cerjanec are seriously considering entering the leadership race. However, Ted Hsu, who finished fourth in the 2023 leadership race, has decided against running again. Mike Crawley, a former Liberal Party president, is reportedly contemplating a leadership bid.
Crombie, who led the party for two years, faced a significant defeat to Premier Doug Ford in the snap election held in February 2025. Despite the Liberals regaining official party status with 14 seats, Crombie did not secure victory in her own seat in Mississauga. The party also did not become the Official Opposition, despite garnering nearly 600,000 more votes than the New Democrats led by Marit Stiles.
John Fraser, the Liberal parliamentary leader at Queen’s Park, expressed gratitude to Crombie for securing official party status, emphasizing the importance of equal resources and representation in the legislature. He highlighted the need for the next leader to be dedicated and willing to travel extensively to connect with constituents.
Crombie’s leadership saw notable support despite early challenges, including controversial statements that were later retracted. She emerged triumphant over Erskine-Smith, Yasir Naqvi, and Hsu in a competitive Ontario Liberal leadership convention that spanned three rounds of voting. Although considering running in byelection races, Crombie decided to focus on contesting a seat in Peel Region, where she ultimately failed to secure any seats, including her own.