TORONTO, ON — Thousands of Ontario Liberals gathered today to rally around Bonnie Crombie, the new Leader of the Ontario Liberal Party.
“To everyone who contributed to this Leadership – the candidates, the volunteers, and the voters – thank you,” said Kathryn McGarry, Party President. “Our party is stronger because you’ve reignited this movement. We’re going to keep that momentum building under Bonnie Crombie’s leadership and we will defeat Doug Ford in 2026.”
Bonnie Crombie is the third-term Mayor of Mississauga, Ontario’s third-largest city, where she is known for her visionary leadership to create jobs, build complete communities and celebrate diversity. A mother of three, she holds a BA and an MBA, and worked as a business executive and entrepreneur. She previously served as a Liberal Member of Parliament and as a City Councillor.
“Thank you for believing in what we are going to build together. Thank you for taking a spark and turning it into a big, red flame. There is no question — being an Ontario Liberal is back!” said Bonnie Crombie, Ontario Liberal Leader. “Doug Ford and his Conservative government have shown they do not care about real people in Ontario. It’s time to earn back the trust of our neighbours and to show that a government people can trust is an Ontario Liberal government. That’s the job ahead of us. Let’s get to work.”
The results of the third round of counting of the ranked ballots were:
BONNIE CROMBIE
6,911 points (53.4%)
NATE ERSKINE-SMITH
6,029 points (46.6%)
For the first time in Ontario Liberal history, the new Leader was elected directly by party members across Ontario, with an equal voice given to all 124 ridings. In this race, 22,827 Ontario Liberals cast ballots in last weekend’s Leadership Election Votes — more than any other leadership election in the party’s history.
This is nearly double the 12,988 Ontario Liberals who cast leadership ballots in 2020 and more than the 19,438 Ontario Liberals who cast leadership ballots in 2013.