TORONTO – Ontario Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie is vowing to stay on as leader, after party delegates voted against having a new leadership race — though only narrowly.
Voting was taking place through the weekend at the party’s annual general meeting in Toronto and 57 per cent of the more than 2,000 delegates said there should be no new leadership race, meaning they support Crombie staying on as leader.
The Liberal constitution says the level of support Crombie needs to stay on is just a hair over 50 per cent, but a group that has been urging a leadership race has called for Bonnie to step down if she doesn’t get at least two-thirds.
In brief remarks after the results were announced, Crombie said it’s not the number she wanted, but it’s “not the finish line” for her.
“It tells me we have a lot of work to do,” she said on stage.
“I met with my caucus this morning and I have the support I need to continue. I will be meeting with executive council immediately following the podium and we still believe that a leadership race at this moment would do more harm than good for our party.”
The party cancelled a planned media availability with Crombie following the results announcement.
The AGM was the party’s first since the February election that saw them increase their seat count from nine to 14 and regain official party status, but also saw them fail to form Official Opposition and left their leader without a seat in the legislature.
Marcel Wieder, a Crombie adviser and supporter, said the leader feels comfortable with the number she received.
“It’s a majority of the party, and that’s what counts,” he said.
Caucus member John Fraser, who has twice served as interim party leader, said Crombie wants to now work to win over the 43 per cent who wanted a leadership race and does not think the lukewarm support will take away from those efforts.
“You can either let it be a distraction or do the work you have to do to change that number,” he said.
“It’s her decision. She’s decided she wants to do that. I think to have the opportunity to be able to do that is fair and reasonable.”
Noah Parker, an organizer with a group of Liberals urging a leadership race, said it’s possible Crombie’s decision to stay on as leader is not the final result.
“The dust has yet to settle,” said Parker, who was also one of several Liberals elected Sunday to the party’s executive council.
“It’s been a long weekend and I know the leader, her family, her staff, her caucus have some conversations to have and some decisions to make. I’m confident that Ontario Liberals will come together. How that comes together, it remains to be seen. It won’t be decided today, won’t be decided tomorrow, but there are some big decisions ahead of our party.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 14, 2025.
