Bonnie Crombie resigns as Leader of the Ontario Liberal Party

Bonnie Crombie has announced her resignation as the Leader of the Ontario Liberal Party, effective immediately.

“As we begin a new year, I believe this is the right moment for me and for the party, to move forward,” Crombie wrote in a statement Wednesday.

“I am incredibly proud of the work we have done together to rebuild and renew our party. I am thankful to our members, volunteers, caucus, and supporters across Ontario. I am looking forward to spending more time with my family, including welcoming my first grandchild, while giving the party the space it needs to move forward with new leadership.”

The former mayor of Mississauga, Ont., decided in September to step down after receiving just 57 per cent support in a leadership vote at the party’s annual general meeting.

Crombie held the job for two years, but lost decisively to Premier Doug Ford in the February 2025 snap election he called more than a year early.

Kathryn McGarry, president of the Ontario Liberal Party, thanked Crombie for her leadership and service.

“On behalf of the Ontario Liberal Party, I want to sincerely thank Bonnie Crombie for her dedication, leadership, and commitment to our party and to the people of Ontario,” said McGarry.

“Bonnie stepped forward at a critical moment and played an important role in rebuilding our party, growing our movement, and positioning us for the future.”

The Ontario Liberal Party says it will choose an interim leader shortly as it works on its leadership process, but an exact date for that leadership contest has not been revealed.

“The party’s executive council has been working on the details of the upcoming leadership election and will be announcing the date soon,” McGarry said.

“The Ontario Liberal Party remains focused on preparing for the next chapter of our party and continuing to hold Doug Ford’s Conservatives to account.”

– With files from The Canadian Press

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