2023 Ontario Liberal Party leadership election

The 2023 Ontario Liberal Party leadership election was held following the resignation of Steven Del Duca on June 2, 2022, after the party won only 8 seats and failed again to gain official party status in the general election. The leadership votes were held between November 25–26, with the ballots counted and announced on December 2, with Bonnie Crombie winning on the third ballot.

2023 Ontario Liberal Party leadership election

← 2020 December 2, 2023
Turnout	23%[1]
Candidate Bonnie Crombie Nathaniel Erskine-Smith Final ballot 6,911 (53.40%) 6,029 (46.59%) First ballot 5,559 (42.96%) 3,320 (25.66%)   Candidate Yasir Naqvi Ted Hsu Final ballot Eliminated Eliminated First ballot 2,761 (21.33%) 1,300 (10.05%)
Results of 1st round Results of 2nd round Results of 3rd round
Previous Leader John Fraser (interim) Elected leader Bonnie Crombie

Background

In the 2022 general election, the Ontario Liberal Party saw a modest increase in support over their 2018 result, finishing second in the popular vote. However, the party won only 8 seats, once again falling short of official party status. On the night of the election, Del Duca, who had failed to win back his own riding of Vaughan—Woodbridge, announced his resignation as party leader, stating that a leadership race would be organized to take place "as soon as is reasonable".^[2]

2023 Ontario Liberal Party leadership election

Date	December 2, 2023
Convention	Metro Toronto Convention Centre
Resigning leader	Steven Del Duca
Won by	Bonnie Crombie
Ballots	3
Candidates	4
Entrance fee	$100,000 (plus $25,000 refundable deposit)
Spending limit	$900,000
Ontario Liberal Party leadership elections 1919 · 1922 · 1930 · 1943 · 1947 · 1950 · 1954 · 1958 · 1964 · 1967 · 1973 · 1976 · 1982 · 1992 · 1996 · 2013 · 2020 · 2023

On January 5, 2023, the party released a full report of their campaign debrief following the 2022 election.^[3] One of the main recommendations was for the party to conduct a review of the leadership election process.^[4] On January 9, 2023, interim leader John Fraser announced that the party would proceed with consultations looking at whether there should be changes to delegated convention rules.^[5]

In March 2023, at the party's Annual General Meeting, a constitutional amendment was approved which changed the leadership election process from a delegated leadership convention to a weighted One Member One Vote system.^[6][7][8]

Rules and procedures

Under the procedure outlined by the party's constitution,^[9] all members of the Ontario Liberal Party were eligible to vote directly for leader by preferential ballot and instant-runoff voting as long as they were members in good standing as of September 11, 2023.^[10]

Votes were weighted, with each provincial electoral district being allocated 100 points, and with points in a district allocated in proportion to each candidate by the number of first preference votes received. Each of the party's recognized student clubs were allocated 50 points, and each of the party's recognized women's clubs were allocated 5 points.^[11] Members were able to vote in person on November 25-26th 2023, with some in sprawling northern and rural ridings designated to by mail.^[12][13]

Ballots will be counted on December 2, 2023. When the ballots are counted, if no candidate receives 50 per cent of the points, the lowest-ranked candidate will be dropped from the next round, with their second choice votes distributed to the remaining candidates. This will continue until a candidate receives 50 per cent of the vote.

This will mark the first time that this weighted direct vote system will be used in an Ontario Liberal Party leadership election, as the change was adopted at the party's annual general meeting in March 2023.

Timeline

• June 2, 2022 - Ontario general election held, resulting in a second consecutive majority PC government. The Liberals win 8 seats, falling short of official party status. Steven Del Duca, who failed to win his own seat, announces his resignation in his concession speech.^[14]
• July 25, 2022 - John Fraser, who previously served as interim leader from 2018 until 2020, is unanimously selected by the Ontario Liberal caucus to serve as interim leader.^[15]
• August 3, 2022 - Party executive formally ratifies selection of Fraser as interim leader.^[16]
• March 3–5, 2023 - Ontario Liberal Party Annual General Meeting approves a constitutional amendment changing the leadership election procedure from a delegated leadership convention to a One Member One Vote process. A new party executive is elected which will set the rules and timeline for the leadership election.
• April 16, 2023 - Party executive announces timeline and fee schedule for the election.
• May 8, 2023 - Nathaniel Erskine-Smith announces his candidacy.^[17]
• May 28, 2023 - Ted Hsu announces his candidacy.^[18]
• June 3, 2023 - Yasir Naqvi announces his candidacy.^[19]
• June 14, 2023 - Bonnie Crombie announces her candidacy.^[20]
• July 4, 2023 - Adil Shamji announces his candidacy.^[21]
• July 8, 2023 - OLP President Kathryn McGarry releases the information regarding the Leadership Convention via email to members.^[22]
• August 15, 2023 - Party announced the five debates and locations.^[23]
• September 5, 2023 - Candidate registration deadline.^[22]
• September 11, 2023 - Deadline to join the Ontario Liberal Party and be eligible to vote in the leadership election as party member.^[22]
• September 14, 2023 - First official leadership debate held in Thunder Bay.^[24]
• September 20, 2023 - Unofficial leadership debate held at Toronto Metropolitan University Democracy Forum, hosted by the Toronto Star.^[25][26]
• September 28, 2023 - Adil Shamji drops out of the leadership race, endorses Bonnie Crombie.^[27]
• October 1, 2023 - Second official leadership debate held in Stratford.^[23]
• October 24, 2023 - Third official leadership debate held in Toronto.^[28]
• November 8, 2023 - Fourth official leadership debate held in Ottawa.^[23]
• November 15, 2023 - Leadership debate held on The Agenda with Steve Paikin, hosted by TVO, the first episode of The Agenda since the conclusion of the TVO Strike.^[29]
• November 19, 2023 - Fifth and last official leadership debate held in Brampton.^[30]
• November 25–26, 2023 - Ranked ballots cast in-person by party members.^[22]
• December 2, 2023 - Ballots counted, with the new leader announced the same day.^[22]
• December 2, 2023 - At 4:34 PM, Bonnie Crombie was declared the new leader of the Ontario Liberal Party by President Kathryn McGarry and MPP Stephen Blais.

Campaign

The party formally announced the start of the leadership election process on April 16, 2023, announcing the timeline, candidate registration requirements and fee schedule for the election.

There had been debate on the timing of the election, with campaigns that were actively exploring bids pushing for an earlier date in 2023, and others who wanted to delay the contest until late 2023 or early 2024, in the hopes of encouraging more candidates to join the race. In the end the party selected November 25–26 as the voting days with a new leader being announced on December 2, 2023.^[31][32]

Nate Erskine-Smith was the first to officially announce and register as a candidate, doing so on May 8, 2023. He was followed by Ted Hsu and Yasir Naqvi, who announced with a week of each other at the end of May/beginning of June, and who, like Erskine-Smith, had been actively organizing and campaigning in the preceding months.

Bonnie Crombie announced her candidacy on June 14, this was after announcing an exploratory committee in May and the Ford government announcing legislation to dissolve the Regional Municipality of Peel and make Mississauga a Single-tier municipality.

The day after launching her campaign, Crombie was criticized for comments she made in regards to the greenbelt, suggesting that if she were premier she would be consider allowing land inside the greenbelt to be made open to development,^[33] although Crombie later clarified her position.^[34]

Adil Shamji announced his candidacy at the beginning of July.

In July, an interview featuring Nate Erskine-Smith appeared in the Toronto Star where he critiqued Bonnie Crombie's desire to move the party to the centre-right, her position on the Greenbelt and her age.^[35] In response to that interview, Crombie accused Erskine-Smith of sexism and ageism relating to his comments saying "we should be thinking of this as what party do we want to build for the next 15-20 years."^[36]

On August 15, the party announced the dates and locations for the five debates that are scheduled to be held across the province starting on September 14 in Thunder Bay.^[23][25]

On August 19, Adil Shamji expressed concerns about election interference after some of his social media accounts were disabled. Shamji's Twitter account was suspended over complaints of spam, then his Facebook account was disabled, preventing the campaign from advertising on the platform. Shamji called the complaints frivolous and malicious and suggested the potential that the suspensions were part of a coordinated attack attempt to silence or hinder his campaign.^[37]

On September 11, the party announced, following the deadline to join the party, that the total number of individuals who would be eligible to vote in the leadership election would be over 80,000.^[38] The party later announced that, following verification checks and the removal of duplicate submissions, that 103,206 members in total will be eligible to vote.^[39]

On September 28, Adil Shamji announced he will be dropping out of the leadership race to endorse Bonnie Crombie.^[27]

Nate Erskine-Smith and Yasir Naqvi released a joint statement on November 9, announcing an agreement to ask their supporters to select each other as their number two choice, and also to co-ordinate volunteer & get-out-the-vote efforts. This agreement was viewed as an attempt to block Bonnie Crombie, the perceived front-runner in the race; both stated that they have found “common ground” during the leadership race and believed they were the best choices to beat Premier Doug Ford's Progressive Conservatives in the 2026 election.^[40][41][42]

Debates

Debates among candidates for the 2023 Ontario Liberal Party leadership election

No.	Date	Place	Host	Language	Participants:  P  Participant  N  Not invited  A  Absent invitee  O  Out of race
					Crombie	Erskine-Smith	Hsu	Naqvi	Shamji
1	September 14, 2023	Thunder Bay	Ontario Liberal Party	English	P	P	P	P	P
2	September 20, 2023	Toronto	Toronto Metropolitan University & Toronto Star	English	P	P	P	P	P
3	October 1, 2023	Stratford	Ontario Liberal Party	English	P	P	P	P	O
4	October 12, 2023	Toronto	The Hurle Burly podcast[43]	English	P	P	P	P	O
5	October 24, 2023	Toronto	Ontario Liberal Party	English	P	P	P	P	O
6	November 8, 2023	Ottawa	Ontario Liberal Party	Bilingual	P	P	P	P	O
7	November 13, 2023	Toronto	newsBeyond, AEFO, OECTA & OSSTF[44][45]	Bilingual	P	P	P	P	O
8	November 15, 2023	Toronto	TVO[46]	English	P	P	P	P	O
9	November 19, 2023	Brampton	Ontario Liberal Party	English	P	P	P	P	O

Policy and issues

2023 Ontario Liberal Leadership – issue and policy commitments

Issue	Crombie [47]	Erskine-Smith [48]	Hsu [49]	Naqvi [50]	Shamji [51]
Economy					Create a new paid statutory holiday, in which each individual Ontario can pick their own day.[52]
Education	Repealing Bill 124 and introduce a one-year teaching degree Reduce the average class size, including creating a class size cap for grades 4 to 12 and lowering the existing class size cap for junior kindergarten to grade 3 Double the annual investment in addressing the repair backlog of schools Create free, on-campus, after-school supplementary homework help program, guided by qualified teachers Eliminate the online learning graduation requirement for high school students introduced by the Ford government Expand skilled trades learning programs with a particular focus on enhancing participation of women, members of equity deserving groups, and racialized communities in skilled trades sector and support union-led skilled trades training initiatives Eliminate the provincial portion of interest on OSAP loans, including for former students who are still paying off student loans. Increase the annual income threshold for OSAP repayment to $40,000 and extending the grace period for the provincial portion of OSAP to two years. Increasing OSAP funding for all eligible students, with a particular focus on supporting low-income and underrepresented groups Deliver academic programs that are aligned with the needs of the labour market, hands-on training and expanded experiential learning opportunities such as co-op and paid internships.	Eliminate waitlists for special education, cap class sizes, hire more educators, and strengthen the curriculum in collaboration with educators. Expand funding for extracurriculars, broaden access to mental health supports, and implement a universal healthy school food program based on the work of the Coalition for Healthy School Food. Fund necessary repairs and upgrades, ensure access to high-quality internet, proper air conditioning and filtration, expanding green retrofits, keep schools accessible to rural and northern communities. Create space for everyone to be who they are, support reconciliation, strengthen French education, and improve school safety. Commit to fair bargaining, encouraging teacher-led professional development, deliver employment dignity for support staff.			Mandatory standards for ratios between students and teachers. Eliminating EQAO testing, adapting curriculum to focus on practical subjects, exposing high school students to the trades, and keeping students in the classrooms. Eliminate infrastructure backlog.[53]
Energy		Reduce Ontario's emissions by 50% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2040 Build a net zero electricity grid by 2030. Rapidly accelerate the deployment of zero emission vehicles, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and green retrofits for homes, small businesses, and public buildings.	Build renewables and storage, enough to displace base load natural gas generation. Build out remaining hydropower resources Continue with plans to refurbish and expand nuclear power. Promote hydrogen blending at existing gas plants to make them cleaner with no loss of flexibility.
Environment		Protect 30% of Ontario's nature by 2030, including the Greenbelt, and restore the role of conservation authorities. Establishing Ontario as a global leader in critical minerals, clean manufacturing and other clean technologies. Enacting accountability legislation that sets strong interim targets, and establishes an independent body to hold the government accountable for its progress.	Protect the Greenbelt
Health Care	Legislate 10 paid sick days for all healthcare workers Fair and equitable pay for all nurses and PSW's Streamline licensing and accreditation process for internationally trained doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers Add seats and residency spaces in Ontario's post-secondary institutions Invest in hospitals so they can recruit and retain staff without depending on paying private agencies Create a centralized referral system	Offer fair wages and better working conditions for health care workers, expanded placement and training opportunities in priority areas like primary and home-care, and create clear path to credential recognition for foreign-trained professionals. Provide family health teams for everyone through expanded scope of practice for talented health professionals and increasing public investment to bring it up to par with the national average. Expanded mental health access with up to 12 hours of talk therapy for every Ontarian, better support for mental health for kids, and action to treat substance use as a health issue. Adopt Canada's new long-term care standards, make new investments in home and community-based care, and improve support systems for caregivers. Create dedicated northern and rural healthcare strategy.	Collect complete, timely and standardized data on the supply of and demand for the health sector's workforce and services. Invest outside of acute care and permanent community paramedicine. Invest in alternatives to Long Term Care Invest in primary care innovation Support mental health, expand access to mental health services in schools, at-risk communities and for trauma related professions Empower local decision making, invest in prevention	Streamline and simplify the licensing process for internationally trained doctors and nurses, establishing a reverse onus assumption. Modernize the Registered Health Professions Act and increasing funding for college and university spaces in Ontario. Create a new OHIP-like insurance plan that provides universal coverage of mental health services Update occupational health and safety laws to obligate employers to promote safe and mentally resilient workplaces. Minimum investment in mental health services equivalent to 10 per cent of provincial health funding	Fast-track the credentialing of foreign-trained doctors; Set aside medical school spaces for Ontario students and incentivize graduates to choose family practice, especially in rural Ontario, develop a province-wide, data-driven staffing strategy to get more doctors where they're needed most. Streamline how physicians make referrals for specialists, tests and services. Promote team-based primary care with nurses, social workers, pharmacists, and mental health workers working hand in hand with physicians. Providing more ways for family physicians to charge the government for the services they provide; Create mentorship programs pairing new family doctors with established veterans, and make it attractive for retired family doctors to return to practice
Housing		End exclusionary zoning, and removing barriers to smart and sustainable growth Build and protect public-minded and affordable rental housing Strengthen tenant protections in place and add resources to reduce the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) backlog Create beneficial ownership registry, which requires companies holding real estate to identify their beneficial owners	Build a surplus of homes until rental vacancy rates of 3-4%, then rely on portable housing benefits instead of rent control. Legislate planning measures for medium-density housing, building self sufficient communities with mixed neighborhoods and transportation Allow municipalities to generate revenue for service provision Support different residential options	Implement all of the recommendations of the Ontario Government's Housing Affordability Task Force. End development charges altogether and replace them with outcome-based funding for cities and communities to transfer the burden of new developments from homebuyers and renters to the province.[54] Make provincial and municipal land available by default for affordable non-profit housing development. Create real rent control for all of Ontario, enact a ban on renovictions, build more rental units and end the backlog at the Landlord Tenant Board.[55]	Eliminate Exclusionary Zoning province-wide. Allow multiplex housing, multi-tenant housing, the conversion of underutilized or redundant commercial space for residential or mixed purposes, ensure local and regional housing plans also come with infrastructure plans to support them. Incentivize municipalities to meet or exceed their housing targets with the promise of additional capital funding that can be used for locally relevant community infrastructure. Work with municipalities to adopt income-based definitions and targets for deeply affordable, affordable and attainable housing that work for their regional contexts, create a framework that incentivizes and funds municipalities to create their own inclusionary zoning policies in consultation with stakeholders and developers, and invest in purpose-built low-income and supportive housing projects. Provide incentives to see more rental-specific buildings developed, ensure the fair application of rent control to renters regardless of when their building was constructed, close loopholes that allow renters to be renovicted and landlords to be held hostage by tenants who act in bad faith, and fund the Landlord and Tenant Board to clear the overwhelming backlog in cases. Establish an Ontario Home Building Corporation to incentivize and finance housing development. Work with private, non-profit, and municipal partners to prioritize immediate construction on over 300,000 development-ready unbuilt housing units. Invest in the Ontario Land Tribunal to allow faster adjudication of land use matters.
Labour		Develop a sectoral bargaining system in relevant sectors that allows workers from multiple employers to use their combined numbers to advocate for better wages, benefits and working conditions from large employers. Disallow employers from hiring temporary or replacement workers where the employer has locked out employees. Develop a bill of rights for gig workers and workers on electronic platforms that ensures transparency in compensation, allowing workers to join a union or better advocate on their own behalf. Increase minimum wage by $0.25 annually above inflation for a limited number of years. Implement 10 paid sick days per year for all workers in Ontario. Strike a labour task force and act upon recommendations to better support workers, including consideration of a regional living wage, increasing paid vacation time and accommodating hybrid work Introduce policies to close the gender pay gap and ensure respect in the workplace.
Northern Ontario	Attract more students to acquire healthcare degrees and stay in Northern Ontario upon graduation by offering free tuition tied to multi-year service agreements. Strike a Task Force to identify and address the gaps that exist in the current structure of the Northern Ontario Travel Grant and make adequate investment in this program to ensure that residents of Northern Ontario can access care timely. Prevent school closures that force students to travel long distances and provide educators with economic incentives to stay in the North. Deliver targeted programs to improve retention and graduation rates in Northern schools by hiring guidance counselors to provide academic and career planning. Expedite the process of critical minerals extraction in an environmentally responsible manner and while recognizing the rights, equity, and well-being of Indigenous peoples. Meaningfully involve Indigenous communities in all matters that affect their lands, resources, and rights. Boost the Northern Ontario Energy Tax Credit and the Northern Energy Advantage Program. Strengthen the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund. Widen the final 68 km of Highway 69 to 4 lanes and designate Highways 69, 11, and 17 as Class 1 Highways. Enhance northern intercommunity connectivity through broadband and digital infrastructure enhancement. Improve subsidized intercommunity bus and work collaboratively with the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission to expedite the implementation of the Ontario Northlander passenger rail service, enhancing regional transportation networks.	Support northern municipalities with new and increased infrastructure investment in roads, broadband, and affordable housing. Develop an integrated housing and transit strategy for the 9 northern communities served by public transit. Advance the economic opportunity in critical minerals and supply chains by investing in R&D and expediting the permitting and regulatory approvals process, in partnership with Indigenous communities. Leverage northern Ontario as a destination that is affordable with employment opportunities, including through secondary and post-secondary programs, and with incentives to attract and retain workers in sectors facing labour shortages, including healthcare and the skilled trades. Develop and adequately fund a Northern and Rural health-care strategy to address workforce retention and ER closures. Increase admissions at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine and provide more tuition subsidies for students committed to staying in the North long-term.		Provide incentives for doctors and nurses who are willing to practice in underserved communities in the North. Grow the population of Northern Ontario through improved connectivity and educational and economic opportunities. Position Northern Ontario as a world leader in critical mineral extraction and processing while respecting Indigenous rights.[56]
Party Reform					Open candidate nominations within 60 days of the leadership convention and aiming to secure 25% of nominations in the first six months afterwards, while ensuring that nomination rules are clear, accessible and publicly available. Establish Provincial Liberal Association (PLA) renewal guide, champion issues-based campaigns that PLAs can use to mobilize and allow PLA's greater access to central party support, funds, data and polling information. Re-establish party policy conventions[57]

Candidates

Bonnie Crombie

Bonnie Crombie Campaign Logo

Bonnie Crombie, 63, was the Mayor of Mississauga, Ontario (2014–2024) and was previously the MP for Mississauga—Streetsville between 2008 and 2011. She has an MBA and was an entrepreneur and public affairs consultant before entering politics.

Date announced: June 14, 2023^[58][20]

Date registered with Elections Ontario: June 13, 2023^[59]

Campaign website: www.bonnieforleader.ca

Campaign slogan: "Strong Experienced Leadership."

Contributions received: $1,314,053.11^[60]

Campaign expenditures: $1,193,719.46^[60]

Endorsements - Bonnie Crombie

• MPPs: (2)
  • Stephanie Bowman (Don Valley West since 2022)^[61]
  • Adil Shamji (Don Valley East since 2022)^[27]
• Former MPPs: (23, including Baker listed under "MPs" and Damerla listed under Municipal Elected Officials)
  • Rick Bartolucci (Sudbury 1995-2014, cabinet minister 2003-13)
  • Donna Cansfield (Etobicoke Centre 2003-2014, cabinet minister 2005-10)^[62]
  • Bob Chiarelli (Ottawa West—Nepean 1987-97, 2010–18, cabinet minister 2010–18)^[62]
  • Alvin Curling (Scarborough—Rouge River 1985-2005, cabinet minister 1985-89, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario 2003–05)^[63]
  • Caroline Di Cocco(Sarnia—Lambton 1999-2007, cabinet minister 2006–07)^[62]
  • Brad Duguid (Scarborough Centre 2003–18, cabinet minister 2007–18)^[64]
  • Dwight Duncan (Windsor—Tecumseh 1995–2013, cabinet minister 2003–13, Deputy Premier 2011–13, also Windsor City Councillor 1988–94)^[64]
  • Ann Hoggarth (Barrie 2014-2018)^[62]
  • Linda LeBourdais(Etobicoke West 1987-1990)^[62]
  • Cristina Martins(Davenport 2014-2018, cabinet minister 2006–07)^[62]
  • Lyn McLeod (Thunder Bay—Atikokan 1987-2003, leader of the Ontario Liberal Party 1992-1996, cabinet minister 1987-1990)^[65]
  • Madeleine Meilleur (Ottawa—Vanier) 2003-2016, cabinet minister 2003-2016)^[66]
  • Peter Milczyn(Etobicoke—Lakeshore 2014–18, cabinet minister 2017–18)^[64]
  • Reza Moridi (Richmond Hill 2007–18, cabinet minister 2013–18)^[64]
  • Tim Murphy (St. George—St. David 1993–95, Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister (2003–06)^[64]
  • Steven Offer (Mississauga North 1985–95, cabinet minister 1989–90)^[64]
  • Steve Peters (Elgin—Middlesex—London 1999–2011, cabinet minister 2003–07, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario 2007–11)^[64]
  • Gerry Phillips (Scarborough—Agincourt 1987–2011, cabinet minister 1987–90, 2003-11)^[62]
  • Amanda Simard (Glengarry—Prescott—Russell 2018 - 2022)^[62]
  • Chris Ward (Wentworth North 1985-90, cabinet minister 1987-90)^[67]
  • Soo Wong (Scarborough—Agincourt 2011–18)^[64]
  • Bill Wrye (Windsor—Sandwich 1981–90, cabinet minister 1985–90)^[64]
• MPs: (15)
  • Chandra Arya (MP for Nepean since 2015)^[62]
  • Vance Badawey, (MP for Niagara Centre since 2015)^[68]
  • Yvan Baker (Etobicoke Centre) since 2019, former MPP (Etobicoke Centre 2014-18)^[68]
  • Chris Bittle (St. Catharines since 2015)^[69]
  • Chad Collins, (MP for Hamilton East—Stoney Creek since 2021)^[68]
  • Francis Drouin (Glengarry—Prescott—Russell since 2015)^[64]
  • Ali Ehsassi, (MP for Willowdale since 2015) ^[68]
  • Iqra Khalid (Mississauga—Erin Mills since 2015)^[64]
  • James Maloney (Etobicoke-Lakeshore since 2015)^[64]
  • Marco Mendicino, (MP for Eglinton-Lawrence since 2015)^[68]
  • Marc Serré, (MP for Nickel Belt since 2015)^[68]
  • Judy Sgro (Humber River—Black Creek since 1997)^[62]
  • Francesco Sorbara (Vaughan—Woodbridge since 2015)^[64]
  • Leah Taylor Roy (Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill since 2021)^[64]
  • Rechie Valdez (Mississauga—Streetsville since 2021)^[64]
• Former federal politicians: (5)
  • Elinor Caplan (MP for Thornhill 1997,2004, cabinet minister 1999-2003, MPP for Oriole 1985-97, provincial cabinet minister 1985-86, 87-90) ^[70]
  • Gurbax S. Malhi (MP for Bramalea—Gore—Malton 1997-2011)^[62]
  • John McCallum (MP for Markham 2000-17, cabinet minister 2002-06, 2015-17, Canadian Ambassador to China 2017-19)^[62]
  • Maria Minna (MP for Beaches—East York 1993-2011)^[62]
  • Kyle Peterson (MP for Newmarket—Aurora 2015–2019)^[64]
  • Kim Rudd (MP for Northumberland—Peterborough South 2015–2019)^[64]
• Municipal elected officials: (7)
  • Donna Blackburn (Ottawa-Carleton District School Board Trustee since 2010)
  • Dipika Damerla (Mississauga city councillor for Ward 7 Cooksville since 2018, former MPP for Mississauga East—Cooksville 2011–2018, cabinet minister 2014–18)^[64]
  • Sammy Ijaz (Milton Town councillor and regional councillor for Ward 3 since 2022)^[64]
  • Natalie Labbee (City Councillor for Greater Sudbury since 2022)
  • Roger Sigouin (Mayor of Hearst since 2002)
  • Jeff Lehman (Chair of the District of Muskoka since 2022, Mayor of Barrie 2010-22) ^[71]
  • Jill Promoli (School Trustee in Mississauga since 2022)
  • Alvin Tedjo (Mississauga City Councillor, since 2022), candidate for Ontario Liberal leader in 2020.^[72]
  • Tim Tierney (Ottawa City Councillor)^[62]
• Former Municipal elected officials:
  • Marianne Matichuk (Mayor of Greater Sudbury 2010-2014)^[73]
• Other prominent individuals:
• Media:
  • The Toronto Star^[74]

Nathaniel Erskine-Smith

Nate Erskine-Smith Campaign Logo

Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, 39, is the MP for Beaches—East York (2015–present), and was a litigation lawyer prior to his election to parliament.

Date announced: May 8, 2023 ^[17][75]

Date registered with Elections Ontario: May 16, 2023^[59]

Campaign website: www.meetnate.ca

Campaign slogan: "Serious Leadership. For a change."

Contributions received: $574,073.20^[76]

Campaign expenditures: $587,095.59^[76]

Endorsements - Nathaniel Erskine-Smith

• MPPs: (2)
  • Karen McCrimmon (Kanata—Carleton since 2023, MP for Kanata—Carleton 2015-21)^[77]
  • Mary-Margaret McMahon (Beaches—East York since 2022, Toronto City Councillor for Ward 32 Beaches-East York 2010-18)^[78]
• Former MPPs: (2)
  • Dianne Poole (Eglinton 1987-1995)^[79]
  • Arthur Potts (Beaches—East York 2014-2018)^[79]
• MPs: (5 from Ontario, plus 11 from other provinces)
  • Julie Dabrusin (Toronto—Danforth since 2015)^[80]
  • Pam Damoff (Oakville North—Burlington since 2015)
  • Peter Fragiskatos (London North Centre since 2015)^[81]
  • Viviane Lapointe (Sudbury since 2021) ^[82]
  • Marcus Powlowski (Thunder Bay—Rainy River since 2019) ^[83]
    MP from provinces other than Ontario
  • Jenica Atwin (Fredericton, New Brunswick since 2019)^[79]
  • Emmanuel Dubourg (Bourassa, Quebec since 2014)^[79]
  • Fayçal El-Khoury (Laval—Les Îles, Quebec since 2015)^[79]
  • Anthony Housefather (Mount Royal, Quebec since 2015)^[79]
  • Emmanuella Lambropoulos (Saint-Laurent, Quebec since 2017)^[79]
  • Wayne Long (Saint John—Rothesay, New Brunswick since 2015)^[79]
  • Heath MacDonald (Malpeque, Prince Edward Island since 2021)^[79]
  • Alexandra Mendès (Brossard—Saint-Lambert, Quebec since 2015)^[79]
  • Sherry Romanado (Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne, Quebec since 2015)^[79]
  • Peter Schiefke (Vaudreuil—Soulanges, Quebec since 2015)^[79]
  • Patrick Weiler (West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, British Columbia since 2019)^[79]
• Former federal politicians: (6 including McCrimmon listed under current MPPs and Ellis listed under current municipal elected officials)
  • Lorna Marsden (Senator for Ontario 1984-1992)^[79]
  • Catherine McKenna (MP for Ottawa Centre 2015-2021, cabinet minister 2015-21)^[84]
  • Bob Nault (MP for Kenora—Rainy River 1988-2004, Kenora 2015-2019, cabinet minister 1999-2003)^[85]
  • Kate Young (MP for London West 2015-2021)^[79]
  • Frank Baylis (MP for Pierrefonds-Dollard 2015-2019)^[79]
• Municipal elected officials: (3)
  • Shelby Ch'ng (Thunder Bay City councillor since 2014)^[85]
  • Neil Ellis (Mayor of Belleville, Ontario, 2006-14 and since 2022, former MP for Bay of Quinte 2015-2021)^[79]
  • Anne Marie Gillis (Sarnia city councillor 2003-18 and since 2022)^[79]
• Former Municipal elected officials: (1, McMahon listed under current MPP)
• Other prominent individuals :
  • Chief Jeff Copenace, elected leader of Ojibways of Onigaming First Nation^[85]

Ted Hsu

Ted Hsu Campaign Logo

Ted Hsu, 59, is the MPP for Kingston and the Islands (2022–present) and was previously the MP for the same riding between 2011 and 2015. He completed a PhD in physics and worked as a physicist and in investment banking outside of politics.

Date announced: May 28, 2023^[86]

Date registered with Elections Ontario: May 20, 2023^[59][87]

Campaign website: www.tedhsu.ca

Campaign slogan: "A fresh start."

Contributions received: $437,705.71^[88]

Campaign expenditures: $437,705.71^[88]

Endorsements - Ted Hsu

• MPPs:
• Former MPPs: (3)
  • John Gerretsen (Kingston and the Islands 1995–2014, cabinet minister 2003–2014)^[89]
  • Carol Mitchell (Huron—Bruce 2003–2011, cabinet minister 2010–2011)^[90]
  • Greg Sorbara (York Centre 1985–1995, Vaughan 2001–2012, cabinet minister 1985–1990, 2003–2005, 2006–2007)^[90]
• MPs: (1)
  • Mark Gerretsen (Kingston and the Islands since 2015)^[91]
• Former federal politicians: (4)
  • Mike Bossio (MP for Hastings—Lennox and Addington 2015-2019)^[89]
  • Bruce Hyer (MP for Thunder Bay-Superior North 2008-2015, Deputy Leader of the Green Party of Canada)^[89]
  • Peter Milliken (MP for Kingston and the Islands 1988-2011, Speaker of the House 2001-2011)^[89]
  • Frank Valeriote (MP for Guelph 2008-2015)^[89]
• Municipal elected officials: (1)
  • Jimmy Hassan (Councillor District 6, Kingston City Council)^[89]
• Former Municipal elected officials: (1)
  • Jeff Peters (former Storrington Township Councillor)^[89]
• Other prominent individuals: (1)
  • Rob Baker (Lead Guitarist for The Tragically Hip)^[92]

Yasir Naqvi

Yasir Naqvi Campaign Logo

Yasir Naqvi, 50, is the MP for Ottawa Centre (2021–present), and was previously MPP for the same riding between 2007 and 2018). He served in the provincial cabinet as Attorney General (2016–18), Government House Leader (2014–18), Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services (2014–16), and Minister of Labour (2013–14). He served three terms as president of the Ontario Liberal Party between 2009 and 2013, resigning upon his elevation to cabinet. Outside of politics, he was an international trade lawyer and served as the CEO of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship.

Date announced: June 3, 2023^[93][94]

Date registered with Elections Ontario: June 2, 2023^[95]

Campaign website: Yasir Naqvi

Campaign slogan: "Libéral. Leader."

Contributions received: $475,944.50^[96]

Campaign expenditures: $479,255.66^[96]

Endorsements - Yasir Naqvi

• MPPs: (2)
  • Lucille Collard (Ottawa—Vanier since 2020)^[97]
  • Andrea Hazell (Scarborough—Guildwood since 2023)^[98]
• Former MPPs: (20, including Jaczek/Lalonde listed under current MP and Boudria listed under former federal politicians)
  • Charles Beer (York North 1985-95, cabinet minister 1989-90)^[99]
  • Jim Brownell (Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry 2003-2011)^[100]
  • Sean Conway (Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke 1999-2003/Renfrew North 1975-99; cabinet minister 1985-90; deputy leader, Ontario Liberal Party 1982-85, 91-96; Dean of the Legislative Assembly 1999-2003)^[101]
  • Bob Delaney (Mississauga—Streetsville 2003-18)^[102]
  • Michael Gravelle (Thunder Bay-Superior North 1995-2022, cabinet minister 2007-18)^[103]
  • Linda Jeffrey (Brampton-Springdale 2003-14, cabinet minister 2010-14, Mayor of Brampton 2014-18)^[104]
  • Sophie Kiwala (Kingston and the Islands (provincial electoral district) 2014-2018)^[100]
  • Dave Levac (Brant 1999-2018, Speaker 2011-18)^[105]
  • Deb Matthews (London North Centre 2003-18; cabinet minister 2007-18; Deputy Premier 2013-18)^[106][107]
  • Bill Mauro (Thunder Bay—Atikokan 2003-2018, cabinet minister 2014-2018, Mayor of Thunder Bay 2018-22)^[108]
  • Phil McNeely (Ottawa-Orléans 2003-14, Ottawa City Councillor 2000-03)^[109]
  • Khalil Ramal (London—Fanshawe 2003-11)^[110]
  • Lou Rinaldi (Northumberland-Quinte West 2003-11, 14-18; Mayor (2000-03), Brighton; Town Councillor (1992–98) and reeve 1998-2000, Brighton Township)^[111]
  • Monique Smith (Nipissing 2003-2011, cabinet minister 2007-11)^[112]
  • Glenn Thibeault (Sudbury 2015–2018, cabinet minister 2016-2018)^[113]
  • Jim Watson (Ottawa West—Nepean 2003-10, cabinet minister 2003-10; Mayor, City of Ottawa 1997-2000, 2010–22; councillor for Capital Ward 1991-97)^[114]
  • John Wilkinson (Perth—Wellington 2003–11, cabinet minister 2007–11)^[115]
• MPs: (9)
  • Paul Chiang (Markham-Unionville since 2021)^[116]
  • Mona Fortier (Ottawa—Vanier since 2017, former cabinet minister 2019-23)^[117]
  • Helena Jaczek (Markham—Stouffville since 2019; former federal cabinet minister 2021-23; former MPP for Markham-Stouffville 2007-18 & cabinet minister (2014-18))^[118]
  • Majid Jowhari (Richmond Hill since 2015)^[119]
  • Marie-France Lalonde (Orléans since 2019, MPP for Orléans 2014-2019 & provincial cabinet minister 2016-18)^[120]
  • Jenna Sudds (Kanata-Carleton since 2021, federal Minister of Families, Children, and Social Development)^[100]
  • Anita Vandenbeld (Ottawa West—Nepean since 2015)^[100]
  • Arif Virani (Parkdale-High Park since 2015, federal Minister of Justice and Attorney General)^[121]
  • Salma Zahid (Scarborough Centre since 2015)^[122]
• Former federal politicians: (7)
  • Jean-Jacques Blais (MP for Nipissing 1972–84 & cabinet minister 1978-79, 80-83)^[123]
  • Don Boudria (MP for Glengarry—Prescott—Russell 1984-2006, federal cabinet minister 1996-2003; MPP for Prescott and Russell 1981-1984, Cumberland Township councilor 1976-81) ^[124]
  • Marie Charette-Poulin (Senator for Northern Ontario 1995-2015, former National President of the Liberal Party of Canada 2006-2008)^[100]
  • John Manley (MP for Ottawa South 1988-2004, former cabinet minister 1993-2003)^[100]
  • Sergio Marchi (MP for York West 1984-1999, federal cabinet minister 1993-1999, former Ambassador to the World Trade Organization 1999-2006)^[100]
  • Allan Rock (MP for Etobicoke Centre 1993-2004, federal cabinet minister 1993-2003, former Ambassador to the United Nations 2004-06)^[100]
  • Michelle Simson (MP for Scarborough Southwest 2008-2011) ^[125]
• Municipal elected officials: (7)
  • Helga Campbell (Trustee for Niagara Falls, District School Board of Niagara since 2022)^[126]
  • Wayne Campbell (Councillor, City of Niagara Falls 1985-2006 & since 2014; former Trustee, District School Board of Niagara 1980-85)^[126]
  • Cathy Curry (Councillor for Kanata North Ward, City of Ottawa)^[100]
  • Malika Ghous (Toronto District School Board Trustee for Ward 18)^[127]
  • Alicia Higgison (Councillor, Town of Tecumseh since 2022; former Trustee 2018-22 & Board Chair 2020-22, Greater Essex County District School Board)^[128]
  • Rawlson King (Councillor for Rideau-Rockcliffe Ward, City of Ottawa)^[129]
  • Lisa-Marie Wilson (Trustee for Barrie (Ward 7-10), Simcoe County District School Board)^[130]
• Former Municipal elected officials: (10, including Jeffrey/Mauro/McNeely/Rinaldi/Watson listed under former MPP, Boudria under former MP)
  • Judi Codd (Trustee, Toronto District School Board 1994-2003)^[131]
  • Bob Monette (City of Ottawa Deputy Mayor 2014-18, Councillor for Orléans 2006-18)^[132]
  • Robert Quaiff (Mayor of Prince Edward County 2014-2018)^[100]
  • Khalid Usman (Markham City Councillor for Ward 7 (1997-2006, 2018–22)^[133]
• Other prominent individuals:
  • Jamie Carroll (Former National Director, Liberal Party of Canada)^[134]
  • Sheila Gervais (First women and first visible minority to serve as Liberal Party of Canada National Director 1989-93)^[135]
  • Ava Hill (Former Elected Chief 2013-19, Six Nations of the Grand River)^[136]

Withdrawn candidates

Adil Shamji

Adil Shamji Campaign Logo

Adil Shamji, is the MPP for Don Valley East (2022–present) and serves as critic for Health, Northern Development, Indigenous Affairs, and Colleges and Universities.^[137] Prior to his election, he was an Emergency physician and has completed a Master of Public Policy.

Date announced: July 4, 2023^[21]

Date registered with Elections Ontario: July 4, 2023^[138]

Date of withdrawal: September 29, 2023^[27]

Endorsed: Bonnie Crombie^[27]

Campaign website: www.joinadil.ca

Campaign slogan: "For all of us."

Contributions received: $119,375.00^[139]

Campaign expenditures: $131,879.20^[139]

Endorsements - Adil Shamji

• Former MPPs: (2)
  • George Smitherman (Toronto Centre 1999–2010, Deputy Premier & cabinet minister 2003-2010)^[140]
  • Murad Velshi (Don Mills 1987-1990) ^[141]

Declined

• Navdeep Bains, federal Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry (2015–2021), MP for Mississauga—Malton (2015–2021), MP for Mississauga—Brampton South (2004–2011)^[142][143]
• Yvan Baker, MP for Etobicoke Centre (2019–present), MPP for Etobicoke Centre (2014–2018) (Endorsed Crombie)^[144][145]
• Maurizio Bevilacqua, Mayor of Vaughan, Ontario (2010–2022), federal Secretary of State (International Financial Institutions) (2002–2003), federal Secretary of State (Science, Research and Development) (2002), MP for Vaughan (2004–2010), MP for Vaughan—King—Aurora (1997–2004), MP for York North (1988–1997)^[146][147]
• Stephen Blais, MPP for Orléans (2020–present), Ottawa City Councillor (2010–2020)^[148]
• Stephanie Bowman, MPP for Don Valley West (2022–present) (Endorsed Crombie)^[149][150]
• Lucille Collard, MPP for Ottawa—Vanier (2020–present) (Endorsed Naqvi)^[148]
• Michael Coteau, MP for Don Valley East (2021–present), MPP for Don Valley East (2011–2021), Minister of Community and Social Services (2018), Minister of Children and Youth Services (2016–2018), Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport (2014–2016), Minister of Citizenship and Immigration (2013–2014), finished second in the 2020 leadership election.^[151]
• Mohamad Fakih, philanthropist and founder and CEO of Paramount Fine Foods^{[152][142][153]}
• John Fraser, Interim Leader (2018–2020, 2022–present), Parliamentary Leader (2018–present), MPP for Ottawa South (2013–present)^[154]
• Mitzie Hunter, MPP for Scarborough—Guildwood (2013–2023), Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development (2018), Minister of Education (2016–2018), finished fourth in the 2020 leadership election^[155]
• Jeff Lehman, CEO and Chair of Muskoka District (2022–present), three-term Mayor of Barrie, Ontario (2010–2022), 2022 Ontario general election candidate in Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte, two-time of Chair of Ontario's Big City Mayors association.^[153]
• Mary-Margaret McMahon, MPP for Beaches—East York (2022–present), Toronto City Councillor (2010–2018) (Endorsed Erskine-Smith)^[144]
• Bill Mauro, Mayor of Thunder Bay (2018–2022), MPP for Thunder Bay—Atikokan (2003–2018), Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing (2016–2018), Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry (2014–2016), Minister of Municipal Affairs (2014)^[156]
• Mike Schreiner, leader of the Green Party of Ontario (2009–present), MPP for Guelph (2018–present)^{[157][158][159][160][161]}
• Glenn Thibeault, MPP for Sudbury (2015–2018), Minister of Energy (2016–2018), NDP MP for Sudbury (2008–2015) (Endorsed Naqvi)^[151][162]
• Arif Virani, MP for Parkdale—High Park (2015–present), Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada (2023–present)^[142]

Opinion polling

Liberal supporters

Polling firm	Link	Last date of polling	Sample Size	Margin of error	Bonnie Crombie	Nathaniel Erskine-Smith	Ted Hsu	Yasir Naqvi	Other
					Pallas Data	[163][164]	September 27, 2023	244		±3.1%	49.5%	12.3%	11.7%	2.7%	Not Sure 23.8% Adil Shamji 0%
Probit Inc.	[165]	November 29, 2022	814	±3.4%	28%	12%	3%	7%	Mitzie Hunter 13% Jeff Lehman 8% Navdeep Bains 6% Michael Coteau 5% Other 3% Maurizio Bevilacqua 3% Mary-Margaret McMahon 3% Arif Virani 3% Yvan Baker 2% Stephen Blais 2% John Fraser (Write-in) 1%

All Ontarians

Polling firm	Link	Last date of polling	Sample Size	Margin of error	Bonnie Crombie	Nathaniel Erskine-Smith	Ted Hsu	Yasir Naqvi	Other
Pallas Data	[163][164]	September 27, 2023	1,010	±3.1%	29.2%	9.4%	5.9%	3.1%	Not Sure 51.2% Adil Shamji 1.2%
Angus Reid	[166]	September 6, 2023	582	±3%	31%	4%	3%	4%	Not Sure 57% Adil Shamji 2%

Results

  = Eliminated from next round

  = Winner

Results by round^[167]

Candidate		1st round		2nd round				3rd round
		Points	Votes	Points	+/-	Votes	+/-	Points	+/-	Votes	+/-
	Bonnie Crombie	5,559 42.96%	9,314 41.07%	6,047 46.73%	488 3.77%	10,176 45.40%	862 4.33%	6,911 53.40%	864 6.67%	11,325 52.35%	1,149 6.95%
	Nathaniel Erskine-Smith	3,320 25.66%	6,083 26.82%	3,792 29.30%	472 3.64%	6,944 30.99%	861 4.17%	6,029 46.59%	2,237 17.29%	10,307 47.65%	3,363 16.66%
	Yasir Naqvi	2,760 21.33%	4,705 20.75%	3,101 23.96%	341 2.63%	5,294 23.62%	589 2.87%	Eliminated
	Ted Hsu	1,300 10.05%	2,578 11.36%	Eliminated
Total		12,940	22,680	12,940	0	22,414	-266	12,940	0	21,632	-782

First round Crombie   42.96% Erskine-Smith   25.66% Naqvi   23.96% Hsu   10.05%

Final round Crombie   53.40% Erskine-Smith   46.59%