Bonnie Crombie has stepped down as leader of the Ontario Liberal Party, effective immediately.
In a statement released Wednesday, Crombie said she decided to resign after “careful reflection” and believes now is the right time for both her and the party to move forward. Her resignation allows the party to appoint an interim leader.
Crombie, the former mayor of Mississauga, became Liberal leader in 2023 and led the party into last year’s provincial election. While the Liberals gained a few seats, they finished third behind the Progressive Conservatives and the NDP, and Crombie did not win a seat.
She had planned to stay on after the loss, but later announced she would step aside once a new leader was chosen. That process has been delayed, and MPP John Fraser has been leading the party in the legislature in the meantime.
Ontario Liberal Party President Kathryn McGarry thanked Crombie for helping rebuild the party and said a leadership race will be announced soon. NDP Leader Marit Stiles also thanked Crombie for her years of public service.
The Liberals have been out of power since 2018 and currently hold 14 seats at Queen’s Park. It remains unclear who will become the party’s next leader, though several Liberals have said they may consider running.
