THUNDER BAY – POLITICAL NEWS UPDATE — The Ontario Liberal Party has been thrown into turmoil following the surprise resignation of Bonnie Crombie as party leader, just hours after receiving a tepid 57% support in a mandatory leadership review vote.
The resignation, which followed what insiders describe as a “caucus revolt”, was announced via press release on Sunday afternoon, abruptly reversing Crombie’s earlier pledge to stay on and lead the party into the next provincial election.
“Even though I received a majority of support from the delegates, I believe it is the best decision for the Ontario Liberal Party to facilitate an orderly transition toward a leadership vote,” Crombie said in a statement released just after 4:50 p.m. on September 15.
Caucus Cracks Force Crombie’s Exit
According to Liberal insiders, the internal rift became clear shortly after the leadership vote. Crombie, who failed to win a seat in the legislature during the February 27 snap election, reportedly faced strong resistance from within the party’s 14-member caucus.
One source told NetNewsLedger that some caucus members threatened to sit as Independents if she remained leader.
“It was a caucus revolt,” the insider confirmed. “That left her with little choice.”
Notably, Crombie took to the stage shortly after the vote, acknowledging the weak result but insisting she would press on. However, she appeared without any MPPs by her side—a visual indicator of the discord. She left the room without taking media questions, and her resignation followed just over two hours later.
Mixed Reactions from Liberal MPPs
Dr. Adil Shamji (Don Valley East), a former leadership contender who backed Crombie, said the result was difficult for everyone involved.
“Bonnie has high expectations for herself… it took a while for her to process the result,” Shamji said, adding, “I think she made the right decision.”
John Fraser (Ottawa South), who has twice served as interim leader and leads the party in the legislature, denied there was a revolt but acknowledged the move was necessary:
“Bonnie did the right thing. She understands that our cause is a collective one—not one of personal ambition.”
A Party in Flux, But with Time to Rebuild
The Ontario Liberals had boasted of a record turnout at the weekend convention—the largest since the Dalton McGuinty era—but the mood quickly soured after the weak leadership result. A grassroots faction known as the New Leaf Liberals had pushed for Crombie’s removal, citing disappointment over February’s election outcome and her failure to secure a seat.
While the party constitution only required 50% + 1 for Crombie to remain, her critics argued that two-thirds support was necessary for legitimacy. The final 57% result, while technically sufficient, became politically unsustainable.
Party President Kathryn McGarry thanked Crombie for her leadership, noting her efforts had returned the Liberals to official party status and achieved the party’s highest vote count in three elections.
“Bonnie was the spark our party needed,” said McGarry. Details on the timeline and rules for the upcoming leadership race will be released in the coming weeks.
Ford Responds, Crombie Reflects
Premier Doug Ford responded to the news via social media:
“I want to thank Bonnie Crombie for her many years of public service… Politics demands a lot of personal sacrifice. I wish her all the best in this new chapter.”
Crombie had acknowledged late last year that the leadership role had been a challenge, and her exit leaves the party searching for its fifth leader in a decade as it rebuilds toward the next election, expected in 2029.
What’s Next for Ontario Liberals—and Northwestern Ontario?
For voters in Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario, the turmoil at Queen’s Park could have local implications. The Ontario Liberals are still rebuilding their presence in the North, where they’ve lost ground to both the NDP and Progressive Conservatives. With the leadership vacuum now open, there’s an opportunity for Northern voices to help shape the next phase of the party’s platform and leadership.
The question now is whether the Ontario Liberals can unify behind new leadership, or if Crombie’s exit signals a deeper divide that will require more than a leadership race to heal.
