Ontario Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie faced significant challenges during the recent provincial election, culminating in her loss within her own riding of Mississauga East-Cooksville. Despite losing to Tory candidate Silvia Gualtieri, who garnered 46.5 percent of the vote compared to Crombie's 43 percent, she vowed to stay on as the party leader, emphasizing her commitment to hold Premier Doug Ford and his government accountable.
During her speech on election night, Crombie assured her supporters, "You know I’m not going to slow down. I want to tell you I will stay on." This determination came even as the results painted a disheartening picture for the Ontario Liberals, who managed to secure about 30 percent of the provincial vote but could only claim victory or take the lead in 14 ridings, effectively regaining their official party status with the minimum required seats.
The election, held on February 27, 2025, was marked by competitive performances from the Progressive Conservatives under Ford, who sought to secure his third consecutive majority government. Analysts noted Ford’s campaign effectively centered on U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff threats, overshadowing many pressing local concerns, including healthcare.
Crombie's loss was indicative of broader issues facing the Liberal Party. Facing criticisms from both her opponents and challenges within her campaign, she highlighted healthcare as her primary focus. Just before the election, she expressed, "My mom knows elections shape the future of our province, and she wants to vote for a government who prioritizes healthcare for seniors like her." This message, aiming to connect with Ontario's aging population, aimed to resonate amid growing discontent over healthcare accessibility.
While Crombie did not secure her seat, she celebrated the Liberals' performance, mentioning, "Tonight isn’t exactly the result we were looking for, but you should be very proud of what we did. People counted us out. They said the Ontario Liberal Party was dead … you proved them wrong." Her sentiment pointed to the party's ability to reclaim its standing, having been stripped of official status since falling to just nine seats after the 2018 elections.
Results indicated the NDP, led by Marit Stiles, finished with only 18.6 percent of the vote but still managed to secure 25 seats, outperforming Crombie's Liberals. Stiles herself appeared optimistic even as her party lagged behind the Progressive Conservatives. Crombie managed to defeat the NDP by double digits, significantly enhancing the party’s popular vote compared to their previous standing.
This election brought to light various controversies for Crombie, including her response to damaging social media posts from fellow Liberal candidates, which the Progressive Conservatives had seized upon to undermining her leadership. The PCs built narratives around these gaffes, showcasing their own unity and creating websites like "Meet Team Bonnie" to highlight the disarray.
While facing hostility and dissent, Crombie stuck to her core message focused on healthcare, as she previously promised to address issues like hallway healthcare and the doctor shortage – challenges she charged the Ford administration with neglecting during its tenure. Her commitment to "more for you" included plans to significantly reform health care and tax policies, including eliminating the Harmonized Sales Tax on home heating and hydro bills for Ontarians.
Despite the election setback, Crombie remains resolute. "You can count on me to hold Doug Ford and the PC party accountable," she told her supporters. She reiterated her focus on incremental progress, stating, "this is a building block for us, momentum we can continue to push forward and grow." Her intent is clear as she plans to address party organization and funding needs, now having regained official party status with the requisite number of seats.
Heading forward, insiders suggest Crombie may not only remain active within party structures but also could campaign across Ontario to build her profile, even eyeing potential byelections. These strategies reflect her commitment to reinvigorate the Ontario Liberal Party after its recent struggles.
The election results showcase the shifting political dynamics within Ontario, illustrating the increasing challenges the Liberals face under Ford's leadership. Still, Crombie’s determination to remain the party leader and her promise to reform healthcare may serve as beacons for the future, as she navigates the complex political terrain shaped by the recent election outcomes.