Ontario Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie faced off against Progressive Conservative candidate Silvia Gualtieri during the provincial election on February 27, 2025, and unfortunately for Crombie, she was unable to secure her seat. Despite the disappointing outcome, she vowed to remain at the helm of the Ontario Liberal Party.
Reflecting on her loss at the Liberal headquarters, Crombie addressed her supporters, stating, "I know tonight isn't exactly the result we were looking for, but you should be very, very proud of what we did tonight." Her defeat came as part of larger results from the Greater Toronto Area, where several key races were too close to call.
The election saw Premier Doug Ford and the PC Party maintain their dominance, particularly in the 905 region, where they swept many key seats. Meanwhile, NDP Leader Marit Stiles celebrated her win, solidifying the party's role as the official Opposition. While Crombie lost her riding, the Liberal Party achieved significant milestones across other districts.
With narrowly contested races still awaiting final votes to be counted, Crombie's statement of commitment rang clear. "People counted us out. They said the Ontario Liberal Party was dead. Tonight we proved them wrong," Crombie proclaimed, emphasizing her dedication to the party's future.
Crombie's loss of almost 1,200 votes to Gualtieri could have seemed like the end for her leadership. Notwithstanding this setback, Crombie announced her resolve to continue her role as leader, reinforcing the belief she has in the party's ability to revitalize. "Ontario, I’m here. I am with you and I commit to you today, I will stay on as Ontario Liberal leader, so I can keep on fighting for you," she assured her supporters.
Despite the challenges, there were bright spots for the Liberals. Winning at least 12 ridings allowed the party to regain official status within the legislature, meaning they could engage more effectively by receiving funding and participating more fully during debates and question periods.
Crombie highlighted this achievement: "The Ontario Liberal Party is back to official party status. But it gets bigger. We increased our share of the vote substantially to 30 percent double digits over the NDP." Such accomplishments bolster her confidence as she relies on her team and newly elected MPPs to push forward.
The night also saw the NDP continuing its stronghold in downtown Toronto but losing some ground to the Liberals, who succeeded with candidates like television broadcaster Stephanie Smythe, who won the seat for the Liberals in Toronto-St. Paul’s.
Meanwhile, Premier Doug Ford cruised to victory, and the PCs again upheld their control across the region, successfully fending off Liberal and NDP challenges. Under Ford’s leadership, the PCs solidified their influence, particularly north of Highway 401 where seats were decisively captured.
For Crombie, the immediate goal will be addressing the challenges her party faces as it regroups following the provincial election. Many supporters expressed optimism, feeling she can leverage her previous success as Mayor of Mississauga, where she had previously enjoyed overwhelming support, winning the mayoral race with 78 percent of the popular vote.
Despite lacking parliamentary experience after her defeat, Crombie plans to work closely with parliamentary leader John Fraser to bolster the Liberal party's position and voice within the legislature. The benefits of gaining official party status cannot be understated; it provides access to additional funding for research and staff, significantly improving operational capabilities.
The strategic significance of regaining status lately enjoyed by the PCs and NDP is clear. Crombie's unwavering spirit and dedication could serve to unify and motivate her party, presenting them as credible challengers once again.
Reflecting on the path forward, Crombie reassured voters of her commitment: “So tonight, let’s celebrate our new MPPs and our coming back to party status, so tomorrow we can get back to work making sure those other guys are doing their jobs.” With this determined stance, Crombie aims to refocus and rally support going forward, rekindling hopes for the Liberal party’s relevance and impact across Ontario.