The leader of the Ontario Liberal Party has officially resigned.
Bonnie Crombie announced her resignation as party leader on Wednesday, claiming she felt it was the right time to do so. In September, she announced her intention to step down after receiving just 57 per cent support from party members in a mandatory leadership review.
"I am looking forward to spending more time with my family, including welcoming my first grandchild, while giving the party the space it needs to move forward with new leadership," she said in a statement.
Crombie was elected as the party's leader in December 2023. She replaced Ottawa South MPP John Fraser, who served as interim leader after Steven Del Duca stepped down in June 2022.
Her only election as the Liberal leader saw the party gain six more Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) and a roughly six per cent increase in the popular vote. Despite this, the Liberals fell 13 seats behind the NDP to become Ontario's third party.
"I am incredibly proud of the work we have done together to rebuild and renew our party," Crombie added.
Moving forward, the Liberal Party plans to name an Interim Leader.
"The Party’s Executive Council has been working on the details of the upcoming leadership election and will be announcing the date soon. The Ontario Liberal Party remains focused on preparing for the next chapter of our party and continuing to hold Doug Ford’s Conservatives to account," explained Kathryn McGarry, President of the Ontario Liberal Party.
