Latest news with #Crombie
Hamilton Spectator
24-07-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
As Donald Trump's trade war grinds on, support for Doug Ford's PCs hits new high, poll suggests
Premier Doug Ford is flying high. In fact, Ford's three-term Progressive Conservatives have never been higher in Abacus Data's tracking poll . Conversely, Marit Stiles's New Democrats are at an all-time low in the research firm's monthly survey. The Tories, re-elected Feb. 27 with 43 per cent of the popular vote , sat at 50 per cent support in the poll, ahead of Bonnie Crombie's Liberals at 28 per cent while Stiles' NDP languished at 13 per cent and Mike Schreiner's Greens were at six per cent. 'It's all good news here for the premier and the PC government right now,' Abacus president David Coletto said in an interview Thursday. Coletto noted the ongoing trade war launched by U.S. President Donald Trump is helping Ford's political fortunes, much as the tariff tiff has boosted Prime Minister Mark Carney's federal Liberals. 'Because Premier Ford has been so focused on responding to Trump from day one … he's really come to be seen as this stable force that's giving enough people in the province confidence that he's focused on the things they want him to be focused on,' he said. 'Despite concerns around the health system or affordability, they aren't blaming him or his government for those pain points in their life.' Abacus surveyed 1,000 Ontarians from July 10 through July 15 using online panels based on the Lucid exchange platform. While opt-in polls cannot be assigned a margin of error, for comparison purposes, a random sample of this size would have one of plus or minus 3.09 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. It was conducted before Ford hosted Carney and the premiers at the annual Council of the Federation summit in Huntsville , which dominated the domestic news earlier this week. Much was made of the fact that the rookie prime minister, who is also performing well in public-opinion polls, stayed over at the premier's Muskoka cottage Monday night . 'There's an alignment that clearly exists in how both Ottawa and Queen's Park are viewing this moment. In a crisis, Canadians are looking to their leaders. People are looking for stability in a world of uncertainty' said Coletto. That can make for difficult political terrain for opposition leaders like Crombie, who faces a Liberal leadership review in September , and Stiles to navigate. 'At 28 per cent, the Liberals under Crombie are where they were at last month. That's a little bit lower than (the 30 per cent of votes) they got in the election,' said the pollster. 'These numbers aren't great news, but they're not bad news. They show that she's making progress and her impressions are improving,' he added, pointing out the party is 'holding its support and it has as large as an accessible pool of voters as the Conservatives do.' That's a reference to 54 per cent of respondents saying they would consider voting Liberal while 53 per cent would look at the Tories and 40 per cent would think about casting a ballot for the NDP. 'Even though (Crombie is) not the leader of the opposition, she's certainly attracts more attention and is more well known in the province (than Stiles).' The provincial New Democrats are the Official Opposition in the legislature despite finishing with 18.5 per cent of the popular vote in February. At 13 per cent, the NDP is down from its previous low of 14 per cent last month . 'If the Ontario Liberals have benefited from a halo effect from Carney, then the provincial NDP has had the opposite. The anchor of the federal NDP collapse has continued to pull that party down,' he said. 'It's not that Marit Stiles is personally any more disliked than she was. It's just the NDP is receding in a lot of Ontarians minds, and so that that's going to be a real challenge for the provincial party, unless the federal one gets its act together,' said Coletto. In terms of personal popularity, Ford was at 46 per cent positive, 33 per cent negative for a plus 13 per cent favourability rating with 19 per cent of respondents neutral and two per cent unsure. Stiles was at 28 per cent positive, 24 per cent negative for plus four per cent with 30 per cent neutral and 18 per cent uncertain. Schreiner was at 25 per cent positive and 21 per cent negative for plus four per cent with 34 per cent neutral and 21 per cent unsure. Crombie was at 33 per cent positive and 32 per cent negative for plus one per cent with 24 per cent neutral and 11 per cent uncertain.
Hamilton Spectator
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
‘Tired of this crap': Liberal MPPs rally around Bonnie Crombie after criticism from Nate Erskine-Smith
Liberal MPPs are rallying behind embattled leader Bonnie Crombie in the wake of the broadside against her fired by former rival Nate Erskine-Smith . With Crombie facing a leadership review at the Ontario Liberals' annual general meeting Sept. 12-14 in Toronto, Erskine-Smith wrote an 1,177-word email blast urging 'change in our party.' 'Of course I have an interest,' acknowledged the Beaches-East York MP, who was runner-up in the provincial leadership in 2023 and then briefly served as federal housing minister before being demoted by Prime Minister Mark Carney. Erskine-Smith criticized Crombie and her team for 'trying to socialize the idea that an untenable 51 per cent mandate is an acceptable result' at the September review, insisting 'two-thirds support should be the minimum expectation.' Sources told the Star that some Liberals have privately complained to Carney's office about the MP's intervention Friday. But given Erskine-Smith's public grumbling that he felt ' disrespected ' when the prime minister removed him from cabinet, it's unlikely any such appeal would have much effect. Liberal MPPs, meanwhile, took to social media to defend Crombie with some choice words for the backbencher. 'The Ontario Liberal leadership isn't a backup plan or safety net. Building for the future takes hard work and someone who is going to stick it out,' said MPP Stephen Blais (Orleans). That's a reference to Erskine-Smith doing little to help the Grits after losing the leadership contest, including in the Feb. 27 snap election won by Premier Doug Ford's Progressive Conservatives with 43 per cent of the popular vote. The MP insisted he 'was happy to work for a winning campaign in support of local MPP Mary-Margaret McMahon, an energetic force in community engagement' in February. MPP Stephanie Smyth (St. Paul's), one of the five newly elected Liberals, praised Crombie for returning the party to official status in the legislature, taking 30 per cent of the vote and improving fundraising. 'Let's not go backwards,' said Smyth. Still, the Liberals' inefficient vote led to just 14 seats in the 124-member legislature compared to 80 for the PCs. The NDP held 27 seats with just 18.5 per cent of the vote. Mike Schreiner's Greens won two ridings and Independent Bobbi Ann Brady was re-elected. Crombie failed to win a seat, losing Mississauga East-Cooksville to Tory Silvia Gualtieri, a setback for a three-term Mississauga mayor. She has said she will contest a byelection when a viable riding opens up. Rookie MPP Rob Cerjanec (Ajax) said he was 'tired of this crap' from Erskine-Smith and other insurgents. 'The last campaign had its issues and the seat result wasn't what we wanted but there were also some successes. I've had good conversations with Bonnie Crombie about what went wrong and what we need to do to win,' said Cerjanec. 'She agrees we need to do things differently. Another leadership race isn't going to help us build the party.' Liberal House Leader John Fraser emphasized he 'will be supporting Bonnie at the AGM' and implored other Grits to do so. 'Our cause is a collective one, not one of personal ambition,' said Fraser in a veiled shot at Erskine-Smith. MPP Andrea Hazell (Scarborough-Guildwood) noted she has 'always been passionate about women in leadership and I support Bonnie Crombie in bringing Ontario back on track.' Newly elected MPP Jonathan Tsao (Don Valley North) praised the leader for putting 'our party first.' 'While others chase headlines, she's laser-focused on one thing: standing up for the people of Ontario and defeating Doug Ford and the PCs next election,' said Tsao. MPP Lucille Collard (Ottawa-Vanier) said although she supported third-place finisher Yasir Naqvi in 2023, Crombie 'has shown skill in growing our party's appeal and presenting serious policy.' 'You may not agree with her on everything, and that's fine. The OLP has momentum and the last thing we need is another leadership race,' said Collard.
Hamilton Spectator
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
As Nate Erskine-Smith attacks Bonnie Crombie, her backers warn a Liberal leadership contest would only help Doug Ford
Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie's supporters are sounding the alarm about the perils of plunging into another leadership race later this summer. But the man Crombie defeated in the 2023 party leadership contest says 'renewal starts at the top' and she needs to go. Liberal MP Nate Erskine-Smith (Beaches—East York) said her efforts in the Feb. 27 snap election won by Premier Doug Ford's Progressive Conservatives were not 'anywhere close to good enough.' 'The leader was unprepared for an early campaign that was always a threat, invisible for too much of 2024, and didn't do the hard work of rebuilding trust on the ground in every corner of the province,' Erskine-Smith said in an email blast Friday. 'At the same time, the eventual campaign lacked vision. We were just another not Doug Ford party, and failed to unite progressive Ontarians looking for serious leadership and change,' he wrote. Erskine-Smith's salvo came hours after Crombie backers sent out an email to Liberal members Friday warning against 'giving Doug Ford exactly what he wants: a distracted, divided party that can't deliver for Ontarians.' They are urging members to rally behind her at the party's annual general meeting Sept. 12-14 at Toronto's Sheraton Centre. 'This is not a leadership review or a campaign review — this is a vote on whether or not to call a new leadership election,' the Team Bonnie missive states. 'Here's what a new leadership election would mean: our party would have to fund another leadership race instead of paying off campaign debt; momentum would stall — no focus on building up for policy conventions or riding capacity; legislative work at Queen's Park would suffer as the party shifts inward again; a delay of opening nominations for at least 18 months, until a new leader is elected.' Crombie's supporters said such uncertainty would only benefit Ford's three-term Tories. 'We have a choice: build up our party and unite behind a leader who's already taken us this far or surrender our gains and tread water — while Doug Ford continues to plunder our province for his personal gain,' continued the missive. 'Let's move forward, not backward. Be part of strengthening our party. Help us run up the score for Bonnie at the AGM this September!' A group called New Leaf Liberals — co-founded by a supporter of Erskine-Smith 's second-place campaign in 2023 — has a petition saying Crombie should resign if she falls short of 66 per cent support at the review. Under the Liberal constitution, Crombie only needs to clear the threshold of 50 per cent to thwart a new leadership contest. But Erskine-Smith said '51 per cent is obviously not enough.' Her Grits took 30 per cent of the popular vote in February — behind the Ford Tories' 43 per cent, but ahead of the 18.5 per cent of Marit Stiles's New Democrats — and regained official status in the legislature for the first time since 2018. But the former three-term Mississauga mayor lost Mississauga East-Cooksville to Tory Silvia Gualtieri and the Liberals inefficient vote led to just 14 seats in the 124-member legislature to 80 for the PCs and 27 for the NDP. Mike Schreiner's Greens won two ridings and Independent Bobbi Ann Brady was re-elected. In a video message to members earlier this week , Crombie said her post-election listening tour with nine regional meetings revealed 'some common themes, constructive criticisms and some suggestions.' Prior to Ford's Tories winning power in 2018, the Liberals governed Ontario for almost 15 years under premiers Kathleen Wynne and Dalton McGuinty.
Hamilton Spectator
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Bonnie Crombie backers warn a Liberal leadership contest would only help Doug Ford
Backers of Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie are sounding the alarm about the perils of plunging into another leadership race later this summer. 'Team Bonnie' sent out an email to Liberal members Friday warning against 'giving Doug Ford exactly what he wants: a distracted, divided party that can't deliver for Ontarians.' The group, which appears to be using the mailing list from Crombie's successful 2023 Liberal leadership campaign, is urging members to rally behind her at the party's annual general meeting Sept. 12-14 at Toronto's Sheraton Centre. 'This is not a leadership review or a campaign review — this is a vote on whether or not to call a new leadership election,' the Team Bonnie missive states. 'Here's what a new leadership election would mean: our party would have to fund another leadership race instead of paying off campaign debt; momentum would stall — no focus on building up for policy conventions or riding capacity; legislative work at Queen's Park would suffer as the party shifts inward again; a delay of opening nominations for at least 18 months, until a new leader is elected.' Crombie's supporters said such uncertainty would only benefit Ford's three-term Progressive Conservatives, who were re-elected Feb. 27. 'We have a choice: build up our party and unite behind a leader who's already taken us this far or surrender our gains and tread water — while Doug Ford continues to plunder our province for his personal gain,' continued the missive. 'Let's move forward, not backward. Be part of strengthening our party. Help us run up the score for Bonnie at the AGM this September!' The Team Bonnie push comes as a rival group called New Leaf Liberals — co-founded by a backer of MP Nate Erskine-Smith (Beaches-East York), runner-up to Crombie in 2023 — has a petition saying she should resign if she falls short of 66 per cent support at the review. As of Friday afternoon, there were 253 signatures on the insurgents' online petition , many of whom just put their first names, such as 'Pat from London' and 'Will from Toronto,' or were anonymous like 'an Ontario Liberal from Waterloo.' Under the Liberal constitution, Crombie only needs to clear the threshold of 50 per cent to thwart a new leadership contest. Her Grits took 30 per cent of the popular vote in February — behind the Ford Tories' 43 per cent, but ahead of the 18.5 per cent of Marit Stiles's New Democrats — and regained official status in the legislature for the first time since 2018. But the former three-term Mississauga mayor lost Mississauga East-Cooksville to Tory Silvia Gualtieri and the Liberals inefficient vote led to just 14 seats in the 124-member legislature to 80 for the PCs and 27 for the NDP. Mike Schreiner's Greens won two ridings and Independent Bobbi Ann Brady was re-elected. In a video message to members earlier this week , Crombie said that her post-election listening tour with nine regional meetings revealed 'some common themes, constructive criticisms and some suggestions.' Prior to Ford's Tories winning power in 2018, the Liberals governed Ontario for almost 15 years under premiers Kathleen Wynne and Dalton McGuinty.
Toronto Sun
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Sun
LILLEY: Bonnie Crombie faces serious challenge for her leadership
Ontario's Liberal Leader could be ousted this September. Get the latest from Brian Lilley straight to your inbox Ontario Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie makes a campaign stop in Ottawa, Feb. 24 2025. Toronto Sun Bonnie Crombie may have increased her party's seat count, regained party status and boosted the total number of votes, but some still want her gone. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. 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Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The leader of Ontario's Liberal Party faces a leadership review this coming September, as per the party's constitution, and it won't be easy. It's odd that someone who was able to make such an improvement to her party's standing is facing a challenge in just a few weeks, but such is politics. The leadership review is required under the party constitution and isn't a commentary on Crombie's leadership – though some would like it to be. The party's Annual General Meeting runs from Sept. 12-14 in Toronto and will include a membership vote on the future of Crombie's leadership. In a video released via social media on Tuesday night, Crombie began making her pitch to stay on as the provincial Liberal leader. 'I've been travelling across the province, participating in regional meetings, but I wanted to share some of my thoughts directly with you about what went well in the last election, and well what didn't,' Crombie said. She went on to talk about a review of the 2025 campaign, her desire to see the party do better and her plan to make sure that happens including naming candidates earlier for the next campaign. 'I'll say that right now: We intend to open nominations in many ridings as of January 2026, to ensure that we have a head start recruiting candidates,' Crombie said, noting that earlier nominations allow for greater local fundraising and organizing. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Over the past few months, I've travelled across Ontario listening to our members. I have heard about your hopes, frustrations, and ideas for what comes next. I'm grateful to each and every one of you who showed up, spoke up, and shared honestly. Your voices are shaping our path… — Bonnie Crombie 🇨🇦 (@BonnieCrombie) July 15, 2025 Despite Premier Doug Ford telegraphing an early election nine months before it happened, the Ontario Liberal Party was not ready. Some candidates in key ridings the party could have won were not named or nominated until after the election was called. That Ford would have gone early was one of the worst kept secrets in Ontario politics. Still, Crombie, in my view, has earned the right to stay. Under Crombie's leadership, the Liberals have gone from 7 seats in the 2022 election to 14 in the 2025 contest. They went from 1.1 million votes in 2022 to 1.5 million votes in 2025 and regained official party status, a designation they had not held since 2018. Sure, Crombie lost her seat, similar to another opposition leader at the federal level, but she made things better for her party. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Despite all of this, Crombie faces a challenge to her leadership from a former leadership contender and from an apparent grassroots group that may have ties to that former leadership contender. Nathaniel Erskine-Smith ran for leader of the Ontario Liberal Party in 2023 and came second to Crombie. Now, the rumour is that Erskine-Smith wants to take another run at the party leadership and take Crombie out in the process. New Leaf, a supposed 'grassroots' group, appears aligned with him. Let me say this about both of them. Read More The knock against Crombie is that she is lazy and won't do the work to rebuild the party. That is something that I hear from Liberals and that her supporters deny, but if true then party members will take her out over it. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The knock against Erskine-Smith is simpler and one that any party would have trouble with. If you can't be part of a caucus, how can you lead a caucus? Erskine-Smith has built his career as a renegade, an outsider, but politics is a team sport. If you want to be a party leader, you not only need to know how to be a team player, you need to know how to lead a team. He doesn't know how to be a team player, and that is something he has shown time and again. He was leaving federal politics to spend more time with his family until he was appointed to cabinet, then he changed his mind and ran again. Then after not getting into cabinet, he is chafing and looking at a provincial run. If he won, he would take the Ontario Liberal Party to the left of the NDP. Anyone looking to appoint Erskine-Smith as Ontario Liberal Leader clearly wants them to keep losing. That isn't to say that Crombie would win, but at least compared to Erskine-Smith, they would have a shot. Toronto & GTA Toronto & GTA Tennis MMA NFL
