Liberal MP Nate Erskine-Smith says Bonnie Crombie needs to secure a “minimum” two-thirds support from delegates at the party’s September meeting to remain leader of the Ontario Liberal Party.
In an open letter to supporters, the four-term MP says September’s meeting is an opportunity for renewal, and that in order to deliver positive change at Queen’s Park, “it’s clear we need change in our party too.”
Erskine-Smith says while the party made some significant strides in the last provincial election and regained party status in the legislature, there are grassroots-led efforts organizing for change. He added that a simple 51 per cent majority when it comes to a leadership review would not be enough.
“If a leader can’t earn clear majority support of card-carrying Liberal members, how can they possibly be expected to earn the support of the millions who did not vote Liberal in the election? Two-thirds support should be the minimum expectation,” he wrote.
Erskine-Smith goes on to say that Crombie was “unprepared” for the early election call and the campaign “lacked vision.”
“We were just another not Doug Ford party, and failed to unite progressive Ontarians looking for serious leadership and change,” he said.
The former Mississauga mayor lost in the riding of Mississauga East-Cooksville to Conservative candidate Silvia Gualtieri. She has yet to indicate when or if she plans to try and secure a seat in the legislature in another riding.
In an online video posted on July 15, Crombie says she’s been travelling across the province and heard from Liberals about their hopes, frustrations and ideas for what should come next. While she says she believes in accountability and a thorough review process, Crombie makes clear that she is proud of being the Liberal leader while touting the accomplishments achieved in the last election.
“There will be a time to talk about the next election. But now is the time to re-engage the grassroots. We will use the learnings from this campaign to make sure the next campaign is run differently.”
Erskine-Smith, who finished runner-up to Crombie in the 2023 leadership race, concedes he would have an interest in the leadership again if delegates decide to make a change at the top.
“I’ll make my ultimate decision once the members have made theirs. And any decision will depend on my family and the strength of the team around me,” he said. “If I run again, it will only be because of a broad team of serious and hard-working potential candidates and volunteers who are ready to win and govern together.”
Erskine-Smith has been sitting as an MP in the House of Commons since being re-elected to a fourth term in the riding of Beaches-East York last April. While he was named minister of housing under then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, he was among 10 MPs left out of newly-elected Prime Minister Mark Carney’s cabinet that was unveiled in May.