Ontario Liberal leadership race opens with debate over Ford record and need for legislature seat

Ontario Liberal leadership candidates, including former federal minister Navdeep Bains, took part in their first debate Monday night, with the five contenders criticizing Premier Doug Ford’s government on the economy, health care, education and affordability.

The candidates also disagreed over whether the party’s next leader should hold a seat in the Ontario legislature. Two of the five candidates are sitting provincial MPPs and argued that having a seat in the legislature would provide a stronger platform to challenge the Ford government.

Bains and two other candidates do not currently hold seats in the legislature. The party’s previous two leaders also served without seats in the provincial legislature.

The Ontario Liberals have remained the province’s third party since 2020. The leadership contest is being closely watched for the role Bains could play in rebuilding the party’s position, although the race remains underway.

According to the Ontario Liberal Party, the new leader is scheduled to be announced Nov. 21. The leadership vote will determine who takes over the party and leads its efforts to regain political standing in the province.