For Ontario Liberal leadership candidate Dylan Marando, it feels like ages since he and others debated for the first time.
Aug 30, 2026 • Last updated Aug 31, 2026 •
Ontario Liberal leadership hopeful Dylan Marando was meeting with locals at John’s Restaurant in Sarnia Saturday. (Tyler Kula/ The Observer)
For Ontario Liberal leadership candidate Dylan Marando, it feels like ages since he and others debated for the first time.
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The debate took place on Aug. 10, but “it feels like an eternity ago,” said the self-described “little engine that could” candidate who grew up in Richmond Hill. He previously served as a senior adviser to former Ontario premiers Dalton Mc Guinty and Kathleen Wynne and was deputy director of policy under former prime minister Justin Trudeau before moving to private sector work with Siemens Healthineers.
Marando, who left his position as head of strategy and government affairs Canada earlier this year to enter the leadership race, visited Sarnia Saturday to meet people and gather support for his campaign.
<p Anyone who wants to vote in the Nov. 9-20 leadership election has until Sept. 7 to sign up as a party member, and Marando mentioned he's reaching out for those votes “one coffee at a time,” or “one plate of peameal bacon at a time,” just like he did at John’s Restaurant in Sarnia Saturday.
The debate – which Marando referred to as a “breakthrough moment” – has led to increased memberships and funding for his campaign. This event occurred shortly before new U. S. tariffs of 50 percent on $28 billion worth of Canadian goods went into effect on Aug. 22.
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That decision and its consequences are changing the dynamics of the provincial Liberal leadership race, according to Marando. He stated he’s been focusing his campaign on health care, education, and infrastructure investment throughout Ontario.
“We are in the fight of our lives… (and) I don’t think we can win the fight unless we’re fighting at full strength,” he said, adding that means developing public services and economic assets across Ontario rather than just in the GTA.
“I’m going to be talking about that more and more, and I’m going to be making those points more explicitly than maybe I was a few weeks ago because of what’s happening,” he noted.
The role of Ontario’s premier during this tariff situation is to support the prime minister; however, Marando argued that Premier Doug Ford has sometimes made Prime Minister Mark Carney’s job harder by openly expressing his feelings about U. S. President Donald Trump while also running s about tariffs that drew criticism from across the border featuring words from former president Ronald Reagan.
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“You have to be a statesman,” Marando pointed out. “You have to be a leader especially in this moment. And Doug Ford has proved perennially incapable of that.”
Investing in essential services such as health care education and public infrastructure is vital “to ensure that whatever it is that we’re fighting to protect is actually being maintained and built up and vibrant,” he added.
No matter what happens in this leadership race Marando expressed intentions to seek a seat within Queen’s Park legislature.
“I’m committed to this renewal for the next ten twenty thirty years,” he declared.
Paul Mc Donald from Sarnia-Lambton’s provincial Liberal riding association met with Marando on Saturday; he shared how impressed he was with what he heard.
“Very thoughtful,” Mc Donald remarked. “I was impressed today with both his candour , his refreshing ideas. It’s clear he’s done his homework (and) demonstrated an excellent understanding of how important it is strengthen all aspects across Ontario.”
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Other candidates running include former federal minister Navdeep Bains , Ontario MPPs Stephanie Bowman , Lee Fairclough , and entrepreneur Eric Lombardi.
Many have already made similar visits around Sarnia – Lambton listening closely about local issues while answering questions , Mc Donald noted.
“Each individual offers their own unique viewpoints along with their specific priorities ,”he continued.”It’s crucial we find someone who understands both challenges faced here as well opportunities available within Sarnia-Lambton.”
He plans on gathering additional information before deciding whom he’d support. Mc Donald remains hopeful that if presented properly, a local candidate may lead different voting results come next election cycle where traditionally Tory blue reigns strong since ’07.
“If we discover someone capable enough representing us while also raising awareness towards our community I truly believe this district could shift gears toward winning again.”He remarked.
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