Estimated 6 minutes
Recent opinion polls indicate that the Ontario Liberals might be recovering after facing years of significant losses to Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservatives, as the competition for the party leadership starts to heat up.
A Liaison Strategies poll released at the end of July shows the Ontario Liberal Party leading with 33 percent, compared to the PCs at 29 percent, while Ford’s approval rating stands at just 24 percent.
An Abacus Data poll on Tuesday shows a drop in support for Ford’s party, although they still lead at 40 percent versus the Liberal’s 32 percent, which is described as a considerable gap by the firm. Both polls surveyed 1,000 participants. The Liaison survey was conducted from July 20 to 21, while Abacus conducted theirs between July 23 and July 29.
However, this shift in public perception for the Liberals isn’t due to a leader that Ontarians would prefer because they’ve been without one since Bonnie Crombie stepped down in January.
Even though the NDP serves as Ontario’s Official Opposition in the legislature, these polls suggest that voters are leaning towards their traditional alternative rather than embracing them, according to Peter Graefe, an associate professor of political science at Mc Master University.
WATCH | PCs dealing with hotel expense controversy:
MPP Stan Cho resigns after $16K Toronto hotel expense controversy
Ontario’s Tourism Culture and Gaming Minister Stan Cho has resigned from cabinet following backlash over his $16,000 hotel expenses in Toronto despite residing there. CBC’s Lane Harrison explains the situation.
“I think for the Liberal Party itself, it’s an important moment to figure out how do they position themselves if they’re trying to attract voters who may have voted Conservative in recent elections but are looking elsewhere?” he said.
“What are the messages, slogans and policies that are going to reach those people?”
Graefe notes that winning a leadership race depends on votes from current party members, making it tricky to balance appealing to existing supporters while also attracting former Conservative voters.
The decision on who will carry forward this newfound momentum will be made in November when a new leader is chosen. The field of candidates is now clear since nomination papers were due by July 31 and the first debate is set for August 10.
The candidates include:
Navdeep Bains, a previous science and industry minister under Justin Trudeau who left politics back in 2021. He recently worked as an executive at Rogers. Stephanie Bowman has been MPP for Don Valley West since 2022; she’s an accountant and former bank executive. Lee Fairclough is a first-time MPP representing Etobicoke-Lakeshore; she previously served as president of St. Mary’s General Hospital in Kitchener and played on Canada’s National Women’s Rugby Team. Vikram Handa graduated from UBC law school and refers to himself as a “housing leader and social impact executive.” Eric Lombardi founded More Neighbours Toronto; he comes from a background in finance and tech. Dylan Marando has worked as a policy advisor for Liberal premiers Kathleen Wynne and Dalton Mc Guinty along with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
The main topics raised by candidates during discussions with included health care, education, housing affordability among others. Bains did not respond when asked for an interview.
Bowman couldn’t make time for an interview but mentioned via press release on Wednesday her intent to lay groundwork for future success within the party.
“We need to organize earlier, build stronger , and support ridings well ahead of next election,” she stated.
Source link
MPP Stan Cho resigns after $16K Toronto hotel expense controversy
Ontario’s Tourism Culture and Gaming Minister Stan Cho has resigned from cabinet following backlash over his $16,000 hotel expenses in Toronto despite residing there. CBC’s Lane Harrison explains the situation.
“I think for the Liberal Party itself, it’s an important moment to figure out how do they position themselves if they’re trying to attract voters who may have voted Conservative in recent elections but are looking elsewhere?” he said.
“What are the messages, slogans and policies that are going to reach those people?”
Graefe notes that winning a leadership race depends on votes from current party members, making it tricky to balance appealing to existing supporters while also attracting former Conservative voters.
The decision on who will carry forward this newfound momentum will be made in November when a new leader is chosen. The field of candidates is now clear since nomination papers were due by July 31 and the first debate is set for August 10.
The candidates include:
Navdeep Bains, a previous science and industry minister under Justin Trudeau who left politics back in 2021. He recently worked as an executive at Rogers. Stephanie Bowman has been MPP for Don Valley West since 2022; she’s an accountant and former bank executive. Lee Fairclough is a first-time MPP representing Etobicoke-Lakeshore; she previously served as president of St. Mary’s General Hospital in Kitchener and played on Canada’s National Women’s Rugby Team. Vikram Handa graduated from UBC law school and refers to himself as a “housing leader and social impact executive.” Eric Lombardi founded More Neighbours Toronto; he comes from a background in finance and tech. Dylan Marando has worked as a policy advisor for Liberal premiers Kathleen Wynne and Dalton Mc Guinty along with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
The main topics raised by candidates during discussions with included health care, education, housing affordability among others. Bains did not respond when asked for an interview.
Bowman couldn’t make time for an interview but mentioned via press release on Wednesday her intent to lay groundwork for future success within the party.
“We need to organize earlier, build stronger , and support ridings well ahead of next election,” she stated.
Fairclough believes having a seat gives her an edge
The previous Liberal leader Steven Del Duca stepped down after losing his Vaughan-Woodbridge seat in 2022. Crombie also failed during her bid representing Mississauga East-Cooksville against GTA voters back in ’25. Fairclough emphasized how vital it is that whoever leads next already holds office at Queen’s Park. “I’m hearing from Liberals across Ontario that they are looking for someone leading who has presence within legislature,” she explained. “You can challenge premier every day.” Additonally , the riding where she won carries significance-she took it away from Conservative incumbent located within Premier ‘s part province. “I’ve played rugby for Canada , which some folks say means I’m tough enough against Ford based solely upon that.”Marando highlights experience
No doubt Marando hasn’t held elected office yet , but he claims his background includes most experience gained working within governmental executive positions. He pointed out contributions made towards federal $10-a-day childcare program among others. “If people want resume measuring contest , I will gladly participate every day-even twice Sunday,” he remarked. “Paying attention right now towards polling constitutes trap ,” Marando continued.“Liberals aren’t entitled government-we must earn it by actively listening Ontarians everywhere throughout province.”WATCH | How OSAP changes are impacting students:
Lombardi intends proving readiness lead through fully costed platform found on campaign website…
“Politics needs engage more real ideas-and politicians ought able inform whether visions being proposed remain viable,” Lombardi stated….
Aiming offer fresh perspective voters..
“Our focus seems anchored past nostalgia regarding prior governments instead thinking about conditions we currently face within province today,” he mentioned….
Handa plans leverage experiences gained operating housing sector demonstrate capability tackling one major issue provinces faces…
“Housing crisis wears human face; I witness this daily through my work…housing symbolizes broken status quo reflecting deeper inequality,” he said..
Source link
