Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie takes aim at Ford government as she eyes Liberal leadership

Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie is one step closer to deciding if she'll run for leader of the Ontario Liberal Party, and has challenging the current Ford government on her mind.

In an interview with CBC News on Tuesday, Crombie said she has set up an exploratory committee for a potential leadership bid, to help determine if her candidacy would be viable. 

"Right now I'm in the exploratory phase because I want to understand if my position resonates with people. I'm a very centrist person, I'm very fiscally responsible, but yet I'm socially very progressive," she said. 

Crombie said she believes the Liberal party has "veered off" to the left of the political spectrum, while the current Progressive Conservative government in power has gone too far to the right.

She said her desire to shift the Liberal party to the middle could appeal to people in both Liberal and Conservative camps.

Her exploratory committee will meet with Ontarians from across the province to see if her views "speak to them," in order to make a decision on whether she wants to make a bid for leadership, she said. 

As well, Crombie said her candidacy is not a guarantee and she wants to see how the talks with residents and colleagues develop.

Crombie says Ford government lacks transparency, accountability

In comparison to the current government, Crombie said she'd take a more consultative approach to issues. 

"There could be a level of transparency and accountability that is lacking," she said. Crombie said decisions around a redevelopment at Ontario Place did not have enough public consultations, and she also criticized what she described as a lack of consultations with Indigenous communities around the province's move to develop the Greenbelt.

Crombie's comments on the Ford government were reflected in what appeared to be a campaign website that was live Monday. The site, bonnieforleader.ca, was briefly taken down Monday, but hours later, it reappeared. 

Under a heading "Putting People First," the website says the Doug Ford government has made things worse through cutbacks and under funding of key public services.

"Ontario is at a tipping point. We cannot afford more of what this government has done over the past five years," the website reads.

"I've seen it firsthand in my community, and the burden it has placed on the residents of Mississauga. It's time to put an end to this, and I want to lead our Party in forming the next government."

CBC Toronto has reached out to the provincial government for a response to Crombie's comments. 

A section entitled "My Vision for Ontario" states that Crombie wants to build an inclusive province.

"We have some serious problems in Ontario, and I can't stand by as the current government takes us down the wrong path and does irrevocable damage for generations," it reads.

Crombie seen as 'saviour in waiting': expert

If Crombie decides to run, she would be a formidable candidate in the Liberal leadership race, according to Myer Siemiatycki, professor emeritus in the politics and public administration department at Toronto Metropolitan University. If she wins the leadership, she would be a strong candidate against Premier Doug Ford, he added.

Siemiatycki said he thinks many in the Liberal party see Crombie as a "saviour in waiting." 

The Liberals won only eight seats in the 2022 provincial election, but Siemiatycki said the party is currently being rebuilt and that process could go more smoothly if Crombie was leader. 

"I think there is this aura around Mayor Crombie as unbeatable, as somebody who once she goes after a position, is electable and takes on all comers and all challengers," he said. 

Her presence could bring a lot of energy, momentum and donations to the party, he added.

He said her inclusion in the race may even dissuade other potential candidates from throwing their hats in the ring.

Siemiatycki thinks it's only a matter of time until Crombie officially joins the race.

"I don't think someone of the stature of Mayor Crombie makes public that she's setting up this committee to look into, 'Gee, would she be a feasible and viable candidate?' And have that committee then come up with, 'Nah, we don't think so.'"

Crombie remaining as mayor

Crombie said she won't be stepping down as mayor of Mississauga and will be doing the "exploratory phase" around a leadership bid on her own time. She will cut back on some events to meet with residents for the process.

A deadline of Sept. 5 has been set for candidates to register to run. Contestants must pay an entry fee of $100,000 and a refundable $25,000 deposit. Currently, two candidates have registered for the 2023 Ontario Liberal Party leadership contest. They are Nathaniel Erskine-Smith and Ted Hsu. 

Party members will cast their votes by ranked ballot on Nov. 25 and Nov. 26 and the Liberals will announce their new leader on Dec. 2.