Bonnie Crombie officially enters race for Ontario Liberal leadership
CBC
Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie has officially registered as a candidate in the 2023 Ontario Liberal leadership race.
According to the Elections Ontario website, Crombie registered her name on Tuesday.
"Every day I speak with people across Ontario, and I hear how they are facing the challenges of living in our province," Crombie said in a statement this week.
"The Ford government has only made things worse through cutbacks and underfunding of key public services. They have the wrong priorities for our province. I believe that the government can play a role in addressing the concerns people have about issues such as healthcare, education and affordability."
Crombie is expected to make a special announcement on Wednesday afternoon in Mississauga.
Other registered candidates include Toronto MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, who registered on May 16, Kingston MPP Ted Hsu, who registered on May 20, and Ottawa MP Yasir Naqvi, who registered on June 2.
In late May, Crombie set up an exploratory committee for a potential leadership bid to help determine if her candidacy would be viable.
On her campaign website, Crombie says she is a centrist, "socially progressive, but fiscally responsible." She says her private and public sector background has given her the experience to deal with provincial issues.
"I want to be leader of a Liberal government that puts people first," she says.
"Ontario is at a tipping point. We cannot afford more of what this government has done over the past five years. 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."
Ontario Premier Doug Ford commented on Crombie's leadership aspirations in late May, after she set up her exploratory committee, saying that staying on as mayor while running for the Liberal leadership would mean neglecting her constituents.
"Bonnie is going to be running around the province not worrying about the people of Mississauga. In my opinion, it's a real slap in the face to the residents there," he said in London, Ont.
Myer Siemiatycki, professor emeritus in the politics and public administration department at Toronto Metropolitan University, has said if Crombie wins the leadership, she would be a strong candidate against Ford. He added that many in the Liberal party see Crombie as a "saviour in waiting."
Candidates have until Sept. 5 to register to run and must pay an entry fee of $100,000 and a refundable $25,000 deposit.
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