Ontario Liberals confront ‘leadership fatigue’ as third race in six years draws to a close

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Mindful that the last two Liberal leaders flamed out, party members feel the weight of their choice even more this time.

Ontario Liberals are about to make one of the most consequential decisions in the party’s recent history.

After eight years in opposition, two failed leadership tenures and three consecutive Doug Ford majority governments, members will next Saturday choose the politician they believe can finally return the party to power.

That challenge hangs over a recent Thursday night meet-and-greet at Wychwood Barns on Christie Street.

The choices abound. Mushroom risotto balls, charcuterie on a stick, spring rolls, a cash bar — and four Liberal leadership candidates hungry to take on Ford in the next election.

At an hour when most 9-to-5ers are sitting down to dinner, about 200 members of Ontario’s third-place party are gathered to size up the contenders.

The task: watch the hopefuls pitch their ideas, maybe squeeze in a quick chat afterward, and rank the candidates from first to fourth for next Saturday’s leadership vote.

Mindful that the last two Liberal leaders flamed out, members feel the weight of their decision even more this time as insiders and rivals alike joke about putting a “revolving door” on the office.

Stephanie Bowman and Navdeep Bains pledged a tax freeze while Lee Fairclough and Dylan Marando talked tax reform at Wednesday night’s debate.

Stephanie Bowman and Navdeep Bains pledged a tax freeze while Lee Fairclough and Dylan Marando talked tax reform at Wednesday night’s debate.

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