海角社区官网

Crombie failed to win a seat in the general election despite running in Mississauga, the city where she had served as mayor for a decade. And, as an unknown political leader to many, the report said the campaign didn鈥檛 help volunteers answer Ontarians鈥� question: 鈥淲hy should I vote for Bonnie?鈥�

Without a high-profile leader or a communications plan designed to thwart Ford鈥檚 decision to call an early election as a 鈥淐aptain Canada鈥� figure fighting an existential battle against the threat posed by U.S. President Donald Trump, the Liberals 鈥渁llowed Doug Ford to define himself,鈥� the report said.

鈥淒espite a record marked by policy reversals, scandal and underperformance, he was able to present himself as a steady hand in uncertain times,鈥� it continued. 鈥淲e did not sufficiently challenge this narrative or connect his actions to the instability and economic anxiety Ontarians were experiencing.鈥�

The review, which was released to party members Monday morning, comes as Liberals prepare to gather in 海角社区官网this weekend for their annual general meeting, where they will vote on whether to hold a leadership review. There have been calls for a challenge to Crombie鈥檚 leadership and the Liberal platform, calling for ideas that resonate and inspire Ontarians.

On Friday, Crombie said the investigation that went into the report was 鈥渁 party-led process鈥� that reflected the voices of its members. Their insight led to what Crombie calls a 鈥渞oad map鈥� for change, ideas that will be discussed at this weekend鈥檚 meeting at the Sheraton Centre.

鈥淚 deeply appreciate the honesty and commitment that went into it. It鈥檚 never easy to look back on where we fell short, but this kind of reflection is exactly what makes us stronger,鈥� Crombie said.

She cited 鈥渇ive clear takeaways鈥� that will guide the party鈥檚 next steps:

鈥� Strong 鈥渞egionalized鈥� communications for diverse communities and campaigns across the province.

鈥⒙燛arlier nominations to give candidates 鈥渕ore time to connect with their communities.鈥�

鈥⒙營mproved volunteer engagement and year-round work to rebuild Liberal grassroots.

鈥⒙燗 new investment in data and digital connections to 鈥渕odernize how we reach Ontarians.

鈥⒙燗 鈥渃lear, values-driven message that tells people exactly why they should choose the Ontario Liberal Party.鈥漁ntario Liberal Party president Kathryn McGarry called the report 鈥渙ne of the most comprehensive reflections our party has ever undertaken.鈥� She said more than 1,000 grassroots Liberals and members of the campaign team were interviewed.

鈥淎s president, I see this report not as the end of a conversation but as the beginning of real action,鈥� McGarry said. 鈥淲e will take these grassroots-driven recommendations seriously and work to implement them so that the Ontario Liberal Party is stronger, more competitive, and more connected to communities in every corner of this province.鈥�

The review makes clear that the party was not prepared for Ford鈥檚 early election call, and did not properly connect with local volunteers who play a key role in driving votes.

鈥淲e missed the mark,鈥� the report said.

There was some positive news in what it described as Crombie鈥檚 ability to serve as a 鈥渟ignificant fundraising asset.鈥� Under Crombie, the Liberals regained official party status in the Feb. 27 election which, the report said, is 鈥渃ritical in improving the party鈥檚 financial footing and donor confidence, leaving the organization in a stronger position to plan for the next election.鈥� The party is now financially stable, the report said, after paying off a $3 million loan from the 2022 campaign.

The report noted, however, that the $12 million in campaign spending in 2025 was roughly equal to spending in the 2022 campaign which was below the $13 million to $15 million range considered 鈥渘ecessary for province-wide competitiveness.鈥� In between campaigns, the party had been operating on 鈥渟tarvation posture,鈥� which slowed its growth and made ramp up costly for an election called 16 months early, the review said.

Interviews with Liberals who worked in the central campaign focused on the quick election call that left the party scrambling to counter Ford as a candidate freshly invigorated by his role as defender of Canadian sovereignty against Trump鈥檚 annexation threats.

According to the report, volunteers and party workers said the policy platform offered little inspiration and was focused on urban issues, not the needs of voters who live in rural or northern ridings. The Liberals鈥� emphasis on access to family doctors was seen as 鈥渢oo narrow,鈥� and the platform was not focused on a 鈥渂roader critique鈥� of the government鈥檚 health-care record nor a 鈥渇orward-looking economic vision 鈥� both of which were top of mind for voters. With affordability and job precarity dominating the public conversation, many felt the platform did not meet the moment or position the party as a credible alternative.鈥� As a result, it said, volunteers and workers watched helplessly as Ford dominated the news.

Now Crombie is promising change.

鈥淭he good news is that this work is already underway. Over the summer, we鈥檝e been on the road across Ontario listening directly to members and communities. We鈥檝e introduced new communications tools and practices, strengthened our staffing team, and started building the foundation we need to win. This report provides us with a road map, and I am committed to working with our members to ensure its recommendations turn into real action,鈥� she said.

鈥淭ogether, we will rebuild, refocus, and get ready to offer Ontarians the strong, compassionate, and competent government they deserve.鈥�