Five Ontario Liberal leadership hopefuls debate Doug Ford's economic record Monday

Five Ontario Liberal Party leadership contenders faced off for the first time Monday, pitching themselves as the strongest choice to challenge Doug Ford as they criticized the Ontario Premier's economic record and the state of health care and education systems after his near-decade in office.

The candidates include former federal industry minister Navdeep Bains, considered the front-runner; two Toronto MPPs, Lee Fairclough and Stephanie Bowman; Dylan Marando, a former policy adviser to two premiers and a prime minister; and Eric Lombardi, a housing advocate. Liberal members will vote for the new leader from November 9 to 20, with the winner announced November 21.

Bains, a former Rogers Communications executive with ties to Bay Street, drew on his resume to argue he is best-placed to challenge the Premier. "That's what people are looking for: someone who can take on Doug Ford on his, I would say, abysmal track record when it comes to the economy," he said, adding that health care and education are also critical to economic performance.

Fairclough, a former hospital president and first-term MPP from Etobicoke-Lakeshore, pitched her health care experience and time at Queen's Park. "It's time for serious government in Ontario. Unlike leaders of the last eight years, I have a seat, and I am a sharp contrast to Doug Ford," she said.

Bowman, an accountant and former bank executive elected in 2022, touted her financial-sector expertise. "We need a leader that understands the economy, that understands how business works, and how to partner with businesses. And that leader is me," she said.

Marando, accusing Ford of caring only about private jets and luxury hotels, urged the party to focus on proposing rather than opposing. "The milk has soured on Doug Ford, and shortly it's going to be chunky. So our job is not to oppose, our job is to propose."

Lombardi pitched generational change, urging the next leader to reach across party lines. "Vote for the candidate doing the most to expand our current party's tent so that we can win against Ford," he said.

Ford has faced recent controversies including buying and then reselling a $28.9-million private jet this spring and a spending scandal that led to his former tourism minister's resignation. The Ontario Liberals have been in third place provincially since 2020 but some polls now show them neck-and-neck with the Progressive Conservatives, who have held office since 2018 and won three consecutive majorities.