The Ontario Liberal caucus has selected John Fraser as their interim leader for the third time. The party’s constitution requires the riding association presidents and executive council to vote on this choice, but the caucus has put forward Fraser as their nominee. Party president Kathryn McGarry stated in an email that further details about a leadership race will be disclosed by Feb. 9.
Bonnie Crombie stepped down as Liberal leader last week after receiving lukewarm support in a leadership review last fall. In the previous year’s sudden election, Crombie led the party to reclaim official party status and increase its number of seats. However, the Liberals remained in third place, and Crombie did not secure her own seat.
Fraser, who has represented the Ottawa South riding since 2013, previously served as interim leader when former premier Kathleen Wynne resigned in 2018 and also after Steven Del Duca’s departure following the 2022 election defeat.