Ontario Liberal caucus names John Fraser as pick for interim leader

Liberal MPP John Fraser attends Question Period at Queen's Park in Toronto on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston

TORONTO — The Ontario Liberal caucus has named John Fraser as their pick for interim leader, a role he is poised to hold for a third time.

Per the party’s constitution, the riding association presidents and executive council still have to vote on that choice, but the Ontario Liberal Party president told members in a note today that the caucus has nominated Fraser.

President Kathryn McGarry says in the email that full details of a leadership race will be announced by Feb. 9.

Bonnie Crombie resigned last week as Liberal leader after receiving only tepid support in a leadership review in the fall.

During last year’s snap election, Crombie led the party to regain official party status and increase its seat count, but the Liberals remained the third-place party and Crombie did not win her own seat.

Fraser, who has represented the riding of Ottawa South since 2013, also served as interim leader after former premier Kathleen Wynne stepped down in 2018 and again when Steven Del Duca resigned following the 2022 election loss.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 19, 2026.

Allison Jones, The Canadian Press