Rob Cerjanec ending campaign to become Ontario Liberal leader

Liberal MPP Rob Cerjanec speaks during Question Period at Queen's Park in Toronto on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston

TORONTO — The race to become the next leader of the Ontario Liberal Party is narrowing, as one contestant has decided to bow out.

Rob Cerjanec, who represents Ajax for the party in the legislature, says he has made the difficult decision to suspend his campaign after speaking with family, supporters and colleagues.

His caucus colleague Lee Fairclough, who represents Etobicoke-Lakeshore, former federal cabinet minister Navdeep Bains, housing advocate Eric Lombardi and former political staffer Dylan Marando are still in the running.

Liberal MP Nate Erskine-Smith had at one point intended to run for the provincial leadership but has decided against it after losing a provincial nomination race, though he still plans on resigning his federal seat.

Party members can vote online between Nov. 9 and 20, and the winner will be announced Nov. 21.

The new leader will replace Bonnie Crombie, who officially resigned earlier this year following lukewarm support in a vote at the party’s annual general meeting in the fall.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 6, 2026.

Allison Jones, The Canadian Press