.jpg)
Mike Crawley was preparing to enter the race for Liberal leader before making a late call to sit it out.
“After taking time to carefully discuss the leadership with my family one last time… I have made the very difficult decision to not move forward with launching a leadership campaign,” the ex-federal party president said in a statement. “There is no doubt that we need to build a new Ontario Liberal Party and after speaking with hundreds of Liberals over recent months, I’m more optimistic than ever about our future.”
Behind the scenes: The campaign was charging ahead, with core messaging prepared and a launch video in the can. Crawley, who had yet to do any interviews, had been expected to begin making media appearances. The calendar was booked out through the end of the month, including a pub night with one local riding association.
Mike Crawley was preparing to enter the race for Liberal leader before making a late call to sit it out.
“After taking time to carefully discuss the leadership with my family one last time… I have made the very difficult decision to not move forward with launching a leadership campaign,” the ex-federal party president said in a statement. “There is no doubt that we need to build a new Ontario Liberal Party and after speaking with hundreds of Liberals over recent months, I’m more optimistic than ever about our future.”
Behind the scenes: The campaign was charging ahead, with core messaging prepared and a launch video in the can. Crawley, who had yet to do any interviews, had been expected to begin making media appearances. The calendar was booked out through the end of the month, including a pub night with one local riding association.
Mike Crawley was preparing to enter the race for Liberal leader before making a late call to sit it out.
“After taking time to carefully discuss the leadership with my family one last time… I have made the very difficult decision to not move forward with launching a leadership campaign,” the ex-federal party president said in a statement. “There is no doubt that we need to build a new Ontario Liberal Party and after speaking with hundreds of Liberals over recent months, I’m more optimistic than ever about our future.”
Behind the scenes: The campaign was charging ahead, with core messaging prepared and a launch video in the can. Crawley, who had yet to do any interviews, had been expected to begin making media appearances. The calendar was booked out through the end of the month, including a pub night with one local riding association.
When asked early last week, a source close to the would-be candidate said “everything is unfolding as it should.”
In his statement, Crawley said 150 volunteers had been recruited and more than 300 signatures gathered. Meanwhile, a second source close to the campaign said the campaign had already gathered more than $250,000 in pledged donations. “This decision wasn’t to do with his ability to win,” the source added, “and everything to do with family after a long executive career.”
What he didn’t say: Several sources say Crawley’s team became aware that reporters were pursuing a potential story tied to court documents related to sediment released into two creeks near Cochrane by Northland Power, where he served as a vice-president at the time. It wasn’t clear to these sources what the scope of that reporting might be.
Though they insist it wasn’t the only factor, the sources say the prospect of such a story was privately discussed by those close to Crawley as a factor in his decision to pull out.
“How much more weight does a vote in Cochrane carry compared to one in Mississauga?” one source asked.
A second senior Grit blamed “our friends across the aisle” — the Progressive Conservatives — for the “negative campaign” they would unleash, adding Crawley “didn’t want to subject his family” to it.
A third wasn’t convinced. “Say what you want, but he had the talent to weather whatever story might’ve come out..”
But Crawley signaled as much on a call with organizers and volunteers before his statement went live, saying — according to one person on the call — that “he didn’t want to put [his] family and those around [him] through it.”
A source close to Crawley said any looming coverage had nothing to do with his call. “Public life in 2026 is very challenging even for those around a candidate whose names aren’t on a ballot. This was simply the best decision for him and his family. We had built a campaign to win, and while we’re sad, we respect his decision.”
The reaction: One Liberal called Crawley’s decision a “big disappointment.” “There’s now no one on the centre-right… Now, people are trying to figure out who can best defeat Nate.”
“It’s hard to see how Nate can lose,” a second texted. (Many viewed Crawley as a serious rival to Nate Erskine-Smith, the early favourite in the contest.)
Added a third: “He could’ve won.”
Across the aisle, one operative threw some shade. “They must be bummed… Their first spoiler to Nate didn’t work out,” a Dipper said. “Now, they’ve got to go back to the market place and find another candidate.”
A message from Dokainish & Company:
.png)
Ontario is building the future. Dokainish has built award-winning PMOs and delivered programs on-budget and ahead-of-schedule across the world's most demanding industries. We’re optimizing projects for nuclear, renewable energy, and infrastructure in Canada’s largest province and beyond. Learn more.
— The House is out and committees aren’t meeting this week.
— Fundraising watch: At 9 p.m., the Tories are hosting a $1,000-a-ticket fundraiser in Ottawa. RSVP.
On Thursday at 7 p.m., the Ontario Women’s Liberal Commission is hosting an International Women’s Day-themed fundraiser. Andrea Hazell and Lucille Collard will speak. RSVP.
— Also happening:
Save the date: Stiles is set to headline a $250-a-ticket fundraiser in Hamilton on April 7. According to the invite: “All proceeds will be shared among Hamilton-area ridings to support our local organizing… in the year ahead.”
Also: Prime Minister Mark Carney has called three federal by-elections for April 13 — including in Scarborough Southwest, where ex-NDP MPP Doly Begum is running.
Don’t expect a provincial by-election to replace Begum anytime soon. Premier Doug Ford has until August to call it.
— 🍽️ On the lunch menu: Monday: Grilled jerk chicken with rice and coleslaw. Tuesday: Ginger beef with rice and vegetables. Wednesday: Pork schnitzel with spaetzle and vegetables. Thursday: Fish and chips. Friday: Chicken meatballs with potatoes and vegetables.
— Back in Liberal land: Lee Fairclough says she’s turning to a new “Readiness Committee” to help her decide whether to run for Liberal leader — and has already landed two big caucus endorsements.
What she’s saying: “Whether it was earning a place on Canada’s National Women’s Rugby Team, leading a hospital through the pandemic, or working hard for Etobicoke-Lakeshore as an MPP, I know that a strong team can accomplish anything,” she said in a statement. Fairclough is set to host an organizing call via Zoom tonight.
Who’s who: Ted Hsu and Lucille Collard have thrown their support to Fairclough. It’s an early hit for Rob Cerjanec, the other caucus member in the race. (The announcement drew some Liberal snickers, including one who said “dumping your two caucus endorsements on a Sunday when no one is paying attention is weird.”)
Brett Thalmann, a Trudeau alum now with Nexus Strategic Consultants, will oversee the new working group and is widely expected to run Fairclough’s campaign.
Also listed: Andrea Barrack, Luke Calabretta, Márta Ecsedi, Lorna Jean Edmonds, Murray Elston, Catherine Farrow, Deborah Gillis, Alison Gohel, Janine Hopkins, Aman Hundal, Lily Ingram, Sean Kelly, Jordan Kent, James Maloney, Deb Matthews, Kenzie McKeegan, John O’Leary, Johanna Leffler, Denise Schon, Bryan Stortz, Asif Syed, Ray Won and Rose Zacharias.
Meanwhile: Cerjanec has hired Piraveenth Srekanthen as his campaign manager, managing the day-to-day. Srekanthen was until recently chief to Liberal MP Fares Al Soud. Mat Dagonas is the campaign’s executive director, with Brian Klunder advising.
Erika McCallion, Emma Wakelin, Ferd Longo and Raheem White have also joined Cerjanec’s team. So has Quito Maggi, whose legal beef with Erskine-Smith has reached the Superior Court.
What we’re watching: Where Crawley’s top operatives — Darryn McArthur, Miles Hopper and Blue Knox — land next.
A message from Next Campaign:
We optimize the interplay between people, processes, technology, and data, while integrating AI, to ensure capital projects finish on time and on budget. Learn more.
— Heat over cooling: “A Toronto Catholic District School Board trustee who raised alarm about the cooling plans proposed for a new Etobicoke school has been targeted in a social media ad by a local Progressive Conservative riding association… The ads, which ran for three weeks, included a statement from Surma accusing de Domenico of a ‘history of dishonesty and mismanagement’ of the school board.” More from Toronto Today.
— Horwath v. Hamilton: “Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath has taken her own city and former common-law partner to court over a rental home in danger of collapsing.” The Sun has more.
— Turbulence ahead: “The operator of Billy Bishop Airport in Toronto is giving Premier Doug Ford’s pitch for a longer runway and larger planes at the downtown airport the thumbs up, but says the way the site is currently governed needs to be updated to make those plans a reality.” More from CTV.
Meanwhile: Advocacy groups say they’re counting on federal and municipal representatives to push back hard against the jet plan.
— A Toronto student says the Ford government is using him as a “scapegoat” over OSAP changes.
— Frank D’Amico and Vik Handa write that students, workers, families and communities are “all caught in the crossfire” of policies treating public education as “a political battleground.”
— The Globe has more on Nate Erskine-Smith, who says he’s ready to go “toe-to-toe” with Doug Ford.
— The Ford government poured more than $7.5 million into Ring of Fire advertising last year.
— Robert Benzie writes Ford may want to stay in power “forever,” but he’s now turning to legacy-building.
Speaking of, Ford said Friday he’s considering a plan to fill in part of Lake Ontario to build a new convention centre in Toronto.
While Ford said he had Olivia Chow’s OK, a spokesperson said the city hasn’t seen any proposal for a new island.
— John Michael McGrath says Toronto’s mayoral race will test a split on the right.
While we’re here: Michael Ford says he’s thinking about running for mayor. “Public service has always been an integral part of my life and it is for that reason that I am giving it some strong consideration,” he wrote in a statement. Rod Phillips, who was in India on a trade mission last week, says he’s not.
— Clock watch: The Citizen dives into whether Ontario will ever ditch the twice-a-year clock change. Recall: Ontario moved to end “spring forward, fall back,” but only if Quebec and New York move in tandem.
— Park push: Ontario is proposing “to expand Charleston Lake Provincial Park by approximately 2,273 acres (about 920 hectares), which would increase the size of the park by one third.” Press release.
— CBC News spoke with education experts, current and former trustees about what they do — and why the job is under scrutiny.
— NDP MPP John Vanthof says the Ford government is moving too slowly on the 2+1 Highway plan.
— Illicit nicotine pouches are popular with teens in Toronto. Retailers say legal sales could be the answer.
— SCOOP — Word on the street is that Patrick Sackville, Premier Ford’s ex-chief, is headed to Sussex Strategy Group.
It would be a big get for the Ottawa-based consultancy’s six-person provincial practice. “Honestly, one of the brightest guys I’ve ever known,” said one source, describing Sackville. Don’t forget: While Sackville would be free to lobby other ministries, he’d be barred from lobbying his former boss for a year.
He’d be the latest Ford advisor to land in the lobbying world. Cody Welton, Ford’s former deputy chief (who typically runs the Tories’ war room), joined Rubicon in February.
— Hired: Shawn Beckett has joined Henley Strategies. Beckett is Ford’s ex-Executive Director of Policy, Digital and Strategic Resources.
— Noted: Premier Ford says he’s “disgusted” by the targeted shootings at two Toronto synagogues. “These cowardly acts of hate are meant to intimidate and instill fear,” he said on X. “Our government will continue working closely with police to ensure that places of worship are protected and those responsible are held accountable.”
“The targeted shootings at Beth Avraham Yosef and Shaarei Shomayim synagogues should be of concern to all of us,” added John Fraser. “These acts of terror are becoming far too common. We must not become numb to them.”
No comment from Marit Stiles.
— Noted: If Michael Ford jumps into Toronto’s mayoral contest, Nick Kouvalis says he’d “definitely support” him. “It’s going to be epic watching some of the people supporting Brad Bradford — all of a sudden — be no longer available to support Brad Bradford,” he said.
— Noted: Ali Demircan, the president of the Federation of Canadian Turkish Associations, will no longer seek the Liberal nomination in Scarborough Southwest.
— Seen at the Progress Summit: Members of Stiles’ senior team, including Caitlin Pettifor, Mayeesha Chowdury, Marzian Alam and Andrea Bass.
Ali Chatur, Jen Hassum, Catherine McKenney, Chandra Pasma, Saman Tabasinejad, Jordan Leichnitz and more.
Over drinks: Erin Morrison with Adrienne King, former chief to Rachel Notley; Marie Della Mattia, David Eby’s campaign director; and Karla Webber-Gallagher, Olivia Chow’s chief.
Thank you for reading POLICORNER. Mike Crawley, that you? My inbox is open. We’re back in your inbox on Monday.
Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now.
Mike Crawley was preparing to enter the race for Liberal leader before making a late call to sit it out.
“After taking time to carefully discuss the leadership with my family one last time… I have made the very difficult decision to not move forward with launching a leadership campaign,” the ex-federal party president said in a statement. “There is no doubt that we need to build a new Ontario Liberal Party and after speaking with hundreds of Liberals over recent months, I’m more optimistic than ever about our future.”
Behind the scenes: The campaign was charging ahead, with core messaging prepared and a launch video in the can. Crawley, who had yet to do any interviews, had been expected to begin making media appearances. The calendar was booked out through the end of the month, including a pub night with one local riding association.
When asked early last week, a source close to the would-be candidate said “everything is unfolding as it should.”
In his statement, Crawley said 150 volunteers had been recruited and more than 300 signatures gathered. Meanwhile, a second source close to the campaign said the campaign had already gathered more than $250,000 in pledged donations. “This decision wasn’t to do with his ability to win,” the source added, “and everything to do with family after a long executive career.”
What he didn’t say: Several sources say Crawley’s team became aware that reporters were pursuing a potential story tied to court documents related to sediment released into two creeks near Cochrane by Northland Power, where he served as a vice-president at the time. It wasn’t clear to these sources what the scope of that reporting might be.
Though they insist it wasn’t the only factor, the sources say the prospect of such a story was privately discussed by those close to Crawley as a factor in his decision to pull out.
“How much more weight does a vote in Cochrane carry compared to one in Mississauga?” one source asked.
A second senior Grit blamed “our friends across the aisle” — the Progressive Conservatives — for the “negative campaign” they would unleash, adding Crawley “didn’t want to subject his family” to it.
A third wasn’t convinced. “Say what you want, but he had the talent to weather whatever story might’ve come out..”
But Crawley signaled as much on a call with organizers and volunteers before his statement went live, saying — according to one person on the call — that “he didn’t want to put [his] family and those around [him] through it.”
A source close to Crawley said any looming coverage had nothing to do with his call. “Public life in 2026 is very challenging even for those around a candidate whose names aren’t on a ballot. This was simply the best decision for him and his family. We had built a campaign to win, and while we’re sad, we respect his decision.”
The reaction: One Liberal called Crawley’s decision a “big disappointment.” “There’s now no one on the centre-right… Now, people are trying to figure out who can best defeat Nate.”
“It’s hard to see how Nate can lose,” a second texted. (Many viewed Crawley as a serious rival to Nate Erskine-Smith, the early favourite in the contest.)
Added a third: “He could’ve won.”
Across the aisle, one operative threw some shade. “They must be bummed… Their first spoiler to Nate didn’t work out,” a Dipper said. “Now, they’ve got to go back to the market place and find another candidate.”
A message from Dokainish & Company:
Ontario is building the future. Dokainish has built award-winning PMOs and delivered programs on-budget and ahead-of-schedule across the world's most demanding industries. We’re optimizing projects for nuclear, renewable energy, and infrastructure in Canada’s largest province and beyond. Learn more.
— The House is out and committees aren’t meeting this week.
— Fundraising watch: At 9 p.m., the Tories are hosting a $1,000-a-ticket fundraiser in Ottawa. RSVP.
On Thursday at 7 p.m., the Ontario Women’s Liberal Commission is hosting an International Women’s Day-themed fundraiser. Andrea Hazell and Lucille Collard will speak. RSVP.
— Also happening:
Save the date: Stiles is set to headline a $250-a-ticket fundraiser in Hamilton on April 7. According to the invite: “All proceeds will be shared among Hamilton-area ridings to support our local organizing… in the year ahead.”
Also: Prime Minister Mark Carney has called three federal by-elections for April 13 — including in Scarborough Southwest, where ex-NDP MPP Doly Begum is running.
Don’t expect a provincial by-election to replace Begum anytime soon. Premier Doug Ford has until August to call it.
— 🍽️ On the lunch menu: Monday: Grilled jerk chicken with rice and coleslaw. Tuesday: Ginger beef with rice and vegetables. Wednesday: Pork schnitzel with spaetzle and vegetables. Thursday: Fish and chips. Friday: Chicken meatballs with potatoes and vegetables.
— Back in Liberal land: Lee Fairclough says she’s turning to a new “Readiness Committee” to help her decide whether to run for Liberal leader — and has already landed two big caucus endorsements.
What she’s saying: “Whether it was earning a place on Canada’s National Women’s Rugby Team, leading a hospital through the pandemic, or working hard for Etobicoke-Lakeshore as an MPP, I know that a strong team can accomplish anything,” she said in a statement. Fairclough is set to host an organizing call via Zoom tonight.
Who’s who: Ted Hsu and Lucille Collard have thrown their support to Fairclough. It’s an early hit for Rob Cerjanec, the other caucus member in the race. (The announcement drew some Liberal snickers, including one who said “dumping your two caucus endorsements on a Sunday when no one is paying attention is weird.”)
Brett Thalmann, a Trudeau alum now with Nexus Strategic Consultants, will oversee the new working group and is widely expected to run Fairclough’s campaign.
Also listed: Andrea Barrack, Luke Calabretta, Márta Ecsedi, Lorna Jean Edmonds, Murray Elston, Catherine Farrow, Deborah Gillis, Alison Gohel, Janine Hopkins, Aman Hundal, Lily Ingram, Sean Kelly, Jordan Kent, James Maloney, Deb Matthews, Kenzie McKeegan, John O’Leary, Johanna Leffler, Denise Schon, Bryan Stortz, Asif Syed, Ray Won and Rose Zacharias.
Meanwhile: Cerjanec has hired Piraveenth Srekanthen as his campaign manager, managing the day-to-day. Srekanthen was until recently chief to Liberal MP Fares Al Soud. Mat Dagonas is the campaign’s executive director, with Brian Klunder advising.
Erika McCallion, Emma Wakelin, Ferd Longo and Raheem White have also joined Cerjanec’s team. So has Quito Maggi, whose legal beef with Erskine-Smith has reached the Superior Court.
What we’re watching: Where Crawley’s top operatives — Darryn McArthur, Miles Hopper and Blue Knox — land next.
A message from Next Campaign:
We optimize the interplay between people, processes, technology, and data, while integrating AI, to ensure capital projects finish on time and on budget. Learn more.
— Heat over cooling: “A Toronto Catholic District School Board trustee who raised alarm about the cooling plans proposed for a new Etobicoke school has been targeted in a social media ad by a local Progressive Conservative riding association… The ads, which ran for three weeks, included a statement from Surma accusing de Domenico of a ‘history of dishonesty and mismanagement’ of the school board.” More from Toronto Today.
— Horwath v. Hamilton: “Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath has taken her own city and former common-law partner to court over a rental home in danger of collapsing.” The Sun has more.
— Turbulence ahead: “The operator of Billy Bishop Airport in Toronto is giving Premier Doug Ford’s pitch for a longer runway and larger planes at the downtown airport the thumbs up, but says the way the site is currently governed needs to be updated to make those plans a reality.” More from CTV.
Meanwhile: Advocacy groups say they’re counting on federal and municipal representatives to push back hard against the jet plan.
— A Toronto student says the Ford government is using him as a “scapegoat” over OSAP changes.
— Frank D’Amico and Vik Handa write that students, workers, families and communities are “all caught in the crossfire” of policies treating public education as “a political battleground.”
— The Globe has more on Nate Erskine-Smith, who says he’s ready to go “toe-to-toe” with Doug Ford.
— The Ford government poured more than $7.5 million into Ring of Fire advertising last year.
— Robert Benzie writes Ford may want to stay in power “forever,” but he’s now turning to legacy-building.
Speaking of, Ford said Friday he’s considering a plan to fill in part of Lake Ontario to build a new convention centre in Toronto.
While Ford said he had Olivia Chow’s OK, a spokesperson said the city hasn’t seen any proposal for a new island.
— John Michael McGrath says Toronto’s mayoral race will test a split on the right.
While we’re here: Michael Ford says he’s thinking about running for mayor. “Public service has always been an integral part of my life and it is for that reason that I am giving it some strong consideration,” he wrote in a statement. Rod Phillips, who was in India on a trade mission last week, says he’s not.
— Clock watch: The Citizen dives into whether Ontario will ever ditch the twice-a-year clock change. Recall: Ontario moved to end “spring forward, fall back,” but only if Quebec and New York move in tandem.
— Park push: Ontario is proposing “to expand Charleston Lake Provincial Park by approximately 2,273 acres (about 920 hectares), which would increase the size of the park by one third.” Press release.
— CBC News spoke with education experts, current and former trustees about what they do — and why the job is under scrutiny.
— NDP MPP John Vanthof says the Ford government is moving too slowly on the 2+1 Highway plan.
— Illicit nicotine pouches are popular with teens in Toronto. Retailers say legal sales could be the answer.
— SCOOP — Word on the street is that Patrick Sackville, Premier Ford’s ex-chief, is headed to Sussex Strategy Group.
It would be a big get for the Ottawa-based consultancy’s six-person provincial practice. “Honestly, one of the brightest guys I’ve ever known,” said one source, describing Sackville. Don’t forget: While Sackville would be free to lobby other ministries, he’d be barred from lobbying his former boss for a year.
He’d be the latest Ford advisor to land in the lobbying world. Cody Welton, Ford’s former deputy chief (who typically runs the Tories’ war room), joined Rubicon in February.
— Hired: Shawn Beckett has joined Henley Strategies. Beckett is Ford’s ex-Executive Director of Policy, Digital and Strategic Resources.
— Noted: Premier Ford says he’s “disgusted” by the targeted shootings at two Toronto synagogues. “These cowardly acts of hate are meant to intimidate and instill fear,” he said on X. “Our government will continue working closely with police to ensure that places of worship are protected and those responsible are held accountable.”
“The targeted shootings at Beth Avraham Yosef and Shaarei Shomayim synagogues should be of concern to all of us,” added John Fraser. “These acts of terror are becoming far too common. We must not become numb to them.”
No comment from Marit Stiles.
— Noted: If Michael Ford jumps into Toronto’s mayoral contest, Nick Kouvalis says he’d “definitely support” him. “It’s going to be epic watching some of the people supporting Brad Bradford — all of a sudden — be no longer available to support Brad Bradford,” he said.
— Noted: Ali Demircan, the president of the Federation of Canadian Turkish Associations, will no longer seek the Liberal nomination in Scarborough Southwest.
— Seen at the Progress Summit: Members of Stiles’ senior team, including Caitlin Pettifor, Mayeesha Chowdury, Marzian Alam and Andrea Bass.
Ali Chatur, Jen Hassum, Catherine McKenney, Chandra Pasma, Saman Tabasinejad, Jordan Leichnitz and more.
Over drinks: Erin Morrison with Adrienne King, former chief to Rachel Notley; Marie Della Mattia, David Eby’s campaign director; and Karla Webber-Gallagher, Olivia Chow’s chief.
Thank you for reading POLICORNER. Mike Crawley, that you? My inbox is open. We’re back in your inbox on Monday.
Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now.
Mike Crawley was preparing to enter the race for Liberal leader before making a late call to sit it out.
“After taking time to carefully discuss the leadership with my family one last time… I have made the very difficult decision to not move forward with launching a leadership campaign,” the ex-federal party president said in a statement. “There is no doubt that we need to build a new Ontario Liberal Party and after speaking with hundreds of Liberals over recent months, I’m more optimistic than ever about our future.”
Behind the scenes: The campaign was charging ahead, with core messaging prepared and a launch video in the can. Crawley, who had yet to do any interviews, had been expected to begin making media appearances. The calendar was booked out through the end of the month, including a pub night with one local riding association.
When asked early last week, a source close to the would-be candidate said “everything is unfolding as it should.”
In his statement, Crawley said 150 volunteers had been recruited and more than 300 signatures gathered. Meanwhile, a second source close to the campaign said the campaign had already gathered more than $250,000 in pledged donations. “This decision wasn’t to do with his ability to win,” the source added, “and everything to do with family after a long executive career.”
What he didn’t say: Several sources say Crawley’s team became aware that reporters were pursuing a potential story tied to court documents related to sediment released into two creeks near Cochrane by Northland Power, where he served as a vice-president at the time. It wasn’t clear to these sources what the scope of that reporting might be.
Though they insist it wasn’t the only factor, the sources say the prospect of such a story was privately discussed by those close to Crawley as a factor in his decision to pull out.
“How much more weight does a vote in Cochrane carry compared to one in Mississauga?” one source asked.
A second senior Grit blamed “our friends across the aisle” — the Progressive Conservatives — for the “negative campaign” they would unleash, adding Crawley “didn’t want to subject his family” to it.
A third wasn’t convinced. “Say what you want, but he had the talent to weather whatever story might’ve come out..”
But Crawley signaled as much on a call with organizers and volunteers before his statement went live, saying — according to one person on the call — that “he didn’t want to put [his] family and those around [him] through it.”
A source close to Crawley said any looming coverage had nothing to do with his call. “Public life in 2026 is very challenging even for those around a candidate whose names aren’t on a ballot. This was simply the best decision for him and his family. We had built a campaign to win, and while we’re sad, we respect his decision.”
The reaction: One Liberal called Crawley’s decision a “big disappointment.” “There’s now no one on the centre-right… Now, people are trying to figure out who can best defeat Nate.”
“It’s hard to see how Nate can lose,” a second texted. (Many viewed Crawley as a serious rival to Nate Erskine-Smith, the early favourite in the contest.)
Added a third: “He could’ve won.”
Across the aisle, one operative threw some shade. “They must be bummed… Their first spoiler to Nate didn’t work out,” a Dipper said. “Now, they’ve got to go back to the market place and find another candidate.”
A message from Dokainish & Company:
Ontario is building the future. Dokainish has built award-winning PMOs and delivered programs on-budget and ahead-of-schedule across the world's most demanding industries. We’re optimizing projects for nuclear, renewable energy, and infrastructure in Canada’s largest province and beyond. Learn more.
— The House is out and committees aren’t meeting this week.
— Fundraising watch: At 9 p.m., the Tories are hosting a $1,000-a-ticket fundraiser in Ottawa. RSVP.
On Thursday at 7 p.m., the Ontario Women’s Liberal Commission is hosting an International Women’s Day-themed fundraiser. Andrea Hazell and Lucille Collard will speak. RSVP.
— Also happening:
Save the date: Stiles is set to headline a $250-a-ticket fundraiser in Hamilton on April 7. According to the invite: “All proceeds will be shared among Hamilton-area ridings to support our local organizing… in the year ahead.”
Also: Prime Minister Mark Carney has called three federal by-elections for April 13 — including in Scarborough Southwest, where ex-NDP MPP Doly Begum is running.
Don’t expect a provincial by-election to replace Begum anytime soon. Premier Doug Ford has until August to call it.
— 🍽️ On the lunch menu: Monday: Grilled jerk chicken with rice and coleslaw. Tuesday: Ginger beef with rice and vegetables. Wednesday: Pork schnitzel with spaetzle and vegetables. Thursday: Fish and chips. Friday: Chicken meatballs with potatoes and vegetables.
— Back in Liberal land: Lee Fairclough says she’s turning to a new “Readiness Committee” to help her decide whether to run for Liberal leader — and has already landed two big caucus endorsements.
What she’s saying: “Whether it was earning a place on Canada’s National Women’s Rugby Team, leading a hospital through the pandemic, or working hard for Etobicoke-Lakeshore as an MPP, I know that a strong team can accomplish anything,” she said in a statement. Fairclough is set to host an organizing call via Zoom tonight.
Who’s who: Ted Hsu and Lucille Collard have thrown their support to Fairclough. It’s an early hit for Rob Cerjanec, the other caucus member in the race. (The announcement drew some Liberal snickers, including one who said “dumping your two caucus endorsements on a Sunday when no one is paying attention is weird.”)
Brett Thalmann, a Trudeau alum now with Nexus Strategic Consultants, will oversee the new working group and is widely expected to run Fairclough’s campaign.
Also listed: Andrea Barrack, Luke Calabretta, Márta Ecsedi, Lorna Jean Edmonds, Murray Elston, Catherine Farrow, Deborah Gillis, Alison Gohel, Janine Hopkins, Aman Hundal, Lily Ingram, Sean Kelly, Jordan Kent, James Maloney, Deb Matthews, Kenzie McKeegan, John O’Leary, Johanna Leffler, Denise Schon, Bryan Stortz, Asif Syed, Ray Won and Rose Zacharias.
Meanwhile: Cerjanec has hired Piraveenth Srekanthen as his campaign manager, managing the day-to-day. Srekanthen was until recently chief to Liberal MP Fares Al Soud. Mat Dagonas is the campaign’s executive director, with Brian Klunder advising.
Erika McCallion, Emma Wakelin, Ferd Longo and Raheem White have also joined Cerjanec’s team. So has Quito Maggi, whose legal beef with Erskine-Smith has reached the Superior Court.
What we’re watching: Where Crawley’s top operatives — Darryn McArthur, Miles Hopper and Blue Knox — land next.
A message from Next Campaign:
We optimize the interplay between people, processes, technology, and data, while integrating AI, to ensure capital projects finish on time and on budget. Learn more.
— Heat over cooling: “A Toronto Catholic District School Board trustee who raised alarm about the cooling plans proposed for a new Etobicoke school has been targeted in a social media ad by a local Progressive Conservative riding association… The ads, which ran for three weeks, included a statement from Surma accusing de Domenico of a ‘history of dishonesty and mismanagement’ of the school board.” More from Toronto Today.
— Horwath v. Hamilton: “Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath has taken her own city and former common-law partner to court over a rental home in danger of collapsing.” The Sun has more.
— Turbulence ahead: “The operator of Billy Bishop Airport in Toronto is giving Premier Doug Ford’s pitch for a longer runway and larger planes at the downtown airport the thumbs up, but says the way the site is currently governed needs to be updated to make those plans a reality.” More from CTV.
Meanwhile: Advocacy groups say they’re counting on federal and municipal representatives to push back hard against the jet plan.
— A Toronto student says the Ford government is using him as a “scapegoat” over OSAP changes.
— Frank D’Amico and Vik Handa write that students, workers, families and communities are “all caught in the crossfire” of policies treating public education as “a political battleground.”
— The Globe has more on Nate Erskine-Smith, who says he’s ready to go “toe-to-toe” with Doug Ford.
— The Ford government poured more than $7.5 million into Ring of Fire advertising last year.
— Robert Benzie writes Ford may want to stay in power “forever,” but he’s now turning to legacy-building.
Speaking of, Ford said Friday he’s considering a plan to fill in part of Lake Ontario to build a new convention centre in Toronto.
While Ford said he had Olivia Chow’s OK, a spokesperson said the city hasn’t seen any proposal for a new island.
— John Michael McGrath says Toronto’s mayoral race will test a split on the right.
While we’re here: Michael Ford says he’s thinking about running for mayor. “Public service has always been an integral part of my life and it is for that reason that I am giving it some strong consideration,” he wrote in a statement. Rod Phillips, who was in India on a trade mission last week, says he’s not.
— Clock watch: The Citizen dives into whether Ontario will ever ditch the twice-a-year clock change. Recall: Ontario moved to end “spring forward, fall back,” but only if Quebec and New York move in tandem.
— Park push: Ontario is proposing “to expand Charleston Lake Provincial Park by approximately 2,273 acres (about 920 hectares), which would increase the size of the park by one third.” Press release.
— CBC News spoke with education experts, current and former trustees about what they do — and why the job is under scrutiny.
— NDP MPP John Vanthof says the Ford government is moving too slowly on the 2+1 Highway plan.
— Illicit nicotine pouches are popular with teens in Toronto. Retailers say legal sales could be the answer.
— SCOOP — Word on the street is that Patrick Sackville, Premier Ford’s ex-chief, is headed to Sussex Strategy Group.
It would be a big get for the Ottawa-based consultancy’s six-person provincial practice. “Honestly, one of the brightest guys I’ve ever known,” said one source, describing Sackville. Don’t forget: While Sackville would be free to lobby other ministries, he’d be barred from lobbying his former boss for a year.
He’d be the latest Ford advisor to land in the lobbying world. Cody Welton, Ford’s former deputy chief (who typically runs the Tories’ war room), joined Rubicon in February.
— Hired: Shawn Beckett has joined Henley Strategies. Beckett is Ford’s ex-Executive Director of Policy, Digital and Strategic Resources.
— Noted: Premier Ford says he’s “disgusted” by the targeted shootings at two Toronto synagogues. “These cowardly acts of hate are meant to intimidate and instill fear,” he said on X. “Our government will continue working closely with police to ensure that places of worship are protected and those responsible are held accountable.”
“The targeted shootings at Beth Avraham Yosef and Shaarei Shomayim synagogues should be of concern to all of us,” added John Fraser. “These acts of terror are becoming far too common. We must not become numb to them.”
No comment from Marit Stiles.
— Noted: If Michael Ford jumps into Toronto’s mayoral contest, Nick Kouvalis says he’d “definitely support” him. “It’s going to be epic watching some of the people supporting Brad Bradford — all of a sudden — be no longer available to support Brad Bradford,” he said.
— Noted: Ali Demircan, the president of the Federation of Canadian Turkish Associations, will no longer seek the Liberal nomination in Scarborough Southwest.
— Seen at the Progress Summit: Members of Stiles’ senior team, including Caitlin Pettifor, Mayeesha Chowdury, Marzian Alam and Andrea Bass.
Ali Chatur, Jen Hassum, Catherine McKenney, Chandra Pasma, Saman Tabasinejad, Jordan Leichnitz and more.
Over drinks: Erin Morrison with Adrienne King, former chief to Rachel Notley; Marie Della Mattia, David Eby’s campaign director; and Karla Webber-Gallagher, Olivia Chow’s chief.
Thank you for reading POLICORNER. Mike Crawley, that you? My inbox is open. We’re back in your inbox on Monday.
Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now.
Mike Crawley was preparing to enter the race for Liberal leader before making a late call to sit it out.
“After taking time to carefully discuss the leadership with my family one last time… I have made the very difficult decision to not move forward with launching a leadership campaign,” the ex-federal party president said in a statement. “There is no doubt that we need to build a new Ontario Liberal Party and after speaking with hundreds of Liberals over recent months, I’m more optimistic than ever about our future.”
Behind the scenes: The campaign was charging ahead, with core messaging prepared and a launch video in the can. Crawley, who had yet to do any interviews, had been expected to begin making media appearances. The calendar was booked out through the end of the month, including a pub night with one local riding association.
When asked early last week, a source close to the would-be candidate said “everything is unfolding as it should.”
In his statement, Crawley said 150 volunteers had been recruited and more than 300 signatures gathered. Meanwhile, a second source close to the campaign said the campaign had already gathered more than $250,000 in pledged donations. “This decision wasn’t to do with his ability to win,” the source added, “and everything to do with family after a long executive career.”
What he didn’t say: Several sources say Crawley’s team became aware that reporters were pursuing a potential story tied to court documents related to sediment released into two creeks near Cochrane by Northland Power, where he served as a vice-president at the time. It wasn’t clear to these sources what the scope of that reporting might be.
Though they insist it wasn’t the only factor, the sources say the prospect of such a story was privately discussed by those close to Crawley as a factor in his decision to pull out.
“How much more weight does a vote in Cochrane carry compared to one in Mississauga?” one source asked.
A second senior Grit blamed “our friends across the aisle” — the Progressive Conservatives — for the “negative campaign” they would unleash, adding Crawley “didn’t want to subject his family” to it.
A third wasn’t convinced. “Say what you want, but he had the talent to weather whatever story might’ve come out..”
But Crawley signaled as much on a call with organizers and volunteers before his statement went live, saying — according to one person on the call — that “he didn’t want to put [his] family and those around [him] through it.”
A source close to Crawley said any looming coverage had nothing to do with his call. “Public life in 2026 is very challenging even for those around a candidate whose names aren’t on a ballot. This was simply the best decision for him and his family. We had built a campaign to win, and while we’re sad, we respect his decision.”
The reaction: One Liberal called Crawley’s decision a “big disappointment.” “There’s now no one on the centre-right… Now, people are trying to figure out who can best defeat Nate.”
“It’s hard to see how Nate can lose,” a second texted. (Many viewed Crawley as a serious rival to Nate Erskine-Smith, the early favourite in the contest.)
Added a third: “He could’ve won.”
Across the aisle, one operative threw some shade. “They must be bummed… Their first spoiler to Nate didn’t work out,” a Dipper said. “Now, they’ve got to go back to the market place and find another candidate.”
A message from Dokainish & Company:
Ontario is building the future. Dokainish has built award-winning PMOs and delivered programs on-budget and ahead-of-schedule across the world's most demanding industries. We’re optimizing projects for nuclear, renewable energy, and infrastructure in Canada’s largest province and beyond. Learn more.
— The House is out and committees aren’t meeting this week.
— Fundraising watch: At 9 p.m., the Tories are hosting a $1,000-a-ticket fundraiser in Ottawa. RSVP.
On Thursday at 7 p.m., the Ontario Women’s Liberal Commission is hosting an International Women’s Day-themed fundraiser. Andrea Hazell and Lucille Collard will speak. RSVP.
— Also happening:
Save the date: Stiles is set to headline a $250-a-ticket fundraiser in Hamilton on April 7. According to the invite: “All proceeds will be shared among Hamilton-area ridings to support our local organizing… in the year ahead.”
Also: Prime Minister Mark Carney has called three federal by-elections for April 13 — including in Scarborough Southwest, where ex-NDP MPP Doly Begum is running.
Don’t expect a provincial by-election to replace Begum anytime soon. Premier Doug Ford has until August to call it.
— 🍽️ On the lunch menu: Monday: Grilled jerk chicken with rice and coleslaw. Tuesday: Ginger beef with rice and vegetables. Wednesday: Pork schnitzel with spaetzle and vegetables. Thursday: Fish and chips. Friday: Chicken meatballs with potatoes and vegetables.
— Back in Liberal land: Lee Fairclough says she’s turning to a new “Readiness Committee” to help her decide whether to run for Liberal leader — and has already landed two big caucus endorsements.
What she’s saying: “Whether it was earning a place on Canada’s National Women’s Rugby Team, leading a hospital through the pandemic, or working hard for Etobicoke-Lakeshore as an MPP, I know that a strong team can accomplish anything,” she said in a statement. Fairclough is set to host an organizing call via Zoom tonight.
Who’s who: Ted Hsu and Lucille Collard have thrown their support to Fairclough. It’s an early hit for Rob Cerjanec, the other caucus member in the race. (The announcement drew some Liberal snickers, including one who said “dumping your two caucus endorsements on a Sunday when no one is paying attention is weird.”)
Brett Thalmann, a Trudeau alum now with Nexus Strategic Consultants, will oversee the new working group and is widely expected to run Fairclough’s campaign.
Also listed: Andrea Barrack, Luke Calabretta, Márta Ecsedi, Lorna Jean Edmonds, Murray Elston, Catherine Farrow, Deborah Gillis, Alison Gohel, Janine Hopkins, Aman Hundal, Lily Ingram, Sean Kelly, Jordan Kent, James Maloney, Deb Matthews, Kenzie McKeegan, John O’Leary, Johanna Leffler, Denise Schon, Bryan Stortz, Asif Syed, Ray Won and Rose Zacharias.
Meanwhile: Cerjanec has hired Piraveenth Srekanthen as his campaign manager, managing the day-to-day. Srekanthen was until recently chief to Liberal MP Fares Al Soud. Mat Dagonas is the campaign’s executive director, with Brian Klunder advising.
Erika McCallion, Emma Wakelin, Ferd Longo and Raheem White have also joined Cerjanec’s team. So has Quito Maggi, whose legal beef with Erskine-Smith has reached the Superior Court.
What we’re watching: Where Crawley’s top operatives — Darryn McArthur, Miles Hopper and Blue Knox — land next.
A message from Next Campaign:
We optimize the interplay between people, processes, technology, and data, while integrating AI, to ensure capital projects finish on time and on budget. Learn more.
— Heat over cooling: “A Toronto Catholic District School Board trustee who raised alarm about the cooling plans proposed for a new Etobicoke school has been targeted in a social media ad by a local Progressive Conservative riding association… The ads, which ran for three weeks, included a statement from Surma accusing de Domenico of a ‘history of dishonesty and mismanagement’ of the school board.” More from Toronto Today.
— Horwath v. Hamilton: “Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath has taken her own city and former common-law partner to court over a rental home in danger of collapsing.” The Sun has more.
— Turbulence ahead: “The operator of Billy Bishop Airport in Toronto is giving Premier Doug Ford’s pitch for a longer runway and larger planes at the downtown airport the thumbs up, but says the way the site is currently governed needs to be updated to make those plans a reality.” More from CTV.
Meanwhile: Advocacy groups say they’re counting on federal and municipal representatives to push back hard against the jet plan.
— A Toronto student says the Ford government is using him as a “scapegoat” over OSAP changes.
— Frank D’Amico and Vik Handa write that students, workers, families and communities are “all caught in the crossfire” of policies treating public education as “a political battleground.”
— The Globe has more on Nate Erskine-Smith, who says he’s ready to go “toe-to-toe” with Doug Ford.
— The Ford government poured more than $7.5 million into Ring of Fire advertising last year.
— Robert Benzie writes Ford may want to stay in power “forever,” but he’s now turning to legacy-building.
Speaking of, Ford said Friday he’s considering a plan to fill in part of Lake Ontario to build a new convention centre in Toronto.
While Ford said he had Olivia Chow’s OK, a spokesperson said the city hasn’t seen any proposal for a new island.
— John Michael McGrath says Toronto’s mayoral race will test a split on the right.
While we’re here: Michael Ford says he’s thinking about running for mayor. “Public service has always been an integral part of my life and it is for that reason that I am giving it some strong consideration,” he wrote in a statement. Rod Phillips, who was in India on a trade mission last week, says he’s not.
— Clock watch: The Citizen dives into whether Ontario will ever ditch the twice-a-year clock change. Recall: Ontario moved to end “spring forward, fall back,” but only if Quebec and New York move in tandem.
— Park push: Ontario is proposing “to expand Charleston Lake Provincial Park by approximately 2,273 acres (about 920 hectares), which would increase the size of the park by one third.” Press release.
— CBC News spoke with education experts, current and former trustees about what they do — and why the job is under scrutiny.
— NDP MPP John Vanthof says the Ford government is moving too slowly on the 2+1 Highway plan.
— Illicit nicotine pouches are popular with teens in Toronto. Retailers say legal sales could be the answer.
— SCOOP — Word on the street is that Patrick Sackville, Premier Ford’s ex-chief, is headed to Sussex Strategy Group.
It would be a big get for the Ottawa-based consultancy’s six-person provincial practice. “Honestly, one of the brightest guys I’ve ever known,” said one source, describing Sackville. Don’t forget: While Sackville would be free to lobby other ministries, he’d be barred from lobbying his former boss for a year.
He’d be the latest Ford advisor to land in the lobbying world. Cody Welton, Ford’s former deputy chief (who typically runs the Tories’ war room), joined Rubicon in February.
— Hired: Shawn Beckett has joined Henley Strategies. Beckett is Ford’s ex-Executive Director of Policy, Digital and Strategic Resources.
— Noted: Premier Ford says he’s “disgusted” by the targeted shootings at two Toronto synagogues. “These cowardly acts of hate are meant to intimidate and instill fear,” he said on X. “Our government will continue working closely with police to ensure that places of worship are protected and those responsible are held accountable.”
“The targeted shootings at Beth Avraham Yosef and Shaarei Shomayim synagogues should be of concern to all of us,” added John Fraser. “These acts of terror are becoming far too common. We must not become numb to them.”
No comment from Marit Stiles.
— Noted: If Michael Ford jumps into Toronto’s mayoral contest, Nick Kouvalis says he’d “definitely support” him. “It’s going to be epic watching some of the people supporting Brad Bradford — all of a sudden — be no longer available to support Brad Bradford,” he said.
— Noted: Ali Demircan, the president of the Federation of Canadian Turkish Associations, will no longer seek the Liberal nomination in Scarborough Southwest.
— Seen at the Progress Summit: Members of Stiles’ senior team, including Caitlin Pettifor, Mayeesha Chowdury, Marzian Alam and Andrea Bass.
Ali Chatur, Jen Hassum, Catherine McKenney, Chandra Pasma, Saman Tabasinejad, Jordan Leichnitz and more.
Over drinks: Erin Morrison with Adrienne King, former chief to Rachel Notley; Marie Della Mattia, David Eby’s campaign director; and Karla Webber-Gallagher, Olivia Chow’s chief.
Thank you for reading POLICORNER. Mike Crawley, that you? My inbox is open. We’re back in your inbox on Monday.
Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now.
Mike Crawley was preparing to enter the race for Liberal leader before making a late call to sit it out.
“After taking time to carefully discuss the leadership with my family one last time… I have made the very difficult decision to not move forward with launching a leadership campaign,” the ex-federal party president said in a statement. “There is no doubt that we need to build a new Ontario Liberal Party and after speaking with hundreds of Liberals over recent months, I’m more optimistic than ever about our future.”
Behind the scenes: The campaign was charging ahead, with core messaging prepared and a launch video in the can. Crawley, who had yet to do any interviews, had been expected to begin making media appearances. The calendar was booked out through the end of the month, including a pub night with one local riding association.
When asked early last week, a source close to the would-be candidate said “everything is unfolding as it should.”
In his statement, Crawley said 150 volunteers had been recruited and more than 300 signatures gathered. Meanwhile, a second source close to the campaign said the campaign had already gathered more than $250,000 in pledged donations. “This decision wasn’t to do with his ability to win,” the source added, “and everything to do with family after a long executive career.”
What he didn’t say: Several sources say Crawley’s team became aware that reporters were pursuing a potential story tied to court documents related to sediment released into two creeks near Cochrane by Northland Power, where he served as a vice-president at the time. It wasn’t clear to these sources what the scope of that reporting might be.
Though they insist it wasn’t the only factor, the sources say the prospect of such a story was privately discussed by those close to Crawley as a factor in his decision to pull out.
“How much more weight does a vote in Cochrane carry compared to one in Mississauga?” one source asked.
A second senior Grit blamed “our friends across the aisle” — the Progressive Conservatives — for the “negative campaign” they would unleash, adding Crawley “didn’t want to subject his family” to it.
A third wasn’t convinced. “Say what you want, but he had the talent to weather whatever story might’ve come out..”
But Crawley signaled as much on a call with organizers and volunteers before his statement went live, saying — according to one person on the call — that “he didn’t want to put [his] family and those around [him] through it.”
A source close to Crawley said any looming coverage had nothing to do with his call. “Public life in 2026 is very challenging even for those around a candidate whose names aren’t on a ballot. This was simply the best decision for him and his family. We had built a campaign to win, and while we’re sad, we respect his decision.”
The reaction: One Liberal called Crawley’s decision a “big disappointment.” “There’s now no one on the centre-right… Now, people are trying to figure out who can best defeat Nate.”
“It’s hard to see how Nate can lose,” a second texted. (Many viewed Crawley as a serious rival to Nate Erskine-Smith, the early favourite in the contest.)
Added a third: “He could’ve won.”
Across the aisle, one operative threw some shade. “They must be bummed… Their first spoiler to Nate didn’t work out,” a Dipper said. “Now, they’ve got to go back to the market place and find another candidate.”
A message from Dokainish & Company:
Ontario is building the future. Dokainish has built award-winning PMOs and delivered programs on-budget and ahead-of-schedule across the world's most demanding industries. We’re optimizing projects for nuclear, renewable energy, and infrastructure in Canada’s largest province and beyond. Learn more.
— The House is out and committees aren’t meeting this week.
— Fundraising watch: At 9 p.m., the Tories are hosting a $1,000-a-ticket fundraiser in Ottawa. RSVP.
On Thursday at 7 p.m., the Ontario Women’s Liberal Commission is hosting an International Women’s Day-themed fundraiser. Andrea Hazell and Lucille Collard will speak. RSVP.
— Also happening:
Save the date: Stiles is set to headline a $250-a-ticket fundraiser in Hamilton on April 7. According to the invite: “All proceeds will be shared among Hamilton-area ridings to support our local organizing… in the year ahead.”
Also: Prime Minister Mark Carney has called three federal by-elections for April 13 — including in Scarborough Southwest, where ex-NDP MPP Doly Begum is running.
Don’t expect a provincial by-election to replace Begum anytime soon. Premier Doug Ford has until August to call it.
— 🍽️ On the lunch menu: Monday: Grilled jerk chicken with rice and coleslaw. Tuesday: Ginger beef with rice and vegetables. Wednesday: Pork schnitzel with spaetzle and vegetables. Thursday: Fish and chips. Friday: Chicken meatballs with potatoes and vegetables.
— Back in Liberal land: Lee Fairclough says she’s turning to a new “Readiness Committee” to help her decide whether to run for Liberal leader — and has already landed two big caucus endorsements.
What she’s saying: “Whether it was earning a place on Canada’s National Women’s Rugby Team, leading a hospital through the pandemic, or working hard for Etobicoke-Lakeshore as an MPP, I know that a strong team can accomplish anything,” she said in a statement. Fairclough is set to host an organizing call via Zoom tonight.
Who’s who: Ted Hsu and Lucille Collard have thrown their support to Fairclough. It’s an early hit for Rob Cerjanec, the other caucus member in the race. (The announcement drew some Liberal snickers, including one who said “dumping your two caucus endorsements on a Sunday when no one is paying attention is weird.”)
Brett Thalmann, a Trudeau alum now with Nexus Strategic Consultants, will oversee the new working group and is widely expected to run Fairclough’s campaign.
Also listed: Andrea Barrack, Luke Calabretta, Márta Ecsedi, Lorna Jean Edmonds, Murray Elston, Catherine Farrow, Deborah Gillis, Alison Gohel, Janine Hopkins, Aman Hundal, Lily Ingram, Sean Kelly, Jordan Kent, James Maloney, Deb Matthews, Kenzie McKeegan, John O’Leary, Johanna Leffler, Denise Schon, Bryan Stortz, Asif Syed, Ray Won and Rose Zacharias.
Meanwhile: Cerjanec has hired Piraveenth Srekanthen as his campaign manager, managing the day-to-day. Srekanthen was until recently chief to Liberal MP Fares Al Soud. Mat Dagonas is the campaign’s executive director, with Brian Klunder advising.
Erika McCallion, Emma Wakelin, Ferd Longo and Raheem White have also joined Cerjanec’s team. So has Quito Maggi, whose legal beef with Erskine-Smith has reached the Superior Court.
What we’re watching: Where Crawley’s top operatives — Darryn McArthur, Miles Hopper and Blue Knox — land next.
A message from Next Campaign:
We optimize the interplay between people, processes, technology, and data, while integrating AI, to ensure capital projects finish on time and on budget. Learn more.
— Heat over cooling: “A Toronto Catholic District School Board trustee who raised alarm about the cooling plans proposed for a new Etobicoke school has been targeted in a social media ad by a local Progressive Conservative riding association… The ads, which ran for three weeks, included a statement from Surma accusing de Domenico of a ‘history of dishonesty and mismanagement’ of the school board.” More from Toronto Today.
— Horwath v. Hamilton: “Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath has taken her own city and former common-law partner to court over a rental home in danger of collapsing.” The Sun has more.
— Turbulence ahead: “The operator of Billy Bishop Airport in Toronto is giving Premier Doug Ford’s pitch for a longer runway and larger planes at the downtown airport the thumbs up, but says the way the site is currently governed needs to be updated to make those plans a reality.” More from CTV.
Meanwhile: Advocacy groups say they’re counting on federal and municipal representatives to push back hard against the jet plan.
— A Toronto student says the Ford government is using him as a “scapegoat” over OSAP changes.
— Frank D’Amico and Vik Handa write that students, workers, families and communities are “all caught in the crossfire” of policies treating public education as “a political battleground.”
— The Globe has more on Nate Erskine-Smith, who says he’s ready to go “toe-to-toe” with Doug Ford.
— The Ford government poured more than $7.5 million into Ring of Fire advertising last year.
— Robert Benzie writes Ford may want to stay in power “forever,” but he’s now turning to legacy-building.
Speaking of, Ford said Friday he’s considering a plan to fill in part of Lake Ontario to build a new convention centre in Toronto.
While Ford said he had Olivia Chow’s OK, a spokesperson said the city hasn’t seen any proposal for a new island.
— John Michael McGrath says Toronto’s mayoral race will test a split on the right.
While we’re here: Michael Ford says he’s thinking about running for mayor. “Public service has always been an integral part of my life and it is for that reason that I am giving it some strong consideration,” he wrote in a statement. Rod Phillips, who was in India on a trade mission last week, says he’s not.
— Clock watch: The Citizen dives into whether Ontario will ever ditch the twice-a-year clock change. Recall: Ontario moved to end “spring forward, fall back,” but only if Quebec and New York move in tandem.
— Park push: Ontario is proposing “to expand Charleston Lake Provincial Park by approximately 2,273 acres (about 920 hectares), which would increase the size of the park by one third.” Press release.
— CBC News spoke with education experts, current and former trustees about what they do — and why the job is under scrutiny.
— NDP MPP John Vanthof says the Ford government is moving too slowly on the 2+1 Highway plan.
— Illicit nicotine pouches are popular with teens in Toronto. Retailers say legal sales could be the answer.
— SCOOP — Word on the street is that Patrick Sackville, Premier Ford’s ex-chief, is headed to Sussex Strategy Group.
It would be a big get for the Ottawa-based consultancy’s six-person provincial practice. “Honestly, one of the brightest guys I’ve ever known,” said one source, describing Sackville. Don’t forget: While Sackville would be free to lobby other ministries, he’d be barred from lobbying his former boss for a year.
He’d be the latest Ford advisor to land in the lobbying world. Cody Welton, Ford’s former deputy chief (who typically runs the Tories’ war room), joined Rubicon in February.
— Hired: Shawn Beckett has joined Henley Strategies. Beckett is Ford’s ex-Executive Director of Policy, Digital and Strategic Resources.
— Noted: Premier Ford says he’s “disgusted” by the targeted shootings at two Toronto synagogues. “These cowardly acts of hate are meant to intimidate and instill fear,” he said on X. “Our government will continue working closely with police to ensure that places of worship are protected and those responsible are held accountable.”
“The targeted shootings at Beth Avraham Yosef and Shaarei Shomayim synagogues should be of concern to all of us,” added John Fraser. “These acts of terror are becoming far too common. We must not become numb to them.”
No comment from Marit Stiles.
— Noted: If Michael Ford jumps into Toronto’s mayoral contest, Nick Kouvalis says he’d “definitely support” him. “It’s going to be epic watching some of the people supporting Brad Bradford — all of a sudden — be no longer available to support Brad Bradford,” he said.
— Noted: Ali Demircan, the president of the Federation of Canadian Turkish Associations, will no longer seek the Liberal nomination in Scarborough Southwest.
— Seen at the Progress Summit: Members of Stiles’ senior team, including Caitlin Pettifor, Mayeesha Chowdury, Marzian Alam and Andrea Bass.
Ali Chatur, Jen Hassum, Catherine McKenney, Chandra Pasma, Saman Tabasinejad, Jordan Leichnitz and more.
Over drinks: Erin Morrison with Adrienne King, former chief to Rachel Notley; Marie Della Mattia, David Eby’s campaign director; and Karla Webber-Gallagher, Olivia Chow’s chief.
Thank you for reading POLICORNER. Mike Crawley, that you? My inbox is open. We’re back in your inbox on Monday.
Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now.
Mike Crawley was preparing to enter the race for Liberal leader before making a late call to sit it out.
“After taking time to carefully discuss the leadership with my family one last time… I have made the very difficult decision to not move forward with launching a leadership campaign,” the ex-federal party president said in a statement. “There is no doubt that we need to build a new Ontario Liberal Party and after speaking with hundreds of Liberals over recent months, I’m more optimistic than ever about our future.”
Behind the scenes: The campaign was charging ahead, with core messaging prepared and a launch video in the can. Crawley, who had yet to do any interviews, had been expected to begin making media appearances. The calendar was booked out through the end of the month, including a pub night with one local riding association.
When asked early last week, a source close to the would-be candidate said “everything is unfolding as it should.”
In his statement, Crawley said 150 volunteers had been recruited and more than 300 signatures gathered. Meanwhile, a second source close to the campaign said the campaign had already gathered more than $250,000 in pledged donations. “This decision wasn’t to do with his ability to win,” the source added, “and everything to do with family after a long executive career.”
What he didn’t say: Several sources say Crawley’s team became aware that reporters were pursuing a potential story tied to court documents related to sediment released into two creeks near Cochrane by Northland Power, where he served as a vice-president at the time. It wasn’t clear to these sources what the scope of that reporting might be.
Though they insist it wasn’t the only factor, the sources say the prospect of such a story was privately discussed by those close to Crawley as a factor in his decision to pull out.
“How much more weight does a vote in Cochrane carry compared to one in Mississauga?” one source asked.
A second senior Grit blamed “our friends across the aisle” — the Progressive Conservatives — for the “negative campaign” they would unleash, adding Crawley “didn’t want to subject his family” to it.
A third wasn’t convinced. “Say what you want, but he had the talent to weather whatever story might’ve come out..”
But Crawley signaled as much on a call with organizers and volunteers before his statement went live, saying — according to one person on the call — that “he didn’t want to put [his] family and those around [him] through it.”
A source close to Crawley said any looming coverage had nothing to do with his call. “Public life in 2026 is very challenging even for those around a candidate whose names aren’t on a ballot. This was simply the best decision for him and his family. We had built a campaign to win, and while we’re sad, we respect his decision.”
The reaction: One Liberal called Crawley’s decision a “big disappointment.” “There’s now no one on the centre-right… Now, people are trying to figure out who can best defeat Nate.”
“It’s hard to see how Nate can lose,” a second texted. (Many viewed Crawley as a serious rival to Nate Erskine-Smith, the early favourite in the contest.)
Added a third: “He could’ve won.”
Across the aisle, one operative threw some shade. “They must be bummed… Their first spoiler to Nate didn’t work out,” a Dipper said. “Now, they’ve got to go back to the market place and find another candidate.”
A message from Dokainish & Company:
Ontario is building the future. Dokainish has built award-winning PMOs and delivered programs on-budget and ahead-of-schedule across the world's most demanding industries. We’re optimizing projects for nuclear, renewable energy, and infrastructure in Canada’s largest province and beyond. Learn more.
— The House is out and committees aren’t meeting this week.
— Fundraising watch: At 9 p.m., the Tories are hosting a $1,000-a-ticket fundraiser in Ottawa. RSVP.
On Thursday at 7 p.m., the Ontario Women’s Liberal Commission is hosting an International Women’s Day-themed fundraiser. Andrea Hazell and Lucille Collard will speak. RSVP.
— Also happening:
Save the date: Stiles is set to headline a $250-a-ticket fundraiser in Hamilton on April 7. According to the invite: “All proceeds will be shared among Hamilton-area ridings to support our local organizing… in the year ahead.”
Also: Prime Minister Mark Carney has called three federal by-elections for April 13 — including in Scarborough Southwest, where ex-NDP MPP Doly Begum is running.
Don’t expect a provincial by-election to replace Begum anytime soon. Premier Doug Ford has until August to call it.
— 🍽️ On the lunch menu: Monday: Grilled jerk chicken with rice and coleslaw. Tuesday: Ginger beef with rice and vegetables. Wednesday: Pork schnitzel with spaetzle and vegetables. Thursday: Fish and chips. Friday: Chicken meatballs with potatoes and vegetables.
— Back in Liberal land: Lee Fairclough says she’s turning to a new “Readiness Committee” to help her decide whether to run for Liberal leader — and has already landed two big caucus endorsements.
What she’s saying: “Whether it was earning a place on Canada’s National Women’s Rugby Team, leading a hospital through the pandemic, or working hard for Etobicoke-Lakeshore as an MPP, I know that a strong team can accomplish anything,” she said in a statement. Fairclough is set to host an organizing call via Zoom tonight.
Who’s who: Ted Hsu and Lucille Collard have thrown their support to Fairclough. It’s an early hit for Rob Cerjanec, the other caucus member in the race. (The announcement drew some Liberal snickers, including one who said “dumping your two caucus endorsements on a Sunday when no one is paying attention is weird.”)
Brett Thalmann, a Trudeau alum now with Nexus Strategic Consultants, will oversee the new working group and is widely expected to run Fairclough’s campaign.
Also listed: Andrea Barrack, Luke Calabretta, Márta Ecsedi, Lorna Jean Edmonds, Murray Elston, Catherine Farrow, Deborah Gillis, Alison Gohel, Janine Hopkins, Aman Hundal, Lily Ingram, Sean Kelly, Jordan Kent, James Maloney, Deb Matthews, Kenzie McKeegan, John O’Leary, Johanna Leffler, Denise Schon, Bryan Stortz, Asif Syed, Ray Won and Rose Zacharias.
Meanwhile: Cerjanec has hired Piraveenth Srekanthen as his campaign manager, managing the day-to-day. Srekanthen was until recently chief to Liberal MP Fares Al Soud. Mat Dagonas is the campaign’s executive director, with Brian Klunder advising.
Erika McCallion, Emma Wakelin, Ferd Longo and Raheem White have also joined Cerjanec’s team. So has Quito Maggi, whose legal beef with Erskine-Smith has reached the Superior Court.
What we’re watching: Where Crawley’s top operatives — Darryn McArthur, Miles Hopper and Blue Knox — land next.
A message from Next Campaign:
We optimize the interplay between people, processes, technology, and data, while integrating AI, to ensure capital projects finish on time and on budget. Learn more.
— Heat over cooling: “A Toronto Catholic District School Board trustee who raised alarm about the cooling plans proposed for a new Etobicoke school has been targeted in a social media ad by a local Progressive Conservative riding association… The ads, which ran for three weeks, included a statement from Surma accusing de Domenico of a ‘history of dishonesty and mismanagement’ of the school board.” More from Toronto Today.
— Horwath v. Hamilton: “Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath has taken her own city and former common-law partner to court over a rental home in danger of collapsing.” The Sun has more.
— Turbulence ahead: “The operator of Billy Bishop Airport in Toronto is giving Premier Doug Ford’s pitch for a longer runway and larger planes at the downtown airport the thumbs up, but says the way the site is currently governed needs to be updated to make those plans a reality.” More from CTV.
Meanwhile: Advocacy groups say they’re counting on federal and municipal representatives to push back hard against the jet plan.
— A Toronto student says the Ford government is using him as a “scapegoat” over OSAP changes.
— Frank D’Amico and Vik Handa write that students, workers, families and communities are “all caught in the crossfire” of policies treating public education as “a political battleground.”
— The Globe has more on Nate Erskine-Smith, who says he’s ready to go “toe-to-toe” with Doug Ford.
— The Ford government poured more than $7.5 million into Ring of Fire advertising last year.
— Robert Benzie writes Ford may want to stay in power “forever,” but he’s now turning to legacy-building.
Speaking of, Ford said Friday he’s considering a plan to fill in part of Lake Ontario to build a new convention centre in Toronto.
While Ford said he had Olivia Chow’s OK, a spokesperson said the city hasn’t seen any proposal for a new island.
— John Michael McGrath says Toronto’s mayoral race will test a split on the right.
While we’re here: Michael Ford says he’s thinking about running for mayor. “Public service has always been an integral part of my life and it is for that reason that I am giving it some strong consideration,” he wrote in a statement. Rod Phillips, who was in India on a trade mission last week, says he’s not.
— Clock watch: The Citizen dives into whether Ontario will ever ditch the twice-a-year clock change. Recall: Ontario moved to end “spring forward, fall back,” but only if Quebec and New York move in tandem.
— Park push: Ontario is proposing “to expand Charleston Lake Provincial Park by approximately 2,273 acres (about 920 hectares), which would increase the size of the park by one third.” Press release.
— CBC News spoke with education experts, current and former trustees about what they do — and why the job is under scrutiny.
— NDP MPP John Vanthof says the Ford government is moving too slowly on the 2+1 Highway plan.
— Illicit nicotine pouches are popular with teens in Toronto. Retailers say legal sales could be the answer.
— SCOOP — Word on the street is that Patrick Sackville, Premier Ford’s ex-chief, is headed to Sussex Strategy Group.
It would be a big get for the Ottawa-based consultancy’s six-person provincial practice. “Honestly, one of the brightest guys I’ve ever known,” said one source, describing Sackville. Don’t forget: While Sackville would be free to lobby other ministries, he’d be barred from lobbying his former boss for a year.
He’d be the latest Ford advisor to land in the lobbying world. Cody Welton, Ford’s former deputy chief (who typically runs the Tories’ war room), joined Rubicon in February.
— Hired: Shawn Beckett has joined Henley Strategies. Beckett is Ford’s ex-Executive Director of Policy, Digital and Strategic Resources.
— Noted: Premier Ford says he’s “disgusted” by the targeted shootings at two Toronto synagogues. “These cowardly acts of hate are meant to intimidate and instill fear,” he said on X. “Our government will continue working closely with police to ensure that places of worship are protected and those responsible are held accountable.”
“The targeted shootings at Beth Avraham Yosef and Shaarei Shomayim synagogues should be of concern to all of us,” added John Fraser. “These acts of terror are becoming far too common. We must not become numb to them.”
No comment from Marit Stiles.
— Noted: If Michael Ford jumps into Toronto’s mayoral contest, Nick Kouvalis says he’d “definitely support” him. “It’s going to be epic watching some of the people supporting Brad Bradford — all of a sudden — be no longer available to support Brad Bradford,” he said.
— Noted: Ali Demircan, the president of the Federation of Canadian Turkish Associations, will no longer seek the Liberal nomination in Scarborough Southwest.
— Seen at the Progress Summit: Members of Stiles’ senior team, including Caitlin Pettifor, Mayeesha Chowdury, Marzian Alam and Andrea Bass.
Ali Chatur, Jen Hassum, Catherine McKenney, Chandra Pasma, Saman Tabasinejad, Jordan Leichnitz and more.
Over drinks: Erin Morrison with Adrienne King, former chief to Rachel Notley; Marie Della Mattia, David Eby’s campaign director; and Karla Webber-Gallagher, Olivia Chow’s chief.
Thank you for reading POLICORNER. Mike Crawley, that you? My inbox is open. We’re back in your inbox on Monday.
Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now.
Mike Crawley was preparing to enter the race for Liberal leader before making a late call to sit it out.
“After taking time to carefully discuss the leadership with my family one last time… I have made the very difficult decision to not move forward with launching a leadership campaign,” the ex-federal party president said in a statement. “There is no doubt that we need to build a new Ontario Liberal Party and after speaking with hundreds of Liberals over recent months, I’m more optimistic than ever about our future.”
Behind the scenes: The campaign was charging ahead, with core messaging prepared and a launch video in the can. Crawley, who had yet to do any interviews, had been expected to begin making media appearances. The calendar was booked out through the end of the month, including a pub night with one local riding association.
When asked early last week, a source close to the would-be candidate said “everything is unfolding as it should.”
In his statement, Crawley said 150 volunteers had been recruited and more than 300 signatures gathered. Meanwhile, a second source close to the campaign said the campaign had already gathered more than $250,000 in pledged donations. “This decision wasn’t to do with his ability to win,” the source added, “and everything to do with family after a long executive career.”
What he didn’t say: Several sources say Crawley’s team became aware that reporters were pursuing a potential story tied to court documents related to sediment released into two creeks near Cochrane by Northland Power, where he served as a vice-president at the time. It wasn’t clear to these sources what the scope of that reporting might be.
Though they insist it wasn’t the only factor, the sources say the prospect of such a story was privately discussed by those close to Crawley as a factor in his decision to pull out.
“How much more weight does a vote in Cochrane carry compared to one in Mississauga?” one source asked.
A second senior Grit blamed “our friends across the aisle” — the Progressive Conservatives — for the “negative campaign” they would unleash, adding Crawley “didn’t want to subject his family” to it.
A third wasn’t convinced. “Say what you want, but he had the talent to weather whatever story might’ve come out..”
But Crawley signaled as much on a call with organizers and volunteers before his statement went live, saying — according to one person on the call — that “he didn’t want to put [his] family and those around [him] through it.”
A source close to Crawley said any looming coverage had nothing to do with his call. “Public life in 2026 is very challenging even for those around a candidate whose names aren’t on a ballot. This was simply the best decision for him and his family. We had built a campaign to win, and while we’re sad, we respect his decision.”
The reaction: One Liberal called Crawley’s decision a “big disappointment.” “There’s now no one on the centre-right… Now, people are trying to figure out who can best defeat Nate.”
“It’s hard to see how Nate can lose,” a second texted. (Many viewed Crawley as a serious rival to Nate Erskine-Smith, the early favourite in the contest.)
Added a third: “He could’ve won.”
Across the aisle, one operative threw some shade. “They must be bummed… Their first spoiler to Nate didn’t work out,” a Dipper said. “Now, they’ve got to go back to the market place and find another candidate.”
A message from Dokainish & Company:
Ontario is building the future. Dokainish has built award-winning PMOs and delivered programs on-budget and ahead-of-schedule across the world's most demanding industries. We’re optimizing projects for nuclear, renewable energy, and infrastructure in Canada’s largest province and beyond. Learn more.
— The House is out and committees aren’t meeting this week.
— Fundraising watch: At 9 p.m., the Tories are hosting a $1,000-a-ticket fundraiser in Ottawa. RSVP.
On Thursday at 7 p.m., the Ontario Women’s Liberal Commission is hosting an International Women’s Day-themed fundraiser. Andrea Hazell and Lucille Collard will speak. RSVP.
— Also happening:
Save the date: Stiles is set to headline a $250-a-ticket fundraiser in Hamilton on April 7. According to the invite: “All proceeds will be shared among Hamilton-area ridings to support our local organizing… in the year ahead.”
Also: Prime Minister Mark Carney has called three federal by-elections for April 13 — including in Scarborough Southwest, where ex-NDP MPP Doly Begum is running.
Don’t expect a provincial by-election to replace Begum anytime soon. Premier Doug Ford has until August to call it.
— 🍽️ On the lunch menu: Monday: Grilled jerk chicken with rice and coleslaw. Tuesday: Ginger beef with rice and vegetables. Wednesday: Pork schnitzel with spaetzle and vegetables. Thursday: Fish and chips. Friday: Chicken meatballs with potatoes and vegetables.
— Back in Liberal land: Lee Fairclough says she’s turning to a new “Readiness Committee” to help her decide whether to run for Liberal leader — and has already landed two big caucus endorsements.
What she’s saying: “Whether it was earning a place on Canada’s National Women’s Rugby Team, leading a hospital through the pandemic, or working hard for Etobicoke-Lakeshore as an MPP, I know that a strong team can accomplish anything,” she said in a statement. Fairclough is set to host an organizing call via Zoom tonight.
Who’s who: Ted Hsu and Lucille Collard have thrown their support to Fairclough. It’s an early hit for Rob Cerjanec, the other caucus member in the race. (The announcement drew some Liberal snickers, including one who said “dumping your two caucus endorsements on a Sunday when no one is paying attention is weird.”)
Brett Thalmann, a Trudeau alum now with Nexus Strategic Consultants, will oversee the new working group and is widely expected to run Fairclough’s campaign.
Also listed: Andrea Barrack, Luke Calabretta, Márta Ecsedi, Lorna Jean Edmonds, Murray Elston, Catherine Farrow, Deborah Gillis, Alison Gohel, Janine Hopkins, Aman Hundal, Lily Ingram, Sean Kelly, Jordan Kent, James Maloney, Deb Matthews, Kenzie McKeegan, John O’Leary, Johanna Leffler, Denise Schon, Bryan Stortz, Asif Syed, Ray Won and Rose Zacharias.
Meanwhile: Cerjanec has hired Piraveenth Srekanthen as his campaign manager, managing the day-to-day. Srekanthen was until recently chief to Liberal MP Fares Al Soud. Mat Dagonas is the campaign’s executive director, with Brian Klunder advising.
Erika McCallion, Emma Wakelin, Ferd Longo and Raheem White have also joined Cerjanec’s team. So has Quito Maggi, whose legal beef with Erskine-Smith has reached the Superior Court.
What we’re watching: Where Crawley’s top operatives — Darryn McArthur, Miles Hopper and Blue Knox — land next.
A message from Next Campaign:
We optimize the interplay between people, processes, technology, and data, while integrating AI, to ensure capital projects finish on time and on budget. Learn more.
— Heat over cooling: “A Toronto Catholic District School Board trustee who raised alarm about the cooling plans proposed for a new Etobicoke school has been targeted in a social media ad by a local Progressive Conservative riding association… The ads, which ran for three weeks, included a statement from Surma accusing de Domenico of a ‘history of dishonesty and mismanagement’ of the school board.” More from Toronto Today.
— Horwath v. Hamilton: “Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath has taken her own city and former common-law partner to court over a rental home in danger of collapsing.” The Sun has more.
— Turbulence ahead: “The operator of Billy Bishop Airport in Toronto is giving Premier Doug Ford’s pitch for a longer runway and larger planes at the downtown airport the thumbs up, but says the way the site is currently governed needs to be updated to make those plans a reality.” More from CTV.
Meanwhile: Advocacy groups say they’re counting on federal and municipal representatives to push back hard against the jet plan.
— A Toronto student says the Ford government is using him as a “scapegoat” over OSAP changes.
— Frank D’Amico and Vik Handa write that students, workers, families and communities are “all caught in the crossfire” of policies treating public education as “a political battleground.”
— The Globe has more on Nate Erskine-Smith, who says he’s ready to go “toe-to-toe” with Doug Ford.
— The Ford government poured more than $7.5 million into Ring of Fire advertising last year.
— Robert Benzie writes Ford may want to stay in power “forever,” but he’s now turning to legacy-building.
Speaking of, Ford said Friday he’s considering a plan to fill in part of Lake Ontario to build a new convention centre in Toronto.
While Ford said he had Olivia Chow’s OK, a spokesperson said the city hasn’t seen any proposal for a new island.
— John Michael McGrath says Toronto’s mayoral race will test a split on the right.
While we’re here: Michael Ford says he’s thinking about running for mayor. “Public service has always been an integral part of my life and it is for that reason that I am giving it some strong consideration,” he wrote in a statement. Rod Phillips, who was in India on a trade mission last week, says he’s not.
— Clock watch: The Citizen dives into whether Ontario will ever ditch the twice-a-year clock change. Recall: Ontario moved to end “spring forward, fall back,” but only if Quebec and New York move in tandem.
— Park push: Ontario is proposing “to expand Charleston Lake Provincial Park by approximately 2,273 acres (about 920 hectares), which would increase the size of the park by one third.” Press release.
— CBC News spoke with education experts, current and former trustees about what they do — and why the job is under scrutiny.
— NDP MPP John Vanthof says the Ford government is moving too slowly on the 2+1 Highway plan.
— Illicit nicotine pouches are popular with teens in Toronto. Retailers say legal sales could be the answer.
— SCOOP — Word on the street is that Patrick Sackville, Premier Ford’s ex-chief, is headed to Sussex Strategy Group.
It would be a big get for the Ottawa-based consultancy’s six-person provincial practice. “Honestly, one of the brightest guys I’ve ever known,” said one source, describing Sackville. Don’t forget: While Sackville would be free to lobby other ministries, he’d be barred from lobbying his former boss for a year.
He’d be the latest Ford advisor to land in the lobbying world. Cody Welton, Ford’s former deputy chief (who typically runs the Tories’ war room), joined Rubicon in February.
— Hired: Shawn Beckett has joined Henley Strategies. Beckett is Ford’s ex-Executive Director of Policy, Digital and Strategic Resources.
— Noted: Premier Ford says he’s “disgusted” by the targeted shootings at two Toronto synagogues. “These cowardly acts of hate are meant to intimidate and instill fear,” he said on X. “Our government will continue working closely with police to ensure that places of worship are protected and those responsible are held accountable.”
“The targeted shootings at Beth Avraham Yosef and Shaarei Shomayim synagogues should be of concern to all of us,” added John Fraser. “These acts of terror are becoming far too common. We must not become numb to them.”
No comment from Marit Stiles.
— Noted: If Michael Ford jumps into Toronto’s mayoral contest, Nick Kouvalis says he’d “definitely support” him. “It’s going to be epic watching some of the people supporting Brad Bradford — all of a sudden — be no longer available to support Brad Bradford,” he said.
— Noted: Ali Demircan, the president of the Federation of Canadian Turkish Associations, will no longer seek the Liberal nomination in Scarborough Southwest.
— Seen at the Progress Summit: Members of Stiles’ senior team, including Caitlin Pettifor, Mayeesha Chowdury, Marzian Alam and Andrea Bass.
Ali Chatur, Jen Hassum, Catherine McKenney, Chandra Pasma, Saman Tabasinejad, Jordan Leichnitz and more.
Over drinks: Erin Morrison with Adrienne King, former chief to Rachel Notley; Marie Della Mattia, David Eby’s campaign director; and Karla Webber-Gallagher, Olivia Chow’s chief.
Thank you for reading POLICORNER. Mike Crawley, that you? My inbox is open. We’re back in your inbox on Monday.
Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now.
Mike Crawley was preparing to enter the race for Liberal leader before making a late call to sit it out.
“After taking time to carefully discuss the leadership with my family one last time… I have made the very difficult decision to not move forward with launching a leadership campaign,” the ex-federal party president said in a statement. “There is no doubt that we need to build a new Ontario Liberal Party and after speaking with hundreds of Liberals over recent months, I’m more optimistic than ever about our future.”
Behind the scenes: The campaign was charging ahead, with core messaging prepared and a launch video in the can. Crawley, who had yet to do any interviews, had been expected to begin making media appearances. The calendar was booked out through the end of the month, including a pub night with one local riding association.
When asked early last week, a source close to the would-be candidate said “everything is unfolding as it should.”
In his statement, Crawley said 150 volunteers had been recruited and more than 300 signatures gathered. Meanwhile, a second source close to the campaign said the campaign had already gathered more than $250,000 in pledged donations. “This decision wasn’t to do with his ability to win,” the source added, “and everything to do with family after a long executive career.”
What he didn’t say: Several sources say Crawley’s team became aware that reporters were pursuing a potential story tied to court documents related to sediment released into two creeks near Cochrane by Northland Power, where he served as a vice-president at the time. It wasn’t clear to these sources what the scope of that reporting might be.
Though they insist it wasn’t the only factor, the sources say the prospect of such a story was privately discussed by those close to Crawley as a factor in his decision to pull out.
“How much more weight does a vote in Cochrane carry compared to one in Mississauga?” one source asked.
A second senior Grit blamed “our friends across the aisle” — the Progressive Conservatives — for the “negative campaign” they would unleash, adding Crawley “didn’t want to subject his family” to it.
A third wasn’t convinced. “Say what you want, but he had the talent to weather whatever story might’ve come out..”
But Crawley signaled as much on a call with organizers and volunteers before his statement went live, saying — according to one person on the call — that “he didn’t want to put [his] family and those around [him] through it.”
A source close to Crawley said any looming coverage had nothing to do with his call. “Public life in 2026 is very challenging even for those around a candidate whose names aren’t on a ballot. This was simply the best decision for him and his family. We had built a campaign to win, and while we’re sad, we respect his decision.”
The reaction: One Liberal called Crawley’s decision a “big disappointment.” “There’s now no one on the centre-right… Now, people are trying to figure out who can best defeat Nate.”
“It’s hard to see how Nate can lose,” a second texted. (Many viewed Crawley as a serious rival to Nate Erskine-Smith, the early favourite in the contest.)
Added a third: “He could’ve won.”
Across the aisle, one operative threw some shade. “They must be bummed… Their first spoiler to Nate didn’t work out,” a Dipper said. “Now, they’ve got to go back to the market place and find another candidate.”
A message from Dokainish & Company:
Ontario is building the future. Dokainish has built award-winning PMOs and delivered programs on-budget and ahead-of-schedule across the world's most demanding industries. We’re optimizing projects for nuclear, renewable energy, and infrastructure in Canada’s largest province and beyond. Learn more.
— The House is out and committees aren’t meeting this week.
— Fundraising watch: At 9 p.m., the Tories are hosting a $1,000-a-ticket fundraiser in Ottawa. RSVP.
On Thursday at 7 p.m., the Ontario Women’s Liberal Commission is hosting an International Women’s Day-themed fundraiser. Andrea Hazell and Lucille Collard will speak. RSVP.
— Also happening:
Save the date: Stiles is set to headline a $250-a-ticket fundraiser in Hamilton on April 7. According to the invite: “All proceeds will be shared among Hamilton-area ridings to support our local organizing… in the year ahead.”
Also: Prime Minister Mark Carney has called three federal by-elections for April 13 — including in Scarborough Southwest, where ex-NDP MPP Doly Begum is running.
Don’t expect a provincial by-election to replace Begum anytime soon. Premier Doug Ford has until August to call it.
— 🍽️ On the lunch menu: Monday: Grilled jerk chicken with rice and coleslaw. Tuesday: Ginger beef with rice and vegetables. Wednesday: Pork schnitzel with spaetzle and vegetables. Thursday: Fish and chips. Friday: Chicken meatballs with potatoes and vegetables.
— Back in Liberal land: Lee Fairclough says she’s turning to a new “Readiness Committee” to help her decide whether to run for Liberal leader — and has already landed two big caucus endorsements.
What she’s saying: “Whether it was earning a place on Canada’s National Women’s Rugby Team, leading a hospital through the pandemic, or working hard for Etobicoke-Lakeshore as an MPP, I know that a strong team can accomplish anything,” she said in a statement. Fairclough is set to host an organizing call via Zoom tonight.
Who’s who: Ted Hsu and Lucille Collard have thrown their support to Fairclough. It’s an early hit for Rob Cerjanec, the other caucus member in the race. (The announcement drew some Liberal snickers, including one who said “dumping your two caucus endorsements on a Sunday when no one is paying attention is weird.”)
Brett Thalmann, a Trudeau alum now with Nexus Strategic Consultants, will oversee the new working group and is widely expected to run Fairclough’s campaign.
Also listed: Andrea Barrack, Luke Calabretta, Márta Ecsedi, Lorna Jean Edmonds, Murray Elston, Catherine Farrow, Deborah Gillis, Alison Gohel, Janine Hopkins, Aman Hundal, Lily Ingram, Sean Kelly, Jordan Kent, James Maloney, Deb Matthews, Kenzie McKeegan, John O’Leary, Johanna Leffler, Denise Schon, Bryan Stortz, Asif Syed, Ray Won and Rose Zacharias.
Meanwhile: Cerjanec has hired Piraveenth Srekanthen as his campaign manager, managing the day-to-day. Srekanthen was until recently chief to Liberal MP Fares Al Soud. Mat Dagonas is the campaign’s executive director, with Brian Klunder advising.
Erika McCallion, Emma Wakelin, Ferd Longo and Raheem White have also joined Cerjanec’s team. So has Quito Maggi, whose legal beef with Erskine-Smith has reached the Superior Court.
What we’re watching: Where Crawley’s top operatives — Darryn McArthur, Miles Hopper and Blue Knox — land next.
A message from Next Campaign:
We optimize the interplay between people, processes, technology, and data, while integrating AI, to ensure capital projects finish on time and on budget. Learn more.
— Heat over cooling: “A Toronto Catholic District School Board trustee who raised alarm about the cooling plans proposed for a new Etobicoke school has been targeted in a social media ad by a local Progressive Conservative riding association… The ads, which ran for three weeks, included a statement from Surma accusing de Domenico of a ‘history of dishonesty and mismanagement’ of the school board.” More from Toronto Today.
— Horwath v. Hamilton: “Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath has taken her own city and former common-law partner to court over a rental home in danger of collapsing.” The Sun has more.
— Turbulence ahead: “The operator of Billy Bishop Airport in Toronto is giving Premier Doug Ford’s pitch for a longer runway and larger planes at the downtown airport the thumbs up, but says the way the site is currently governed needs to be updated to make those plans a reality.” More from CTV.
Meanwhile: Advocacy groups say they’re counting on federal and municipal representatives to push back hard against the jet plan.
— A Toronto student says the Ford government is using him as a “scapegoat” over OSAP changes.
— Frank D’Amico and Vik Handa write that students, workers, families and communities are “all caught in the crossfire” of policies treating public education as “a political battleground.”
— The Globe has more on Nate Erskine-Smith, who says he’s ready to go “toe-to-toe” with Doug Ford.
— The Ford government poured more than $7.5 million into Ring of Fire advertising last year.
— Robert Benzie writes Ford may want to stay in power “forever,” but he’s now turning to legacy-building.
Speaking of, Ford said Friday he’s considering a plan to fill in part of Lake Ontario to build a new convention centre in Toronto.
While Ford said he had Olivia Chow’s OK, a spokesperson said the city hasn’t seen any proposal for a new island.
— John Michael McGrath says Toronto’s mayoral race will test a split on the right.
While we’re here: Michael Ford says he’s thinking about running for mayor. “Public service has always been an integral part of my life and it is for that reason that I am giving it some strong consideration,” he wrote in a statement. Rod Phillips, who was in India on a trade mission last week, says he’s not.
— Clock watch: The Citizen dives into whether Ontario will ever ditch the twice-a-year clock change. Recall: Ontario moved to end “spring forward, fall back,” but only if Quebec and New York move in tandem.
— Park push: Ontario is proposing “to expand Charleston Lake Provincial Park by approximately 2,273 acres (about 920 hectares), which would increase the size of the park by one third.” Press release.
— CBC News spoke with education experts, current and former trustees about what they do — and why the job is under scrutiny.
— NDP MPP John Vanthof says the Ford government is moving too slowly on the 2+1 Highway plan.
— Illicit nicotine pouches are popular with teens in Toronto. Retailers say legal sales could be the answer.
— SCOOP — Word on the street is that Patrick Sackville, Premier Ford’s ex-chief, is headed to Sussex Strategy Group.
It would be a big get for the Ottawa-based consultancy’s six-person provincial practice. “Honestly, one of the brightest guys I’ve ever known,” said one source, describing Sackville. Don’t forget: While Sackville would be free to lobby other ministries, he’d be barred from lobbying his former boss for a year.
He’d be the latest Ford advisor to land in the lobbying world. Cody Welton, Ford’s former deputy chief (who typically runs the Tories’ war room), joined Rubicon in February.
— Hired: Shawn Beckett has joined Henley Strategies. Beckett is Ford’s ex-Executive Director of Policy, Digital and Strategic Resources.
— Noted: Premier Ford says he’s “disgusted” by the targeted shootings at two Toronto synagogues. “These cowardly acts of hate are meant to intimidate and instill fear,” he said on X. “Our government will continue working closely with police to ensure that places of worship are protected and those responsible are held accountable.”
“The targeted shootings at Beth Avraham Yosef and Shaarei Shomayim synagogues should be of concern to all of us,” added John Fraser. “These acts of terror are becoming far too common. We must not become numb to them.”
No comment from Marit Stiles.
— Noted: If Michael Ford jumps into Toronto’s mayoral contest, Nick Kouvalis says he’d “definitely support” him. “It’s going to be epic watching some of the people supporting Brad Bradford — all of a sudden — be no longer available to support Brad Bradford,” he said.
— Noted: Ali Demircan, the president of the Federation of Canadian Turkish Associations, will no longer seek the Liberal nomination in Scarborough Southwest.
— Seen at the Progress Summit: Members of Stiles’ senior team, including Caitlin Pettifor, Mayeesha Chowdury, Marzian Alam and Andrea Bass.
Ali Chatur, Jen Hassum, Catherine McKenney, Chandra Pasma, Saman Tabasinejad, Jordan Leichnitz and more.
Over drinks: Erin Morrison with Adrienne King, former chief to Rachel Notley; Marie Della Mattia, David Eby’s campaign director; and Karla Webber-Gallagher, Olivia Chow’s chief.
Thank you for reading POLICORNER. Mike Crawley, that you? My inbox is open. We’re back in your inbox on Monday.
Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now.
Mike Crawley was preparing to enter the race for Liberal leader before making a late call to sit it out.
“After taking time to carefully discuss the leadership with my family one last time… I have made the very difficult decision to not move forward with launching a leadership campaign,” the ex-federal party president said in a statement. “There is no doubt that we need to build a new Ontario Liberal Party and after speaking with hundreds of Liberals over recent months, I’m more optimistic than ever about our future.”
Behind the scenes: The campaign was charging ahead, with core messaging prepared and a launch video in the can. Crawley, who had yet to do any interviews, had been expected to begin making media appearances. The calendar was booked out through the end of the month, including a pub night with one local riding association.
When asked early last week, a source close to the would-be candidate said “everything is unfolding as it should.”
In his statement, Crawley said 150 volunteers had been recruited and more than 300 signatures gathered. Meanwhile, a second source close to the campaign said the campaign had already gathered more than $250,000 in pledged donations. “This decision wasn’t to do with his ability to win,” the source added, “and everything to do with family after a long executive career.”
What he didn’t say: Several sources say Crawley’s team became aware that reporters were pursuing a potential story tied to court documents related to sediment released into two creeks near Cochrane by Northland Power, where he served as a vice-president at the time. It wasn’t clear to these sources what the scope of that reporting might be.
Though they insist it wasn’t the only factor, the sources say the prospect of such a story was privately discussed by those close to Crawley as a factor in his decision to pull out.
“How much more weight does a vote in Cochrane carry compared to one in Mississauga?” one source asked.
A second senior Grit blamed “our friends across the aisle” — the Progressive Conservatives — for the “negative campaign” they would unleash, adding Crawley “didn’t want to subject his family” to it.
A third wasn’t convinced. “Say what you want, but he had the talent to weather whatever story might’ve come out..”
But Crawley signaled as much on a call with organizers and volunteers before his statement went live, saying — according to one person on the call — that “he didn’t want to put [his] family and those around [him] through it.”
A source close to Crawley said any looming coverage had nothing to do with his call. “Public life in 2026 is very challenging even for those around a candidate whose names aren’t on a ballot. This was simply the best decision for him and his family. We had built a campaign to win, and while we’re sad, we respect his decision.”
The reaction: One Liberal called Crawley’s decision a “big disappointment.” “There’s now no one on the centre-right… Now, people are trying to figure out who can best defeat Nate.”
“It’s hard to see how Nate can lose,” a second texted. (Many viewed Crawley as a serious rival to Nate Erskine-Smith, the early favourite in the contest.)
Added a third: “He could’ve won.”
Across the aisle, one operative threw some shade. “They must be bummed… Their first spoiler to Nate didn’t work out,” a Dipper said. “Now, they’ve got to go back to the market place and find another candidate.”
A message from Dokainish & Company:
Ontario is building the future. Dokainish has built award-winning PMOs and delivered programs on-budget and ahead-of-schedule across the world's most demanding industries. We’re optimizing projects for nuclear, renewable energy, and infrastructure in Canada’s largest province and beyond. Learn more.
— The House is out and committees aren’t meeting this week.
— Fundraising watch: At 9 p.m., the Tories are hosting a $1,000-a-ticket fundraiser in Ottawa. RSVP.
On Thursday at 7 p.m., the Ontario Women’s Liberal Commission is hosting an International Women’s Day-themed fundraiser. Andrea Hazell and Lucille Collard will speak. RSVP.
— Also happening:
Save the date: Stiles is set to headline a $250-a-ticket fundraiser in Hamilton on April 7. According to the invite: “All proceeds will be shared among Hamilton-area ridings to support our local organizing… in the year ahead.”
Also: Prime Minister Mark Carney has called three federal by-elections for April 13 — including in Scarborough Southwest, where ex-NDP MPP Doly Begum is running.
Don’t expect a provincial by-election to replace Begum anytime soon. Premier Doug Ford has until August to call it.
— 🍽️ On the lunch menu: Monday: Grilled jerk chicken with rice and coleslaw. Tuesday: Ginger beef with rice and vegetables. Wednesday: Pork schnitzel with spaetzle and vegetables. Thursday: Fish and chips. Friday: Chicken meatballs with potatoes and vegetables.
— Back in Liberal land: Lee Fairclough says she’s turning to a new “Readiness Committee” to help her decide whether to run for Liberal leader — and has already landed two big caucus endorsements.
What she’s saying: “Whether it was earning a place on Canada’s National Women’s Rugby Team, leading a hospital through the pandemic, or working hard for Etobicoke-Lakeshore as an MPP, I know that a strong team can accomplish anything,” she said in a statement. Fairclough is set to host an organizing call via Zoom tonight.
Who’s who: Ted Hsu and Lucille Collard have thrown their support to Fairclough. It’s an early hit for Rob Cerjanec, the other caucus member in the race. (The announcement drew some Liberal snickers, including one who said “dumping your two caucus endorsements on a Sunday when no one is paying attention is weird.”)
Brett Thalmann, a Trudeau alum now with Nexus Strategic Consultants, will oversee the new working group and is widely expected to run Fairclough’s campaign.
Also listed: Andrea Barrack, Luke Calabretta, Márta Ecsedi, Lorna Jean Edmonds, Murray Elston, Catherine Farrow, Deborah Gillis, Alison Gohel, Janine Hopkins, Aman Hundal, Lily Ingram, Sean Kelly, Jordan Kent, James Maloney, Deb Matthews, Kenzie McKeegan, John O’Leary, Johanna Leffler, Denise Schon, Bryan Stortz, Asif Syed, Ray Won and Rose Zacharias.
Meanwhile: Cerjanec has hired Piraveenth Srekanthen as his campaign manager, managing the day-to-day. Srekanthen was until recently chief to Liberal MP Fares Al Soud. Mat Dagonas is the campaign’s executive director, with Brian Klunder advising.
Erika McCallion, Emma Wakelin, Ferd Longo and Raheem White have also joined Cerjanec’s team. So has Quito Maggi, whose legal beef with Erskine-Smith has reached the Superior Court.
What we’re watching: Where Crawley’s top operatives — Darryn McArthur, Miles Hopper and Blue Knox — land next.
A message from Next Campaign:
We optimize the interplay between people, processes, technology, and data, while integrating AI, to ensure capital projects finish on time and on budget. Learn more.
— Heat over cooling: “A Toronto Catholic District School Board trustee who raised alarm about the cooling plans proposed for a new Etobicoke school has been targeted in a social media ad by a local Progressive Conservative riding association… The ads, which ran for three weeks, included a statement from Surma accusing de Domenico of a ‘history of dishonesty and mismanagement’ of the school board.” More from Toronto Today.
— Horwath v. Hamilton: “Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath has taken her own city and former common-law partner to court over a rental home in danger of collapsing.” The Sun has more.
— Turbulence ahead: “The operator of Billy Bishop Airport in Toronto is giving Premier Doug Ford’s pitch for a longer runway and larger planes at the downtown airport the thumbs up, but says the way the site is currently governed needs to be updated to make those plans a reality.” More from CTV.
Meanwhile: Advocacy groups say they’re counting on federal and municipal representatives to push back hard against the jet plan.
— A Toronto student says the Ford government is using him as a “scapegoat” over OSAP changes.
— Frank D’Amico and Vik Handa write that students, workers, families and communities are “all caught in the crossfire” of policies treating public education as “a political battleground.”
— The Globe has more on Nate Erskine-Smith, who says he’s ready to go “toe-to-toe” with Doug Ford.
— The Ford government poured more than $7.5 million into Ring of Fire advertising last year.
— Robert Benzie writes Ford may want to stay in power “forever,” but he’s now turning to legacy-building.
Speaking of, Ford said Friday he’s considering a plan to fill in part of Lake Ontario to build a new convention centre in Toronto.
While Ford said he had Olivia Chow’s OK, a spokesperson said the city hasn’t seen any proposal for a new island.
— John Michael McGrath says Toronto’s mayoral race will test a split on the right.
While we’re here: Michael Ford says he’s thinking about running for mayor. “Public service has always been an integral part of my life and it is for that reason that I am giving it some strong consideration,” he wrote in a statement. Rod Phillips, who was in India on a trade mission last week, says he’s not.
— Clock watch: The Citizen dives into whether Ontario will ever ditch the twice-a-year clock change. Recall: Ontario moved to end “spring forward, fall back,” but only if Quebec and New York move in tandem.
— Park push: Ontario is proposing “to expand Charleston Lake Provincial Park by approximately 2,273 acres (about 920 hectares), which would increase the size of the park by one third.” Press release.
— CBC News spoke with education experts, current and former trustees about what they do — and why the job is under scrutiny.
— NDP MPP John Vanthof says the Ford government is moving too slowly on the 2+1 Highway plan.
— Illicit nicotine pouches are popular with teens in Toronto. Retailers say legal sales could be the answer.
— SCOOP — Word on the street is that Patrick Sackville, Premier Ford’s ex-chief, is headed to Sussex Strategy Group.
It would be a big get for the Ottawa-based consultancy’s six-person provincial practice. “Honestly, one of the brightest guys I’ve ever known,” said one source, describing Sackville. Don’t forget: While Sackville would be free to lobby other ministries, he’d be barred from lobbying his former boss for a year.
He’d be the latest Ford advisor to land in the lobbying world. Cody Welton, Ford’s former deputy chief (who typically runs the Tories’ war room), joined Rubicon in February.
— Hired: Shawn Beckett has joined Henley Strategies. Beckett is Ford’s ex-Executive Director of Policy, Digital and Strategic Resources.
— Noted: Premier Ford says he’s “disgusted” by the targeted shootings at two Toronto synagogues. “These cowardly acts of hate are meant to intimidate and instill fear,” he said on X. “Our government will continue working closely with police to ensure that places of worship are protected and those responsible are held accountable.”
“The targeted shootings at Beth Avraham Yosef and Shaarei Shomayim synagogues should be of concern to all of us,” added John Fraser. “These acts of terror are becoming far too common. We must not become numb to them.”
No comment from Marit Stiles.
— Noted: If Michael Ford jumps into Toronto’s mayoral contest, Nick Kouvalis says he’d “definitely support” him. “It’s going to be epic watching some of the people supporting Brad Bradford — all of a sudden — be no longer available to support Brad Bradford,” he said.
— Noted: Ali Demircan, the president of the Federation of Canadian Turkish Associations, will no longer seek the Liberal nomination in Scarborough Southwest.
— Seen at the Progress Summit: Members of Stiles’ senior team, including Caitlin Pettifor, Mayeesha Chowdury, Marzian Alam and Andrea Bass.
Ali Chatur, Jen Hassum, Catherine McKenney, Chandra Pasma, Saman Tabasinejad, Jordan Leichnitz and more.
Over drinks: Erin Morrison with Adrienne King, former chief to Rachel Notley; Marie Della Mattia, David Eby’s campaign director; and Karla Webber-Gallagher, Olivia Chow’s chief.
Thank you for reading POLICORNER. Mike Crawley, that you? My inbox is open. We’re back in your inbox on Monday.
Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now.