SCOOP: Calling Crawley

THE LEDE

SCOOP — Mike Crawley is gearing up to run for Liberal leader.

Behind the scenes: On Friday, the ex-federal party president launched a website to build out a supporter list for his expected run. “Future of Ontario is here with Mike Crawley’s new Ontario Liberal Party,” read a version of the landing page on Sunday.

When his team was asked about it, the line was scrubbed and replaced with a teaser: “Curious about the future of the [Ontario Liberal Party]?”

Another clue: Over in Hamilton, Crawley spent the weekend glad-handing at the Liberal Party of Canada (Ontario) convention, handing out cards with the site’s link. He also took out booth space. 

“He was the surprise of the weekend,” said one person at the convention.