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Marit Stiles stumbled her way through her leadership review. Some call it an “epic failure,” while others want her team gone. Meanwhile, another mysterious Draft Karina campaign is up. But to begin, add another name to the growing list of Liberal ‘maybes.’
SCOOP — Josh Matlow is “listening” to those pushing him to run for Liberal leader.
What he’s saying: “I have been receiving several phone calls from people who want the Ontario Liberal Party to win, which I obviously appreciate,” the Toronto-St. Paul’s councillor said in a text Friday. “And I’m listening.”
Some say the party’s progressive wing would be his to win. “He might be compelling as a ‘Nate-like’ candidate without the baggage,” one organizer said.
Not everyone’s a fan: “He wouldn’t even run for a seat when we needed someone like him to step up,” another texted. “He could’ve won a seat and would be well-positioned to run for leader now. I’ll pass.”
Pile on: Even Canada Proud weighed in on X:
Over in Niagara — “An epic failure:” Marit Stiles is staying put, yet the knives are out for her inner circle.
By the numbers: Stiles survived her leadership review with 68 per cent support — enough to stay on as leader, but far from a commanding mandate. In comparison, Bonnie Crombie got 57 per cent but was forced to stand down.
Going into the weekend, her team expected she’d land just over 75 per cent. “[They are] convinced she will have a good number,” one source, worried about how Stiles’ team was organizing, said. “There’s no way Marit will come close to Andrea Horwath. They should be organizing to beat Andrea’s number, not to simply cruise on by.”
In the end: Stiles’ result came in below Horwath’s, who hit 76 per cent support in 2012, 77 per cent in 2014 and 87 per cent in 2019.
Marit Stiles stumbled her way through her leadership review. Some call it an “epic failure,” while others want her team gone. Meanwhile, another mysterious Draft Karina campaign is up. But to begin, add another name to the growing list of Liberal ‘maybes.’
SCOOP — Josh Matlow is “listening” to those pushing him to run for Liberal leader.
What he’s saying: “I have been receiving several phone calls from people who want the Ontario Liberal Party to win, which I obviously appreciate,” the Toronto-St. Paul’s councillor said in a text Friday. “And I’m listening.”
Some say the party’s progressive wing would be his to win. “He might be compelling as a ‘Nate-like’ candidate without the baggage,” one organizer said.
Not everyone’s a fan: “He wouldn’t even run for a seat when we needed someone like him to step up,” another texted. “He could’ve won a seat and would be well-positioned to run for leader now. I’ll pass.”
Pile on: Even Canada Proud weighed in on X:
Over in Niagara — “An epic failure:” Marit Stiles is staying put, yet the knives are out for her inner circle.
By the numbers: Stiles survived her leadership review with 68 per cent support — enough to stay on as leader, but far from a commanding mandate. In comparison, Bonnie Crombie got 57 per cent but was forced to stand down.
Going into the weekend, her team expected she’d land just over 75 per cent. “[They are] convinced she will have a good number,” one source, worried about how Stiles’ team was organizing, said. “There’s no way Marit will come close to Andrea Horwath. They should be organizing to beat Andrea’s number, not to simply cruise on by.”
In the end: Stiles’ result came in below Horwath’s, who hit 76 per cent support in 2012, 77 per cent in 2014 and 87 per cent in 2019.
Marit Stiles stumbled her way through her leadership review. Some call it an “epic failure,” while others want her team gone. Meanwhile, another mysterious Draft Karina campaign is up. But to begin, add another name to the growing list of Liberal ‘maybes.’
SCOOP — Josh Matlow is “listening” to those pushing him to run for Liberal leader.
What he’s saying: “I have been receiving several phone calls from people who want the Ontario Liberal Party to win, which I obviously appreciate,” the Toronto-St. Paul’s councillor said in a text Friday. “And I’m listening.”
Some say the party’s progressive wing would be his to win. “He might be compelling as a ‘Nate-like’ candidate without the baggage,” one organizer said.
Not everyone’s a fan: “He wouldn’t even run for a seat when we needed someone like him to step up,” another texted. “He could’ve won a seat and would be well-positioned to run for leader now. I’ll pass.”
Pile on: Even Canada Proud weighed in on X:
Over in Niagara — “An epic failure:” Marit Stiles is staying put, yet the knives are out for her inner circle.
By the numbers: Stiles survived her leadership review with 68 per cent support — enough to stay on as leader, but far from a commanding mandate. In comparison, Bonnie Crombie got 57 per cent but was forced to stand down.
Going into the weekend, her team expected she’d land just over 75 per cent. “[They are] convinced she will have a good number,” one source, worried about how Stiles’ team was organizing, said. “There’s no way Marit will come close to Andrea Horwath. They should be organizing to beat Andrea’s number, not to simply cruise on by.”
In the end: Stiles’ result came in below Horwath’s, who hit 76 per cent support in 2012, 77 per cent in 2014 and 87 per cent in 2019.
From the convention hall, a visibly disappointed Stiles said she’d carry on. “We cannot run the same election campaign that we ran last time,” she said. “... We need to make change in this party if we’re going to be able to defeat Doug Ford in the next election and we will do that.”
With caucus at her side, Stiles said: “That’s what [caucus] want us to do, too.”
Sure: Privately, sources say caucus’ support for Stiles is steady, though they’re eager for a reset at the top. Outside the caucus room, you hear it again and again: “She needs to gut the team or go.”
“Saturday was a clear sign that the people around her are experts in incompetence,” a source, who asked not to be named in order to speak freely, said. As with Crombie’s, there were no buses to bring delegates to Niagara (which irked organizers in Liberal land, too). The same source said the vote wasn’t tightly managed, while the hybrid system wasn’t taken advantage of.
“The organization of the leadership team was an epic failure,” they added. “68 per cent is not something to be proud of.”
She got that message straight from caucus. “Tough talk” is how an emergency caucus meeting over the result, which ran just over half an hour, was described. “Caucus demanded urgent, substantive changes,” one source said of the “productive” conversation, while another pointed out there had long been a push for Stiles to get rid of her senior team. “Caucus may be showing unity in the open, but many of them have been asking Marit to get rid of this team.”
Rumour is: Of 27 NDP MPPs, at least 5 voted ‘yes’ for a leadership contest.
But in the end, caucus unanimously threw their support behind Stiles, standing with her as she announced the result on stage.
Optics, optics: Compare that to a weekend earlier, when Crombie — deciding to stick it out — stood solo, while some in caucus, when pressed, balked at giving her an explicit endorsement.
The road ahead for Stiles, some say, is rough. With a new Liberal leader on the way, one source says she must move fast or risk ceding ground as Ford’s primary challenger.
“If Marit is serious about governing, she needs to pull a Horwath, clean house and bring on talent that will get her there,” they said. “The Liberals are going back to the drawing board for the third time, and if we can’t capitalize on that this time around, we should get used to third party status.”
A sign of unease: “[They’re] fractured on this,” a source said of labour leaders, who convened Saturday to weigh Stiles’ result. It’s a sign of unease among the NDP’s traditional allies, a few of whom have grumbled about Stiles behind closed doors.
Two sources say voting on Stiles’ leadership — set to be carried out electronically from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. — lasted an hour longer than scheduled.
“Rumour is that they saw the result was even less and started calling up their supporters to ensure they voted to boost the number,” one said. A spokesperson pushed back against the claim, saying the vote ran from lunch without extension.
Strategist Erin Morrison says it’s clear the leader got the message loud and clear.
“7 in 10 delegates backed Stiles, but a good chunk of delegates used their vote to show they’re upset and dismayed that the NDP is still stuck in second place,” Morrison said. “She and her entire caucus took the stage to share the leadership vote results, and she pledged to do things differently. She echoed the feeling that second place isn’t good enough. The message was obviously well received.”
Across the aisle, the shade came fast and heavy.
“The danger for Marit Stiles — and for New Democrats across the country — is that unless they return to their roots, they risk losing their base for good,” said Laryssa Waler, Premier Ford’s ex-director of communications. “We’re already seeing voters feel more at home in Ontario’s Progressive Conservative Party… These are people who have always been pro-labour and pro-worker, but the NDP has shifted focus to social justice and other left-leaning causes at the expense of workers.”
Texted one Liberal: “It’s also the first time she’s ever had a vote on her leadership since she was acclaimed… [68 per cent] with no organized opposition. Bonnie won a rematch. Marit doesn’t have that excuse.”
But Damien O’Brien, the ex-EVP, was reluctant to pile on: “Those in glass houses should not cast stones. Given the unscheduled demolition of the Ontario Liberal glass house last weekend, I’ll cast away.”
Meanwhile: A resolution on nuclear power, which some once warned would spark division, passed with zero drama.
The text, as approved: “The ONDP joins the CLC and OFL in supporting all ultra-low emissions electricity sources including hydro, renewables, made-in-Canada nuclear and storage;... believes that a low-carbon future requires meaningful engagement, informed consent and opportunities for partnership with local Indigenous communities…”
Add this: The convention, remember, was delayed last December. “As a ‘confidential’ report of the party’s governance committee explained, a decision to postpone the convention ‘exposed inconsistencies’ in the party’s interpretation of the constitution. This resulted in ‘confusion, hurt and dissatisfaction amongst party members and staff alike despite best intentions.’” The Trillium has more.
— The House is back in October.
— Here’s what’s up on the fundraising trail this week:
— Speaking of Parry Sound: We missed this, but Smith weighed in on our August story about that non-compete deal Team Crombie shut down.
“Engaging in shady, backroom deals to manipulate the ballot is the height of hypocrisy from the Ontario Green Party,” he wrote. “These underhanded, undemocratic tactics reveal just how far the Greens are willing to go to win — even at the expense of local democracy. This is alarming and should not be tolerated.”
Added the local riding association: “For a party that constantly preaches about integrity and claims to ’do politics differently,’ this is the height of hypocrisy and a shameful betrayal of democratic principles.”
— In Liberal land, the Scarborough Centre riding association will meet on Friday at 6:30 p.m. On Sunday at 2:30 p.m., it’s Oshawa’s turn.
— Save the date: T-7 until Project Ontario’s “evening of mingling and policy discussions that aim to kickstart a much needed dialogue about conservatism in Ontario.” Admission is $100.
According to the invite: “This will be a chance to connect in person, hear a few remarks, and continue building momentum behind the work we’ve started.”
Who’s speaking: Greg Brady, Alexander Brown, Matt Spoke, Ginny Roth, Brian Dijkema, San VanderVeer, Adam Zivo, Josh Dehaas, Shawn Whatley, Chris Spoke, Ariella Kimmel, Peter Copeland and more.
— Also: Speaker No. 1 at the Next Campaign Summit: Kory Teneycke, Doug Ford’s campaign manager. Get your ticket.
— Neskantaga First Nation’s “unsafe and unacceptable” conditions require “immediate action,” the Ombudsman says.
Paul Dubé visited the community, nearly 500 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, last week for two days. “We visited a local graveyard, with graves of children surrounded by stuffed animals and flowers,” he wrote in a statement. Many of these lives were tragically lost to suicide. Other young people were sent out of the community to attend high school because the community does not have one for their citizens – only to return home in caskets. This is a heartbreaking reality for Neskantaga First Nation.”
His warning: “No community in a country as prosperous as Canada should have to endure what Neskantaga First Nation is facing.”
— A fresh bargain with doctors: “The Ford government has reached a new deal with Ontario’s doctors, announcing on Thursday a four-year agreement that boosts compensation for physicians and includes measures that will encourage more to practise comprehensive family medicine.” More from the Star.
— “A recipient of millions of dollars in provincial training grants is preparing people to work in entertainment clubs run by a fixture of Ford Nation, The Trillium has learned.”
— Radar rage: “‘It doesn’t slow traffic down,’ Ford insisted despite evidence from police and doctors to the contrary. Indeed, his comments came one day after the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police said the cameras have ‘been proven to reduce speeding, change driver behaviour, and make our roads safer for everyone — drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, and especially children and other vulnerable road users.’” More from the Star.
Here’s Patrick Corrigan’s editorial cartoon:
— Draw the Line: “A large crowd of close to 2,000 people marched through downtown Toronto Saturday afternoon as part of Canada-wide protests calling on the new Liberal government to prioritize the climate, Indigenous rights, migrants and workers ahead of the fall budget.” Catch up from CBC.
— SCOOP: Another mystery “Run, Karina, Run” campaign has popped up, urging Karina Gould to enter the race for Bonnie Crombie’s job.
The website — registered on September 16 — is fronted by a form asking: “Sign up if you think Karina should run for leader of the Ontario Liberal Party.”
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Recall: Now weighing a run, Gould had called Crombie in June to say she’s not coming for her job. Read up.
— Deadline day for Lehman: Barrie’s former mayor is expected to make a decision on whether he’ll run for Liberal leader this week.
Speaking of Barrie: Premier Ford made a weekend visit, joining Alex Nuttall in touring the city’s homeless encampments. More from Canadian Press.
— Wayne Gates with the best look at the Niagara Convention. Marit Stiles — who turned a year older on Saturday — with a big HBD card. Linnea Löfström-Abary and Christy Kheirallah with a look check. The TikTok caucus. OSSTF hosted a networking social. And more…
— There’s a new executive council for the NDP. Who’s who:
— Doug Ford eating ice cream. “I eat these things every night,” he said mid-presser.
— Ex-PC MPP Patrice Barnes has been named to the board of The George Brown College of Applied Arts and Technology.
— Monte McNaughton is out at Woodbine Entertainment Group. He’s launching MGM Strategies Limited, where he’ll focus on “strategic projects and consulting.” His announcement.
— One PC MPP is “deeply disappointed” by the federal government’s decision to recognize a Palestinian state. Laura Smith says the Carney government has “chosen a path that seemingly validates terrorism, complicates Canadian relationships and divides our communities here at home.”
Read up: “In a statement, Carney said [the possibility of a two-state solution] has ‘steadily and gravely eroded.’ ‘The current Israeli government is working methodically to prevent the prospect of a Palestinian state from ever being established. It has pursued an unrelenting policy of settlement expansion in the West Bank, which is illegal under international law,’ Carney said Sunday in a statement.” More from POLITICO.
— Kneecap says they’ll be “initiating legal action” against Vince Gassparo. He announced Friday the Irish hip hop group is being denied entry into Canada.
Recall: Gassparo, now an MP, once ran as the Liberal candidate in Eglinton–Lawrence. Despite Nick Kouvalis’ earlier prediction, Gasparro doesn’t plan to run for Liberal leader.
— Seen: Avi Lewis, running to replace Jagmeet Singh, at Queen’s Park. Video.
Thank you for reading POLICORNER. Are you Marit Stiles, Greg Denton or Stephanie Nakitsas? What say you about Labour v. the NDP? Reach out and I’ll keep you anonymous. We’re back in your inbox on Monday.
Marit Stiles stumbled her way through her leadership review. Some call it an “epic failure,” while others want her team gone. Meanwhile, another mysterious Draft Karina campaign is up. But to begin, add another name to the growing list of Liberal ‘maybes.’
SCOOP — Josh Matlow is “listening” to those pushing him to run for Liberal leader.
What he’s saying: “I have been receiving several phone calls from people who want the Ontario Liberal Party to win, which I obviously appreciate,” the Toronto-St. Paul’s councillor said in a text Friday. “And I’m listening.”
Some say the party’s progressive wing would be his to win. “He might be compelling as a ‘Nate-like’ candidate without the baggage,” one organizer said.
Not everyone’s a fan: “He wouldn’t even run for a seat when we needed someone like him to step up,” another texted. “He could’ve won a seat and would be well-positioned to run for leader now. I’ll pass.”
Pile on: Even Canada Proud weighed in on X:
Over in Niagara — “An epic failure:” Marit Stiles is staying put, yet the knives are out for her inner circle.
By the numbers: Stiles survived her leadership review with 68 per cent support — enough to stay on as leader, but far from a commanding mandate. In comparison, Bonnie Crombie got 57 per cent but was forced to stand down.
Going into the weekend, her team expected she’d land just over 75 per cent. “[They are] convinced she will have a good number,” one source, worried about how Stiles’ team was organizing, said. “There’s no way Marit will come close to Andrea Horwath. They should be organizing to beat Andrea’s number, not to simply cruise on by.”
In the end: Stiles’ result came in below Horwath’s, who hit 76 per cent support in 2012, 77 per cent in 2014 and 87 per cent in 2019.
From the convention hall, a visibly disappointed Stiles said she’d carry on. “We cannot run the same election campaign that we ran last time,” she said. “... We need to make change in this party if we’re going to be able to defeat Doug Ford in the next election and we will do that.”
With caucus at her side, Stiles said: “That’s what [caucus] want us to do, too.”
Sure: Privately, sources say caucus’ support for Stiles is steady, though they’re eager for a reset at the top. Outside the caucus room, you hear it again and again: “She needs to gut the team or go.”
“Saturday was a clear sign that the people around her are experts in incompetence,” a source, who asked not to be named in order to speak freely, said. As with Crombie’s, there were no buses to bring delegates to Niagara (which irked organizers in Liberal land, too). The same source said the vote wasn’t tightly managed, while the hybrid system wasn’t taken advantage of.
“The organization of the leadership team was an epic failure,” they added. “68 per cent is not something to be proud of.”
She got that message straight from caucus. “Tough talk” is how an emergency caucus meeting over the result, which ran just over half an hour, was described. “Caucus demanded urgent, substantive changes,” one source said of the “productive” conversation, while another pointed out there had long been a push for Stiles to get rid of her senior team. “Caucus may be showing unity in the open, but many of them have been asking Marit to get rid of this team.”
Rumour is: Of 27 NDP MPPs, at least 5 voted ‘yes’ for a leadership contest.
But in the end, caucus unanimously threw their support behind Stiles, standing with her as she announced the result on stage.
Optics, optics: Compare that to a weekend earlier, when Crombie — deciding to stick it out — stood solo, while some in caucus, when pressed, balked at giving her an explicit endorsement.
The road ahead for Stiles, some say, is rough. With a new Liberal leader on the way, one source says she must move fast or risk ceding ground as Ford’s primary challenger.
“If Marit is serious about governing, she needs to pull a Horwath, clean house and bring on talent that will get her there,” they said. “The Liberals are going back to the drawing board for the third time, and if we can’t capitalize on that this time around, we should get used to third party status.”
A sign of unease: “[They’re] fractured on this,” a source said of labour leaders, who convened Saturday to weigh Stiles’ result. It’s a sign of unease among the NDP’s traditional allies, a few of whom have grumbled about Stiles behind closed doors.
Two sources say voting on Stiles’ leadership — set to be carried out electronically from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. — lasted an hour longer than scheduled.
“Rumour is that they saw the result was even less and started calling up their supporters to ensure they voted to boost the number,” one said. A spokesperson pushed back against the claim, saying the vote ran from lunch without extension.
Strategist Erin Morrison says it’s clear the leader got the message loud and clear.
“7 in 10 delegates backed Stiles, but a good chunk of delegates used their vote to show they’re upset and dismayed that the NDP is still stuck in second place,” Morrison said. “She and her entire caucus took the stage to share the leadership vote results, and she pledged to do things differently. She echoed the feeling that second place isn’t good enough. The message was obviously well received.”
Across the aisle, the shade came fast and heavy.
“The danger for Marit Stiles — and for New Democrats across the country — is that unless they return to their roots, they risk losing their base for good,” said Laryssa Waler, Premier Ford’s ex-director of communications. “We’re already seeing voters feel more at home in Ontario’s Progressive Conservative Party… These are people who have always been pro-labour and pro-worker, but the NDP has shifted focus to social justice and other left-leaning causes at the expense of workers.”
Texted one Liberal: “It’s also the first time she’s ever had a vote on her leadership since she was acclaimed… [68 per cent] with no organized opposition. Bonnie won a rematch. Marit doesn’t have that excuse.”
But Damien O’Brien, the ex-EVP, was reluctant to pile on: “Those in glass houses should not cast stones. Given the unscheduled demolition of the Ontario Liberal glass house last weekend, I’ll cast away.”
Meanwhile: A resolution on nuclear power, which some once warned would spark division, passed with zero drama.
The text, as approved: “The ONDP joins the CLC and OFL in supporting all ultra-low emissions electricity sources including hydro, renewables, made-in-Canada nuclear and storage;... believes that a low-carbon future requires meaningful engagement, informed consent and opportunities for partnership with local Indigenous communities…”
Add this: The convention, remember, was delayed last December. “As a ‘confidential’ report of the party’s governance committee explained, a decision to postpone the convention ‘exposed inconsistencies’ in the party’s interpretation of the constitution. This resulted in ‘confusion, hurt and dissatisfaction amongst party members and staff alike despite best intentions.’” The Trillium has more.
— The House is back in October.
— Here’s what’s up on the fundraising trail this week:
— Speaking of Parry Sound: We missed this, but Smith weighed in on our August story about that non-compete deal Team Crombie shut down.
“Engaging in shady, backroom deals to manipulate the ballot is the height of hypocrisy from the Ontario Green Party,” he wrote. “These underhanded, undemocratic tactics reveal just how far the Greens are willing to go to win — even at the expense of local democracy. This is alarming and should not be tolerated.”
Added the local riding association: “For a party that constantly preaches about integrity and claims to ’do politics differently,’ this is the height of hypocrisy and a shameful betrayal of democratic principles.”
— In Liberal land, the Scarborough Centre riding association will meet on Friday at 6:30 p.m. On Sunday at 2:30 p.m., it’s Oshawa’s turn.
— Save the date: T-7 until Project Ontario’s “evening of mingling and policy discussions that aim to kickstart a much needed dialogue about conservatism in Ontario.” Admission is $100.
According to the invite: “This will be a chance to connect in person, hear a few remarks, and continue building momentum behind the work we’ve started.”
Who’s speaking: Greg Brady, Alexander Brown, Matt Spoke, Ginny Roth, Brian Dijkema, San VanderVeer, Adam Zivo, Josh Dehaas, Shawn Whatley, Chris Spoke, Ariella Kimmel, Peter Copeland and more.
— Also: Speaker No. 1 at the Next Campaign Summit: Kory Teneycke, Doug Ford’s campaign manager. Get your ticket.
— Neskantaga First Nation’s “unsafe and unacceptable” conditions require “immediate action,” the Ombudsman says.
Paul Dubé visited the community, nearly 500 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, last week for two days. “We visited a local graveyard, with graves of children surrounded by stuffed animals and flowers,” he wrote in a statement. Many of these lives were tragically lost to suicide. Other young people were sent out of the community to attend high school because the community does not have one for their citizens – only to return home in caskets. This is a heartbreaking reality for Neskantaga First Nation.”
His warning: “No community in a country as prosperous as Canada should have to endure what Neskantaga First Nation is facing.”
— A fresh bargain with doctors: “The Ford government has reached a new deal with Ontario’s doctors, announcing on Thursday a four-year agreement that boosts compensation for physicians and includes measures that will encourage more to practise comprehensive family medicine.” More from the Star.
— “A recipient of millions of dollars in provincial training grants is preparing people to work in entertainment clubs run by a fixture of Ford Nation, The Trillium has learned.”
— Radar rage: “‘It doesn’t slow traffic down,’ Ford insisted despite evidence from police and doctors to the contrary. Indeed, his comments came one day after the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police said the cameras have ‘been proven to reduce speeding, change driver behaviour, and make our roads safer for everyone — drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, and especially children and other vulnerable road users.’” More from the Star.
Here’s Patrick Corrigan’s editorial cartoon:
— Draw the Line: “A large crowd of close to 2,000 people marched through downtown Toronto Saturday afternoon as part of Canada-wide protests calling on the new Liberal government to prioritize the climate, Indigenous rights, migrants and workers ahead of the fall budget.” Catch up from CBC.
— SCOOP: Another mystery “Run, Karina, Run” campaign has popped up, urging Karina Gould to enter the race for Bonnie Crombie’s job.
The website — registered on September 16 — is fronted by a form asking: “Sign up if you think Karina should run for leader of the Ontario Liberal Party.”
Recall: Now weighing a run, Gould had called Crombie in June to say she’s not coming for her job. Read up.
— Deadline day for Lehman: Barrie’s former mayor is expected to make a decision on whether he’ll run for Liberal leader this week.
Speaking of Barrie: Premier Ford made a weekend visit, joining Alex Nuttall in touring the city’s homeless encampments. More from Canadian Press.
— Wayne Gates with the best look at the Niagara Convention. Marit Stiles — who turned a year older on Saturday — with a big HBD card. Linnea Löfström-Abary and Christy Kheirallah with a look check. The TikTok caucus. OSSTF hosted a networking social. And more…
— There’s a new executive council for the NDP. Who’s who:
— Doug Ford eating ice cream. “I eat these things every night,” he said mid-presser.
— Ex-PC MPP Patrice Barnes has been named to the board of The George Brown College of Applied Arts and Technology.
— Monte McNaughton is out at Woodbine Entertainment Group. He’s launching MGM Strategies Limited, where he’ll focus on “strategic projects and consulting.” His announcement.
— One PC MPP is “deeply disappointed” by the federal government’s decision to recognize a Palestinian state. Laura Smith says the Carney government has “chosen a path that seemingly validates terrorism, complicates Canadian relationships and divides our communities here at home.”
Read up: “In a statement, Carney said [the possibility of a two-state solution] has ‘steadily and gravely eroded.’ ‘The current Israeli government is working methodically to prevent the prospect of a Palestinian state from ever being established. It has pursued an unrelenting policy of settlement expansion in the West Bank, which is illegal under international law,’ Carney said Sunday in a statement.” More from POLITICO.
— Kneecap says they’ll be “initiating legal action” against Vince Gassparo. He announced Friday the Irish hip hop group is being denied entry into Canada.
Recall: Gassparo, now an MP, once ran as the Liberal candidate in Eglinton–Lawrence. Despite Nick Kouvalis’ earlier prediction, Gasparro doesn’t plan to run for Liberal leader.
— Seen: Avi Lewis, running to replace Jagmeet Singh, at Queen’s Park. Video.
Thank you for reading POLICORNER. Are you Marit Stiles, Greg Denton or Stephanie Nakitsas? What say you about Labour v. the NDP? Reach out and I’ll keep you anonymous. We’re back in your inbox on Monday.
Marit Stiles stumbled her way through her leadership review. Some call it an “epic failure,” while others want her team gone. Meanwhile, another mysterious Draft Karina campaign is up. But to begin, add another name to the growing list of Liberal ‘maybes.’
SCOOP — Josh Matlow is “listening” to those pushing him to run for Liberal leader.
What he’s saying: “I have been receiving several phone calls from people who want the Ontario Liberal Party to win, which I obviously appreciate,” the Toronto-St. Paul’s councillor said in a text Friday. “And I’m listening.”
Some say the party’s progressive wing would be his to win. “He might be compelling as a ‘Nate-like’ candidate without the baggage,” one organizer said.
Not everyone’s a fan: “He wouldn’t even run for a seat when we needed someone like him to step up,” another texted. “He could’ve won a seat and would be well-positioned to run for leader now. I’ll pass.”
Pile on: Even Canada Proud weighed in on X:
Over in Niagara — “An epic failure:” Marit Stiles is staying put, yet the knives are out for her inner circle.
By the numbers: Stiles survived her leadership review with 68 per cent support — enough to stay on as leader, but far from a commanding mandate. In comparison, Bonnie Crombie got 57 per cent but was forced to stand down.
Going into the weekend, her team expected she’d land just over 75 per cent. “[They are] convinced she will have a good number,” one source, worried about how Stiles’ team was organizing, said. “There’s no way Marit will come close to Andrea Horwath. They should be organizing to beat Andrea’s number, not to simply cruise on by.”
In the end: Stiles’ result came in below Horwath’s, who hit 76 per cent support in 2012, 77 per cent in 2014 and 87 per cent in 2019.
From the convention hall, a visibly disappointed Stiles said she’d carry on. “We cannot run the same election campaign that we ran last time,” she said. “... We need to make change in this party if we’re going to be able to defeat Doug Ford in the next election and we will do that.”
With caucus at her side, Stiles said: “That’s what [caucus] want us to do, too.”
Sure: Privately, sources say caucus’ support for Stiles is steady, though they’re eager for a reset at the top. Outside the caucus room, you hear it again and again: “She needs to gut the team or go.”
“Saturday was a clear sign that the people around her are experts in incompetence,” a source, who asked not to be named in order to speak freely, said. As with Crombie’s, there were no buses to bring delegates to Niagara (which irked organizers in Liberal land, too). The same source said the vote wasn’t tightly managed, while the hybrid system wasn’t taken advantage of.
“The organization of the leadership team was an epic failure,” they added. “68 per cent is not something to be proud of.”
She got that message straight from caucus. “Tough talk” is how an emergency caucus meeting over the result, which ran just over half an hour, was described. “Caucus demanded urgent, substantive changes,” one source said of the “productive” conversation, while another pointed out there had long been a push for Stiles to get rid of her senior team. “Caucus may be showing unity in the open, but many of them have been asking Marit to get rid of this team.”
Rumour is: Of 27 NDP MPPs, at least 5 voted ‘yes’ for a leadership contest.
But in the end, caucus unanimously threw their support behind Stiles, standing with her as she announced the result on stage.
Optics, optics: Compare that to a weekend earlier, when Crombie — deciding to stick it out — stood solo, while some in caucus, when pressed, balked at giving her an explicit endorsement.
The road ahead for Stiles, some say, is rough. With a new Liberal leader on the way, one source says she must move fast or risk ceding ground as Ford’s primary challenger.
“If Marit is serious about governing, she needs to pull a Horwath, clean house and bring on talent that will get her there,” they said. “The Liberals are going back to the drawing board for the third time, and if we can’t capitalize on that this time around, we should get used to third party status.”
A sign of unease: “[They’re] fractured on this,” a source said of labour leaders, who convened Saturday to weigh Stiles’ result. It’s a sign of unease among the NDP’s traditional allies, a few of whom have grumbled about Stiles behind closed doors.
Two sources say voting on Stiles’ leadership — set to be carried out electronically from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. — lasted an hour longer than scheduled.
“Rumour is that they saw the result was even less and started calling up their supporters to ensure they voted to boost the number,” one said. A spokesperson pushed back against the claim, saying the vote ran from lunch without extension.
Strategist Erin Morrison says it’s clear the leader got the message loud and clear.
“7 in 10 delegates backed Stiles, but a good chunk of delegates used their vote to show they’re upset and dismayed that the NDP is still stuck in second place,” Morrison said. “She and her entire caucus took the stage to share the leadership vote results, and she pledged to do things differently. She echoed the feeling that second place isn’t good enough. The message was obviously well received.”
Across the aisle, the shade came fast and heavy.
“The danger for Marit Stiles — and for New Democrats across the country — is that unless they return to their roots, they risk losing their base for good,” said Laryssa Waler, Premier Ford’s ex-director of communications. “We’re already seeing voters feel more at home in Ontario’s Progressive Conservative Party… These are people who have always been pro-labour and pro-worker, but the NDP has shifted focus to social justice and other left-leaning causes at the expense of workers.”
Texted one Liberal: “It’s also the first time she’s ever had a vote on her leadership since she was acclaimed… [68 per cent] with no organized opposition. Bonnie won a rematch. Marit doesn’t have that excuse.”
But Damien O’Brien, the ex-EVP, was reluctant to pile on: “Those in glass houses should not cast stones. Given the unscheduled demolition of the Ontario Liberal glass house last weekend, I’ll cast away.”
Meanwhile: A resolution on nuclear power, which some once warned would spark division, passed with zero drama.
The text, as approved: “The ONDP joins the CLC and OFL in supporting all ultra-low emissions electricity sources including hydro, renewables, made-in-Canada nuclear and storage;... believes that a low-carbon future requires meaningful engagement, informed consent and opportunities for partnership with local Indigenous communities…”
Add this: The convention, remember, was delayed last December. “As a ‘confidential’ report of the party’s governance committee explained, a decision to postpone the convention ‘exposed inconsistencies’ in the party’s interpretation of the constitution. This resulted in ‘confusion, hurt and dissatisfaction amongst party members and staff alike despite best intentions.’” The Trillium has more.
— The House is back in October.
— Here’s what’s up on the fundraising trail this week:
— Speaking of Parry Sound: We missed this, but Smith weighed in on our August story about that non-compete deal Team Crombie shut down.
“Engaging in shady, backroom deals to manipulate the ballot is the height of hypocrisy from the Ontario Green Party,” he wrote. “These underhanded, undemocratic tactics reveal just how far the Greens are willing to go to win — even at the expense of local democracy. This is alarming and should not be tolerated.”
Added the local riding association: “For a party that constantly preaches about integrity and claims to ’do politics differently,’ this is the height of hypocrisy and a shameful betrayal of democratic principles.”
— In Liberal land, the Scarborough Centre riding association will meet on Friday at 6:30 p.m. On Sunday at 2:30 p.m., it’s Oshawa’s turn.
— Save the date: T-7 until Project Ontario’s “evening of mingling and policy discussions that aim to kickstart a much needed dialogue about conservatism in Ontario.” Admission is $100.
According to the invite: “This will be a chance to connect in person, hear a few remarks, and continue building momentum behind the work we’ve started.”
Who’s speaking: Greg Brady, Alexander Brown, Matt Spoke, Ginny Roth, Brian Dijkema, San VanderVeer, Adam Zivo, Josh Dehaas, Shawn Whatley, Chris Spoke, Ariella Kimmel, Peter Copeland and more.
— Also: Speaker No. 1 at the Next Campaign Summit: Kory Teneycke, Doug Ford’s campaign manager. Get your ticket.
— Neskantaga First Nation’s “unsafe and unacceptable” conditions require “immediate action,” the Ombudsman says.
Paul Dubé visited the community, nearly 500 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, last week for two days. “We visited a local graveyard, with graves of children surrounded by stuffed animals and flowers,” he wrote in a statement. Many of these lives were tragically lost to suicide. Other young people were sent out of the community to attend high school because the community does not have one for their citizens – only to return home in caskets. This is a heartbreaking reality for Neskantaga First Nation.”
His warning: “No community in a country as prosperous as Canada should have to endure what Neskantaga First Nation is facing.”
— A fresh bargain with doctors: “The Ford government has reached a new deal with Ontario’s doctors, announcing on Thursday a four-year agreement that boosts compensation for physicians and includes measures that will encourage more to practise comprehensive family medicine.” More from the Star.
— “A recipient of millions of dollars in provincial training grants is preparing people to work in entertainment clubs run by a fixture of Ford Nation, The Trillium has learned.”
— Radar rage: “‘It doesn’t slow traffic down,’ Ford insisted despite evidence from police and doctors to the contrary. Indeed, his comments came one day after the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police said the cameras have ‘been proven to reduce speeding, change driver behaviour, and make our roads safer for everyone — drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, and especially children and other vulnerable road users.’” More from the Star.
Here’s Patrick Corrigan’s editorial cartoon:
— Draw the Line: “A large crowd of close to 2,000 people marched through downtown Toronto Saturday afternoon as part of Canada-wide protests calling on the new Liberal government to prioritize the climate, Indigenous rights, migrants and workers ahead of the fall budget.” Catch up from CBC.
— SCOOP: Another mystery “Run, Karina, Run” campaign has popped up, urging Karina Gould to enter the race for Bonnie Crombie’s job.
The website — registered on September 16 — is fronted by a form asking: “Sign up if you think Karina should run for leader of the Ontario Liberal Party.”
Recall: Now weighing a run, Gould had called Crombie in June to say she’s not coming for her job. Read up.
— Deadline day for Lehman: Barrie’s former mayor is expected to make a decision on whether he’ll run for Liberal leader this week.
Speaking of Barrie: Premier Ford made a weekend visit, joining Alex Nuttall in touring the city’s homeless encampments. More from Canadian Press.
— Wayne Gates with the best look at the Niagara Convention. Marit Stiles — who turned a year older on Saturday — with a big HBD card. Linnea Löfström-Abary and Christy Kheirallah with a look check. The TikTok caucus. OSSTF hosted a networking social. And more…
— There’s a new executive council for the NDP. Who’s who:
— Doug Ford eating ice cream. “I eat these things every night,” he said mid-presser.
— Ex-PC MPP Patrice Barnes has been named to the board of The George Brown College of Applied Arts and Technology.
— Monte McNaughton is out at Woodbine Entertainment Group. He’s launching MGM Strategies Limited, where he’ll focus on “strategic projects and consulting.” His announcement.
— One PC MPP is “deeply disappointed” by the federal government’s decision to recognize a Palestinian state. Laura Smith says the Carney government has “chosen a path that seemingly validates terrorism, complicates Canadian relationships and divides our communities here at home.”
Read up: “In a statement, Carney said [the possibility of a two-state solution] has ‘steadily and gravely eroded.’ ‘The current Israeli government is working methodically to prevent the prospect of a Palestinian state from ever being established. It has pursued an unrelenting policy of settlement expansion in the West Bank, which is illegal under international law,’ Carney said Sunday in a statement.” More from POLITICO.
— Kneecap says they’ll be “initiating legal action” against Vince Gassparo. He announced Friday the Irish hip hop group is being denied entry into Canada.
Recall: Gassparo, now an MP, once ran as the Liberal candidate in Eglinton–Lawrence. Despite Nick Kouvalis’ earlier prediction, Gasparro doesn’t plan to run for Liberal leader.
— Seen: Avi Lewis, running to replace Jagmeet Singh, at Queen’s Park. Video.
Thank you for reading POLICORNER. Are you Marit Stiles, Greg Denton or Stephanie Nakitsas? What say you about Labour v. the NDP? Reach out and I’ll keep you anonymous. We’re back in your inbox on Monday.
Marit Stiles stumbled her way through her leadership review. Some call it an “epic failure,” while others want her team gone. Meanwhile, another mysterious Draft Karina campaign is up. But to begin, add another name to the growing list of Liberal ‘maybes.’
SCOOP — Josh Matlow is “listening” to those pushing him to run for Liberal leader.
What he’s saying: “I have been receiving several phone calls from people who want the Ontario Liberal Party to win, which I obviously appreciate,” the Toronto-St. Paul’s councillor said in a text Friday. “And I’m listening.”
Some say the party’s progressive wing would be his to win. “He might be compelling as a ‘Nate-like’ candidate without the baggage,” one organizer said.
Not everyone’s a fan: “He wouldn’t even run for a seat when we needed someone like him to step up,” another texted. “He could’ve won a seat and would be well-positioned to run for leader now. I’ll pass.”
Pile on: Even Canada Proud weighed in on X:
Over in Niagara — “An epic failure:” Marit Stiles is staying put, yet the knives are out for her inner circle.
By the numbers: Stiles survived her leadership review with 68 per cent support — enough to stay on as leader, but far from a commanding mandate. In comparison, Bonnie Crombie got 57 per cent but was forced to stand down.
Going into the weekend, her team expected she’d land just over 75 per cent. “[They are] convinced she will have a good number,” one source, worried about how Stiles’ team was organizing, said. “There’s no way Marit will come close to Andrea Horwath. They should be organizing to beat Andrea’s number, not to simply cruise on by.”
In the end: Stiles’ result came in below Horwath’s, who hit 76 per cent support in 2012, 77 per cent in 2014 and 87 per cent in 2019.
From the convention hall, a visibly disappointed Stiles said she’d carry on. “We cannot run the same election campaign that we ran last time,” she said. “... We need to make change in this party if we’re going to be able to defeat Doug Ford in the next election and we will do that.”
With caucus at her side, Stiles said: “That’s what [caucus] want us to do, too.”
Sure: Privately, sources say caucus’ support for Stiles is steady, though they’re eager for a reset at the top. Outside the caucus room, you hear it again and again: “She needs to gut the team or go.”
“Saturday was a clear sign that the people around her are experts in incompetence,” a source, who asked not to be named in order to speak freely, said. As with Crombie’s, there were no buses to bring delegates to Niagara (which irked organizers in Liberal land, too). The same source said the vote wasn’t tightly managed, while the hybrid system wasn’t taken advantage of.
“The organization of the leadership team was an epic failure,” they added. “68 per cent is not something to be proud of.”
She got that message straight from caucus. “Tough talk” is how an emergency caucus meeting over the result, which ran just over half an hour, was described. “Caucus demanded urgent, substantive changes,” one source said of the “productive” conversation, while another pointed out there had long been a push for Stiles to get rid of her senior team. “Caucus may be showing unity in the open, but many of them have been asking Marit to get rid of this team.”
Rumour is: Of 27 NDP MPPs, at least 5 voted ‘yes’ for a leadership contest.
But in the end, caucus unanimously threw their support behind Stiles, standing with her as she announced the result on stage.
Optics, optics: Compare that to a weekend earlier, when Crombie — deciding to stick it out — stood solo, while some in caucus, when pressed, balked at giving her an explicit endorsement.
The road ahead for Stiles, some say, is rough. With a new Liberal leader on the way, one source says she must move fast or risk ceding ground as Ford’s primary challenger.
“If Marit is serious about governing, she needs to pull a Horwath, clean house and bring on talent that will get her there,” they said. “The Liberals are going back to the drawing board for the third time, and if we can’t capitalize on that this time around, we should get used to third party status.”
A sign of unease: “[They’re] fractured on this,” a source said of labour leaders, who convened Saturday to weigh Stiles’ result. It’s a sign of unease among the NDP’s traditional allies, a few of whom have grumbled about Stiles behind closed doors.
Two sources say voting on Stiles’ leadership — set to be carried out electronically from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. — lasted an hour longer than scheduled.
“Rumour is that they saw the result was even less and started calling up their supporters to ensure they voted to boost the number,” one said. A spokesperson pushed back against the claim, saying the vote ran from lunch without extension.
Strategist Erin Morrison says it’s clear the leader got the message loud and clear.
“7 in 10 delegates backed Stiles, but a good chunk of delegates used their vote to show they’re upset and dismayed that the NDP is still stuck in second place,” Morrison said. “She and her entire caucus took the stage to share the leadership vote results, and she pledged to do things differently. She echoed the feeling that second place isn’t good enough. The message was obviously well received.”
Across the aisle, the shade came fast and heavy.
“The danger for Marit Stiles — and for New Democrats across the country — is that unless they return to their roots, they risk losing their base for good,” said Laryssa Waler, Premier Ford’s ex-director of communications. “We’re already seeing voters feel more at home in Ontario’s Progressive Conservative Party… These are people who have always been pro-labour and pro-worker, but the NDP has shifted focus to social justice and other left-leaning causes at the expense of workers.”
Texted one Liberal: “It’s also the first time she’s ever had a vote on her leadership since she was acclaimed… [68 per cent] with no organized opposition. Bonnie won a rematch. Marit doesn’t have that excuse.”
But Damien O’Brien, the ex-EVP, was reluctant to pile on: “Those in glass houses should not cast stones. Given the unscheduled demolition of the Ontario Liberal glass house last weekend, I’ll cast away.”
Meanwhile: A resolution on nuclear power, which some once warned would spark division, passed with zero drama.
The text, as approved: “The ONDP joins the CLC and OFL in supporting all ultra-low emissions electricity sources including hydro, renewables, made-in-Canada nuclear and storage;... believes that a low-carbon future requires meaningful engagement, informed consent and opportunities for partnership with local Indigenous communities…”
Add this: The convention, remember, was delayed last December. “As a ‘confidential’ report of the party’s governance committee explained, a decision to postpone the convention ‘exposed inconsistencies’ in the party’s interpretation of the constitution. This resulted in ‘confusion, hurt and dissatisfaction amongst party members and staff alike despite best intentions.’” The Trillium has more.
— The House is back in October.
— Here’s what’s up on the fundraising trail this week:
— Speaking of Parry Sound: We missed this, but Smith weighed in on our August story about that non-compete deal Team Crombie shut down.
“Engaging in shady, backroom deals to manipulate the ballot is the height of hypocrisy from the Ontario Green Party,” he wrote. “These underhanded, undemocratic tactics reveal just how far the Greens are willing to go to win — even at the expense of local democracy. This is alarming and should not be tolerated.”
Added the local riding association: “For a party that constantly preaches about integrity and claims to ’do politics differently,’ this is the height of hypocrisy and a shameful betrayal of democratic principles.”
— In Liberal land, the Scarborough Centre riding association will meet on Friday at 6:30 p.m. On Sunday at 2:30 p.m., it’s Oshawa’s turn.
— Save the date: T-7 until Project Ontario’s “evening of mingling and policy discussions that aim to kickstart a much needed dialogue about conservatism in Ontario.” Admission is $100.
According to the invite: “This will be a chance to connect in person, hear a few remarks, and continue building momentum behind the work we’ve started.”
Who’s speaking: Greg Brady, Alexander Brown, Matt Spoke, Ginny Roth, Brian Dijkema, San VanderVeer, Adam Zivo, Josh Dehaas, Shawn Whatley, Chris Spoke, Ariella Kimmel, Peter Copeland and more.
— Also: Speaker No. 1 at the Next Campaign Summit: Kory Teneycke, Doug Ford’s campaign manager. Get your ticket.
— Neskantaga First Nation’s “unsafe and unacceptable” conditions require “immediate action,” the Ombudsman says.
Paul Dubé visited the community, nearly 500 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, last week for two days. “We visited a local graveyard, with graves of children surrounded by stuffed animals and flowers,” he wrote in a statement. Many of these lives were tragically lost to suicide. Other young people were sent out of the community to attend high school because the community does not have one for their citizens – only to return home in caskets. This is a heartbreaking reality for Neskantaga First Nation.”
His warning: “No community in a country as prosperous as Canada should have to endure what Neskantaga First Nation is facing.”
— A fresh bargain with doctors: “The Ford government has reached a new deal with Ontario’s doctors, announcing on Thursday a four-year agreement that boosts compensation for physicians and includes measures that will encourage more to practise comprehensive family medicine.” More from the Star.
— “A recipient of millions of dollars in provincial training grants is preparing people to work in entertainment clubs run by a fixture of Ford Nation, The Trillium has learned.”
— Radar rage: “‘It doesn’t slow traffic down,’ Ford insisted despite evidence from police and doctors to the contrary. Indeed, his comments came one day after the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police said the cameras have ‘been proven to reduce speeding, change driver behaviour, and make our roads safer for everyone — drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, and especially children and other vulnerable road users.’” More from the Star.
Here’s Patrick Corrigan’s editorial cartoon:
— Draw the Line: “A large crowd of close to 2,000 people marched through downtown Toronto Saturday afternoon as part of Canada-wide protests calling on the new Liberal government to prioritize the climate, Indigenous rights, migrants and workers ahead of the fall budget.” Catch up from CBC.
— SCOOP: Another mystery “Run, Karina, Run” campaign has popped up, urging Karina Gould to enter the race for Bonnie Crombie’s job.
The website — registered on September 16 — is fronted by a form asking: “Sign up if you think Karina should run for leader of the Ontario Liberal Party.”
Recall: Now weighing a run, Gould had called Crombie in June to say she’s not coming for her job. Read up.
— Deadline day for Lehman: Barrie’s former mayor is expected to make a decision on whether he’ll run for Liberal leader this week.
Speaking of Barrie: Premier Ford made a weekend visit, joining Alex Nuttall in touring the city’s homeless encampments. More from Canadian Press.
— Wayne Gates with the best look at the Niagara Convention. Marit Stiles — who turned a year older on Saturday — with a big HBD card. Linnea Löfström-Abary and Christy Kheirallah with a look check. The TikTok caucus. OSSTF hosted a networking social. And more…
— There’s a new executive council for the NDP. Who’s who:
— Doug Ford eating ice cream. “I eat these things every night,” he said mid-presser.
— Ex-PC MPP Patrice Barnes has been named to the board of The George Brown College of Applied Arts and Technology.
— Monte McNaughton is out at Woodbine Entertainment Group. He’s launching MGM Strategies Limited, where he’ll focus on “strategic projects and consulting.” His announcement.
— One PC MPP is “deeply disappointed” by the federal government’s decision to recognize a Palestinian state. Laura Smith says the Carney government has “chosen a path that seemingly validates terrorism, complicates Canadian relationships and divides our communities here at home.”
Read up: “In a statement, Carney said [the possibility of a two-state solution] has ‘steadily and gravely eroded.’ ‘The current Israeli government is working methodically to prevent the prospect of a Palestinian state from ever being established. It has pursued an unrelenting policy of settlement expansion in the West Bank, which is illegal under international law,’ Carney said Sunday in a statement.” More from POLITICO.
— Kneecap says they’ll be “initiating legal action” against Vince Gassparo. He announced Friday the Irish hip hop group is being denied entry into Canada.
Recall: Gassparo, now an MP, once ran as the Liberal candidate in Eglinton–Lawrence. Despite Nick Kouvalis’ earlier prediction, Gasparro doesn’t plan to run for Liberal leader.
— Seen: Avi Lewis, running to replace Jagmeet Singh, at Queen’s Park. Video.
Thank you for reading POLICORNER. Are you Marit Stiles, Greg Denton or Stephanie Nakitsas? What say you about Labour v. the NDP? Reach out and I’ll keep you anonymous. We’re back in your inbox on Monday.
Marit Stiles stumbled her way through her leadership review. Some call it an “epic failure,” while others want her team gone. Meanwhile, another mysterious Draft Karina campaign is up. But to begin, add another name to the growing list of Liberal ‘maybes.’
SCOOP — Josh Matlow is “listening” to those pushing him to run for Liberal leader.
What he’s saying: “I have been receiving several phone calls from people who want the Ontario Liberal Party to win, which I obviously appreciate,” the Toronto-St. Paul’s councillor said in a text Friday. “And I’m listening.”
Some say the party’s progressive wing would be his to win. “He might be compelling as a ‘Nate-like’ candidate without the baggage,” one organizer said.
Not everyone’s a fan: “He wouldn’t even run for a seat when we needed someone like him to step up,” another texted. “He could’ve won a seat and would be well-positioned to run for leader now. I’ll pass.”
Pile on: Even Canada Proud weighed in on X:
Over in Niagara — “An epic failure:” Marit Stiles is staying put, yet the knives are out for her inner circle.
By the numbers: Stiles survived her leadership review with 68 per cent support — enough to stay on as leader, but far from a commanding mandate. In comparison, Bonnie Crombie got 57 per cent but was forced to stand down.
Going into the weekend, her team expected she’d land just over 75 per cent. “[They are] convinced she will have a good number,” one source, worried about how Stiles’ team was organizing, said. “There’s no way Marit will come close to Andrea Horwath. They should be organizing to beat Andrea’s number, not to simply cruise on by.”
In the end: Stiles’ result came in below Horwath’s, who hit 76 per cent support in 2012, 77 per cent in 2014 and 87 per cent in 2019.
From the convention hall, a visibly disappointed Stiles said she’d carry on. “We cannot run the same election campaign that we ran last time,” she said. “... We need to make change in this party if we’re going to be able to defeat Doug Ford in the next election and we will do that.”
With caucus at her side, Stiles said: “That’s what [caucus] want us to do, too.”
Sure: Privately, sources say caucus’ support for Stiles is steady, though they’re eager for a reset at the top. Outside the caucus room, you hear it again and again: “She needs to gut the team or go.”
“Saturday was a clear sign that the people around her are experts in incompetence,” a source, who asked not to be named in order to speak freely, said. As with Crombie’s, there were no buses to bring delegates to Niagara (which irked organizers in Liberal land, too). The same source said the vote wasn’t tightly managed, while the hybrid system wasn’t taken advantage of.
“The organization of the leadership team was an epic failure,” they added. “68 per cent is not something to be proud of.”
She got that message straight from caucus. “Tough talk” is how an emergency caucus meeting over the result, which ran just over half an hour, was described. “Caucus demanded urgent, substantive changes,” one source said of the “productive” conversation, while another pointed out there had long been a push for Stiles to get rid of her senior team. “Caucus may be showing unity in the open, but many of them have been asking Marit to get rid of this team.”
Rumour is: Of 27 NDP MPPs, at least 5 voted ‘yes’ for a leadership contest.
But in the end, caucus unanimously threw their support behind Stiles, standing with her as she announced the result on stage.
Optics, optics: Compare that to a weekend earlier, when Crombie — deciding to stick it out — stood solo, while some in caucus, when pressed, balked at giving her an explicit endorsement.
The road ahead for Stiles, some say, is rough. With a new Liberal leader on the way, one source says she must move fast or risk ceding ground as Ford’s primary challenger.
“If Marit is serious about governing, she needs to pull a Horwath, clean house and bring on talent that will get her there,” they said. “The Liberals are going back to the drawing board for the third time, and if we can’t capitalize on that this time around, we should get used to third party status.”
A sign of unease: “[They’re] fractured on this,” a source said of labour leaders, who convened Saturday to weigh Stiles’ result. It’s a sign of unease among the NDP’s traditional allies, a few of whom have grumbled about Stiles behind closed doors.
Two sources say voting on Stiles’ leadership — set to be carried out electronically from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. — lasted an hour longer than scheduled.
“Rumour is that they saw the result was even less and started calling up their supporters to ensure they voted to boost the number,” one said. A spokesperson pushed back against the claim, saying the vote ran from lunch without extension.
Strategist Erin Morrison says it’s clear the leader got the message loud and clear.
“7 in 10 delegates backed Stiles, but a good chunk of delegates used their vote to show they’re upset and dismayed that the NDP is still stuck in second place,” Morrison said. “She and her entire caucus took the stage to share the leadership vote results, and she pledged to do things differently. She echoed the feeling that second place isn’t good enough. The message was obviously well received.”
Across the aisle, the shade came fast and heavy.
“The danger for Marit Stiles — and for New Democrats across the country — is that unless they return to their roots, they risk losing their base for good,” said Laryssa Waler, Premier Ford’s ex-director of communications. “We’re already seeing voters feel more at home in Ontario’s Progressive Conservative Party… These are people who have always been pro-labour and pro-worker, but the NDP has shifted focus to social justice and other left-leaning causes at the expense of workers.”
Texted one Liberal: “It’s also the first time she’s ever had a vote on her leadership since she was acclaimed… [68 per cent] with no organized opposition. Bonnie won a rematch. Marit doesn’t have that excuse.”
But Damien O’Brien, the ex-EVP, was reluctant to pile on: “Those in glass houses should not cast stones. Given the unscheduled demolition of the Ontario Liberal glass house last weekend, I’ll cast away.”
Meanwhile: A resolution on nuclear power, which some once warned would spark division, passed with zero drama.
The text, as approved: “The ONDP joins the CLC and OFL in supporting all ultra-low emissions electricity sources including hydro, renewables, made-in-Canada nuclear and storage;... believes that a low-carbon future requires meaningful engagement, informed consent and opportunities for partnership with local Indigenous communities…”
Add this: The convention, remember, was delayed last December. “As a ‘confidential’ report of the party’s governance committee explained, a decision to postpone the convention ‘exposed inconsistencies’ in the party’s interpretation of the constitution. This resulted in ‘confusion, hurt and dissatisfaction amongst party members and staff alike despite best intentions.’” The Trillium has more.
— The House is back in October.
— Here’s what’s up on the fundraising trail this week:
— Speaking of Parry Sound: We missed this, but Smith weighed in on our August story about that non-compete deal Team Crombie shut down.
“Engaging in shady, backroom deals to manipulate the ballot is the height of hypocrisy from the Ontario Green Party,” he wrote. “These underhanded, undemocratic tactics reveal just how far the Greens are willing to go to win — even at the expense of local democracy. This is alarming and should not be tolerated.”
Added the local riding association: “For a party that constantly preaches about integrity and claims to ’do politics differently,’ this is the height of hypocrisy and a shameful betrayal of democratic principles.”
— In Liberal land, the Scarborough Centre riding association will meet on Friday at 6:30 p.m. On Sunday at 2:30 p.m., it’s Oshawa’s turn.
— Save the date: T-7 until Project Ontario’s “evening of mingling and policy discussions that aim to kickstart a much needed dialogue about conservatism in Ontario.” Admission is $100.
According to the invite: “This will be a chance to connect in person, hear a few remarks, and continue building momentum behind the work we’ve started.”
Who’s speaking: Greg Brady, Alexander Brown, Matt Spoke, Ginny Roth, Brian Dijkema, San VanderVeer, Adam Zivo, Josh Dehaas, Shawn Whatley, Chris Spoke, Ariella Kimmel, Peter Copeland and more.
— Also: Speaker No. 1 at the Next Campaign Summit: Kory Teneycke, Doug Ford’s campaign manager. Get your ticket.
— Neskantaga First Nation’s “unsafe and unacceptable” conditions require “immediate action,” the Ombudsman says.
Paul Dubé visited the community, nearly 500 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, last week for two days. “We visited a local graveyard, with graves of children surrounded by stuffed animals and flowers,” he wrote in a statement. Many of these lives were tragically lost to suicide. Other young people were sent out of the community to attend high school because the community does not have one for their citizens – only to return home in caskets. This is a heartbreaking reality for Neskantaga First Nation.”
His warning: “No community in a country as prosperous as Canada should have to endure what Neskantaga First Nation is facing.”
— A fresh bargain with doctors: “The Ford government has reached a new deal with Ontario’s doctors, announcing on Thursday a four-year agreement that boosts compensation for physicians and includes measures that will encourage more to practise comprehensive family medicine.” More from the Star.
— “A recipient of millions of dollars in provincial training grants is preparing people to work in entertainment clubs run by a fixture of Ford Nation, The Trillium has learned.”
— Radar rage: “‘It doesn’t slow traffic down,’ Ford insisted despite evidence from police and doctors to the contrary. Indeed, his comments came one day after the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police said the cameras have ‘been proven to reduce speeding, change driver behaviour, and make our roads safer for everyone — drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, and especially children and other vulnerable road users.’” More from the Star.
Here’s Patrick Corrigan’s editorial cartoon:
— Draw the Line: “A large crowd of close to 2,000 people marched through downtown Toronto Saturday afternoon as part of Canada-wide protests calling on the new Liberal government to prioritize the climate, Indigenous rights, migrants and workers ahead of the fall budget.” Catch up from CBC.
— SCOOP: Another mystery “Run, Karina, Run” campaign has popped up, urging Karina Gould to enter the race for Bonnie Crombie’s job.
The website — registered on September 16 — is fronted by a form asking: “Sign up if you think Karina should run for leader of the Ontario Liberal Party.”
Recall: Now weighing a run, Gould had called Crombie in June to say she’s not coming for her job. Read up.
— Deadline day for Lehman: Barrie’s former mayor is expected to make a decision on whether he’ll run for Liberal leader this week.
Speaking of Barrie: Premier Ford made a weekend visit, joining Alex Nuttall in touring the city’s homeless encampments. More from Canadian Press.
— Wayne Gates with the best look at the Niagara Convention. Marit Stiles — who turned a year older on Saturday — with a big HBD card. Linnea Löfström-Abary and Christy Kheirallah with a look check. The TikTok caucus. OSSTF hosted a networking social. And more…
— There’s a new executive council for the NDP. Who’s who:
— Doug Ford eating ice cream. “I eat these things every night,” he said mid-presser.
— Ex-PC MPP Patrice Barnes has been named to the board of The George Brown College of Applied Arts and Technology.
— Monte McNaughton is out at Woodbine Entertainment Group. He’s launching MGM Strategies Limited, where he’ll focus on “strategic projects and consulting.” His announcement.
— One PC MPP is “deeply disappointed” by the federal government’s decision to recognize a Palestinian state. Laura Smith says the Carney government has “chosen a path that seemingly validates terrorism, complicates Canadian relationships and divides our communities here at home.”
Read up: “In a statement, Carney said [the possibility of a two-state solution] has ‘steadily and gravely eroded.’ ‘The current Israeli government is working methodically to prevent the prospect of a Palestinian state from ever being established. It has pursued an unrelenting policy of settlement expansion in the West Bank, which is illegal under international law,’ Carney said Sunday in a statement.” More from POLITICO.
— Kneecap says they’ll be “initiating legal action” against Vince Gassparo. He announced Friday the Irish hip hop group is being denied entry into Canada.
Recall: Gassparo, now an MP, once ran as the Liberal candidate in Eglinton–Lawrence. Despite Nick Kouvalis’ earlier prediction, Gasparro doesn’t plan to run for Liberal leader.
— Seen: Avi Lewis, running to replace Jagmeet Singh, at Queen’s Park. Video.
Thank you for reading POLICORNER. Are you Marit Stiles, Greg Denton or Stephanie Nakitsas? What say you about Labour v. the NDP? Reach out and I’ll keep you anonymous. We’re back in your inbox on Monday.
Marit Stiles stumbled her way through her leadership review. Some call it an “epic failure,” while others want her team gone. Meanwhile, another mysterious Draft Karina campaign is up. But to begin, add another name to the growing list of Liberal ‘maybes.’
SCOOP — Josh Matlow is “listening” to those pushing him to run for Liberal leader.
What he’s saying: “I have been receiving several phone calls from people who want the Ontario Liberal Party to win, which I obviously appreciate,” the Toronto-St. Paul’s councillor said in a text Friday. “And I’m listening.”
Some say the party’s progressive wing would be his to win. “He might be compelling as a ‘Nate-like’ candidate without the baggage,” one organizer said.
Not everyone’s a fan: “He wouldn’t even run for a seat when we needed someone like him to step up,” another texted. “He could’ve won a seat and would be well-positioned to run for leader now. I’ll pass.”
Pile on: Even Canada Proud weighed in on X:
Over in Niagara — “An epic failure:” Marit Stiles is staying put, yet the knives are out for her inner circle.
By the numbers: Stiles survived her leadership review with 68 per cent support — enough to stay on as leader, but far from a commanding mandate. In comparison, Bonnie Crombie got 57 per cent but was forced to stand down.
Going into the weekend, her team expected she’d land just over 75 per cent. “[They are] convinced she will have a good number,” one source, worried about how Stiles’ team was organizing, said. “There’s no way Marit will come close to Andrea Horwath. They should be organizing to beat Andrea’s number, not to simply cruise on by.”
In the end: Stiles’ result came in below Horwath’s, who hit 76 per cent support in 2012, 77 per cent in 2014 and 87 per cent in 2019.
From the convention hall, a visibly disappointed Stiles said she’d carry on. “We cannot run the same election campaign that we ran last time,” she said. “... We need to make change in this party if we’re going to be able to defeat Doug Ford in the next election and we will do that.”
With caucus at her side, Stiles said: “That’s what [caucus] want us to do, too.”
Sure: Privately, sources say caucus’ support for Stiles is steady, though they’re eager for a reset at the top. Outside the caucus room, you hear it again and again: “She needs to gut the team or go.”
“Saturday was a clear sign that the people around her are experts in incompetence,” a source, who asked not to be named in order to speak freely, said. As with Crombie’s, there were no buses to bring delegates to Niagara (which irked organizers in Liberal land, too). The same source said the vote wasn’t tightly managed, while the hybrid system wasn’t taken advantage of.
“The organization of the leadership team was an epic failure,” they added. “68 per cent is not something to be proud of.”
She got that message straight from caucus. “Tough talk” is how an emergency caucus meeting over the result, which ran just over half an hour, was described. “Caucus demanded urgent, substantive changes,” one source said of the “productive” conversation, while another pointed out there had long been a push for Stiles to get rid of her senior team. “Caucus may be showing unity in the open, but many of them have been asking Marit to get rid of this team.”
Rumour is: Of 27 NDP MPPs, at least 5 voted ‘yes’ for a leadership contest.
But in the end, caucus unanimously threw their support behind Stiles, standing with her as she announced the result on stage.
Optics, optics: Compare that to a weekend earlier, when Crombie — deciding to stick it out — stood solo, while some in caucus, when pressed, balked at giving her an explicit endorsement.
The road ahead for Stiles, some say, is rough. With a new Liberal leader on the way, one source says she must move fast or risk ceding ground as Ford’s primary challenger.
“If Marit is serious about governing, she needs to pull a Horwath, clean house and bring on talent that will get her there,” they said. “The Liberals are going back to the drawing board for the third time, and if we can’t capitalize on that this time around, we should get used to third party status.”
A sign of unease: “[They’re] fractured on this,” a source said of labour leaders, who convened Saturday to weigh Stiles’ result. It’s a sign of unease among the NDP’s traditional allies, a few of whom have grumbled about Stiles behind closed doors.
Two sources say voting on Stiles’ leadership — set to be carried out electronically from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. — lasted an hour longer than scheduled.
“Rumour is that they saw the result was even less and started calling up their supporters to ensure they voted to boost the number,” one said. A spokesperson pushed back against the claim, saying the vote ran from lunch without extension.
Strategist Erin Morrison says it’s clear the leader got the message loud and clear.
“7 in 10 delegates backed Stiles, but a good chunk of delegates used their vote to show they’re upset and dismayed that the NDP is still stuck in second place,” Morrison said. “She and her entire caucus took the stage to share the leadership vote results, and she pledged to do things differently. She echoed the feeling that second place isn’t good enough. The message was obviously well received.”
Across the aisle, the shade came fast and heavy.
“The danger for Marit Stiles — and for New Democrats across the country — is that unless they return to their roots, they risk losing their base for good,” said Laryssa Waler, Premier Ford’s ex-director of communications. “We’re already seeing voters feel more at home in Ontario’s Progressive Conservative Party… These are people who have always been pro-labour and pro-worker, but the NDP has shifted focus to social justice and other left-leaning causes at the expense of workers.”
Texted one Liberal: “It’s also the first time she’s ever had a vote on her leadership since she was acclaimed… [68 per cent] with no organized opposition. Bonnie won a rematch. Marit doesn’t have that excuse.”
But Damien O’Brien, the ex-EVP, was reluctant to pile on: “Those in glass houses should not cast stones. Given the unscheduled demolition of the Ontario Liberal glass house last weekend, I’ll cast away.”
Meanwhile: A resolution on nuclear power, which some once warned would spark division, passed with zero drama.
The text, as approved: “The ONDP joins the CLC and OFL in supporting all ultra-low emissions electricity sources including hydro, renewables, made-in-Canada nuclear and storage;... believes that a low-carbon future requires meaningful engagement, informed consent and opportunities for partnership with local Indigenous communities…”
Add this: The convention, remember, was delayed last December. “As a ‘confidential’ report of the party’s governance committee explained, a decision to postpone the convention ‘exposed inconsistencies’ in the party’s interpretation of the constitution. This resulted in ‘confusion, hurt and dissatisfaction amongst party members and staff alike despite best intentions.’” The Trillium has more.
— The House is back in October.
— Here’s what’s up on the fundraising trail this week:
— Speaking of Parry Sound: We missed this, but Smith weighed in on our August story about that non-compete deal Team Crombie shut down.
“Engaging in shady, backroom deals to manipulate the ballot is the height of hypocrisy from the Ontario Green Party,” he wrote. “These underhanded, undemocratic tactics reveal just how far the Greens are willing to go to win — even at the expense of local democracy. This is alarming and should not be tolerated.”
Added the local riding association: “For a party that constantly preaches about integrity and claims to ’do politics differently,’ this is the height of hypocrisy and a shameful betrayal of democratic principles.”
— In Liberal land, the Scarborough Centre riding association will meet on Friday at 6:30 p.m. On Sunday at 2:30 p.m., it’s Oshawa’s turn.
— Save the date: T-7 until Project Ontario’s “evening of mingling and policy discussions that aim to kickstart a much needed dialogue about conservatism in Ontario.” Admission is $100.
According to the invite: “This will be a chance to connect in person, hear a few remarks, and continue building momentum behind the work we’ve started.”
Who’s speaking: Greg Brady, Alexander Brown, Matt Spoke, Ginny Roth, Brian Dijkema, San VanderVeer, Adam Zivo, Josh Dehaas, Shawn Whatley, Chris Spoke, Ariella Kimmel, Peter Copeland and more.
— Also: Speaker No. 1 at the Next Campaign Summit: Kory Teneycke, Doug Ford’s campaign manager. Get your ticket.
— Neskantaga First Nation’s “unsafe and unacceptable” conditions require “immediate action,” the Ombudsman says.
Paul Dubé visited the community, nearly 500 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, last week for two days. “We visited a local graveyard, with graves of children surrounded by stuffed animals and flowers,” he wrote in a statement. Many of these lives were tragically lost to suicide. Other young people were sent out of the community to attend high school because the community does not have one for their citizens – only to return home in caskets. This is a heartbreaking reality for Neskantaga First Nation.”
His warning: “No community in a country as prosperous as Canada should have to endure what Neskantaga First Nation is facing.”
— A fresh bargain with doctors: “The Ford government has reached a new deal with Ontario’s doctors, announcing on Thursday a four-year agreement that boosts compensation for physicians and includes measures that will encourage more to practise comprehensive family medicine.” More from the Star.
— “A recipient of millions of dollars in provincial training grants is preparing people to work in entertainment clubs run by a fixture of Ford Nation, The Trillium has learned.”
— Radar rage: “‘It doesn’t slow traffic down,’ Ford insisted despite evidence from police and doctors to the contrary. Indeed, his comments came one day after the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police said the cameras have ‘been proven to reduce speeding, change driver behaviour, and make our roads safer for everyone — drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, and especially children and other vulnerable road users.’” More from the Star.
Here’s Patrick Corrigan’s editorial cartoon:
— Draw the Line: “A large crowd of close to 2,000 people marched through downtown Toronto Saturday afternoon as part of Canada-wide protests calling on the new Liberal government to prioritize the climate, Indigenous rights, migrants and workers ahead of the fall budget.” Catch up from CBC.
— SCOOP: Another mystery “Run, Karina, Run” campaign has popped up, urging Karina Gould to enter the race for Bonnie Crombie’s job.
The website — registered on September 16 — is fronted by a form asking: “Sign up if you think Karina should run for leader of the Ontario Liberal Party.”
Recall: Now weighing a run, Gould had called Crombie in June to say she’s not coming for her job. Read up.
— Deadline day for Lehman: Barrie’s former mayor is expected to make a decision on whether he’ll run for Liberal leader this week.
Speaking of Barrie: Premier Ford made a weekend visit, joining Alex Nuttall in touring the city’s homeless encampments. More from Canadian Press.
— Wayne Gates with the best look at the Niagara Convention. Marit Stiles — who turned a year older on Saturday — with a big HBD card. Linnea Löfström-Abary and Christy Kheirallah with a look check. The TikTok caucus. OSSTF hosted a networking social. And more…
— There’s a new executive council for the NDP. Who’s who:
— Doug Ford eating ice cream. “I eat these things every night,” he said mid-presser.
— Ex-PC MPP Patrice Barnes has been named to the board of The George Brown College of Applied Arts and Technology.
— Monte McNaughton is out at Woodbine Entertainment Group. He’s launching MGM Strategies Limited, where he’ll focus on “strategic projects and consulting.” His announcement.
— One PC MPP is “deeply disappointed” by the federal government’s decision to recognize a Palestinian state. Laura Smith says the Carney government has “chosen a path that seemingly validates terrorism, complicates Canadian relationships and divides our communities here at home.”
Read up: “In a statement, Carney said [the possibility of a two-state solution] has ‘steadily and gravely eroded.’ ‘The current Israeli government is working methodically to prevent the prospect of a Palestinian state from ever being established. It has pursued an unrelenting policy of settlement expansion in the West Bank, which is illegal under international law,’ Carney said Sunday in a statement.” More from POLITICO.
— Kneecap says they’ll be “initiating legal action” against Vince Gassparo. He announced Friday the Irish hip hop group is being denied entry into Canada.
Recall: Gassparo, now an MP, once ran as the Liberal candidate in Eglinton–Lawrence. Despite Nick Kouvalis’ earlier prediction, Gasparro doesn’t plan to run for Liberal leader.
— Seen: Avi Lewis, running to replace Jagmeet Singh, at Queen’s Park. Video.
Thank you for reading POLICORNER. Are you Marit Stiles, Greg Denton or Stephanie Nakitsas? What say you about Labour v. the NDP? Reach out and I’ll keep you anonymous. We’re back in your inbox on Monday.
Marit Stiles stumbled her way through her leadership review. Some call it an “epic failure,” while others want her team gone. Meanwhile, another mysterious Draft Karina campaign is up. But to begin, add another name to the growing list of Liberal ‘maybes.’
SCOOP — Josh Matlow is “listening” to those pushing him to run for Liberal leader.
What he’s saying: “I have been receiving several phone calls from people who want the Ontario Liberal Party to win, which I obviously appreciate,” the Toronto-St. Paul’s councillor said in a text Friday. “And I’m listening.”
Some say the party’s progressive wing would be his to win. “He might be compelling as a ‘Nate-like’ candidate without the baggage,” one organizer said.
Not everyone’s a fan: “He wouldn’t even run for a seat when we needed someone like him to step up,” another texted. “He could’ve won a seat and would be well-positioned to run for leader now. I’ll pass.”
Pile on: Even Canada Proud weighed in on X:
Over in Niagara — “An epic failure:” Marit Stiles is staying put, yet the knives are out for her inner circle.
By the numbers: Stiles survived her leadership review with 68 per cent support — enough to stay on as leader, but far from a commanding mandate. In comparison, Bonnie Crombie got 57 per cent but was forced to stand down.
Going into the weekend, her team expected she’d land just over 75 per cent. “[They are] convinced she will have a good number,” one source, worried about how Stiles’ team was organizing, said. “There’s no way Marit will come close to Andrea Horwath. They should be organizing to beat Andrea’s number, not to simply cruise on by.”
In the end: Stiles’ result came in below Horwath’s, who hit 76 per cent support in 2012, 77 per cent in 2014 and 87 per cent in 2019.
From the convention hall, a visibly disappointed Stiles said she’d carry on. “We cannot run the same election campaign that we ran last time,” she said. “... We need to make change in this party if we’re going to be able to defeat Doug Ford in the next election and we will do that.”
With caucus at her side, Stiles said: “That’s what [caucus] want us to do, too.”
Sure: Privately, sources say caucus’ support for Stiles is steady, though they’re eager for a reset at the top. Outside the caucus room, you hear it again and again: “She needs to gut the team or go.”
“Saturday was a clear sign that the people around her are experts in incompetence,” a source, who asked not to be named in order to speak freely, said. As with Crombie’s, there were no buses to bring delegates to Niagara (which irked organizers in Liberal land, too). The same source said the vote wasn’t tightly managed, while the hybrid system wasn’t taken advantage of.
“The organization of the leadership team was an epic failure,” they added. “68 per cent is not something to be proud of.”
She got that message straight from caucus. “Tough talk” is how an emergency caucus meeting over the result, which ran just over half an hour, was described. “Caucus demanded urgent, substantive changes,” one source said of the “productive” conversation, while another pointed out there had long been a push for Stiles to get rid of her senior team. “Caucus may be showing unity in the open, but many of them have been asking Marit to get rid of this team.”
Rumour is: Of 27 NDP MPPs, at least 5 voted ‘yes’ for a leadership contest.
But in the end, caucus unanimously threw their support behind Stiles, standing with her as she announced the result on stage.
Optics, optics: Compare that to a weekend earlier, when Crombie — deciding to stick it out — stood solo, while some in caucus, when pressed, balked at giving her an explicit endorsement.
The road ahead for Stiles, some say, is rough. With a new Liberal leader on the way, one source says she must move fast or risk ceding ground as Ford’s primary challenger.
“If Marit is serious about governing, she needs to pull a Horwath, clean house and bring on talent that will get her there,” they said. “The Liberals are going back to the drawing board for the third time, and if we can’t capitalize on that this time around, we should get used to third party status.”
A sign of unease: “[They’re] fractured on this,” a source said of labour leaders, who convened Saturday to weigh Stiles’ result. It’s a sign of unease among the NDP’s traditional allies, a few of whom have grumbled about Stiles behind closed doors.
Two sources say voting on Stiles’ leadership — set to be carried out electronically from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. — lasted an hour longer than scheduled.
“Rumour is that they saw the result was even less and started calling up their supporters to ensure they voted to boost the number,” one said. A spokesperson pushed back against the claim, saying the vote ran from lunch without extension.
Strategist Erin Morrison says it’s clear the leader got the message loud and clear.
“7 in 10 delegates backed Stiles, but a good chunk of delegates used their vote to show they’re upset and dismayed that the NDP is still stuck in second place,” Morrison said. “She and her entire caucus took the stage to share the leadership vote results, and she pledged to do things differently. She echoed the feeling that second place isn’t good enough. The message was obviously well received.”
Across the aisle, the shade came fast and heavy.
“The danger for Marit Stiles — and for New Democrats across the country — is that unless they return to their roots, they risk losing their base for good,” said Laryssa Waler, Premier Ford’s ex-director of communications. “We’re already seeing voters feel more at home in Ontario’s Progressive Conservative Party… These are people who have always been pro-labour and pro-worker, but the NDP has shifted focus to social justice and other left-leaning causes at the expense of workers.”
Texted one Liberal: “It’s also the first time she’s ever had a vote on her leadership since she was acclaimed… [68 per cent] with no organized opposition. Bonnie won a rematch. Marit doesn’t have that excuse.”
But Damien O’Brien, the ex-EVP, was reluctant to pile on: “Those in glass houses should not cast stones. Given the unscheduled demolition of the Ontario Liberal glass house last weekend, I’ll cast away.”
Meanwhile: A resolution on nuclear power, which some once warned would spark division, passed with zero drama.
The text, as approved: “The ONDP joins the CLC and OFL in supporting all ultra-low emissions electricity sources including hydro, renewables, made-in-Canada nuclear and storage;... believes that a low-carbon future requires meaningful engagement, informed consent and opportunities for partnership with local Indigenous communities…”
Add this: The convention, remember, was delayed last December. “As a ‘confidential’ report of the party’s governance committee explained, a decision to postpone the convention ‘exposed inconsistencies’ in the party’s interpretation of the constitution. This resulted in ‘confusion, hurt and dissatisfaction amongst party members and staff alike despite best intentions.’” The Trillium has more.
— The House is back in October.
— Here’s what’s up on the fundraising trail this week:
— Speaking of Parry Sound: We missed this, but Smith weighed in on our August story about that non-compete deal Team Crombie shut down.
“Engaging in shady, backroom deals to manipulate the ballot is the height of hypocrisy from the Ontario Green Party,” he wrote. “These underhanded, undemocratic tactics reveal just how far the Greens are willing to go to win — even at the expense of local democracy. This is alarming and should not be tolerated.”
Added the local riding association: “For a party that constantly preaches about integrity and claims to ’do politics differently,’ this is the height of hypocrisy and a shameful betrayal of democratic principles.”
— In Liberal land, the Scarborough Centre riding association will meet on Friday at 6:30 p.m. On Sunday at 2:30 p.m., it’s Oshawa’s turn.
— Save the date: T-7 until Project Ontario’s “evening of mingling and policy discussions that aim to kickstart a much needed dialogue about conservatism in Ontario.” Admission is $100.
According to the invite: “This will be a chance to connect in person, hear a few remarks, and continue building momentum behind the work we’ve started.”
Who’s speaking: Greg Brady, Alexander Brown, Matt Spoke, Ginny Roth, Brian Dijkema, San VanderVeer, Adam Zivo, Josh Dehaas, Shawn Whatley, Chris Spoke, Ariella Kimmel, Peter Copeland and more.
— Also: Speaker No. 1 at the Next Campaign Summit: Kory Teneycke, Doug Ford’s campaign manager. Get your ticket.
— Neskantaga First Nation’s “unsafe and unacceptable” conditions require “immediate action,” the Ombudsman says.
Paul Dubé visited the community, nearly 500 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, last week for two days. “We visited a local graveyard, with graves of children surrounded by stuffed animals and flowers,” he wrote in a statement. Many of these lives were tragically lost to suicide. Other young people were sent out of the community to attend high school because the community does not have one for their citizens – only to return home in caskets. This is a heartbreaking reality for Neskantaga First Nation.”
His warning: “No community in a country as prosperous as Canada should have to endure what Neskantaga First Nation is facing.”
— A fresh bargain with doctors: “The Ford government has reached a new deal with Ontario’s doctors, announcing on Thursday a four-year agreement that boosts compensation for physicians and includes measures that will encourage more to practise comprehensive family medicine.” More from the Star.
— “A recipient of millions of dollars in provincial training grants is preparing people to work in entertainment clubs run by a fixture of Ford Nation, The Trillium has learned.”
— Radar rage: “‘It doesn’t slow traffic down,’ Ford insisted despite evidence from police and doctors to the contrary. Indeed, his comments came one day after the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police said the cameras have ‘been proven to reduce speeding, change driver behaviour, and make our roads safer for everyone — drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, and especially children and other vulnerable road users.’” More from the Star.
Here’s Patrick Corrigan’s editorial cartoon:
— Draw the Line: “A large crowd of close to 2,000 people marched through downtown Toronto Saturday afternoon as part of Canada-wide protests calling on the new Liberal government to prioritize the climate, Indigenous rights, migrants and workers ahead of the fall budget.” Catch up from CBC.
— SCOOP: Another mystery “Run, Karina, Run” campaign has popped up, urging Karina Gould to enter the race for Bonnie Crombie’s job.
The website — registered on September 16 — is fronted by a form asking: “Sign up if you think Karina should run for leader of the Ontario Liberal Party.”
Recall: Now weighing a run, Gould had called Crombie in June to say she’s not coming for her job. Read up.
— Deadline day for Lehman: Barrie’s former mayor is expected to make a decision on whether he’ll run for Liberal leader this week.
Speaking of Barrie: Premier Ford made a weekend visit, joining Alex Nuttall in touring the city’s homeless encampments. More from Canadian Press.
— Wayne Gates with the best look at the Niagara Convention. Marit Stiles — who turned a year older on Saturday — with a big HBD card. Linnea Löfström-Abary and Christy Kheirallah with a look check. The TikTok caucus. OSSTF hosted a networking social. And more…
— There’s a new executive council for the NDP. Who’s who:
— Doug Ford eating ice cream. “I eat these things every night,” he said mid-presser.
— Ex-PC MPP Patrice Barnes has been named to the board of The George Brown College of Applied Arts and Technology.
— Monte McNaughton is out at Woodbine Entertainment Group. He’s launching MGM Strategies Limited, where he’ll focus on “strategic projects and consulting.” His announcement.
— One PC MPP is “deeply disappointed” by the federal government’s decision to recognize a Palestinian state. Laura Smith says the Carney government has “chosen a path that seemingly validates terrorism, complicates Canadian relationships and divides our communities here at home.”
Read up: “In a statement, Carney said [the possibility of a two-state solution] has ‘steadily and gravely eroded.’ ‘The current Israeli government is working methodically to prevent the prospect of a Palestinian state from ever being established. It has pursued an unrelenting policy of settlement expansion in the West Bank, which is illegal under international law,’ Carney said Sunday in a statement.” More from POLITICO.
— Kneecap says they’ll be “initiating legal action” against Vince Gassparo. He announced Friday the Irish hip hop group is being denied entry into Canada.
Recall: Gassparo, now an MP, once ran as the Liberal candidate in Eglinton–Lawrence. Despite Nick Kouvalis’ earlier prediction, Gasparro doesn’t plan to run for Liberal leader.
— Seen: Avi Lewis, running to replace Jagmeet Singh, at Queen’s Park. Video.
Thank you for reading POLICORNER. Are you Marit Stiles, Greg Denton or Stephanie Nakitsas? What say you about Labour v. the NDP? Reach out and I’ll keep you anonymous. We’re back in your inbox on Monday.
Marit Stiles stumbled her way through her leadership review. Some call it an “epic failure,” while others want her team gone. Meanwhile, another mysterious Draft Karina campaign is up. But to begin, add another name to the growing list of Liberal ‘maybes.’
SCOOP — Josh Matlow is “listening” to those pushing him to run for Liberal leader.
What he’s saying: “I have been receiving several phone calls from people who want the Ontario Liberal Party to win, which I obviously appreciate,” the Toronto-St. Paul’s councillor said in a text Friday. “And I’m listening.”
Some say the party’s progressive wing would be his to win. “He might be compelling as a ‘Nate-like’ candidate without the baggage,” one organizer said.
Not everyone’s a fan: “He wouldn’t even run for a seat when we needed someone like him to step up,” another texted. “He could’ve won a seat and would be well-positioned to run for leader now. I’ll pass.”
Pile on: Even Canada Proud weighed in on X:
Over in Niagara — “An epic failure:” Marit Stiles is staying put, yet the knives are out for her inner circle.
By the numbers: Stiles survived her leadership review with 68 per cent support — enough to stay on as leader, but far from a commanding mandate. In comparison, Bonnie Crombie got 57 per cent but was forced to stand down.
Going into the weekend, her team expected she’d land just over 75 per cent. “[They are] convinced she will have a good number,” one source, worried about how Stiles’ team was organizing, said. “There’s no way Marit will come close to Andrea Horwath. They should be organizing to beat Andrea’s number, not to simply cruise on by.”
In the end: Stiles’ result came in below Horwath’s, who hit 76 per cent support in 2012, 77 per cent in 2014 and 87 per cent in 2019.
From the convention hall, a visibly disappointed Stiles said she’d carry on. “We cannot run the same election campaign that we ran last time,” she said. “... We need to make change in this party if we’re going to be able to defeat Doug Ford in the next election and we will do that.”
With caucus at her side, Stiles said: “That’s what [caucus] want us to do, too.”
Sure: Privately, sources say caucus’ support for Stiles is steady, though they’re eager for a reset at the top. Outside the caucus room, you hear it again and again: “She needs to gut the team or go.”
“Saturday was a clear sign that the people around her are experts in incompetence,” a source, who asked not to be named in order to speak freely, said. As with Crombie’s, there were no buses to bring delegates to Niagara (which irked organizers in Liberal land, too). The same source said the vote wasn’t tightly managed, while the hybrid system wasn’t taken advantage of.
“The organization of the leadership team was an epic failure,” they added. “68 per cent is not something to be proud of.”
She got that message straight from caucus. “Tough talk” is how an emergency caucus meeting over the result, which ran just over half an hour, was described. “Caucus demanded urgent, substantive changes,” one source said of the “productive” conversation, while another pointed out there had long been a push for Stiles to get rid of her senior team. “Caucus may be showing unity in the open, but many of them have been asking Marit to get rid of this team.”
Rumour is: Of 27 NDP MPPs, at least 5 voted ‘yes’ for a leadership contest.
But in the end, caucus unanimously threw their support behind Stiles, standing with her as she announced the result on stage.
Optics, optics: Compare that to a weekend earlier, when Crombie — deciding to stick it out — stood solo, while some in caucus, when pressed, balked at giving her an explicit endorsement.
The road ahead for Stiles, some say, is rough. With a new Liberal leader on the way, one source says she must move fast or risk ceding ground as Ford’s primary challenger.
“If Marit is serious about governing, she needs to pull a Horwath, clean house and bring on talent that will get her there,” they said. “The Liberals are going back to the drawing board for the third time, and if we can’t capitalize on that this time around, we should get used to third party status.”
A sign of unease: “[They’re] fractured on this,” a source said of labour leaders, who convened Saturday to weigh Stiles’ result. It’s a sign of unease among the NDP’s traditional allies, a few of whom have grumbled about Stiles behind closed doors.
Two sources say voting on Stiles’ leadership — set to be carried out electronically from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. — lasted an hour longer than scheduled.
“Rumour is that they saw the result was even less and started calling up their supporters to ensure they voted to boost the number,” one said. A spokesperson pushed back against the claim, saying the vote ran from lunch without extension.
Strategist Erin Morrison says it’s clear the leader got the message loud and clear.
“7 in 10 delegates backed Stiles, but a good chunk of delegates used their vote to show they’re upset and dismayed that the NDP is still stuck in second place,” Morrison said. “She and her entire caucus took the stage to share the leadership vote results, and she pledged to do things differently. She echoed the feeling that second place isn’t good enough. The message was obviously well received.”
Across the aisle, the shade came fast and heavy.
“The danger for Marit Stiles — and for New Democrats across the country — is that unless they return to their roots, they risk losing their base for good,” said Laryssa Waler, Premier Ford’s ex-director of communications. “We’re already seeing voters feel more at home in Ontario’s Progressive Conservative Party… These are people who have always been pro-labour and pro-worker, but the NDP has shifted focus to social justice and other left-leaning causes at the expense of workers.”
Texted one Liberal: “It’s also the first time she’s ever had a vote on her leadership since she was acclaimed… [68 per cent] with no organized opposition. Bonnie won a rematch. Marit doesn’t have that excuse.”
But Damien O’Brien, the ex-EVP, was reluctant to pile on: “Those in glass houses should not cast stones. Given the unscheduled demolition of the Ontario Liberal glass house last weekend, I’ll cast away.”
Meanwhile: A resolution on nuclear power, which some once warned would spark division, passed with zero drama.
The text, as approved: “The ONDP joins the CLC and OFL in supporting all ultra-low emissions electricity sources including hydro, renewables, made-in-Canada nuclear and storage;... believes that a low-carbon future requires meaningful engagement, informed consent and opportunities for partnership with local Indigenous communities…”
Add this: The convention, remember, was delayed last December. “As a ‘confidential’ report of the party’s governance committee explained, a decision to postpone the convention ‘exposed inconsistencies’ in the party’s interpretation of the constitution. This resulted in ‘confusion, hurt and dissatisfaction amongst party members and staff alike despite best intentions.’” The Trillium has more.
— The House is back in October.
— Here’s what’s up on the fundraising trail this week:
— Speaking of Parry Sound: We missed this, but Smith weighed in on our August story about that non-compete deal Team Crombie shut down.
“Engaging in shady, backroom deals to manipulate the ballot is the height of hypocrisy from the Ontario Green Party,” he wrote. “These underhanded, undemocratic tactics reveal just how far the Greens are willing to go to win — even at the expense of local democracy. This is alarming and should not be tolerated.”
Added the local riding association: “For a party that constantly preaches about integrity and claims to ’do politics differently,’ this is the height of hypocrisy and a shameful betrayal of democratic principles.”
— In Liberal land, the Scarborough Centre riding association will meet on Friday at 6:30 p.m. On Sunday at 2:30 p.m., it’s Oshawa’s turn.
— Save the date: T-7 until Project Ontario’s “evening of mingling and policy discussions that aim to kickstart a much needed dialogue about conservatism in Ontario.” Admission is $100.
According to the invite: “This will be a chance to connect in person, hear a few remarks, and continue building momentum behind the work we’ve started.”
Who’s speaking: Greg Brady, Alexander Brown, Matt Spoke, Ginny Roth, Brian Dijkema, San VanderVeer, Adam Zivo, Josh Dehaas, Shawn Whatley, Chris Spoke, Ariella Kimmel, Peter Copeland and more.
— Also: Speaker No. 1 at the Next Campaign Summit: Kory Teneycke, Doug Ford’s campaign manager. Get your ticket.
— Neskantaga First Nation’s “unsafe and unacceptable” conditions require “immediate action,” the Ombudsman says.
Paul Dubé visited the community, nearly 500 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, last week for two days. “We visited a local graveyard, with graves of children surrounded by stuffed animals and flowers,” he wrote in a statement. Many of these lives were tragically lost to suicide. Other young people were sent out of the community to attend high school because the community does not have one for their citizens – only to return home in caskets. This is a heartbreaking reality for Neskantaga First Nation.”
His warning: “No community in a country as prosperous as Canada should have to endure what Neskantaga First Nation is facing.”
— A fresh bargain with doctors: “The Ford government has reached a new deal with Ontario’s doctors, announcing on Thursday a four-year agreement that boosts compensation for physicians and includes measures that will encourage more to practise comprehensive family medicine.” More from the Star.
— “A recipient of millions of dollars in provincial training grants is preparing people to work in entertainment clubs run by a fixture of Ford Nation, The Trillium has learned.”
— Radar rage: “‘It doesn’t slow traffic down,’ Ford insisted despite evidence from police and doctors to the contrary. Indeed, his comments came one day after the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police said the cameras have ‘been proven to reduce speeding, change driver behaviour, and make our roads safer for everyone — drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, and especially children and other vulnerable road users.’” More from the Star.
Here’s Patrick Corrigan’s editorial cartoon:
— Draw the Line: “A large crowd of close to 2,000 people marched through downtown Toronto Saturday afternoon as part of Canada-wide protests calling on the new Liberal government to prioritize the climate, Indigenous rights, migrants and workers ahead of the fall budget.” Catch up from CBC.
— SCOOP: Another mystery “Run, Karina, Run” campaign has popped up, urging Karina Gould to enter the race for Bonnie Crombie’s job.
The website — registered on September 16 — is fronted by a form asking: “Sign up if you think Karina should run for leader of the Ontario Liberal Party.”
Recall: Now weighing a run, Gould had called Crombie in June to say she’s not coming for her job. Read up.
— Deadline day for Lehman: Barrie’s former mayor is expected to make a decision on whether he’ll run for Liberal leader this week.
Speaking of Barrie: Premier Ford made a weekend visit, joining Alex Nuttall in touring the city’s homeless encampments. More from Canadian Press.
— Wayne Gates with the best look at the Niagara Convention. Marit Stiles — who turned a year older on Saturday — with a big HBD card. Linnea Löfström-Abary and Christy Kheirallah with a look check. The TikTok caucus. OSSTF hosted a networking social. And more…
— There’s a new executive council for the NDP. Who’s who:
— Doug Ford eating ice cream. “I eat these things every night,” he said mid-presser.
— Ex-PC MPP Patrice Barnes has been named to the board of The George Brown College of Applied Arts and Technology.
— Monte McNaughton is out at Woodbine Entertainment Group. He’s launching MGM Strategies Limited, where he’ll focus on “strategic projects and consulting.” His announcement.
— One PC MPP is “deeply disappointed” by the federal government’s decision to recognize a Palestinian state. Laura Smith says the Carney government has “chosen a path that seemingly validates terrorism, complicates Canadian relationships and divides our communities here at home.”
Read up: “In a statement, Carney said [the possibility of a two-state solution] has ‘steadily and gravely eroded.’ ‘The current Israeli government is working methodically to prevent the prospect of a Palestinian state from ever being established. It has pursued an unrelenting policy of settlement expansion in the West Bank, which is illegal under international law,’ Carney said Sunday in a statement.” More from POLITICO.
— Kneecap says they’ll be “initiating legal action” against Vince Gassparo. He announced Friday the Irish hip hop group is being denied entry into Canada.
Recall: Gassparo, now an MP, once ran as the Liberal candidate in Eglinton–Lawrence. Despite Nick Kouvalis’ earlier prediction, Gasparro doesn’t plan to run for Liberal leader.
— Seen: Avi Lewis, running to replace Jagmeet Singh, at Queen’s Park. Video.
Thank you for reading POLICORNER. Are you Marit Stiles, Greg Denton or Stephanie Nakitsas? What say you about Labour v. the NDP? Reach out and I’ll keep you anonymous. We’re back in your inbox on Monday.
Marit Stiles stumbled her way through her leadership review. Some call it an “epic failure,” while others want her team gone. Meanwhile, another mysterious Draft Karina campaign is up. But to begin, add another name to the growing list of Liberal ‘maybes.’
SCOOP — Josh Matlow is “listening” to those pushing him to run for Liberal leader.
What he’s saying: “I have been receiving several phone calls from people who want the Ontario Liberal Party to win, which I obviously appreciate,” the Toronto-St. Paul’s councillor said in a text Friday. “And I’m listening.”
Some say the party’s progressive wing would be his to win. “He might be compelling as a ‘Nate-like’ candidate without the baggage,” one organizer said.
Not everyone’s a fan: “He wouldn’t even run for a seat when we needed someone like him to step up,” another texted. “He could’ve won a seat and would be well-positioned to run for leader now. I’ll pass.”
Pile on: Even Canada Proud weighed in on X:
Over in Niagara — “An epic failure:” Marit Stiles is staying put, yet the knives are out for her inner circle.
By the numbers: Stiles survived her leadership review with 68 per cent support — enough to stay on as leader, but far from a commanding mandate. In comparison, Bonnie Crombie got 57 per cent but was forced to stand down.
Going into the weekend, her team expected she’d land just over 75 per cent. “[They are] convinced she will have a good number,” one source, worried about how Stiles’ team was organizing, said. “There’s no way Marit will come close to Andrea Horwath. They should be organizing to beat Andrea’s number, not to simply cruise on by.”
In the end: Stiles’ result came in below Horwath’s, who hit 76 per cent support in 2012, 77 per cent in 2014 and 87 per cent in 2019.
From the convention hall, a visibly disappointed Stiles said she’d carry on. “We cannot run the same election campaign that we ran last time,” she said. “... We need to make change in this party if we’re going to be able to defeat Doug Ford in the next election and we will do that.”
With caucus at her side, Stiles said: “That’s what [caucus] want us to do, too.”
Sure: Privately, sources say caucus’ support for Stiles is steady, though they’re eager for a reset at the top. Outside the caucus room, you hear it again and again: “She needs to gut the team or go.”
“Saturday was a clear sign that the people around her are experts in incompetence,” a source, who asked not to be named in order to speak freely, said. As with Crombie’s, there were no buses to bring delegates to Niagara (which irked organizers in Liberal land, too). The same source said the vote wasn’t tightly managed, while the hybrid system wasn’t taken advantage of.
“The organization of the leadership team was an epic failure,” they added. “68 per cent is not something to be proud of.”
She got that message straight from caucus. “Tough talk” is how an emergency caucus meeting over the result, which ran just over half an hour, was described. “Caucus demanded urgent, substantive changes,” one source said of the “productive” conversation, while another pointed out there had long been a push for Stiles to get rid of her senior team. “Caucus may be showing unity in the open, but many of them have been asking Marit to get rid of this team.”
Rumour is: Of 27 NDP MPPs, at least 5 voted ‘yes’ for a leadership contest.
But in the end, caucus unanimously threw their support behind Stiles, standing with her as she announced the result on stage.
Optics, optics: Compare that to a weekend earlier, when Crombie — deciding to stick it out — stood solo, while some in caucus, when pressed, balked at giving her an explicit endorsement.
The road ahead for Stiles, some say, is rough. With a new Liberal leader on the way, one source says she must move fast or risk ceding ground as Ford’s primary challenger.
“If Marit is serious about governing, she needs to pull a Horwath, clean house and bring on talent that will get her there,” they said. “The Liberals are going back to the drawing board for the third time, and if we can’t capitalize on that this time around, we should get used to third party status.”
A sign of unease: “[They’re] fractured on this,” a source said of labour leaders, who convened Saturday to weigh Stiles’ result. It’s a sign of unease among the NDP’s traditional allies, a few of whom have grumbled about Stiles behind closed doors.
Two sources say voting on Stiles’ leadership — set to be carried out electronically from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. — lasted an hour longer than scheduled.
“Rumour is that they saw the result was even less and started calling up their supporters to ensure they voted to boost the number,” one said. A spokesperson pushed back against the claim, saying the vote ran from lunch without extension.
Strategist Erin Morrison says it’s clear the leader got the message loud and clear.
“7 in 10 delegates backed Stiles, but a good chunk of delegates used their vote to show they’re upset and dismayed that the NDP is still stuck in second place,” Morrison said. “She and her entire caucus took the stage to share the leadership vote results, and she pledged to do things differently. She echoed the feeling that second place isn’t good enough. The message was obviously well received.”
Across the aisle, the shade came fast and heavy.
“The danger for Marit Stiles — and for New Democrats across the country — is that unless they return to their roots, they risk losing their base for good,” said Laryssa Waler, Premier Ford’s ex-director of communications. “We’re already seeing voters feel more at home in Ontario’s Progressive Conservative Party… These are people who have always been pro-labour and pro-worker, but the NDP has shifted focus to social justice and other left-leaning causes at the expense of workers.”
Texted one Liberal: “It’s also the first time she’s ever had a vote on her leadership since she was acclaimed… [68 per cent] with no organized opposition. Bonnie won a rematch. Marit doesn’t have that excuse.”
But Damien O’Brien, the ex-EVP, was reluctant to pile on: “Those in glass houses should not cast stones. Given the unscheduled demolition of the Ontario Liberal glass house last weekend, I’ll cast away.”
Meanwhile: A resolution on nuclear power, which some once warned would spark division, passed with zero drama.
The text, as approved: “The ONDP joins the CLC and OFL in supporting all ultra-low emissions electricity sources including hydro, renewables, made-in-Canada nuclear and storage;... believes that a low-carbon future requires meaningful engagement, informed consent and opportunities for partnership with local Indigenous communities…”
Add this: The convention, remember, was delayed last December. “As a ‘confidential’ report of the party’s governance committee explained, a decision to postpone the convention ‘exposed inconsistencies’ in the party’s interpretation of the constitution. This resulted in ‘confusion, hurt and dissatisfaction amongst party members and staff alike despite best intentions.’” The Trillium has more.
— The House is back in October.
— Here’s what’s up on the fundraising trail this week:
— Speaking of Parry Sound: We missed this, but Smith weighed in on our August story about that non-compete deal Team Crombie shut down.
“Engaging in shady, backroom deals to manipulate the ballot is the height of hypocrisy from the Ontario Green Party,” he wrote. “These underhanded, undemocratic tactics reveal just how far the Greens are willing to go to win — even at the expense of local democracy. This is alarming and should not be tolerated.”
Added the local riding association: “For a party that constantly preaches about integrity and claims to ’do politics differently,’ this is the height of hypocrisy and a shameful betrayal of democratic principles.”
— In Liberal land, the Scarborough Centre riding association will meet on Friday at 6:30 p.m. On Sunday at 2:30 p.m., it’s Oshawa’s turn.
— Save the date: T-7 until Project Ontario’s “evening of mingling and policy discussions that aim to kickstart a much needed dialogue about conservatism in Ontario.” Admission is $100.
According to the invite: “This will be a chance to connect in person, hear a few remarks, and continue building momentum behind the work we’ve started.”
Who’s speaking: Greg Brady, Alexander Brown, Matt Spoke, Ginny Roth, Brian Dijkema, San VanderVeer, Adam Zivo, Josh Dehaas, Shawn Whatley, Chris Spoke, Ariella Kimmel, Peter Copeland and more.
— Also: Speaker No. 1 at the Next Campaign Summit: Kory Teneycke, Doug Ford’s campaign manager. Get your ticket.
— Neskantaga First Nation’s “unsafe and unacceptable” conditions require “immediate action,” the Ombudsman says.
Paul Dubé visited the community, nearly 500 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, last week for two days. “We visited a local graveyard, with graves of children surrounded by stuffed animals and flowers,” he wrote in a statement. Many of these lives were tragically lost to suicide. Other young people were sent out of the community to attend high school because the community does not have one for their citizens – only to return home in caskets. This is a heartbreaking reality for Neskantaga First Nation.”
His warning: “No community in a country as prosperous as Canada should have to endure what Neskantaga First Nation is facing.”
— A fresh bargain with doctors: “The Ford government has reached a new deal with Ontario’s doctors, announcing on Thursday a four-year agreement that boosts compensation for physicians and includes measures that will encourage more to practise comprehensive family medicine.” More from the Star.
— “A recipient of millions of dollars in provincial training grants is preparing people to work in entertainment clubs run by a fixture of Ford Nation, The Trillium has learned.”
— Radar rage: “‘It doesn’t slow traffic down,’ Ford insisted despite evidence from police and doctors to the contrary. Indeed, his comments came one day after the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police said the cameras have ‘been proven to reduce speeding, change driver behaviour, and make our roads safer for everyone — drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, and especially children and other vulnerable road users.’” More from the Star.
Here’s Patrick Corrigan’s editorial cartoon:
— Draw the Line: “A large crowd of close to 2,000 people marched through downtown Toronto Saturday afternoon as part of Canada-wide protests calling on the new Liberal government to prioritize the climate, Indigenous rights, migrants and workers ahead of the fall budget.” Catch up from CBC.
— SCOOP: Another mystery “Run, Karina, Run” campaign has popped up, urging Karina Gould to enter the race for Bonnie Crombie’s job.
The website — registered on September 16 — is fronted by a form asking: “Sign up if you think Karina should run for leader of the Ontario Liberal Party.”
Recall: Now weighing a run, Gould had called Crombie in June to say she’s not coming for her job. Read up.
— Deadline day for Lehman: Barrie’s former mayor is expected to make a decision on whether he’ll run for Liberal leader this week.
Speaking of Barrie: Premier Ford made a weekend visit, joining Alex Nuttall in touring the city’s homeless encampments. More from Canadian Press.
— Wayne Gates with the best look at the Niagara Convention. Marit Stiles — who turned a year older on Saturday — with a big HBD card. Linnea Löfström-Abary and Christy Kheirallah with a look check. The TikTok caucus. OSSTF hosted a networking social. And more…
— There’s a new executive council for the NDP. Who’s who:
— Doug Ford eating ice cream. “I eat these things every night,” he said mid-presser.
— Ex-PC MPP Patrice Barnes has been named to the board of The George Brown College of Applied Arts and Technology.
— Monte McNaughton is out at Woodbine Entertainment Group. He’s launching MGM Strategies Limited, where he’ll focus on “strategic projects and consulting.” His announcement.
— One PC MPP is “deeply disappointed” by the federal government’s decision to recognize a Palestinian state. Laura Smith says the Carney government has “chosen a path that seemingly validates terrorism, complicates Canadian relationships and divides our communities here at home.”
Read up: “In a statement, Carney said [the possibility of a two-state solution] has ‘steadily and gravely eroded.’ ‘The current Israeli government is working methodically to prevent the prospect of a Palestinian state from ever being established. It has pursued an unrelenting policy of settlement expansion in the West Bank, which is illegal under international law,’ Carney said Sunday in a statement.” More from POLITICO.
— Kneecap says they’ll be “initiating legal action” against Vince Gassparo. He announced Friday the Irish hip hop group is being denied entry into Canada.
Recall: Gassparo, now an MP, once ran as the Liberal candidate in Eglinton–Lawrence. Despite Nick Kouvalis’ earlier prediction, Gasparro doesn’t plan to run for Liberal leader.
— Seen: Avi Lewis, running to replace Jagmeet Singh, at Queen’s Park. Video.
Thank you for reading POLICORNER. Are you Marit Stiles, Greg Denton or Stephanie Nakitsas? What say you about Labour v. the NDP? Reach out and I’ll keep you anonymous. We’re back in your inbox on Monday.