Crombie comeback, Bains snub, Bowman buzz
And Premier punches back
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Lots happening in provincial Liberal land. Let’s get to it.
We called it! — CROMBIE COMEBACK — It’s official: BONNIE CROMBIE is poised to enter the race for her old job as Mississauga mayor, something I first told you about last month.
In a message to supporters on Sunday, Crombie said she’ll officially register as a candidate at City Hall on Tuesday morning, calling it an “exciting moment.”
While Crombie was a popular mayor, she left the gig to run for Ontario Liberal Leader — and we all know how that turned out.
This time around, it won’t be a cakewalk. The field is already crowded with Liberal-linked contenders, so Crombie’s relatively late-in-the-game entry leaves her with slim pickings for campaign operatives, many of whom have already picked teams.
She’ll also have to contend with the perception, pushed by her rivals including Councillor ALVIN TEDJO, that she’s treating Mississauga like a backup plan and consolation prize after she left to pursue higher ambitions that didn’t work out.
Not to mention, Premier DOUG FORD has vowed to send an “army” of supporters to block her return, while insisting he’s staying out of the civic political arena. (Still, Ford has said he’ll work with anyone — as we’ve seen with former-provincial-rivals-turned-mayors ANDREA HORWATH and STEVEN DEL DUCA.)
The cat may have already been out of the bag earlier on the weekend when Crombie told a local community barbecue that Mississauga needs stable leadership — something that got under the skin of incumbent Mayor CAROLYN PARRISH, who up until now had been relatively quiet about Crombie’s candidacy. There is no love lost between the pair, who previously worked together on Council.
“I agree! I believe in fact we have that now!” Parrish posted on social media. “No aspirations to other levels of government. Total dedication to our city. Hopefully we all agree with Ms Crombie!”
Crombie’s war room is clapping back. “Bonnie will present a clear contrast between her energy and record getting results against the drift under Parrish as a placeholder mayor just occupying the chair rather than delivering a vision for the city.” Ouch!
All of this sets the table for a full-on melee in Mississauga. E-Day is October 26.
Speaking of Crombie’s old gig…
LEADERSHIP WATCH — The Grits kicked off their summer leadership tour on Sunday in Scarborough — byelection territory — and who showed up (or didn’t) is fuelling much chatter.
Spotted: STEPHANIE BOWMAN, the MPP who has been gauging a run for leader since her pick ROB CERJANEC bowed out, was circling the room of nearly 500 attendees and gathering signatures. Wannabe leadership candidates need at least 250 signatures from card-carrying members as part of the paperwork they must submit by July 31 in order to qualify for the race.
Who wasn’t there: NAVDEEP BAINS, the former federal MP and cabinet minister who’s considered a heavyweight not least because of his fundraising prowess and ability to rile up the PCs.
Other candidates LEE FAIRCLOUGH, DYLAN MARANDO and ERIC LOMBARDI were on hand.
Bottom line: The gloves are off, the candidates are gearing up, and some familiar fights are simmering on the front-burner. Deja vu, anyone?
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