Crombie Embraces Trudeau Critics- Ontario Liberal leader distances herself from PM

Ontario Liberal leader distances herself from PM. Ontario Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie is sending the message she’s different from her federal counterparts.

- By Robert Benzie

Justin who?

Bonnie Crombie is distancing her provincial party from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s struggling federal Liberals.

As the Ontario Liberals gather in London, Ont., for a Sept. 2022 policy conference, Crombie has invited some prominent Trudeau critics to speak to delegates.

“This is meant to send exactly the signal it looks like it’s sending, that Bonnie Crombie is a different kind of Liberal,” said an adviser, speaking confidentially in order to discuss strategy.

With Premier Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservatives gearing up for a possible early election next spring, the provincial Liberal leader is also getting ready.

Mindful that Ford has spent millions of Tory campaign cash on attack ads trying to link her to Trudeau, Crombie has asked former British Columbia premier Christy Clark and former federal health minister Jane Philpott to address the party faithful.