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Lehman, Hoggarth support Crombie in Liberal leadership bid

Eligible voters in Barrie-Innisfil and York-Simcoe can cast their ballots in the leadership race on Sunday
InnisfilToday Staff
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Former Barrie MPP Ann Hoggarth and former mayor Jeff Lehman have endorsed Bonnie Crombie in her bid to become the next leader of the provincial Liberals. BarrieToday files

Ex-Barrie mayor Jeff Lehman and former local MPP Ann Hoggarth are lending their support to Liberal candidate Bonnie Crombie in the provincial party's leadership race. 

"As Bonnie Crombie's colleague for many years, I know her to be pragmatic, fearless and energetic — exactly what we need as the next leader of the Ontario Liberal Party," Lehman said in a release from the Crombie campaign team. 

Lehman was the city's mayor for three terms, from 2010 to 2022, and was also the Ward 2 councillor before that. He ran unsuccessfully for MPP in Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte in 2022, losing to incumbent Doug Downey of the Progressive Conservatives. Lehman also chaired the Ontario Big City Mayors caucus.

"Bonnie has the courage to fight the polarization that's plaguing politics today, and the compassion to build a better province for all of us," Lehman said. "Her courage and compassion are why I know she's the right leader for Ontario today and tomorrow."

Hoggarth was the city's MPP for one term, from 2014 to 2018. She defeated Progressive Conservative incumbent Rod Jackson in the 2014 provincial election.

“Bonnie knows how to win, how to govern and how to achieve positive results for our schools, hospitals and families," Hoggarth said in the release. 

Voting for eligible voters in the Ontario Liberal leadership election is taking place Nov. 25 and 26. The leadership election will conclude on Dec. 2.

Also supporting Crombie in her leadership bid are York-Simcoe Provincial Liberal Association president Mackenzie Collings and Simcoe North Provincial Liberal Association president Matt Lund.

“It is an honour to be trusted by so many Liberals in the Simcoe County and Barrie area,” said Crombie, a third-term mayor of Mississauga and mother of three. “I have heard you all loud and clear: Doug Ford and his Conservatives have abandoned this region over and over again, particularly when it comes to protecting Lake Simcoe.

“Liberals across Simcoe County have one, simple goal: to take down Doug Ford and his crony Conservatives,” she added. 

For more information on voting in the Liberal leadership election, including dates and times, click here. 

Voting in the Barrie-Innisfil riding will take place Nov. 26 from 2 to 7 p.m. at the Allandale Recreation Centre (190 Bayview Dr.); that same day and time, ballots in the York-Simcoe riding can be cast at St John's Presbyterian Church (2940 10 Sideroad) in Bradford West Gwillimbury.