Steven Del Duca resigns as Liberal leader after losing election in Vaughan-Woodbridge riding

Steven Del Duca has resigned as the leader of the Ontario Liberal Party after losing to PC incumbent Michael Tibolo in the riding of Vaughan-Woodbridge.

The Liberals are currently only elected or leading in eight ridings, four short of official party status.

“I have no doubt that the women and men that Ontario Liberals have elected to the legislature will do their part to help grow a new and energetic progressive movement here in Ontario. It will, however, be a movement that will be led by a new leader,” announced Del Duca.

“This isn’t the outcome that we had hoped for and worked hard for and yes, it’s true. I am disappointed to not have been successful here in my home community, my home riding of Vaughan Woodbridge.”

He had previously indicated he would stay on as Liberal leader even if he loses his riding.

“I just want to say having had the chance over the past couple of years to serve as your leader has been the honor of my lifetime. I want to thank you,” expressed Del Duca. “I want to thank all Ontario Liberal Party members for giving me this chance for working alongside me and for making sure that we always put our best foot forward.”

Del Duca served as transportation minister in former premier Kathleen Wynne’s cabinet between 2014 and 2018 and was among the Liberals who lost their seat during the 2018 election.

He was named leader of the party on March 7, 2020, with 58 per cent of the vote from delegates right before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, making it tough to make his name known to voters.

Doug Ford and the PCs won a decisive victory in the election capturing or leading in 83 ridings, four more than the party won in 2018. They will form a majority government for the next four years.

The NDP will remain the official opposition as they have currently won or are leading in 31 ridings.

In Del Duca’s speech, he touted a few of things he’s proud to have seen in his short time as the Liberal leader.

“Watching how we’ve worked so hard to build this party over the last couple of years, I know that we, as a political family, and we, as a political movement, will be starting the next campaign from a much better place,” shared Del Duca. “In addition to the new MPPs that we’ve added, we’ve attracted tens of thousands of new volunteers and party members to take up the fight.”

He added the party expects to be debt free by the end of 2022.

Del Duca said he has met with the Liberal Party president and ask him to meet with the executive to ensure a leadership contest can happen as soon as possible.

“I know that Ontario Liberals will use our new stronger platform to continue to propose thoughtful innovative, progressive ideas to make our province a place to grow.”