Maurizio Bevilacqua not denying plans to seek Ontario Liberal leadership

Maurizio Bevilacqua may be leaving municipal politics but may not be exiting the political arena altogether.

After endorsing Steven Del Duca to replace him as the Mayor of Vaughan, CityNews asked Bevilacqua if he’s planning a run for the leadership for the Ontario Liberal Party.

“We need more stories don’t we. We can’t do everything in one day,” he quipped before going on to say that on Nov. 16 he would be “looking at various options” that are available to him.

“I’m really looking forward to it actually.”

Bevilacqua has been the mayor of Vaughan for almost 12 years but decided against another run in this month’s municipal elections. The 62-year-old was a federal Liberal MP from 1988 to 2010 and was one of 11 candidates for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada in August 2006 before dropping out of the race.

“There’s going to be an opportunity for someone in the province of Ontario to rebuild the party, regain the trust of individuals throughout the province,” said Bevilacqua. “There’s a solid liberal foundation throughout the province of Ontario and I’m sure that someone will emerge and build upon what Steven Del Duca did.”

“People that are liberals need to rally around someone who can bring a positive change and different results obviously.”

Asked if he was that person, Bevilacqua noted he has a winning track record and has enjoyed “great collaboration” with current Premier Doug Ford.

“The record speaks for itself,” he said. “I have been in public life for all the right reasons for many years but it’s too early for me to make any decision at this point in time.”

After winning four straight elections, the Ontario Liberals have now come third in the last two provincial votes, failing to attain official party status. Del Duca resigned as party leader on election night this past June after failing to win a seat in the riding of Vaughan-Woodbridge.

The Liberals have yet to announced any formal plans for a leadership convention.