Ontario Liberal leadership race heats up as Stephanie Smyth endorses Lee Fairclough
The Ontario Liberal leadership race is intensifying as Lee Fairclough gains endorsements, including from former broadcaster Stephanie Smyth. Fairclough, a current MPP and former hospital executive, positions herself as a strong candidate against Premier Doug Ford. The party is looking to recover from past electoral losses, with a new leader to be announced on November 21.
- ▪Lee Fairclough has received endorsements from three caucus members, including Stephanie Smyth.
- ▪Fairclough is the only candidate currently holding a seat in the legislature.
- ▪The Ontario Liberal Party aims to regain strength after coming third in three elections since 2018.
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| Original publisher | The Globe and Mail |
| Canonical URL | https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-lee-fairclough-ontario-liberal-leader-stephanie-smyth/ |
| Publication time | Thu, 21 May 2026 21:46:09 +0000 |
| Retrieval time | 2026-05-21T21:51:35.723Z |
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Open this photo in gallery:Lee Fairclough, the Liberal MPP for the riding of Etobicoke-Lakeshore, outside the Ontario Legislature on Wednesday. Fairclough, a former hospital executive and national women’s rugby player, was first elected to the legislature last year.Fred Lum/The Globe and MailShareSave for laterPlease log in to bookmark this story.Log InCreate Free AccountLiberal MPP Lee Fairclough is gaining support for her bid to lead the Ontario Liberal Party, with three caucus members now endorsing her as the best choice to take on Premier Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservatives in the next election.Among them is veteran broadcaster-turned-politician Stephanie Smyth, who says Ms. Fairclough is the “perfect foil” to Mr. Ford.Ms.
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