Steven Del Duca has resigned as leader of Ontario’s Liberals after his party’s third-place finish in the election.
The Liberals failed to secure official party status once again, and Del Duca was unable to win in his own riding of Vaughan-Woodbridge.
“This isn’t the outcome that we had hoped for, and work hard for,” Del Duca said in a speech Thursday night.
“Earlier this evening, I informed our party president of my decision to step down from the leadership of our party. And I have asked him to meet with the executive to set a leadership contest for as soon as is reasonable.”
The Liberal leader was defeated in his riding of Vaughan-Woodbridge, which went to Progressive Conservative candidate Michael Tibollo, who also beat Del Duca in 2018.
“It’s true, I am disappointed to not have been successful here in my home community,” Del Duca said.
The Liberals suffered a historic loss in 2018, securing just seven seats in the legislature, and were looking to rebuild in this election.
But they trailed far behind the Progressive Conservatives who secured a second majority, and the NDP who regained official Opposition status.
Del Duca said he’s sure the Liberal candidates who have been elected to Queen’s Park will serve their constituents well.
The former Wynne government minister was elected to helm the party days before the first COVID-19 lockdown in 2020.
His Liberal platform included plans to make COVID-19 vaccinations compulsory for school attendance, remove provincial HST on prepared foods under $20, and boost the minimum wage to $16 per hour by next year.
