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<\/p>\nMississauga\u2019s Bonnie Crombie ended her two-year run as leader of the Ontario Liberals in January.<\/p>\n
Now, another politician from Mississauga\u2019s past is positioned to take the helm of the beleaguered provincial Grits.<\/p>\n
Persistent rumours suggest that former high-ranking federal cabinet minister Navdeep Bains is considering a run for the job, and that several members of the party are eager to see him enter the race.<\/p>\n
Bains, 48, was raised in Brampton but has long lived in Mississauga. He served as Member of Parliament for Mississauga \u2014 Brampton South from 2004 to 2011, and later for Mississauga \u2014 Malton from 2015 to 2021.<\/p>\n
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Navdeep Bains<\/p>\n
He surprised many by leaving office before the end of his term in 2021, joining CIBC as vice-chair of investment banking. He is now chief corporate affairs officer at Rogers Communications.<\/p>\n
Despite being out of office, his name continues to surface as a potential candidate during election cycles.<\/p>\n
In 2014, he considered a run for mayor of Brampton. In 2023, he also explored a bid for the Ontario Liberal leadership before Crombie resigned as mayor of Mississauga to take the position.<\/p>\n
Insiders say the time may be right for Bains to re-enter politics.<\/p>\n
He was spotted socializing in Montreal at last week\u2019s federal Liberal convention, and reports indicate he has been calling party members to gauge interest and seek support.<\/p>\n
Other reports suggest Ontario Liberals have also been reaching out to Bains, urging him to run.<\/p>\n
John Fraser, MPP for Ottawa South, has been serving as interim leader of the party. However, he is not considered a contender when delegates meet in November to select Crombie\u2019s successor.<\/p>\n
Many view Bains as a natural choice for leader as the party attempts to rebuild following its third-place finish in last year\u2019s provincial election. Supporters point to his role in helping rebuild the federal Liberals, who went from 34 seats and a third-place finish in the 2011 Canadian federal election to forming a majority government under Justin Trudeau in 2015.<\/p>\n
Crombie, meanwhile, may also not be finished with politics. She is reportedly considering another run for mayor this fall, following her defeat in the provincial riding of Mississauga East \u2013 Cooksville, which contributed to her decision to step down as leader of the Liberals.<\/p>\n
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