Let me set the scene.
It is late in the summer of 2023, and the Ontario Liberal Party has just won two highly competitive byelections. Two new MPPs join the ranks of a small but mighty Ontario Liberal caucus that is preparing to build on its well-regarded opposition work at Queen’s Park.
The Ontario Liberal Party is in the midst of a vigorous leadership race that has attracted five exceptional candidates. Each campaign is powered by a team of relentless Ontario Liberal volunteers. They are activated, mobilized, and deeply invested in the future of our party.
In cities and towns, leadership hopefuls are having the conversation about how best to represent the interests of our party and province. I am one of those hopefuls.
When I have that conversation, whether it be in rural or urban areas, in northern or southern ridings, in francophone or immigrant communities, I am struck by certain common themes.
The first theme is that the Ontario Liberal Party is ripe for renewal. With the incredible resilience and ingenuity of our party’s members, we have every reason to be optimistic about our future. But that begs the question, what does Ontario Liberal renewal look like and how do we bring it to fruition?
I wrestle with this question, before the medical side of me quickly kicks in. This is about diagnosing problems and prescribing solutions, something I know a thing or two about.
One of these problems jumped out at me when I was on the road having a conversation with a young person in their early twenties. This young person said to me, “Adil, I know I’m a Liberal, but when my friends ask me what that means, I’m not sure what to tell them.”
Many Ontario Liberals are in the same predicament. Who are we? What do we stand for? Deep down, many of us know our answers, but we need to find a clear way of expressing it to the 57 per cent of eligible voters in Ontario who did not vote in the last election. In renewing our party and growing our base, a major priority needs to be clarifying the identity of an Ontario Liberal.
I will not presume to unilaterally define this identity — it will be an amalgamation of all of our values, ideals, perspectives, and priorities — but we need to proactively set this goal together. Long before the 2026 provincial election, we need to be transmitting a clear and unified message to all of Ontario.
In my opinion, it starts with this: at a time when polarization is accelerating at an alarming rate, we must be the reasoned, sensible alternative to the extremes. The choice between reckless cuts and cronyism on the right and reckless spending and pandering on the left is not a choice at all. We can be both fiscally and socially responsible. In fact, the two go hand in hand, just like supporting the environment and the economy at the same time.
And if we want to own this identity, we need to embody it in our actions. This means driving real civic engagement at the grassroots on local and provincial issues. This means showing up for the causes that matter most to people. This means giving all sorts of people a seat at the table. It means creating new commissions for seniors and advisory boards with youth. It means an openness to doing things differently.
Over the last five years, a major emphasis has been placed on learning from lessons of the past, but learning is only step one in the process. Step two needs to be implementing these lessons, and that is where I would like to see more of the emphasis placed when we talk about renewal.
For example, we can’t just talk about the need to strengthen our Liberal roots in every riding. We need a real plan to get there.
Our Provincial Liberal Associations (PLAs) are quite possibly the most important piece of the puzzle. Strong PLAs are what make a strong Ontario Liberal Party, and right now, too many feel under-resourced or could be more active. In speaking with Ontario Liberals across the province, it is clear that this is not an easy fix. Complex steps need to be taken if we want to capitalize on the immense Liberal potential residing in every Ontario riding. Luckily, this leadership race has exposed all of us to some model PLAs we can all look up to.
When I look at their resilience, and when I look at the determination of every single member of our party who, despite a rough few years electorally, still fight tirelessly for universal health care, affordable housing, public education, a clean environment, and so much more, I am proud to be an Ontario Liberal. I am inspired to do more.
I am pleased to be the first Ontario Liberal Party leadership candidate to launch a concrete plan for Ontario Liberal Renewal, which can be read in full here.
A goal without a plan is just a wish, and just like crying in baseball, there’s no wishing in politics.
Adil Shamji is the MPP for Don Valley East and a candidate for leader of the Ontario Liberal Party. The Trillium has invited each of the candidates to submit an op-ed on a topic of their choosing.
