Lee Fairclough Announces Ontario Liberal Party Leadership Bid

Team Lee — Fri, 08 May 2026 01:57:28 GMT

Fighting for a Better Ontario

Toronto, ON, May 8, 2026 — Lee Fairclough, MPP for Etobicoke—Lakeshore, today announced her candidacy for Leader of the Ontario Liberal Party, outlining a bold vision for a unified Liberal movement and an Ontario that works for everyone.

“After eight years of the Conservatives, life is harder and more expensive, and people are falling behind,” said Fairclough. “As Premier, I’d wake up every morning focused on making people’s lives better by investing in essential services, restoring transparency, and rebuilding trust in government.”

Lee started her career on the frontlines delivering cancer treatment. As a former hospital president, and member of Canada’s National Women’s Rugby Team, Fairclough is an experienced leader who builds winning teams, leads with integrity, and delivers results when it matters most.

Fairclough would bring the provincial government back to doing its job: Making daily life affordable, strong public healthcare, and an education system that puts students first:

A vibrant economy that supports families in every corner of the province.
Investing in public education and healthcare for our future and economic prosperity.
Tackling the wait time crisis and focusing on delivering high quality, accessible adolescent mental health and addiction care, home care and rural health services. Focusing on outcomes, including reporting on hallway healthcare again.
Earning teachers’ trust and working together to support student achievement – with smaller class sizes, mental health care, and support for students who need it.
Fighting for democracy, by restoring local decision-making and ending the concentration of power in the Premier’s Office. Repealing Bill 97 – so that freedom of information laws serve citizens, not protect government secrecy.

“As mother of two teenage sons and a daughter of aging parents, I’m deeply committed to fixing the damage that’s been done in this province,” said Fairclough. “Together, we can do better in Ontario.”

Fairclough says the values of teamwork, resilience and service she learned growing up in Bruce County and playing rugby for Team Canada define her life and leadership. “Politics is a team sport. If we meet this moment together, Ontario’s best days are still ahead,” says Fairclough.

Lee is supported by a Readiness Committee composed of business, civic and public sector leaders, former and current MPPs, MPs and municipal officials, Young Liberals and party leaders from across all regions of Ontario.

Media contact:
Emma Fortunato
media@leefairclough.ca

“I believe that Lee Fairclough is the leader we need to earn the trust and confidence of voters, to win seats across the province, and to lead Ontario after the next election. My impression has only been solidified by working together with Lee, using our seats in the Legislature to oppose the Ford government at every turn, but always doing politics in a first-class way. Lee has the perseverance and fighting spirit to lead us into the next election campaign and beyond.”

Ted Hsu, MPP
Kingston and the Islands

“Lee is the kind of leader who can not only defeat Ford, but also rebuild a strong, grassroots movement that truly reflects all Ontarians. Lee brings real-world experience, a sharp focus on what matters most, and a collaborative, team-oriented approach. At a time when people are looking for leadership they can trust, leadership that understands their daily realities and is ready to act – Lee is that leader."

Lucille Collard, MPP
Ottawa–Vanier

“Lee is a strong, inclusive, and relentless leader. She is brilliant, hardworking and represents Liberal values in her daily work. Lee is a refreshing change in today’s polarized world, and I would be proud to call her my leader.”

Honourable Deb Matthews, Former Deputy Premier
Province of Ontario

“In my role as the Toronto (EDEY) Regional Coordinator for the Ontario Young Liberals, I’ve seen Lee consistently show up, listen and invest in the work of building up our party while prioritizing the voices of youth and the issues facing them. Lee has the ability to bridge the rural urban divide and unify the different groups within our party to build a winning coalition which sets her apart. I look forward to working with Lee to deliver the results Ontarians have been asking for.”

Luke Calabretta, Regional Coordinator
Etobicoke/Downtown/East York (EDEY)
Ontario Young Liberals

Lee Fairclough OLP Leadership Campaign blog

Lee Fairclough Announces Ontario Liberal Party Leadership Bid

Fighting for a Better OntarioToronto, ON, May 8, 2026 — Lee Fairclough, MPP for Etobicoke—Lakeshore, today announced her candidacy for Leader of the Ontario Liberal Party, outlining a bold vision for a unified Liberal movement and an Ontario that works for everyone.

Lee started her career on the frontlines delivering cancer treatment. As a former hospital president, and member of Canada’s National Women’s Rugby Team, Fairclough is an experienced leader who builds winning teams, leads with integrity, and delivers results when it matters most.

Fairclough would bring the provincial government back to doing its job: Making daily life affordable, strong public healthcare, and an education system that puts students first:

A vibrant economy that supports families in every corner of the province.

Investing in public education and healthcare for our future and economic prosperity.

Tackling the wait time crisis and focusing on delivering high quality, accessible adolescent mental health and addiction care, home care and rural health services. Focusing on outcomes, including reporting on hallway healthcare again.

Earning teachers’ trust and working together to support student achievement – with smaller class sizes, mental health care, and support for students who need it.

Fighting for democracy, by restoring local decision-making and ending the concentration of power in the Premier’s Office. Repealing Bill 97 – so that freedom of information laws serve citizens, not protect government secrecy.

“As mother of two teenage sons and a daughter of aging parents, I’m deeply committed to fixing the damage that’s been done in this province,” said Fairclough. “Together, we can do better in Ontario.”

Fairclough says the values of teamwork, resilience and service she learned growing up in Bruce County and playing rugby for Team Canada define her life and leadership. “Politics is a team sport. If we meet this moment together, Ontario’s best days are still ahead,” says Fairclough.

Lee is supported by a Readiness Committee composed of business, civic and public sector leaders, former and current MPPs, MPs and municipal officials, Young Liberals and party leaders from across all regions of Ontario.

Media contact:Emma Fortunatomedia@leefairclough.ca

Fighting for a Better Ontario

Toronto, ON, May 8, 2026 — Lee Fairclough, MPP for Etobicoke—Lakeshore, today announced her candidacy for Leader of the Ontario Liberal Party, outlining a bold vision for a unified Liberal movement and an Ontario that works for everyone.

Media contact:
Emma Fortunato
media@leefairclough.ca