Endorsements

Tyler Watt

MPP Nepean

I’m proud to endorse my friend and colleague, Lee Fairclough, to be the next Leader of the Ontario Liberal Party.

Lee is kind, genuine, and the change our party needs. She leads with integrity, brings people together, and has the vision to build a stronger future for Ontario.

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Ted Hsu

MPP Kingston and the Islands Co-Chair of Lee Fairclough's Campaign

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.

Anybody who meets Lee immediately comes away with the impression that she is thoughtful, serious and honest. 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. In these troubled times, I believe voters want the best politicians to be leading us.

I know Lee will be able to lead a strong and diverse caucus, just as she led St. Mary’s General hospital in Kitchener, before being inspired to help fix our healthcare system by entering politics in 2022. She will be a fresh start for the Ontario Liberal Party.

She is connected to different parts of the province, having grown up in rural Bruce County and Scarborough, studied in Hamilton and Waterloo, and lived and worked in the GTA and Kitchener.

Lee beat a Conservative to win her seat in her home riding of Etobicoke Lakeshore, immediately committing to stay in the fight after a close loss in 2022. She is also a competitor, as a swimmer and as a member of Canada’s national women’s rugby team. No doubt she has the perseverance and fighting spirit to lead us into the next election campaign and beyond.

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Lucille Collard

MPP Ottawa-Vanier

I’m proud to support MPP Lee Fairclough as the next leader of the Ontario Liberal Party. Lee is the kind of leader who can not only defeat Ford, but also rebuild a strong, grassroots movement that truly reflects all Ontarians.

I’ve seen her in action as a caucus colleague, and from the very beginning, she stepped into the arena with confidence, challenging the government’s misplaced priorities with clarity and conviction. Her leadership stands in sharp contrast to this Premier’s. She leads with integrity, she listens, and she puts people first. I trust her to stand up for what’s right, even when it’s not easy.

Lee brings real-world experience, a sharp focus on what matters most, and a collaborative, team-oriented approach. She has both the drive and the discipline to deliver meaningful results for Ontario.

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.

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Stephanie Smyth

MPP Toronto-St. Paul's

As a journalist for more than three decades, I built my career on integrity and holding people in power to account. I questioned them on their policies, plans, and politics. Now, as a sitting MPP choosing a candidate to support for the leadership of the Ontario Liberal Party, I applied the same approach. I asked myself who would be best for Ontario. To me, Lee Fairclough came out on top. She is authentic, she has integrity, and she cares deeply about the issues facing Ontarians—such as access to health care, education, and affordability. Without hesitation, I am endorsing Lee Fairclough.

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Hon Marie-P. Charette-Poulin B.A., LL.B., M.A.

Senator representing Northern Ontario from 1995 to 2015/Sénateure du nord de l’Ontario de 1995 à 2015 President of the Liberal Party of Canada from 2006 to 2008/Présidente du PLC de 2006 à 2008

Why I’m Backing Lee Fairclough/Pourquoi j’appuie Lee Fairclough

Dear friends/chers amis,

Our province deserves and needs a Premier who leads and governs with wisdom, with balance, with discernment, with courage, with experience, with respect, with dignity.

And that is what Lee Fairclough exudes.

Her current work as an MPP for the riding of Etobicoke-Lakeshore has enabled her to understand what representing a riding really means, what pubic service involves, what active listening can do, what team work can accomplish.

Her past professional governance in healthcare will be key to her success as a Leader, then as a Premier: yes our healthcare system is facing major challenges. She understands what needs to be done.

Also her belief in the importance of education sets her apart from the leaders of the other parties. Our provincial education system is facing major challenges, at every level. She is convinced that Nelson Mandela hit the ball out of the park when he said: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

And we need to change a few things in Ontario to make it a better place to live, be you in Toronto or Ottawa or Sudbury or Windsor…

Oui, de plus, Lee Fairclough reconnait la place importante qu’occupe la langue et la culture françaises en Ontario. Elle comprend les nombreuses contributions des “francos” au mieux-être de l’Ontario. Elle accueille à bras ouverts les nouveaux canadiens francophones en Ontario.

L’avenir de notre province dépend de la qualité de notre éducation, que les résidents aient 6 ans ou 26 ans. Lee sait que notre système doit attiser notre curiosité intellectuelle, notre créativité, notre fierté.

Sa connaissance de nos services de santé sauront lui permettre d’apporter, comme Première ministre de l’Ontario, des changements immédiats, pratiques et simples pour augmenter l’accès et la qualité de ces services.

Lee est une personne qui croit que la collaboration et les partenariats vont plus loin que les affrontements, que la diplomatie est une arme fiable. Ses succès sportifs sont les résultats de sa capacité de travailler et de mener des équipes.

Sa feuille de route est diversifiée, profonde et remplie d’histoires à succès comme le démontre les reconnaissances publiques.

L’Ontario est à un tournant. Aidons Lee à “prendre les rennes” pour diriger notre province sur les questions clefs: abordabilité, démocratie, soins de santé et éducation.

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Deb Matthews

Former Deputy Premier and Former Minister of Health and Long-Term Care

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.

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Luke Calabretta

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

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.

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Andrea Cohen Barrack

Fundraising Chair, Lee Fairclough Leadership Campaign

Lee Fairclough is the leader Ontario needs. Her integrity is unwavering, her leadership experience — from hospital executive to MPP for Etobicoke—Lakeshore — is proven, and she brings the fresh thinking required to take on today’s toughest challenges. Lee truly understands Ontarians, and she’s ready to fight for them.

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Carol Mitchell

Former MPP, Huron-Bruce Former Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

Lee has the wisdom, integrity, and humility needed to grow the Ontario Liberal Party in every riding across the province.

We share strong roots in Huron and Bruce Counties, and Lee’s rural upbringing shapes the practical approach, which is evident in her leadership.

Lee understands how agriculture sustains rural communities and underpins Ontario's economy, food security, and quality of life.

She is attuned to the challenges facing farmers and is a strong advocate for rural Ontario at Queen’s Park.

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Sheila Gervais

Former National Director, Liberal Party of Canada

I'm impressed by Lee's natural leadership qualities. She not only listens, but hears - and acts. Her collaborative, convening approach to political discourse makes her the ideal Leader for OLP and Ontario in these challenging times. She has my full and enthusiastic support.

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Alison Gohel

Past Candidate for Oakville, 2022 and 2025

I ran in Oakville because I believe in what this party stands for. Lee Fairclough embodies that same conviction — plus she brings the record, the sharpness, and the energy to turn that belief into government. She’s the leader this moment calls for, and I’m fully behind her.

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Rod MacDonald

The next leader of the Ontario Liberal Party needs to be strong, confident and not afraid of hard work. That leader will represent the entire province and not just one region. Lee Fairclough is all of these and more. She understands the province. She's not from downtown. Lee understands the challenges we face and wants to reach out to people for their ideas on solutions. She's inclusive and genuinely interested in helping make life better for all Ontarians. Coming from a small community in Bruce County, Lee is knowledgeable on rural issues, and her experience with Team Canada Rugby taught her that you can win when you play as a team. Lee will bring positive change to Ontario. She's the right Leader for the Ontario Liberal Party.

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Monique Smith

Former Nipissing MPP Former Minister and Government House Leader Ontario’s former Representative in Washington

Lee is exactly the person we need to lead Ontario now. She understands the challenges Ontarians face. She is willing to do the work and provide Ontarians the principled leadership we deserve.

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Emma Fortunato

Vice President of Equity, Ontario Young Liberals

I’m proud to support Lee Fairclough for Leader of the Ontario Liberal Party.

As VP Equity for the Ontario Young Liberals, I spend a lot of time talking to young people across Ontario. We’re tired of being told to wait our turn while affordability gets worse, mental health supports fall behind, and too many people are left struggling. Lee believes young people deserve a seat at the table and is ready to do the work to build an Ontario where we can actually see a future for ourselves. That’s the kind of leadership I’m proud to get behind.

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Shelley Blackmore

Former Ontario Liberal Candidate for Huron-Bruce Past Chair of Fundraising for the Ontario Liberal Rural and Northern Commission

I'm proud to endorse Lee Fairclough as the best person to lead our party into victory over the Ford Conservatives. Lee grew up in my riding of Huron-Bruce, and she recognizes that people in rural and Northern Ontario need a stronger voice in Provincial government. Lee has demonstrated empathy, integrity and an incredible work ethic in her role as an MPP. With her skills and leadership experience, I'm confident that she'll lead a team that makes life better for all Ontarians.

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Lawrence Dawkins

Ontario Liberal Party Regional Vice President for Scarborough, North York, and York

In her first election as an Ontario Liberal Party candidate, Lee faced a strong Progressive Conservative opponent and came up short. But that defeat did not discourage her, it only strengthened her resolve. In the 2025 snap election, held amid a winter snowstorm, Lee surged to victory, helping the Ontario Liberal Party regain official party status. Her resilience, determination, and unwavering commitment to her community transformed an initial setback into a remarkable success story.

I am supporting Lee because she stood by the Ontario Liberal Party when it wasn’t convenient or politically advantageous to do so. She believed in the party, its values, and its future when others doubted it. Her loyalty, commitment, and perseverance helped lay the foundation for the party’s resurgence, and those are the qualities I want in a leader.

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Ehsan Mosaheb

President, York University Young Liberals

I'm proud to support Lee Fairclough for Leader of the Ontario Liberal Party.

As President of the York University Young Liberals, I talk to students who are doing everything right and still can't see a future for themselves here — rent they can't afford, a job market where young people now wait the longest they have in decades, and a healthcare system where you can wait hours in an ER or months for care, and a government blaming young students for its own incompetence.

Lee gets it. She's spent her career inside our healthcare system and knows how to fix what's hurting families across Ontario. She's the leader we need to hold this government accountable and get young Liberals a seat at the table. Unlike the people running this province right now, she doesn't see young people as a problem to manage. She listens, she takes us seriously, and she's ready to build an Ontario we can actually afford to live in. That's who I want leading the Ontario Liberal Party — and this province.

That's the kind of leader our generation has been waiting for, and it's why I'm proud to get behind her.

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Hon. Maria Minna

Former Minister of International Cooperation and Member of Parliament for Beaches-East York

Lee Fairclough’s executive-level experience in health care is exactly what we need in this time of privatization, emergency department closures, long waiting lists, doctor shortages and the other negative effects of Doug Ford’s dismal record on health care.

She knows what needs to be done on health care and all of the other key issues facing our province today and will be sure that it is done – and done well.

I admire her commitment to public service and track record of accomplishments.

Lee is exactly the leader we need at this critical time in our province’s history.

She has my full support.

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Deborah Gillis

Former President & CEO, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Foundation.

During my professional career I have learned kindness, tolerance and humility are synonymous with strength and resilience. They are qualities that reflect a true leader rather than bluster and bravado. Lee Fairclough can be tough when she needs to be but also understands that progress is best made by a team that works together, where other voices are included. Lee is inclusive and decisive; a woman of integrity. I believe she is the leader the Ontario Liberal party needs and I support her without hesitation.

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Judy McKay

Lee Fairclough is the one candidate with the background and qualifications to stand up for public health care. She knows from personal experience the challenges of managing a public hospital with diminishing resources, how the current government is putting profits above public access. She’s seen first hand the damage a Govenment can do when profits take precedence over investing in care.

To me, Lee Fairclough represents hope for continuing investment in a provincial health care system that will still be there when we need it. There can be no better advocate and I am pleased to support her for Leader of the Liberal Party.

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Ian Burbidge

President, Huron-Bruce Provincial Liberal Association

Lee Fairclough has convinced me that she is the leader our party needs right now; the leader I want to work with to rebuild our Liberal team. Her roots in the rural southwest and experience in our urban and suburban heartland, provide her with an intimate understanding of the diversity of Ontario.

Lee speaks to me not as a vote to be earned, or just a voter to be convinced, but as someone with valuable feelings and experiences that she could learn from and build on. She has the background and skill to build and lead a team capable of bringing compassion, order and good governance back to this province. I encourage Ontario Liberals to support Lee for Leader.

Liz Sandals

Former MPP, Guelph Former Minister of Education and Former President of Treasury Board

I am supporting Lee Fairclough for Leader of the Ontario Liberal Party. I first met Lee when she was the President and CEO of St Mary’s Hospital in Kitchener. Lee demonstrated her leadership skills as she navigated her hospital through COVID. She was selected to speak to the media on behalf of all the Waterloo-Wellington hospital CEOs and proved her ability to remain calm and articulate when faced with media pressure.

Lee is a team player, a skill she learned as a member of the Canadian Women’s Rugby Team. And growing up in southwestern Ontario and working and travelling throughout Ontario she understands the need to build a Liberal Team that represents all of Ontario.

And finally - Lee already has a seat in the Legislature. She beat an incumbent Tory to win her seat in Doug Ford’s Etobicoke stronghold.

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Ray Won

Director-at-large London Centre Federal Liberal Association

Lee Fairclough brings an unusual background to the race for Liberal Leader. A former Team Canada athlete, she knows the value of working together. Politics, like sports, takes a team to succeed. More than that, Lee’s background in health care, particularly her experience helping St Mary’s Hospital in Kitchener weather the pandemic storm, gave her unique insight into the need for a Government and a Leader Ontarians can trust to truly fight for them and their future. I strongly believe that Lee Fairclough is that leader and I emphatically support her without hesitation.

Portrait of Dr. Alvin Curling O.Ont.

Dr. Alvin Curling O.Ont.

I have always been a passionate advocate of the democratic process, inclusiveness and the protection of rights for all people in Ontario. When I met Lee Fairclough I was impressed by her approach to engaging with people at all levels. During this stage of rebuilding the Ontario Liberal Party, Lee’s approach is refreshing and both important and impressive. She is exactly the leader we need and I’m proudly endorsing her.