Endorsements

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.

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.

Stephanie Smyth

MPP Toronto-St. Pauls

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.