Crombie debuts new crew, cuts a fat cheque
Meet the PCs fundraiser-in-chief and newest baby on the bench
ABOVE THE FOLD
SAME SQUAD, FRESH TITLES, BIG PAYOUT — As whispers of a leadership showdown swirl, BONNIE CROMBIE is solidifying her power base — starting with some very familiar names.
The Grits have officially resurrected the Liberal Caucus Services Bureau, thanks to the party clinching recognized status in the Legislature with the requisite 12 seats (they scored 14, though Crombie’s own seat wasn’t one of them).
And guess who’s back? In a personnel shuffle that reads like a Mississauga-era yearbook, Crombie has stacked the bureau with longtime allies:
SANDRA JANSEN — Chief of Staff. Jansen is a former Alberta cabinet minister and journalist. Icebreaker via the Globe.
ELIZABETH MENDES — Deputy Chief of Staff. Mendes is the former Mississauga-Lakeshore candidate and executive director of the Leader’s Office
MADALYN CALZAVARA — Executive Director of Communications and Legislative Affairs. She also ran comms for ex-Liberal candidate and current councillor ALVIN TEDJO’s post-Crombie mayoral bid
MILES HOPPER — Executive Director of Planning and Operations
DARRYN McARTHUR — Director of Caucus Operations (more on Hopper and McArthur momentarily)
“We’ve brought in new talent, new energy, and new ideas — and that includes experienced organizers, digital-first communicators, and people who understand what it takes to win in every corner of Ontario. These aren’t just new faces. They represent a new culture,” Crombie said in an email blast to supporters dubbed “Bonnie’s brief.”
But this isn’t just a reunion — it’s proof that loyalty pays.
SCOOP — I’ve got exclusive receipts showing that McArthur’s firm, DMC Strategic, raked in a hefty chunk of change from the party last year — $129,950, according to annual receipts filed with Elections Ontario (scooped here). McArthur’s payout is listed under the “Salaries and Benefits” category. McArthur and Crombie go way back to her days as Mississauga mayor.
Meanwhile, Crombie’s going full-court press to hold onto the reins, courting would-be critics and consolidating support ahead of what’s expected to be a high-stakes vote at September’s AGM.
Case in point: She’s recruited Hopper — who authored the now-infamous leaked memo (also scooped by yours truly) detailing priority ridings for E-Day — and who also worked on the leadership campaign for Crombie’s loudest rival and runner-up, NATE ERSKINE-SMITH. Keeping your enemies close, much?
On the barbecue circuit: According to another leaked email invite to election candidates from JON KATZ, manager of field operations, Crombie is barnstorming the province with caucus in tow — featuring patio soirees in Steeltown to beer-and-burgers in Mississauga. The Peel BBQ on August 9 is expected to be one of the biggest Liberal events of the summer.
Cue eyes emoji: Meanwhile, Liberal MPP and erstwhile leadership contender TED HSU is hitting the road this summer, with stops in Carleton, Perth, Belleville and Brighton.
Officially, Hsu says it’s all about “the recent legislative session and to reconnect about what matters to you.” Unofficially, with the backdrop of September’s leadership review, many are wondering (and some are hoping) Hsu is revving up for another potential leadership bid, should the position open up. Recall: Hsu told The Hill Times he’s backing Crombie but will leave it up to the membership to decide her fate.
The Liberals may be lakeside this summer, but the Wi-Fi is strong — and the leaks are stronger. It’s shaping up to be a scoop-soaked recess, and you don’t want to miss a thing. Catch up on all the backroom drama in the archive — and get 10% off a subscription until July 31:
Over in Tory land…
MONEY MOVES — The PCs have enlisted KELLY LAMB to oversee their fundraising efforts, replacing now-MPP MICHELLE COOPER (Eglinton-Lawrence) as executive director of the Ontario PC Fund.
Lamb was most recently VP of the Grey Cup and events at the CFL (go Argos!) and also did a stint as VP of event operations and customer experience at the Toronto Congress Centre — DOUG FORD’s choice venue for rallies.
HAPPENING TODAY
11 a.m.: Long-Term Care Minister NATALIA KUSENDOVA-BASHTA continues her new-home-ribbon-cutting tour in Barrie.
OPPO ITIN — NDP captain MARIT STILES brings her All in for Ontario tour to Kitchener-Waterloo with stops at Communitech, Velocity Incubator and a University of Waterloo student roundtable. Stiles will hold a press conference at UW at 11:15 a.m., then wrap the day with a pub night at McCabe’s at 6 p.m. Also on hand: Local MPP CATHERINE FIFE and post-secondary critic PEGGY SATTLER.
FUNDRAISING WATCH
— 6 p.m.: Red Tape Reduction Minister ANDREA KHANJIN is shilling for the PCs in Toronto for $1,000 a pop.
— 6:30 p.m.: Alumni of the Ontario Young Liberals will reminisce over brewskis at Bier Markt on The Esplanade. Dress code: Business casual. Tickets are $150 apiece.
— 7 p.m.: Energy Minister STEPHEN LECCE is headlining a $700-a-plate fundraiser in PC LORNE COE’s neck of the woods in Whitby.
CLIPPINGS
— TIMBER! As DONALD TRUMP’s latest tariff deadline looms this week, Ministers VIC FEDELI, MIKE HARRIS and KEVIN HOLLAND are “speaking out against a new decision by the U.S. Department of Commerce to raise duties on Canadian softwood lumber, calling the move harmful to workers, families and cross-border trade.” Details.
— RING OF IRE: “Why DOUG FORD’s controversial law to fast-track development is focused on the Ring of Fire.” The Star’s inimitable addition to its Queen’s Park bureau, Moira Welsh, digs in.
— SPOTTED: Strange bedfellows VINCE GASPARRO, Liberal MP, and MICHAEL FORD, the Premier’s nephew and ex-PC-Minister-turned-Toronto-lobbyist, hanging out at Amico Bakery in Eglinton-Lawrence: