One year later

Ford Nation's unlikely saviour

ABOVE THE FOLD

It’s been a year since the RCMP launched its probe into the Ford government’s wild Greenbelt ride. Before we sink our teeth into how Queen’s Park circles are reacting, I’ve got a little scoop about Liberal nomination world.

First in Observer — The Grits are on the hunt for a star contender in Toronto-St. Paul’s, their former provincial stronghold that is considered a must-win in the next round.

That’s because former candidate NATHAN STALL isn’t running again. He just got promoted to co-lead the Geriatrics department at Sinai Health, replacing Dr. SAMIR SINHA, who also has a Liberal connection — Sinha was a guest speaker at the party’s AGM in London last month. (Small world!)

I got my hands on Stall’s farewell note to the local riding association. “I wanted to let you know that I accepted a leadership position at my hospital…As such, I will not be seeking the nomination for the OLP in TSP…As this role is a non-partisan hospital role, I will be stepping away from the [riding association]. I will forever be grateful for our time together during the 2022 campaign.”

St. Paul’s is currently held by two-term NDPer JILL ANDREW.

Back to the drawing board: The Grits have the longest way to go when it comes to nominating a full slate of 124 candidates — the PCs and NDP already have loads of incumbents — so expect more opportunities for Liberal drama in the run-up to the next election. (I’m all ears! Reach out to sabrina@qpobserver.ca, or just reply to this email.)

So far, they’ve been ripping through automatic acclamations thanks to electoral urgency mode (scooped here), which is rubbing some insiders the wrong way.

“Lots of appointments make sense given the timeline but I’m honestly wondering, are there ANY contested races?” said one.

Another pointed to Mississauga-Erin Mills, where QASIR DAR will carry the torch. Rumour has it former candidate IMRAN MIAN had been organizing for the nomination contest and expressed interest in running again, but was forced to back off when Dar came forward.

Dar has roots in the federal Liberal party — so much for OLP distancing themselves from JUSTIN TRUDEAU — and is considered to become a “very senior player” in his boss MÉLANIE JOLY’s potential leadership bid, should Trudeau step aside.

Also: Dar’s candidacy narrows down the ridings where BONNIE CROMBIE could run. Sources first told me she’s gunning for Mississauga Centre, but she’ll probably keep her rivals guessing for a little longer. Catch up.

Find out who’s running with our CANDIDATE TRACKER.

Speaking of a possible snap vote: the timing of the next election is under increasing scrutiny as Queen’s Park marks one year since the RCMP’s Greenbelt probe.

MOUNTIES ALMOST GET THEIR MAN — Bombshell nuggets from Toronto Star bureau chief ROBERT BENZIE’s latest: