Steven Del Duca

As Ontario Liberals geared up for a provincial election, they were faced with a unique problem — too few people had heard of their leader.

Ibrahim explained the Climate Emergency Unit assesses government plans against a set of markers to determine if they’re “truly acting in emergency mode.” On the first two — spend what it takes to win and build new institutions to meet the crisis — the Liberals don’t stand above the others. While Trudeau’s federal Liberals take a lot of flak for their climate policies, analysts note they’ve succeeded in owning that issue, with the NDP and Conservatives usually responding to Liberal moves on the file. After reading their climate plan released on May 3, Ibrahim said the emissions reduction goals are “feasible” and “certainly an improvement … but not quite ambitious enough to truly represent emergency action.” While Del Duca isn’t charismatic (“That’s the least I could say,” she chuckled), his demeanour could play well in an election where voters might be drawn to perceived moderate and stable ground somewhere between the NDP and Conservatives. Climate advocates say the Ontario PCs have left a wide opening here for their competitors to exploit. But from the Ontario Liberals’ perspective, Del Duca is a sensible, moderate and steady leader, unmarred by the firebrand controversies of both his federal counterpart and his predecessor Wynne. Pollsters say that returns the Liberals to a healthy starting point. On top of financial difficulties, said Tellier, there’s a lack of veteran party “know-how and on-the-ground organization” across the province. Tellier noted that based on Elections Ontario’s data on campaign finances between January and May, the Liberals drew just $400,000 in donations, while the NDP pulled $500,000 and the PCs raked in $5 million. Early poll numbers suggest the Liberals aren’t in as tough a spot now as they were in 2018 when 63 per cent of voters were calling for change. Although Steven Del Duca served as transportation minister in Kathleen Wynne’s cabinet, he had failed to make a huge name for himself during his time as MPP for Vaughan-Woodbridge and he lost to Progressive Conservative Michael Tibollo in the 2018 election. It also marked two worsts for the party: the most dismal electoral record in its 161-year history, and the worst result for an incumbent government in the province’s history. According to an attack ad put out by construction union LiUNA!, Del Duca is a dishonest “yes man,” changing his stances on numerous policies, including the proposed construction of Highway 413, to suit political ends.

A win for the Ontario Liberal leader Steven Del Duca would solidify his leadership and could kickstart his party.

The site also says he was “instrumental” to the creation of Italian Heritage Month. Meanwhile, under the Wynne government as transportation minister, Del Duca ran into controversy over his push to locate a new GO train station in what was his riding. “The buses are running vacant, there’s a lot of wasted money and the taxpayer carries the burden.” After four years of Ford Conservative inaction, I look forward to building on the progress I’ve already delivered for my community.” Redistribution created the Vaughan–Woodbridge riding in 2018. “I don’t like Del Duca because of his affiliation with Kathleen Wynne,” he said. This came after the Globe and Mail reported Tibollo’s law firm was a defendant in five lawsuits in the preceding four years. And if the Liberals have a big surge in that kind of area, then you’d expect them to make their gains. Residents interviewed by the Star said they want a leader who prioritizes businesses and the economy. Public strategy and communications firm Navigator Ltd. found seven in 10 Ontarians identified the cost of living as the top election issue. All of this makes Vaughan–Woodbridge a riding to watch. It would also move the Liberals one step closer to regaining official party status after being reduced to seven seats in the last election.