Two Ontario Liberal leadership candidates have close ties to Waterloo Region
Posted Jun 12, 2026 09:33:54 AM.
Last Updated Jun 15, 2026 03:36:13 PM.
Two candidates in the race to become the next leader of the Ontario Liberal Party have deep ties to Waterloo Region.
Lee Fairclough and Navdeep Bains both recently announced their intentions to sit in the seat that was vacated by former Ontario Liberal leader Bonnie Crombie in January.
Fairclough spent a portion of her career as president of St. Mary’s General Hospital, now known as WRHN @ Queen’s Boulevard, throughout the institution’s critical era during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I had great memories in the community there,” said Fairclough. “It was a remarkable team to work with through that period of time, to work with the community and support the regional response among the hospitals as well.”
Lee Fairclough, Ontario Liberal leadership candidate, on her platform
Bains was the former Minister of Science, Innovation, and Industry for the federal government while Justin Trudeau was prime minister of Canada, but he also spent time as a teacher at the University of Waterloo.
“When you look at manufacturing and innovation, this area is a key hub. I know that from my own experiences here,” said Bains.
Navdeep Bains, Liberal Party of Ontario leadership candidate, on his platform
Both Bains and Fairclough face a tough road ahead in the lead-up to this leadership election campaign, with competition from fellow candidates Rob Cerjanec, Eric Lombardi, and Dylan Marando.
Voting in that race begins in November, with the results set to be brought down on November 21.
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