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Crombie failed to win a seat in the general election despite running in Mississauga, the city where she had served as mayor for a decade. And, as an unknown political leader to many, the report said the campaign didn’t help volunteers answer Ontarians’ question: “Why should I vote for Bonnie?”

Without a high-profile leader or a communications plan designed to thwart Ford’s decision to call an early election as a “Captain Canada” figure fighting an existential battle against the threat posed by U.S. President Donald Trump, the Liberals “allowed Doug Ford to define himself,” the report said.

“Despite a record marked by policy reversals, scandal and underperformance, he was able to present himself as a steady hand in uncertain times,” it continued. “We did not sufficiently challenge this narrative or connect his actions to the instability and economic anxiety Ontarians were experiencing.”

The review, which was released to party members Monday morning, comes as Liberals prepare to gather in ɫɫ�� this weekend for their annual general meeting, where they will vote on whether to hold a leadership review. There have been calls for a challenge to Crombie’s leadership and the Liberal platform, calling for ideas that resonate and inspire Ontarians.

On Friday, Crombie said the investigation that went into the report was “a party-led process” that reflected the voices of its members. Their insight led to what Crombie calls a “road map” for change, ideas that will be discussed at this weekend’s meeting at the Sheraton Centre.

“I deeply appreciate the honesty and commitment that went into it. It’s never easy to look back on where we fell short, but this kind of reflection is exactly what makes us stronger,” Crombie said.

She cited “five clear takeaways” that will guide the party’s next steps:

• Strong “regionalized” communications for diverse communities and campaigns across the province.

• Earlier nominations to give candidates “more time to connect with their communities.”

• Improved volunteer engagement and year-round work to rebuild Liberal grassroots.

• A new investment in data and digital connections to “modernize how we reach Ontarians.

• A “clear, values-driven message that tells people exactly why they should choose the Ontario Liberal Party.”Ontario Liberal Party president Kathryn McGarry called the report “one of the most comprehensive reflections our party has ever undertaken.” She said more than 1,000 grassroots Liberals and members of the campaign team were interviewed.

“As president, I see this report not as the end of a conversation but as the beginning of real action,” McGarry said. “We will take these grassroots-driven recommendations seriously and work to implement them so that the Ontario Liberal Party is stronger, more competitive, and more connected to communities in every corner of this province.”

The review makes clear that the party was not prepared for Ford’s early election call, and did not properly connect with local volunteers who play a key role in driving votes.

“We missed the mark,” the report said.

There was some positive news in what it described as Crombie’s ability to serve as a “significant fundraising asset.” Under Crombie, the Liberals regained official party status in the Feb. 27 election which, the report said, is “critical in improving the party’s financial footing and donor confidence, leaving the organization in a stronger position to plan for the next election.” The party is now financially stable, the report said, after paying off a $3 million loan from the 2022 campaign.

The report noted, however, that the $12 million in campaign spending in 2025 was roughly equal to spending in the 2022 campaign which was below the $13 million to $15 million range considered “necessary for province-wide competitiveness.” In between campaigns, the party had been operating on “starvation posture,” which slowed its growth and made ramp up costly for an election called 16 months early, the review said.

Interviews with Liberals who worked in the central campaign focused on the quick election call that left the party scrambling to counter Ford as a candidate freshly invigorated by his role as defender of Canadian sovereignty against Trump’s annexation threats.

According to the report, volunteers and party workers said the policy platform offered little inspiration and was focused on urban issues, not the needs of voters who live in rural or northern ridings. The Liberals’ emphasis on access to family doctors was seen as “too narrow,” and the platform was not focused on a “broader critique” of the government’s health-care record nor a “forward-looking economic vision — both of which were top of mind for voters. With affordability and job precarity dominating the public conversation, many felt the platform did not meet the moment or position the party as a credible alternative.” As a result, it said, volunteers and workers watched helplessly as Ford dominated the news.

Now Crombie is promising change.

“The good news is that this work is already underway. Over the summer, we’ve been on the road across Ontario listening directly to members and communities. We’ve introduced new communications tools and practices, strengthened our staffing team, and started building the foundation we need to win. This report provides us with a road map, and I am committed to working with our members to ensure its recommendations turn into real action,” she said.

“Together, we will rebuild, refocus, and get ready to offer Ontarians the strong, compassionate, and competent government they deserve.”