WE really need to get rid of this guy
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Navdeep Bains assembling team for Ontario Liberal run to take on Doug Ford
The former Trudeau cabinet minister is looking to leave his high-paying corporate job at Rogers to take on Ford
Author of the article:Brian Lilley
Published Apr 16, 2026 • Last updated 1 day ago • 3 minute read
Navdeep Bains
(File photo) Canada's new Innovation, Science and Economic Development Minister Navdeep Bains (L) is congratulated by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Nov. 4, 2015. AFP PHOTO/POOL/CHRIS WATTIE/Getty Images
Against the backdrop of the expansion of the Ontario Line subway, Premier Doug Ford faced questions on Thursday about potential opponents.
Several media reports over the past few days have said a former federal Liberal cabinet minister is looking to seek the Ontario Liberal Leadership.
Why Navdeep Bains, currently the chief corporate affairs officer at Rogers, would leave a well-paying corporate job with stock options and lots of perks to be leader of the third party at Queen’s Park is puzzling.
Bains, the former industry minister under prime minister Justin Trudeau, was widely seen as instrumental in getting the Rogers takeover of Shaw approved. That was likely aided by being close to his successor, François-Philippe Champagne, who as industry minister was needed to get the deal approved.
Will Bains want the pay cut?
At Rogers, Bains is likely making between $500,000 and $1 million per year along with bonuses, stock options and perks like access to concerts, sporting events and more. At Queen’s Park, MPPs make $157,350 a year for a job that is seven days a week and takes up your time at all hours.
MPPs are also forbidden from taking offers of free tickets and being wined – and dined on someone’s corporate card is also not allowed.
To make matters worse, if Bains did run to become Liberal leader, he wouldn’t have a seat, so any salary would have to come from the Ontario Liberal Party, which isn’t exactly flush with cash.
Despite all this, it appears Bains is serious about running with one Liberal describing how he was working the federal convention in Montreal last weekend. Another Liberal source said he’s gone so far as to be assembling a team for the run.
Several current and former GTA federal Liberals are also encouraging him to run.
Beaches-East York MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith speaks to reporters outside of the Liberal caucus room on Wednesday, June 18 2025
Beaches-East York MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith speaks to reporters outside of the Liberal caucus room on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. Photo by Bryan Passifiume /Toronto Sun
Erskine-Smith also seeking the job
Right now, the only declared candidate for the Ontario Liberal leadership is Beaches East York federal MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith.
He’s known as a maverick within his party, has had trouble getting along in his own caucus, served in Mark Carney’s cabinet from Mid-March of last year until the election and wasn’t reappointed.
He also ran and finished second in the 2023 Ontario Liberal leadership race, losing to Bonnie Crombie.
With Erskine-Smith seen as the front runner, there are backroom Liberals looking to find someone else to run.
“If Erskine-Smith wins the leadership, Doug Ford will win the next election,” one longtime Ontario Liberal said.
Erskine-Smith is seen as being very much on the left of the Liberal Party and would look to move party policy away from the centre and closer to the NDP. That’s a move that would alienate middle-of-the-road voters but potentially inspire party activists who have moved increasingly in a leftward direction.
Ford says run Mickey Mouse against him
Sitting back and watching this all with a smile on his face is Ford.
“I don’t care who runs. You could run Mickey Mouse against me, Donald Duck, I don’t care,” Ford said Thursday when asked about his potential opponents.
“I’m focusing on Ontario. I’m focusing on creating jobs and economic development, building the largest transit system in North America. That’s what I’m focused on. They can focus on whatever they need to do, and good luck to them.”
Luck is what the Ontario Liberals will need.
Erskine-Smith is unlikely to return the party to power unless Ford has a real stumble and falls out with voters. The average of recent polls from polling aggregator 338Canada.com puts Ford’s PCs at 44% voter support, the leaderless Liberals at 30%, the NDP under Marit Stiles at 18%, and Mike Schreiner and the Greens at 5%.
As a more centrist candidate, Bains might be able to appeal to middle of the road suburban voters who have embraced Ford of late. The question is why he would want to take a job that comes with lower pay and higher risk.
Whoever takes over the Ontario Liberal Party has a big job ahead of them. The party infrastructure is decimated and fixing that will mean long weeks on the road visiting church basements in Meaford, the Rotary Club in Sarnia and the county fair in Timmins.
That’s the life that whoever takes on this job is looking at.
Good luck.
blilley@postmedia.com
torontosun.com
The former Trudeau cabinet minister is looking to leave his high-paying corporate job at Rogers to take on Ford
Author of the article:Brian Lilley
Published Apr 16, 2026 • Last updated 1 day ago • 3 minute read
Navdeep Bains
(File photo) Canada's new Innovation, Science and Economic Development Minister Navdeep Bains (L) is congratulated by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Nov. 4, 2015. AFP PHOTO/POOL/CHRIS WATTIE/Getty Images
Against the backdrop of the expansion of the Ontario Line subway, Premier Doug Ford faced questions on Thursday about potential opponents.
Several media reports over the past few days have said a former federal Liberal cabinet minister is looking to seek the Ontario Liberal Leadership.
Why Navdeep Bains, currently the chief corporate affairs officer at Rogers, would leave a well-paying corporate job with stock options and lots of perks to be leader of the third party at Queen’s Park is puzzling.
Bains, the former industry minister under prime minister Justin Trudeau, was widely seen as instrumental in getting the Rogers takeover of Shaw approved. That was likely aided by being close to his successor, François-Philippe Champagne, who as industry minister was needed to get the deal approved.
Will Bains want the pay cut?
At Rogers, Bains is likely making between $500,000 and $1 million per year along with bonuses, stock options and perks like access to concerts, sporting events and more. At Queen’s Park, MPPs make $157,350 a year for a job that is seven days a week and takes up your time at all hours.
MPPs are also forbidden from taking offers of free tickets and being wined – and dined on someone’s corporate card is also not allowed.
To make matters worse, if Bains did run to become Liberal leader, he wouldn’t have a seat, so any salary would have to come from the Ontario Liberal Party, which isn’t exactly flush with cash.
Despite all this, it appears Bains is serious about running with one Liberal describing how he was working the federal convention in Montreal last weekend. Another Liberal source said he’s gone so far as to be assembling a team for the run.
Several current and former GTA federal Liberals are also encouraging him to run.
Beaches-East York MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith speaks to reporters outside of the Liberal caucus room on Wednesday, June 18 2025
Beaches-East York MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith speaks to reporters outside of the Liberal caucus room on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. Photo by Bryan Passifiume /Toronto Sun
Erskine-Smith also seeking the job
Right now, the only declared candidate for the Ontario Liberal leadership is Beaches East York federal MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith.
He’s known as a maverick within his party, has had trouble getting along in his own caucus, served in Mark Carney’s cabinet from Mid-March of last year until the election and wasn’t reappointed.
He also ran and finished second in the 2023 Ontario Liberal leadership race, losing to Bonnie Crombie.
With Erskine-Smith seen as the front runner, there are backroom Liberals looking to find someone else to run.
“If Erskine-Smith wins the leadership, Doug Ford will win the next election,” one longtime Ontario Liberal said.
Erskine-Smith is seen as being very much on the left of the Liberal Party and would look to move party policy away from the centre and closer to the NDP. That’s a move that would alienate middle-of-the-road voters but potentially inspire party activists who have moved increasingly in a leftward direction.
Ford says run Mickey Mouse against him
Sitting back and watching this all with a smile on his face is Ford.
“I don’t care who runs. You could run Mickey Mouse against me, Donald Duck, I don’t care,” Ford said Thursday when asked about his potential opponents.
“I’m focusing on Ontario. I’m focusing on creating jobs and economic development, building the largest transit system in North America. That’s what I’m focused on. They can focus on whatever they need to do, and good luck to them.”
Luck is what the Ontario Liberals will need.
Erskine-Smith is unlikely to return the party to power unless Ford has a real stumble and falls out with voters. The average of recent polls from polling aggregator 338Canada.com puts Ford’s PCs at 44% voter support, the leaderless Liberals at 30%, the NDP under Marit Stiles at 18%, and Mike Schreiner and the Greens at 5%.
As a more centrist candidate, Bains might be able to appeal to middle of the road suburban voters who have embraced Ford of late. The question is why he would want to take a job that comes with lower pay and higher risk.
Whoever takes over the Ontario Liberal Party has a big job ahead of them. The party infrastructure is decimated and fixing that will mean long weeks on the road visiting church basements in Meaford, the Rotary Club in Sarnia and the county fair in Timmins.
That’s the life that whoever takes on this job is looking at.
Good luck.
blilley@postmedia.com
LILLEY: Navdeep Bains assembling team for Ontario Liberal run to take on Doug Ford
Currently a highly paid Rogers exec, Bains is assembling a team for the Ontario Liberal leadership. Here's what you need to know...
Roger’s pension plan must be lacking .Navdeep Bains assembling team for Ontario Liberal run to take on Doug Ford
The former Trudeau cabinet minister is looking to leave his high-paying corporate job at Rogers to take on Ford
Author of the article:Brian Lilley
Published Apr 16, 2026 • Last updated 1 day ago • 3 minute read
Navdeep Bains
(File photo) Canada's new Innovation, Science and Economic Development Minister Navdeep Bains (L) is congratulated by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Nov. 4, 2015. AFP PHOTO/POOL/CHRIS WATTIE/Getty Images
Against the backdrop of the expansion of the Ontario Line subway, Premier Doug Ford faced questions on Thursday about potential opponents.
Several media reports over the past few days have said a former federal Liberal cabinet minister is looking to seek the Ontario Liberal Leadership.
Why Navdeep Bains, currently the chief corporate affairs officer at Rogers, would leave a well-paying corporate job with stock options and lots of perks to be leader of the third party at Queen’s Park is puzzling.
Bains, the former industry minister under prime minister Justin Trudeau, was widely seen as instrumental in getting the Rogers takeover of Shaw approved. That was likely aided by being close to his successor, François-Philippe Champagne, who as industry minister was needed to get the deal approved.
Will Bains want the pay cut?
At Rogers, Bains is likely making between $500,000 and $1 million per year along with bonuses, stock options and perks like access to concerts, sporting events and more. At Queen’s Park, MPPs make $157,350 a year for a job that is seven days a week and takes up your time at all hours.
MPPs are also forbidden from taking offers of free tickets and being wined – and dined on someone’s corporate card is also not allowed.
To make matters worse, if Bains did run to become Liberal leader, he wouldn’t have a seat, so any salary would have to come from the Ontario Liberal Party, which isn’t exactly flush with cash.
Despite all this, it appears Bains is serious about running with one Liberal describing how he was working the federal convention in Montreal last weekend. Another Liberal source said he’s gone so far as to be assembling a team for the run.
Several current and former GTA federal Liberals are also encouraging him to run.
Beaches-East York MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith speaks to reporters outside of the Liberal caucus room on Wednesday, June 18 2025
Beaches-East York MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith speaks to reporters outside of the Liberal caucus room on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. Photo by Bryan Passifiume /Toronto Sun
Erskine-Smith also seeking the job
Right now, the only declared candidate for the Ontario Liberal leadership is Beaches East York federal MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith.
He’s known as a maverick within his party, has had trouble getting along in his own caucus, served in Mark Carney’s cabinet from Mid-March of last year until the election and wasn’t reappointed.
He also ran and finished second in the 2023 Ontario Liberal leadership race, losing to Bonnie Crombie.
With Erskine-Smith seen as the front runner, there are backroom Liberals looking to find someone else to run.
“If Erskine-Smith wins the leadership, Doug Ford will win the next election,” one longtime Ontario Liberal said.
Erskine-Smith is seen as being very much on the left of the Liberal Party and would look to move party policy away from the centre and closer to the NDP. That’s a move that would alienate middle-of-the-road voters but potentially inspire party activists who have moved increasingly in a leftward direction.
Ford says run Mickey Mouse against him
Sitting back and watching this all with a smile on his face is Ford.
“I don’t care who runs. You could run Mickey Mouse against me, Donald Duck, I don’t care,” Ford said Thursday when asked about his potential opponents.
“I’m focusing on Ontario. I’m focusing on creating jobs and economic development, building the largest transit system in North America. That’s what I’m focused on. They can focus on whatever they need to do, and good luck to them.”
Luck is what the Ontario Liberals will need.
Erskine-Smith is unlikely to return the party to power unless Ford has a real stumble and falls out with voters. The average of recent polls from polling aggregator 338Canada.com puts Ford’s PCs at 44% voter support, the leaderless Liberals at 30%, the NDP under Marit Stiles at 18%, and Mike Schreiner and the Greens at 5%.
As a more centrist candidate, Bains might be able to appeal to middle of the road suburban voters who have embraced Ford of late. The question is why he would want to take a job that comes with lower pay and higher risk.
Whoever takes over the Ontario Liberal Party has a big job ahead of them. The party infrastructure is decimated and fixing that will mean long weeks on the road visiting church basements in Meaford, the Rotary Club in Sarnia and the county fair in Timmins.
That’s the life that whoever takes on this job is looking at.
Good luck.
blilley@postmedia.com
LILLEY: Navdeep Bains assembling team for Ontario Liberal run to take on Doug Ford
Currently a highly paid Rogers exec, Bains is assembling a team for the Ontario Liberal leadership. Here's what you need to know...
Pope Leo says he was not seeking to debate Donald Trump when he criticised "tyrants" for spending billions on wars in a speech earlier this week.
The pontiff said the remarks, delivered days after a high-profile spat with the US president, had been written a fortnight earlier – "well before the president ever commented on myself".
"And yet as it happens, it was looked at as if I was trying to debate, again, the president, which is not in my interest at all," he told reporters aboard a flight to Angola on Saturday.
On Monday, Trump launched a scathing attack on the first American Pope – who has been a vocal critic of the US-Israeli military operation in Iran – as "terrible for foreign policy".
The Pope, who is on a tour of Africa, said a "certain narrative that has not been accurate" had developed, citing "the political situation created" by Trump's comments.
During a speech in Cameroon on Thursday, he had criticised leaders who "turn a blind eye to the fact that billions of dollars are spent on killing and devastation, yet the resources needed for healing, education and restoration are nowhere to be found".
(Based on reported budget proposals and policy actions, the Trump administration has planned significant funding cuts to SNAP (food stamps), Medicaid, and the CDC, aiming to reduce federal spending. These proposals include proposed 17% to 25% cuts to the CDC, $186 billion in SNAP reductions over ten years, and major cuts to Medicaid and medical research, but that’s probably just a coincidence)
The remarks were interpreted by some as a reference to Trump – who later told reporters: "The Pope can say what he wants, and I want him to say what he wants, but I can disagree."
He had initially posted his lengthy criticism of the leader of the Catholic Church after the pontiff had voiced concern about Trump's threat that "a whole civilisation will die" if Iran did not agree to US demands to end the war and open the Strait of Hormuz.
The president said he was "not a big fan" of the Pope and called him "WEAK on crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy". Trump also posted an AI-generated image of himself as a
Pope says 'tyrants' speech was not aimed at Trump — BBC News
The pontiff says his remarks have been misinterpreted after a spat with the US president.
Well, dammit, if the healers, educators, and restorers would give Donny and his buddies their cut, they'd be in for billions.
Ain't seen any private 747s as "gifts" from Oxfam or the Red Cross, now have you?
Olivia Chow maintains 11-point lead in Toronto mayoral race
A new poll by Liaison Strategies found 46% of the decided vote chose Olivia Chow, 35% support Brad Bradford and 11% back Anthony Furey
Author of the article:Bryan Passifiume
Published Apr 17, 2026 • Last updated 1 day ago • 2 minute read
Compsite of two images - Brad Bradford and Olivia Chow
Composite of two images side by side. Toronto City Coucillor Brad Bradford Ernest Doroszuk/Toronto Sun/Postmedia Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
OTTAWA — With six months still left to go before the municipal elections, new polling numbers suggest Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow is enjoying a 11-point lead over her closest rival.
That’s according to numbers released Friday by Liaison Strategies, which show that despite main challenger Brad Bradford seeing a surge of support, the Beaches-East York City Councillor still has some ground to cover.
“Mayor Chow continues to dominate in the downtown core and among older residents, but Brad Bradford has effectively tied her among voters aged 18-34 and holds a lead in Etobicoke,” Liaison Principal David Valentin said.
“The city is also perfectly split on its trajectory, with an equal number of residents believing Toronto is moving in the right versus the wrong direction.”
Undecided vote still a factor
When asked who they’d vote for if the election were held today, 46% of the decided vote chose Chow, while 35% chose Bradford, 11% said they’d back Anthony Furey, and 6% said they’d support somebody else.
What could factor heavily as election day draws nearer is the undecided vote, which currently sits at 26%.
Bradford, who has served on Toronto City Council for eight years, has seen a big increase in his support, a spike that came around the same time former mayor John Tory announced he wasn’t interested in seeking his old job back.
Mayor Chow’s approval rating currently sits at 56%, compared to her 40% disapproval rating.
Her support is highest in the downtown core, where she garners a 67% approval rating, but ranks lowest in Etobicoke, where she’s only managing to rally 32% support.
Bradford’s biggest source of support is Etobicoke at 43%, with Scarborough ranking the lowest at 33%.
As for whether respondents are pleased with the direction the city is going, the poll showed an even split at 48%, and 3% saying they weren’t sure.
That’s a change from results gathered earlier this year, which showed slightly more people saying they approved of the direction the city was going.
The survey was conducted between April 12 and April 13 among 1,000 Canadians, with a margin of error of ±3.1%, 19 times out of 20.
bpassifiume@postmedia.com
torontosun.com
A new poll by Liaison Strategies found 46% of the decided vote chose Olivia Chow, 35% support Brad Bradford and 11% back Anthony Furey
Author of the article:Bryan Passifiume
Published Apr 17, 2026 • Last updated 1 day ago • 2 minute read
Compsite of two images - Brad Bradford and Olivia Chow
Composite of two images side by side. Toronto City Coucillor Brad Bradford Ernest Doroszuk/Toronto Sun/Postmedia Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
OTTAWA — With six months still left to go before the municipal elections, new polling numbers suggest Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow is enjoying a 11-point lead over her closest rival.
That’s according to numbers released Friday by Liaison Strategies, which show that despite main challenger Brad Bradford seeing a surge of support, the Beaches-East York City Councillor still has some ground to cover.
“Mayor Chow continues to dominate in the downtown core and among older residents, but Brad Bradford has effectively tied her among voters aged 18-34 and holds a lead in Etobicoke,” Liaison Principal David Valentin said.
“The city is also perfectly split on its trajectory, with an equal number of residents believing Toronto is moving in the right versus the wrong direction.”
Undecided vote still a factor
When asked who they’d vote for if the election were held today, 46% of the decided vote chose Chow, while 35% chose Bradford, 11% said they’d back Anthony Furey, and 6% said they’d support somebody else.
What could factor heavily as election day draws nearer is the undecided vote, which currently sits at 26%.
Bradford, who has served on Toronto City Council for eight years, has seen a big increase in his support, a spike that came around the same time former mayor John Tory announced he wasn’t interested in seeking his old job back.
Mayor Chow’s approval rating currently sits at 56%, compared to her 40% disapproval rating.
Her support is highest in the downtown core, where she garners a 67% approval rating, but ranks lowest in Etobicoke, where she’s only managing to rally 32% support.
Bradford’s biggest source of support is Etobicoke at 43%, with Scarborough ranking the lowest at 33%.
As for whether respondents are pleased with the direction the city is going, the poll showed an even split at 48%, and 3% saying they weren’t sure.
That’s a change from results gathered earlier this year, which showed slightly more people saying they approved of the direction the city was going.
The survey was conducted between April 12 and April 13 among 1,000 Canadians, with a margin of error of ±3.1%, 19 times out of 20.
bpassifiume@postmedia.com
Olivia Chow maintains 11-point lead in Toronto mayoral race
New polling suggest Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow is enjoying a 11-point lead over her closest rival in the city's mayoral race. Read more.
I don't know whether to laugh or cry. Toronto is way down the shitshute, mostly because of incompetent left wing zealots. But because Toronta thinks of itself as the center of the universe, I think I will just laugh. Imagine a pile of manure being the guiding light?Olivia Chow maintains 11-point lead in Toronto mayoral race
A new poll by Liaison Strategies found 46% of the decided vote chose Olivia Chow, 35% support Brad Bradford and 11% back Anthony Furey
Author of the article:Bryan Passifiume
Published Apr 17, 2026 • Last updated 1 day ago • 2 minute read
Compsite of two images - Brad Bradford and Olivia Chow
Composite of two images side by side. Toronto City Coucillor Brad Bradford Ernest Doroszuk/Toronto Sun/Postmedia Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
OTTAWA — With six months still left to go before the municipal elections, new polling numbers suggest Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow is enjoying a 11-point lead over her closest rival.
That’s according to numbers released Friday by Liaison Strategies, which show that despite main challenger Brad Bradford seeing a surge of support, the Beaches-East York City Councillor still has some ground to cover.
“Mayor Chow continues to dominate in the downtown core and among older residents, but Brad Bradford has effectively tied her among voters aged 18-34 and holds a lead in Etobicoke,” Liaison Principal David Valentin said.
“The city is also perfectly split on its trajectory, with an equal number of residents believing Toronto is moving in the right versus the wrong direction.”
Undecided vote still a factor
When asked who they’d vote for if the election were held today, 46% of the decided vote chose Chow, while 35% chose Bradford, 11% said they’d back Anthony Furey, and 6% said they’d support somebody else.
What could factor heavily as election day draws nearer is the undecided vote, which currently sits at 26%.
Bradford, who has served on Toronto City Council for eight years, has seen a big increase in his support, a spike that came around the same time former mayor John Tory announced he wasn’t interested in seeking his old job back.
Mayor Chow’s approval rating currently sits at 56%, compared to her 40% disapproval rating.
Her support is highest in the downtown core, where she garners a 67% approval rating, but ranks lowest in Etobicoke, where she’s only managing to rally 32% support.
Bradford’s biggest source of support is Etobicoke at 43%, with Scarborough ranking the lowest at 33%.
As for whether respondents are pleased with the direction the city is going, the poll showed an even split at 48%, and 3% saying they weren’t sure.
That’s a change from results gathered earlier this year, which showed slightly more people saying they approved of the direction the city was going.
The survey was conducted between April 12 and April 13 among 1,000 Canadians, with a margin of error of ±3.1%, 19 times out of 20.
bpassifiume@postmedia.com
Olivia Chow maintains 11-point lead in Toronto mayoral race
New polling suggest Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow is enjoying a 11-point lead over her closest rival in the city's mayoral race. Read more.
Nah, just the center of Canaduh. Whereas we all know the REAL thriving center of Canaduh is the town that rhymes with vagina.
I hate to take anything away from Regina but wouldn't Winterpeg be more the "center?"
Fond du Lac, I'd say. Winnipeg is so far south a stiff breeze'd blow it into the States.