Two straight resounding electoral defeats wasn't something Ontario Liberals ever experienced, until June 2, 2022.

The party won seven seats in the last election, and now has eight. The last time their seat count was so low? 1951. That was a 90 seat legislature, however, compared to today's 124.

Liberal Leafs fans may take solace in the fact that the Blue and White lifted Lord Stanley's cup that year on the back of Bill Barilko's overtime heroics.

The 1951 election was in the early days of Ontario's "Big Blue Machine" that saw Tories in government from 1943 to 1985.

Ontario Liberals likely aren't too keen to have another decades-long wait for one of their own to take the top job. So, a bunch of candidates got together to figure out how to breathe life back into a struggling political party.

QP Briefing obtained a copy of that plan. Like the submissions on why the 2022 campaign came up short, the six-point plan to revitalize the party was presented to those who attended a meeting in downtown Toronto on Sept. 10.

READ MORE: Liberals air frustrations to campaign leaders at extended debrief session

It's the result of a months-long consultation with dozens of successful and unsuccessful candidates, led by candidates Karim Bardeesy (Parkdale—High Park), Andrea Barrack (University—Rosedale), Greg Dempsey (Peterborough—Kawartha), Lee Fairclough (Etobicoke—Lakeshore), Katie Gibbs (Ottawa Centre), Emilie Leneveu (Bay of Quinte), and Marilyn Raphael (Brampton South).

READ MORE: Here’s what Liberal candidates think of the party’s 2022 election performance

Who Are We?

While the capital-L Liberal brand has strength, "we need to do the work to get clear on why we became Liberals, what liberalism means and offers today, who is in our coalition, and what distinguishes the Ontario Liberal Party," the document said.

Some common definitions popped up during the consultation process.

"Words that emerged time and time again included progress, centrist, equity, fiscal responsibility, reform, inclusive, democracy, and big-tent."

How the party seeks to define itself during the next few months and years is crucial, as "putting sharp definition to liberalism helps unite Ontario Liberals around a common vision."

One of the biggest take-aways from the "what went wrong" report was voters, and candidates, had trouble distinguishing Liberals from NDPers. It's especially important for the Liberals to define themselves with the New Democrats also searching for a new leader of their own, the document said.

"It is urgent because people will once again become attuned to provincial politics, with the government making choices that will make them pay attention, and because the post-pandemic era will allow more people to pay attention."

While the Liberal leadership race will force a conversation on the topic, it can't be the driving force.

"This is not work that can wait for a new leader, something that can emerge primarily from a leadership race. It is work that happens individually, in small groups, in the daily lives we live far away from politics, and in politics."

Leader of the Pack

While the upcoming leadership race can't be the be-all-end-all, it's a critically important undertaking for the party, the document said.

A new leader will "need to have the qualities to inspire and reach voters, clearly articulating at a fundamental level what Liberals stand for (and hopefully guided by the work we've already done above)." The new leader will also be "central" to many candidates' decisions to run again, as they recognize "how much weight the leader now holds for voters."

Lucky for Liberals, they know exactly the type of person. Finding that person, however, may prove more difficult than articulating an archetype.

"It is a given we will seek a strong, charismatic and relatable leader with a compelling vision for the province."

Candidates also want to see more from the next leader than strength, charisma and relatability.

"They espoused a vision of leadership that is more distributed, more inclusive, more trusting, and more focused on development of people throughout the organization — without giving up all authority over central matters relating to platform, campaign strategy, and the candidate slate."

If done well, the document said, the new leader's style will help "differentiate the approach to leadership of the other parties, particularly the PCs."

Modern Problems, Modern Solutions

"In the last two campaigns, we have done 'our usual' — a leader-centric, canvass-heavy, platform-rich effort," the document said.

That's still important, but "for a party rebuilding that does not have the luxury of exposure in the legislature or other benefits of party status," the party has to rethink how it campaigns.

"Cheaper forms of online engagement, especially through online video content creation and outreach, remain an underused tool for both local and central campaigns." The party also needs to try to meet "people where they are at, and not necessarily with a political message to begin with," which "can help set the stage now for a better reception when we are in campaign model."

All this has to be done without the resources that come with official party status, so "the rebuild will need to continue to focus on fundraising and developing resources to support campaigns in new ways."

Decentralizing

Liberals need to start building "capacity for future local campaigns" without relying on the central party to do it all.

"Historically, we have relied on provincial Liberal staff to form the basis of many campaign operations. These resources are no longer available."

That means "candidates and other activists" need "to be motivated, invited, and inspired to contribute to something new."

The party is too top-heavy. "There is now a gap of skills, between a group of very experienced campaign managers and new and first-time volunteers." The newcomers need mentorship.

That could take the shape of a "2.0 version of the Academy previously established by the Ontario Liberal Party." It also means more collaboration with riding associations. Some candidates already said they're game to pitch in.

The party has a historical parallel to draw on.

"In the 1995-2003 period, we trained and recruited a new generation of leaders and candidates from the ranks of campaigns that sought to fight municipal amalgamations, stop PC cuts to education and health care, or promote cleaner air."

"In the 2022-2026 period, as the Ford government continues to do damage, we need to be standing for and with those who are fighting back — and convince them that allying with our party, in particular, will help them realize their objectives."

Water the Grassroots

It's essential for the party to "build and/or maintain momentum locally, starting now with our provincial Liberal associations and other groups that resonate with our values."

Candidates have already started throwing ideas around, and some have begun working with riding associations to that end. That includes trying to get riding associations more involved with the nomination process, and earlier.

"Many see opportunity to hold events, and involve some of the sitting MPPs/interim leader where possible. Our caucus agrees that this is an opportunity."

"If there are opportunities to determine known winnable ridings, regardless of the specific election narrative and scenario in 2026, these efforts could be a focus to get started, even before the leadership race."

It'd also be helpful for riding associations to have a better idea of what's expected of them come 2026, which was one of the shortcomings outlined in the what went wrong report.

MVPPs

The party's eight sitting MPPs "can be integral in developing strategy that will help us win the next election" because the legislators have "strong local profiles," "considerable political skills," "strong links with active" riding associations, and "were knowledgeable on how to organize campaigns."

Going forward, the party hopes to "pair" candidates with existing or past MPPs "who can provide mentorship and support."

How Liberal candidates want their party rebuilt

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