John Fraser will once again take the reins of the Ontario Liberals on an interim basis, opening the field up to challengers for the permanent position.

The OLP executive is likely to confirm Fraser as interim leader at a meeting late Wednesday afternoon, he said at a press conference alongside new Liberal MPP Adil Shamji Tuesday morning.

"I'm hoping Adil will vote for me," Fraser said.

Fraser had said he was interested in the permanent top job but ruled it out after talking it over with his wife, saying he wants to spend more time with his grandkids.

Those who have expressed interest in running for Liberal leader so far include MPP Stephen Blais, MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, former MP and newly-elected MPP Ted Hsu, and Paramount Fine Foods CEO Mohamad Fakih and Barrie Mayor Jeff Lehman.

Asked about his own aspirations on Tuesday, Shamji said he's currently focusing on learning the ropes at Queen's Park. The first-time MPP rose to prominence during the pandemic as an emergency physician and homeless shelter medical director. He said he's currently on a leave of absence from his practice.

"Stepping forward was was a dramatic change in my career. And so right now I'm focused on learning what it means to be a member of provincial parliament, learning what it means to sit in the legislature and focusing on being the best champion for my community and the people of Ontario that I can be," he said.

Blais told QP Briefing in June he wanted a "larger leadership" role in the party — whether that be as permanent or interim leader, the latter of which now appears to be off the table with Fraser's upcoming confirmation.

Fraser held the interim leader post between Kathleen Wynne and Steven Del Duca, from 2018 to 2020. Del Duca resigned on election night this year after leading the party to another dismal result and losing his own race.

The Liberals also haven't decided rules or a timeline for their upcoming leadership contest yet.

In the meantime, the party is undertaking a "provincewide campaign debrief" that includes seeking feedback from its members, according to Carter Brownlee, Ontario Liberal spokesperson.

"The campaign debrief will offer a variety of ways and channels in which our members can participate and the input shared will directly guide and shape our party’s rebuild," Brownlee added.

With files from Charlie Pinkerton.

John Fraser to be confirmed as interim Liberal leader Wednesday

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