While the past year was challenging, it was also one to "acknowledge and almost celebrate resiliency," according to Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca.

"It's been challenging for everybody in this province, of course, dealing with COVID-19, but it's been challenging as a dad with two daughters in the publicly-funded school system, as a son whose parents are getting a bit older, as are my mother-in-law and father-in-law, and so they have their challenges and it was very tough to be isolated and separated from family and friends at various points throughout the past year," Del Duca told QP Briefing on Dec. 8.

But these challenges were accompanied by "general resilience" throughout the province, the Liberal leader said as he reflected on the past year, adding that this will be useful moving forward.

When it comes to the Ford government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, however, Del Duca was more critical, saying the Progressive Conservatives fell short by not mandating vaccines for health and education workers and not moving more quickly to ensure all proof-of-vaccination certificates included a QR code to prevent the use of fakes. He also criticized the government's decision to announce dates for the end of the vaccine certificate program, and other public health restrictions in 2022. The province has since announced that the program will stay in place beyond Jan. 17 and that QR codes will be required.

Del Duca said he'd like to see movement on other things to address COVID-19 spread, including increased attention to ventilation in public spaces and more access to rapid antigen tests for the public and in schools. On the latter, the government has said it's sending testing kits home with students over the holidays and that public health units have access to tests that can be deployed to schools.

As for his party, which emerged from the last provincial election in "really tough shape" and a $10-million debt, things are starting to look up, according to Del Duca. He faces his first election as party leader in less than six months and plans to run in the Vaughan—Woodbridge riding, currently held by PC MPP Michael Tibollo.

"I feel optimistic about my electoral chances," said Del Duca, adding that he and the previous Liberal government got projects like the new hospital in Vaughan underway when they were in power.

The party announced earlier this year that it was able to pay off its debt, which Del Duca described as a "huge boost" for members and an indication of fiscal responsibility. Party membership, he noted, has grown from around 30,000 in summer 2020 before the party decided to remove membership fees to nearly 100,000, which in turn has boosted donations.

Looking ahead to the election, Del Duca said he's "really proud" of the group of candidates the party has put together so far, with around 60 per cent being female and half being people of colour. The goal is to have a full slate of candidates and the party should have around 70 nominated by the end of 2021, Del Duca noted.

"I'm totally energized by the team that we have coming forward," he said, pointing to people like Dr. Nathan Stall, a geriatrician with Sinai Health who has been a prominent voice for change in the long-term care sector during the pandemic and also served on Ontario’s COVID-19 Science Advisory Table. "That same team is helping us to develop platform ideas that are compelling; they are relatable."

Del Duca has been rolling out a series of election promises recently including a pilot for a four-day work week and electric vehicle rebates.

"I'm really excited about each of those pieces, but I'm particularly excited about ... the bigger pieces that will be revealed starting in the new year around some of the really big, tough challenges that this province faces," he said, adding that this includes the climate crisis, both mitigation and adaptation; housing affordability; "elder care," which includes the long-term care sector; "pocketbook challenges" for Ontarians such as the high cost of living; and "economic dignity," which includes helping workers. Del Duca said he's been supportive of labour changes the PC government has brought forward recently, but thinks "we need to go further."

Meanwhile, as the election draws nearer, Del Duca and his team still have a lot of work to do to bring Ontario voters on side. Recent polling conducted by Mainstreet Research for QP Briefing put the party in third place with 21 per cent support, behind the Progressive Conservatives' 31 per cent and the NDP's 23 per cent.

The Liberal leader is also not as well known as some of his political opponents — something he openly acknowledges.

"They don't know enough about me just yet," said Del Duca, though he attributed some increased recognition during stops across Ontario to the attack ads the PCs and the NDP ran earlier this fall that focused heavily on him.

"I think ironically they've actually helped raise my name recognition and the visual recognition that people have," he said. "But I know that me and our candidates and the rest of our volunteer campaign team will continue to look for ways to make sure people understand who I am and what I'm all about, who I'm fighting for and why I'm in this race, and what I want to do for them and their families."

While Del Duca said the new year will be busy as the party gets deeper into campaign mode, he's looking forward to a low-key and restful holiday season — and hopefully one where he can meet with some family and friends.

Last year, Christmas day involved going to his parents' home with his two daughters and standing more than 20 feet away while they exchanged greetings. Typically Christmas Eve is spent with his wife's family, and Christmas is with his parents. That's what he hopes to be able to do this year, as long as nothing changes in terms of restrictions. Speaking to reporters that same day, Del Duca said he was looking forward to going to select a real tree with his daughters.

Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca on a challenging 2021 and why he’s ‘optimistic’ about the June election

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