Naqvi takes another step toward running for Ontario Liberal leader
Ottawa Centre MP Yasir Naqvi has taken another step towards running for leader of the Ontario Liberal Party.
Naqvi has stepped down as Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the King's Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness, while he considers the opportunity.
“As Yasir explores the leadership of the Ontario Liberal Party, he has stepped down from the role as Parliamentary Secretary,” a spokesperson for Naqvi said Tuesday.
In a tweet, Minister of Emergency Preparedness Bill Blair thanked Naqvi for his work in the role.
Naqvi is currently travelling the province seeking feedback as he “seriously explores the possibility” of running, according to the spokesperson.
Naqvi will remain as the MP for Ottawa Centre.
The move would be a return to provincial politics for Naqvi. Before entering federal politics, he served as an Ontario cabinet minister.
He represented the riding of Ottawa Centre from 2007 to 2018, before losing to NDP MPP Joel Harden in the 2018 provincial election. He served as attorney general, government house leader, minister of community safety and correctional services and minister of labour when the Liberal Party formed government.
Naqvi says he is waiting for the party to finalize the process and rules for the leadership race before making a final decision on whether or not to enter.
The Ontario Liberals are looking for a new leader to replace Steven Del Duca, who resigned after the party finished third in the 2022 provincial election.
Ottawa South MPP John Fraser is serving as interim leader until the party elects a new leader.
In addition to Naqvi, MP Nate Erskine-Smith and Ontario Liberal MPP Ted Hsu have expressed interest in running.
The Liberals will implement a new system for selecting their leader. At the party’s annual general meeting earlier this month, members voted overwhelmingly for a one-member-one-vote system.
A voting date for the leadership race has not been set.
With files from the Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Child under 5 dies of measles in Ontario: PHO
A young child has died of measles in Ontario, marking the first death in the province from the highly contagious virus in more than 10 years, a Public Health Ontario report confirms.
NEW Pack the macaroni necklace: Lessons on evacuations from a woman who fled one of Canada's worst wildfires
Carol Christian had 15 minutes to evacuate her home during the Fort McMurray wildfires in 2016. She ended up losing the house and everything inside. Now, she wants to share the lessons she learned.
Think twice before sharing 'heartbreaking' social media posts, RCMP warn
Mounties in B.C. are urging people to think twice before sharing "heartbreaking posts" on social media.
'Ugly produce': One way Canadians are shrinking rising grocery bills
As the cost of food in Canada has risen, grocery shoppers are looking at ways to reduce their grocery bill, and more are choosing price over beauty, turning to companies that deliver so-called 'misfit' produce at a fraction of the cost.
Vatican revamps norms to evaluate visions of Mary as it adapts to Internet age and combats hoaxers
The Vatican on Friday radically reformed its process for evaluating alleged visions of the Virgin Mary, weeping statues and other seemingly supernatural phenomena, insisting on having the final say in whether the events are worthy of popular devotion.
Wildfires burning across Canada: Communities threatened as flames creep closer
Thousands of residents fled Fort McMurray this week, fearing a repeat of the 2016 wildfire that forced out the entire community and torched more than 2,400 homes.
5 secrets to moving better and preventing avoidable injury
Countless people seek emergency care for back pain, muscle strains and similar injuries resulting from “moving wrong” during mundane, everyday tasks such as bending over to tie shoes, lifting objects or doing household chores.
Zach Bryan and girlfriend Brianna Chickenfry are 'happy and alive' after 'traumatizing' car accident
Zach Bryan and his girlfriend Brianna LaPaglia were involved in a scary car accident earlier this week, according to LaPaglia, who recalled the experience in a candid video posted to her TikTok page earlier this week.
Trudeau calls New Brunswick's Conservative government a 'disgrace' on women's rights
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau assailed New Brunswick's premier and other conservative leaders on Thursday, calling out the provincial government's position on abortion, LGBTQ youth and climate change.