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Liberals hold Toronto Centre convincingly, Paul’s leadership in question

Three people outside a house holding a red sign
Ien first entered politics during the 2019 byelection triggered by Bill Morneau's resignation. She gained more than 50 per cent of the vote in Toronto Centre on election night. Photo courtesy of Marci Ien's Twitter account.
Daniel Centeno - CJRU - Toronto • ON | 21-09-2021
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Toronto Centre re-elected Liberal incumbent MP, Marci Ien, convincingly with about 50 per cent of the vote on election night.

The NDP’s Brian Chang came in second place with 26 per cent and the Conservatives’ Ryan Lester was third with 12 per cent. Green Party Leader Annamie Paul, who placed second to Ien in the 2020 byelection, finished in fourth with about 8.5 per cent of the vote.

Ien was first elected as Toronto Centre’s MP during the Oct.26 byelection in 2020. She replaced former Liberal finance minister Bill Morneau, who re-signed on Aug.17, 2020.

Ien first entered politics during her 2019 by-election campaign after working as a CTV journalist.

A day after her victory, Ien posted a video reel thanking various communities of Toronto Centre including Yonge and Dundas, Moss Park, Cabbage Town and St James Town. Ien, as well as her family, are longtime residents of the St. James Town community.

This was Brian Chang’s third time running, and Ryan Lester’s second time.

For Paul, this was her third time running for the riding’s seat. After receiving 32 per cent of the vote in the 2020 byelection, there was initial hope from the Greens that she could take the Liberal stronghold.  Along with several downtown ridings, Toronto Centre has a long history as a safe seat for the Liberals.

A person in a white shirt standing in front of a blue background.

For Annamie Paul and the Green Party, there was hope that they would build off their 2019 byelection momentum, and challenge for the Toronto Centre, a traditionally Liberal stronghold. Photo courtesy of Annamie Paul's campaign website.

Paul’s 2021 result is similar to her performance in the 2019 federal election, when she received about seven per cent of the vote, placing fourth as well.

She replaced long-time leader Elizabeth May in March 2020.

Since becoming leader, the Greens have faced infighting, an MP crossing the floor in the House of Commons, controversies surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and blocked funding from the party’s council for Paul’s federal campaign.

Due to budget constraints and a smaller staff compared to 2019, Paul campaigned almost exclusively in Toronto Centre.

The Greens received 2.5 per cent of the popular vote in 2021, down from 6.5 per cent in 2019. The party won two seats, including May's Saanich–Gulf Islands riding in British Columbia.

Paul is expected to have a leadership review in six months, according to the party’s mandate and rules.

She must be endorsed by at least 60 per cent of party members to stay on as leader.

Toronto Centre has been a Liberal stronghold since 1993, and along with Ien’s victory, has seen convincing wins from Bill Morneau, Bob Rae and Chrystia Freeland in past elections.

More details to follow.

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