Article content continued

Christo Aivalis, a postdoctoral fellow in history at the University of Toronto, said he expects the leadership race to focus on the party’s identity. Wynne moved the Liberals to the left of the political spectrum, he said, away from more traditional centrist territory.

“This is going to be a difficult time,” he said. “They have to look at their vision in terms of policy and in terms of leader selection … the party is so small right now, there is a chance a charismatic candidate could emerge from either wing of the party and assert their vision.”

Aivalis expects a wide-open field of candidates, adding there is no heir-apparent for the job.

Addressing the party’s debt will be another challenge. According to filings with Elections Ontario, the Liberals took on $10 million of debt for the spring election, with $9.3 million of that amount yet to be paid off.

Pauline Beange, a political science and public policy professor at the University of Toronto, said the Liberals face the daunting prospect of trying to fundraise to pay off a large debt without a permanent leader. Typically, having an identifiable face at the helm helps bring in money, she said.

“Paying off debts from the past election is like paying vet bills for your dead pet,” Beange said. “It’s all about regret and there’s not much motivation there.”

While the situation looks grim for the Liberals right now, Beange said the party could bounce back in time to be competitive for the next provincial vote in 2022, pointing to the federal Liberals jumping from third place to power as an example of a rebuilding success story.

The road to a renewed party, however, will be tough, she said.

“It’s hard enough getting volunteers for a successful, active party,” she said. “Never mind keeping volunteers even vaguely interested for an election that’s three and a half years away with no leader in sight.”