Ontario NDP names Peter Tabuns interim leader

The Ontario NDP has named a longtime Toronto MPP as its interim leader and has postponed its decision on setting a date for party members to choose a replacement for former leader Andrea Horwath.     

The New Democrats' provincial council met Tuesday evening and chose Peter Tabuns to serve as the party's interim leader, following Horwath's election night resignation.

The meeting of the party's governing body was also expected to set some rules for the leadership race, such as the entry fee for candidates and the time frame for the contest. However, party officials said in a news release the provincial council will hold another meeting to determine the rules and date.

NDP caucus members who have said they are considering leadership bids include Laura Mae Lindo (MPP for Kitchener Centre), Marit Stiles (Davenport) and Wayne Gates (Niagara Falls).

Tabuns has served as the party's environment and energy critic and has been the MPP for Toronto-Danforth since 2006, making him the second-longest-serving member in the caucus, after Horwath.    

"I appreciate your confidence and your trust," Tabuns said in a tweet thanking party members for his appointment. "You know I will fight for the people of this province, I know you will too." 

All 31 NDP caucus members had recommended Tabuns for the interim job, a party source told CBC News earlier this month, making the provincial council's approval a mere formality. 

This role will make Tabuns temporarily the leader of the Official Opposition, putting him front-and-centre in holding Premier Doug Ford and his 83-seat Progressive Conservative majority government to account in the legislature.

Ford and his cabinet were sworn in on Friday but his government has not yet indicated when it will call back the legislature for a throne speech and budget.   

Horwath took over the NDP leadership in 2009 and increased the party's seat count in three successive elections, leading them to Official Opposition status with 40 seats in 2018.

But the New Democrats lost nine of those seats in the June 2 election, and Horwath announced her resignation on election night, saying it is time for her to pass the torch.

She has since hinted she may be considering a bid to become mayor of Hamilton.