Photo: The Canadian Press Former Ontario Liberal leader Steven Del Duca says he’s running for Vaughan mayor in the October municipal election. Former Ontario Liberal leader Steven Del Duca announced Tuesday that he has entered the race for mayor of Vaughan in the October municipal election. In a press release, he said his campaign will focus on curbing traffic gridlock in the city he has called home for 35 years. “Vaughan has experienced explosive population growth over the years and it has been difficult for our transport network to keep up,” he said. “The result is obvious and brutal – more of our residents are stuck in traffic every day – wasting valuable time, while both our economy and our environment suffer.” Del Duca, who was named Liberal leader in 2020, resigned in June after the Liberals won just eight seats in the provincial election, failing to secure official party status for a second straight term. Del Duca was also unable to win his own riding of Vaughan-Woodbridge. On Tuesday, he said he had taken time to think about his future since then. “Over the past couple of months, I’ve been thinking a lot about my personal future and taking time to think about how I can continue to better serve the community I love,” he said. “I believe passionately in public service and feel a responsibility to give back. I am running for mayor and humbly ask for your support to continue to provide the people of Vaughan with steady, thoughtful and progressive leadership at city hall.” Del Duca previously served as the province’s minister of transportation and minister of economic development. Ontario’s municipal elections will be held on October 24. Former NDP leader Andrea Horwath announced last month that she will run for mayor of Hamilton. Horwath also resigned after the June provincial election, despite her party returning to official opposition status for a second straight term in the legislature. He led the NDP for 13 years.
