Public Interest or Private Profit? Liberal Insider Mike Crawley Plots to Take the Ontario Liberal Party Leadership

I've never been some well-connected, business-card-waving, lobbyist-registry-joining insider willing to sell access to people I know in the Ontario Liberal Party.  

Sure, I could've taken that route after 2003 when the Ontario Liberals first came to power.  I was a staffer back then - a big believer in the cause of defeating the Mike Harris PCs and fixing our healthcare and education systems.  While I hoped the McGuinty government would succeed in its progressive goals (and they certainly did on many files), I never dreamed of using my connections to stick it to ratepayers and get rich.  I was in politics for the right reasons.  

Liberal insider Mike Crawley

But longtime Liberal Party insider Mike Crawley clearly thought differently.  While many Liberals were working for the public good, Crawley was setting himself up to become the multi-millionaire he is today.  Now he wants to be the next Ontario Liberal Party leader, succeeding Bonnie Crombie.  I have some thoughts to share on this:

The "Cronyism" of 2004

The "business record" Crawley now touts as his leadership credential is built on a foundation of insider access.  In November 2004, while Crawley was President of the Ontario wing of the federal Liberal Party, his company, AIM PowerGen, was awarded a $475 million, 20-year contract for the Erie Shores Wind Farm.

The optics were, frankly, gross.  While his company was bidding on that massive contract, Crawley was actively participating in Liberal Party policy meetings with industry figures and, according to Hansard records, encouraging attendance at a fundraiser for Energy Minister Dwight Duncan.  It was the beginning of a "pay-to-play" culture that would eventually haunt the Ontario Liberal Party.   

The Global Adjustment Trap 

This wasn't just about one wind farm; it was about a systemic dismantling of oversight.  Crawley's companies - first AIM PowerGen and later Northland Power - benefited from the Global Adjustment (GA) system.  This mechanism guaranteed high, above-market rates for green energy companies for 20 years, regardless of market demand.  

• Skyrocketing Rates: Between 2006 and 2014 alone, the GA cost Ontario ratepayers $37 billion. 
• The Taxpayer Subsidy: In 2018, Doug Ford's PCs couldn't cancel these lucrative contracts without massive lawsuits, so they shifted the costs from hydro bills to the general tax base. 
• The Result: Today, in 2026, every single Ontario taxpayer is still on the hook for billions of dollars a year to subsidize the legacy contracts Crawley helped establish. 

Sidelining the "Watchdogs" 

How did this happen?  The Ontario Energy Board (OEB) is supposed to ensure new projects are needed and prices are fair.  But for Crawley and his peers, the OEB was an obstacle. 

Liberal Energy Ministers Dwight Duncan and George Smitherman simply removed the OEB's teeth.  Between 2004 and 2011, they and other Liberal energy ministers issued almost 100 Ministerial Directives - marching orders that forced the system to bypass competitive bidding and cost-benefit analysis.

In 2004, Dwight Duncan didn't wait for a market need; he issued directives that "picked winners."  Mike Crawley was at the front of that line.  Because it was done via directive, there was no OEB hearing to ask if his 8 cents/kWh rate (60% above market value) was a good deal for the public.  It was a political decision, made for a political insider.  

Smitherman's "Green" Gold Rush 

When George Smitherman took the reins, he doubled down with the Green Energy Act - the ultimate "insider's charter."  He used these powers to sign infamous "Take-or-Pay" contracts.  Companies like Crawley's were paid guaranteed rates even if Ontario had a surplus of power and had to pay other jurisdictions to take it off our hands.   

Before the public realized our hydro bills were being treated like an insider's ATM, Crawley had already cashed out.  He sold AIM PowerGen in 2009 for an enterprise value of $241 million - a value no doubt inflated by those OEB-exempt contracts.  He then moved to Northland Power, where the cycle of lucrative procurement continued. 

This was a sad and soul-crushing moment in Ontario Liberal history and remains a stain on their record:  How Liberals converted the promise of green energy into a lucrative bonanza for party insiders.  

2026: The Return of the Architect

Now, in 2026, Mike Crawley is plotting to win the leadership of the Ontario Liberal Party.  He presents himself as a "successful businessman," but Crawley didn't succeed in a free market.  He succeeded in a rigged system where his friends in the party used Directives to bypass the watchdogs.  

He didn't build a business; he built a wealth-transfer machine.  

Ontario Liberals need to think carefully about who we are and whether or not we will finally turn the page on the corruption of the past and become the honest, decent, progressive, innovative leaders that Ontario needs.    

The province is growing tired of the new corruption they're seeing under current PC Premier Doug Ford, including the same insider tricks and deal-making behind closed doors they came to hate under the Liberals.  

But if the Liberals are led by their own insider who got rich from previous Liberal corruption, who are they to criticize Ford for any of this?  Any why would Ontarians turn to the Ontario Liberal Party to get a better government?    

My Favourite Films of 2025!

Sinners, starring Michael B. Jordan and Miles Caton

UPDATED JANUARY 11, 2025:  I think 2025 was a horrible year in many ways - politically, socially, environmentally, economically - but when it comes to film art, it was an exceptional year.   My top favourites list below is packed with movies that deeply moved me and/or entertained me.  I have been cramming during this holiday season to watch as many as I can get to.   As I watch more from my list in the days or weeks to come, additional films may jump into my top 15, knocking out other ones.  F1 has jumped into my top ten, and KPop Demon Hunters has made its way into my Top 15.  

Without further adieu, here is my list of Favourite Films of 2025:   

1) Sinners - Any way you slice it, this is one perfect and super entertaining movie by director Ryan Coogler.  Everything about this period horror/vampire flick - from the directing to the acting to the writing to the cinematography to the special effects to the amazing music - is firing on all cylinders.  Upon first viewing this masterpiece, I found myself so engrossed in the amazing characters' lives including twin brothers Smoke and Stack (both played by ever-hot Michael B. Jordan) trying to forge better lives in 1932 Mississippi that I actually forgot that vampires were on the way!  Needless to say, as the nasty night crawlers start their attacks, the complex story gets an adrenaline rush.  I was gripped until the final scenes as characters struggle to keep the beasts out and save themselves, but the horror and gore is never gross or too over the top.  The music and dance numbers (yes, the dance numbers) in this are mesmerizing, including the big, hilarious Irish jig led by head vampire Remmick (played to sexy creepy perfection by Jack O'Connell).  Miles Caton's performance as the young blues musician getting his first break is the soul of the film, and his story arc sets up the surprisingly moving conclusion.  Stay for the end credits!  

2) Hamnet - One of two great movies this year about male artists unable to communicate or be meaningfully present for their families who ultimately find a way to express and heal their wounded hearts and families through their art (the other film being Sentimental Value), this is the greater accomplishment as it was far more ambitious.  The sweet, powerful catharsis and closure at the end of this gem of a movie  brought tears to my eyes thanks to the heartfelt and fully realized performance of Jessie Buckley as William Shakespeare's wife Agnes.  She very much deserves the Best Actress Oscar this year.  This film has much beautiful to say about human loss and it's likely to move most people to tears in its final scenes.  You can't help but be reminded of your own lost loved ones when watching the stunning ghostly image of young Hamnet walking into the darkness on stage.  I struggled to pick my favourite film this year and Hamnet almost took it.  However, the sheer fun and utter perfection of Sinners wins the day as no doubt I'll rewatch it more frequently.  

3) Marty Supreme - Timothee Chalamet's energy levels are through the roof (even as his bathtub collapses through the floor) in this epic, hilarious story about a young man's drive to succeed at almost any cost.  Loved it, it was funny and moving, so many memorable moments that continue to resonate days after watching.  Timmy deserves the Oscar for Best Actor, based on what I've seen so far amongst the main competitors including Leonardo Di Caprio.   

4) Twinless - Surprisingly gripping and moving story about two young men who form a friendship after meeting at a grieving twin support group, this quickly and beautifully evolves into a deeply meaningful exploration of betrayal and love.  For me, this is the queer film of the year. 

5) Train Dreams - This starts very slowly and might even bore the average viewer at first, but as the story unfurls and we witness the main logger character's struggles and tragedies, brought to life by the never-better Joel Edgerton, we are drawn in and hooked.  

6) One Battle After Another - Super energetic and fast-moving, I enjoyed this movie immensely as director Paul Thomas Anderson adeptly mixes genres like thriller / comedy / adventure / satire.  The story, though, is quite ridiculous and far-fetched, which sort of undermines the film's attempts to thrill.  There are no American revolutionary types as depicted here in the real world, at least not since the 1960s.  I also found Sean Penn's character's motivations to join the ridiculous Christmas Adventurers Club, or whatever they were called, to be nuts.  But when viewed strictly as a ridiculous satire, it works.  This is also a touching story about an adoptive father (Leonardo Di Caprio) trying to save his teenage daughter.  Yes, this is yet another "damsel in distress" film, but with some very nice twists that make this well worth the watch.   

7) Sentimental Value - This is the second great 2025 movie about a male artist who can't communicate with his family, so he turns to art (in this case, a screenplay he wrote and wants to direct) to help heal his family's wounds.  This one is less ambitious than Hamnet as no children tragically die from the plague in the late 1500s here.  But in a sense, this is an easier watch because of that.  Stellan Skarsgard is wonderful, as are the other stars in this gem.   

8) Frankenstein - Yes, Guillermo del Toro has done it again with a great adaptation of the classic novel, as relevant today as it was 200 years ago.  The film is mesmerizing and very true to the original novel's structure.  I do hope Jacob Elordi gets an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his sensational work here as the Creature.   

9) F1 - Brad Pitt leads a celebration of Formula One racing and competition (educating we non-fans with lots of exposition so we know what's going on), portraying fictional hero Sonny Hayes as he makes a comeback to mentor a young hotshot rookie (played by the adorable Damson Idris) and lead a struggling underdog F1 team (APXGP) for one last shot of glory.  It's easy to get caught up in the excitement and the racing scenes are incredible to watch particularly because of that exposition.  Kerry Condon gets her moment in the sheets with Mr. Pitt, but also impresses as a female racecar engineer / technical director.  Javier Bardem is awesome as the team's owner who recruits Pitt.  Very deserving of the hype.  

10) Palestine 36 - Various Palestinians from different social classes and backgrounds living in Ramallah or nearby are drawn into the anti-colonial struggle against the British Mandate in 1936 as the encroaching Zionist threat to their lives becomes increasingly clear.   It's refreshing to see the dignity and humanity of non-Jewish folks in the region get some historical acknowledgement.   

11) Parade: Queer Acts of Love & Resistance - A super strong documentary about the history of Canada's Pride and LGBTQ+ liberation movement.  

12) The Secret Agent

13) KPop Demon Hunters

14) Blue Moon

15) The History of Sound

16) Thunderbolts 

17) Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery 

 

Films I haven't seen yet but hoping to soon (and some of these could find their way into my Top 15) in order of preference/priority:

The Long Walk

Pillion

It Was Just An Accident 

The Naked Gun 

The Testament of Ann Lee 

Nuremberg 

The Voice of Hind Rajab 

Nouvelle Vague 

Song Sung Blue

Warfare 

Die My Love 

Orwell: 2 + 2 = 5

The Mastermind 

Bring Her Back 

Sirat 

Sorry, Baby 

The Perfect Neighbor 

The Running Man 

Hedda 

Him 

Roofman 

Rental Family 

Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning 

The Amateur

Jurassic Park: Rebirth 

Is This Thing On? 

A House of Dynamite 

John Candy: I Like Me 

The Conjuring: Last Rites 

Spinal Tap II: The End Continues

 

Over-rated / Disappointing: 

I have some additional thoughts to share about these films below which have been getting some positive ink, but quite disappointed me:   

Jay Kelly - Sorry, but the mid-late life crisis of George Clooney's Jay Kelly depicted here was not particularly interesting or well-written, especially when compared to other heavy hitter movies this awards season.  Clooney has talent playing himself, but there weren't many new insights here about the emptiness of super stardom, at least that I appreciated much.  Plus every 15 minutes or so, we get these fake, pointless moments of drama - like the bizarre post-train chase scene of a purse snatcher.  Not deserving of much awards attention, if you ask me.  

Weapons - A nasty witch (Why is she nasty? Why is she here? Who cares?  She's just a witch) does bad things causing big mystery around town, but not including a great payoff.  I have no idea what other people saw in this, and after all the hype about Amy Madigan's performance as Aunt Gladys, that too was a letdown.  Although I will admit Madigan is amazingly creepy and effective in the unforgettable role.  It's just that the story around her left me wanting.  Sure, it's creatively structured, but I can't say I got much out of it.    

Mickey 17 - I loved Parasite, but director Bong Joon-ho's follow-up here was a mostly unsatisfying creature feature that the lovely Robert Pattinson in multiple incarnations couldn't save. 

Wicked: For Good - Act Two was nowhere near as good as Act One.  

Bugonia - A total piece of garbage ruined by one of the least earned endings in my memory.  We are led to believe most of the movie that the two kidnappers are crazy, misguided conspiracy theorists who think Emma Stone's character is an alien trying to destroy Earth.  SPOILER ALERT: Then suddenly with ten minutes left we get a cheesy and inexplicable ending where the conspiracy nutters are proven right, and all of humanity dies.  Real cheerful.  I've never felt so intellectually insulted by a filmmaker.  Yorgos Lanthimos is in the dog house. 

 

Haven't seen and not planning to: 

Avatar: Fire and Ash - Part One was beautiful but completely unoriginal.  I couldn't muster the energy to see Part Two, so I'm going to take a pass on this Part Three.  

The Smashing Machine - The Rock aims for an Oscar nod, but apparently the movie sucks.  Not interested.

Eternity  - Oh, what a bad idea for a movie! 

Ballad of a Small Player 

The Housemaid 

Now You See Me, Now You Don't 

Anemone 

28 Years Later - I just don't like zombie movies, even if they're well done.  28 Weeks Later was misanthropic garbage, a big letdown from the original and truly great 28 Days Later.  I don't need to see more.  

Anaconda - I hate snakes. 

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale - I never watched much of the series so can't really watch this. 

The Roses - Just not interested. 

Snow White - Heard bad things about this.  

The Materialists - Same, just not interested. 

The Toxic Avenger Unrated