Commentary: Will Kathleen Wynne step down this summer?

Speculation is rampant at Queen’s Park that Premier Kathleen Wynne may step aside as leader of the Ontario Liberals, as early as this summer.

It’s no secret that the premier’s polling numbers have plummeted in the past year and with a provincial election a little more than a year from now, Liberal strategists and MPPs are worried that the party could be decimated in next year’s vote.

All of them, including the premier, are saying the right things in front of the microphones, but that brave facade does mask a worrisome truth.

Political donations are down drastically, incumbent  MPPs are worried about losing their jobs and we’re told that the party is having trouble finding candidates to run in many ridings.

READ MORE: Ontario housing affordability measures coming ‘very soon’: Kathleen Wynne

Attempts to fix the hydro crisis did nothing to reverse the negative trend and even an anticipated “good news” budget will likely have little impact as well.

Former premier Dalton McGuinty once said that a party leader is like the party’s liver;  he or she absorbs all the toxins accumulated by the party.

When the toxins become the problem, it’s time for the leader to depart and take the toxins with them.

McGuinty did it; so did Brian Mulroney.

Will Kathleen Wynne do the same thing?

We’ll likely find out sooner rather than later.