Rob Cerjanec
Rob Cerjanec | |
|---|---|
 Cerjanec in 2023 | |
| Member of the Ontario Provincial Parliament for Ajax | |
| Assumed office February 27, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Patrice Barnes |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 23, 1988 |
| Party | Ontario Liberal |
| Alma mater | |
| Website | robcerjanecmpp |
Robert Charles Cerjanec (born 1988) is a Canadian politician who has served as a Member of Provincial Parliament since 2025. A member of the Ontario Liberal Party, he represents the riding of Ajax.[1] He was previously a small business owner and consultant, and served on the senior leadership teams of Toronto Deputy Mayor Ana Bailão and the Durham District School Board.[2]
Early life and education
[edit]Cerjanec was born in North York and raised by a single mother.[3] He is of German, Croatian, and Maltese ancestry.[4] His grandfather immigrated to Canada from Croatia in 1950 and worked on a farm in Bradford.[3] Cerjanec holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from York University and an MBA from the Schulich School of Business.[4] Cerjanec worked in restaurants during high school and college; his first job was at McDonald's.[5]
Career and politics
[edit]Before running for public office, Cerjanec served as Chief of Staff to the Deputy Mayor of Toronto, Ana Bailão, where he helped shape policy on housing, transit, development, and community initiatives.[6][4] He went on to serve on the senior leadership team at the Durham District School Board, where he managed strategic initiatives and external relations.[4] After leaving the School Board, Cerjanec worked as an independent communications consultant.[3] He has been a member of the Ontario Liberal Party since 2010 and has volunteered on countless political campaigns.[4]
Cerjanec was first elected in the 2025 Ontario general election, defeating incumbent Progressive Conservative MPP Patrice Barnes by 331 votes.[3] Cerjanec's platform focused on local issues like increasing GO Train service and addressing homelessness, along with "better health care, public education and an economy that creates jobs and prepares us for the future.”[1]
Upon being elected, Cerjanec was named the Ontario Liberal Critic for Economic Development & Innovation, and Tourism, Sport & Culture.[4] The first Private Members Bill he introduced was Bill 61, Ontario Artificial Intelligence, Talent and Innovation Strategy Act, 2025.[7] The Bill did not pass on second reading with the governing Progressive Conservative caucus voting against. It was the first Bill introduced in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario that sought to address the use and expansion of artificial intelligence outside of government. The purpose of the Act was to require the Government of Ontario to design, implement and maintain a comprehensive artificial intelligence, talent and innovation strategy in order to develop and grow Ontario’s economy, with the goal of making Ontario a global and national leader in artificial intelligence and innovation within 10 years.[8]
Cerjanec entered the 2026 Ontario Liberal Party leadership race on May 28, 2026.[2] On July 5, he announced he was suspending his leadership campaign, reportedly due to fundraising challenges.[9]
Electoral history
[edit]| 2025 Ontario general election: Ajax | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | ||||
| Liberal | Robert Cerjanec | 18,499 | 44.96 | +8.98 | ||||
| Progressive Conservative | Patrice Barnes | 18,168 | 44.16 | +3.47 | ||||
| New Democratic | Arthur Augustine | 2,884 | 7.01 | –9.68 | ||||
| Green | Cory Feferman | 866 | 2.10 | –1.36 | ||||
| New Blue | Chris Rees | 413 | 1.00 | –0.66 | ||||
| Centrist | Sarah Qureshi | 312 | 0.76 | N/A | ||||
| Total valid vote/expense limits | 41,142 | 99.64 | +0.19 | |||||
| Total rejected, unmarked, and declined ballots | 148 | 0.36 | –0.19 | |||||
| Turnout | 41,290 | 41.56 | +1.60 | |||||
| Eligible voters | 99,349 | |||||||
| Liberal gain from Progressive Conservative | Swing | +2.76 | ||||||
| Source: Elections Ontario[10] | ||||||||
References
[edit]- 1 2 Calis, Kristen (February 28, 2025). "DURHAM REGION VOTES 2025: Rob Cerjanec elected as Ajax MPP after close race with incumbent Patrice Barnes". DurhamRegion.com. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
- 1 2 Ferguson, Rob (May 28, 2026). "Ajax MPP Rob Cerjanec becomes fourth candidate in Liberal leadership race". Toronto Star. Retrieved May 28, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 Paikin, Steve. ANALYSIS: Can Rob Cerjanec defy the odds again?. TVO. February 25, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Rob Cerjanec. Ontario Liberal Party.
- ↑ Ferguson, Rob. Ajax MPP Rob Cerjanec becomes fourth candidate in Liberal leadership race. Toronto Star. May 28, 2026.
- ↑ Elbayoumi, Ahmad. Q+A: Is it Rob Cerjanec’s turn?. Policorner. November 24, 2025.
- ↑ Bill 61, Ontario Artificial Intelligence, Talent and Innovation Strategy Act, 2025. Legislative Assembly of Ontario.
- ↑ New private members bill from Ajax MPP aims to make Ontario an AI leader. Durham Radio News. October 27, 2025.
- ↑ Bezie, Robert (July 5, 2026). "Liberal Ajax MPP Rob Cerjanec abandons leadership bid". Toronto Star. Retrieved July 5, 2026.
- ↑ "Vote Totals From Official Tabulation" (PDF). Elections Ontario. March 3, 2025. Retrieved March 4, 2025.