Former federal Beaches–East York MP Nate Erskine-Smith is gearing up for a run at Toronto city hall, following a recent attempt to secure a nomination with the Ontario Liberal Party in a Scarborough byelection. His announcement came to CityNews as he prepares to file his nomination papers ahead of the municipal council candidate deadline on Friday. The municipal elections are scheduled for October 26, 2026, making this a crucial moment for prospective candidates.
Erskine-Smith's political journey is noteworthy, having first been elected to the House of Commons in 2015. He gained nearly 50 percent of the vote, defeating former NDP MP Matthew Kellway, who obtained just under 31 percent. Since then, Erskine-Smith has maintained a significant presence in federal politics, securing reelection in 2019, 2021, and 2025 with comfortable vote margins. His role evolved in late 2024 when he was appointed as Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities by former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. After Prime Minister Mark Carney succeeded Trudeau in March 2025, Erskine-Smith continued to serve in his cabinet until he was removed after the following election.
During his time in Parliament, Erskine-Smith contributed primarily as a backbench MP, where he served on various parliamentary committees. He also ventured into media, launching a podcast that gained traction during the COVID-19 pandemic, where he interviewed a wide array of guests.
In 2023, Erskine-Smith set his sights on the Ontario Liberal Party leadership but ultimately placed second to Bonnie Crombie, receiving 46.6 percent of the votes against Crombie's 53.4 percent. Earlier in 2026, he contemplated another leadership bid but pivoted to pursue representing Beaches–East York at the municipal level instead. Previously, he sought the Liberal Party nomination for the Scarborough Southwest byelection but fell short by just 19 votes, prompting an appeal over alleged voting irregularities. This appeal, however, was rejected by an Ontario Liberal panel.
The municipal Ward 19 Beaches–East York, which Erskine-Smith aims to represent, is one of two constituencies in Toronto currently without an incumbent. It was previously held by Brad Bradford, who has decided to run for mayor in the upcoming election. The geographical boundaries of the ward are delineated by Coxwell Avenue, Lake Ontario, Victoria Park Avenue, and Sunrise Avenue (to the south of Eglinton Avenue East).
As the political landscape evolves, Erskine-Smith finds himself among a competitive group of candidates, with ten vying for the councillor position. Other notable candidates include former broadcast journalist Natalie Johnson, arts and community activist Jennie Worden, and former government official James Dann, reflecting a diverse field of contenders in this battleground.
With his extensive political background and experience navigating various political challenges, Erskine-Smith aims to leverage his history in public service as he embarks on this new chapter in municipal governance. The upcoming election promises to be a significant contest, as he and his fellow candidates vie to address the pressing issues within the Beaches–East York community.
