Federal Election 2025: Beaches-East York Liberal candidate Nathaniel Erskine-Smith answers our questions

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Beach Metro Community News sent these questions to the federal candidates in Beaches-East York. Not all candidates responded by our deadline. Candidates were asked to keep their responses to approximately 300 words. Please visit our website at www.beachmetro.com for more information on the candidates.)

QUESTION 1: Please tell our readers a little bit about yourself and why you are running in this election?

I’ve been lucky to represent our community. I was raised here, went to Bowmore and Malvern back in the day, grew up playing baseball at Ted Reeve and Stan Wadlow, and will always consider this home. Amy and I are raising our two boys here and I’m looking forward to coaching East York baseball again this summer.

As your MP, I’ve done my best to speak up when it mattered, make our politics about ideas, and work across party lines to get things done.

Many of you will know that I’ve got a record of disagreeing with my party on occasion. I will continue to use my voice to push our government to be the best version of itself, and to engage in policy conversations through my podcast (uncommons.ca).

In many ways, my advocacy has also helped to shape the government’s agenda, including action to support low-income workers, protect kids online, save lives in the opioid crisis, deliver stronger climate action, improve animal welfare, increase pediatric cancer research, defend civil liberties, and more.

I’ve also worked to deliver affordable housing and transit, and to ensure that we’re a strong partner for our city. As the housing minister for a short time, I finalized a deal to help the TTC acquire new subway cars, delivered $500 million to unlock Toronto’s waterfront, and created Toronto Builds with $2.55 billion in federal low-cost financing to get new rentals and affordable housing built.

After a tough provincial leadership race, I’d planned to spend more time with my young family and return to law. But I’ve been drawn back in by the opportunity to make a difference on the important housing file and because there is so much at stake in this election.

In this particular moment, experience matters.

QUESTION 2: Why is your party and your party leader the best one to deal with the threats from U.S. President Donald Trump, and how will your party support Canadians impacted by tariffs and other American policies towards Canada?

The most important question in this election is who is best placed to stand up for our economic and national interest against Donald Trump. And the choice is a clear one, because we need serious leadership in this moment of crisis.

Prime Minister Carney has a wealth of experience and a track record of managing crises. As the Governor of the Bank of Canada, he helped our country navigate the Great Recession. The late Conservative Finance Minister Jim Flaherty recognized Carney for his “invaluable support” and thanked him for “the work he has done and the advice he has given to keep Canada’s economy strong, protect Canadian jobs, and maintain the stability of our monetary system.”

Subsequently, as the Governor for the Bank of England, Carney helped Britain manage through Brexit, having warned the country of the potential negative consequences of such a decision.

In only a short time as Canada’s Prime Minister, he’s shown a calm and competent leadership style in responding to Trump and in working with provincial and territorial leaders to break down internal trade barriers.

To respond to Trump’s continued threats and tariffs, we’ve laid out a three point plan: to fight, protect, and build.

Fight: we have imposed retaliatory dollar-for-dollar tariffs, including reciprocal 25 per cent tariffs on auto, steel, aluminum, and more.

Protect: we’ve expanded Employment Insurance, announced a new $2 billion fund to secure a Canadian-made auto supply chain, and committed to all tariff proceeds being returned to support workers.

Build: we will turn this economic challenge into an opportunity by building more housing and infrastructure across Canada than we have seen in decades. It is time to build.

We will defend our sovereignty, protect our workers, and build a strong and resilient economy.

QUESTION 3: Beyond Canada’s relationship with the United States, what do you see as the next most important issue in this election and how will you and your party address it?

Apart from Donald Trump, housing affordability is our most pressing challenge. It is central to generational fairness, productivity, and equality of opportunity. We have an ambitious and comprehensive plan that will drive down the costs of home building, get the government back in the business of building homes at a scale not seen since the Second World War, and treat housing as a home first.

Drive down building costs: we will reduce development charges – taxes on housing – by 50 per cent for multi-unit builds, massively invest in innovation and off-site construction, and double down on successful efforts that reward municipalities that cut red tape and approval times.

Get the government back in the business of building affordable homes: we’ve launched a series of useful housing programs, from our broader National Housing Strategy to the more recent Co-op Housing Development Fund, Rental Protection Fund, Public Lands Initiative, and more. We’ve committed to action at a scale to match the housing crisis, including through a new public builder to maximize public land for affordable housing, financing for innovative Canadian home building, grants and loans to support community housing for students, seniors, and those experiencing homelessness, and tax incentives to help nonprofits, land trusts, and purpose-built rental housing.

Housing as a home first: we will lift the GST from new builds up to $1 million for first-time home buyers.

Our housing plan meets the moment, and will help to turn a huge challenge into an economic opportunity.