Encouragement from community led to decision to run for Beaches-East York councillor, says Erskine-Smith
By MATTHEW STEPHENS
Former MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith is trying his hand at municipal politics as he enters the race as the 11th candidate running for the seat of city councillor in Ward 19 Beaches—East York.
“There are so many different ways to make a difference in the city and in the lives of people, and my job will be to improve the lives of the people and improving our city services at a hyper-local level,” Erskine-Smith told reporters in a media scrum at Toronto City Hall on the morning of Wednesday, Aug. 19, as he officially registered as a candidate for council.
Joined by members of the community, he said he received strong encouragement to run in the upcoming municipal election by Mayor Olivia Chow and “countless people across the community” of Beaches—East York, where he was raised and now lives with his wife and two children.
“Mayor Chow encouraged me to run and join the team to get things done at City Hall,” said Erskine-Smith. “We had a real good working relationship, but what I like about Mayor Chow, and obviously we have represented different parties at different times, but she puts the politics aside to get things done.”
When asked about the issues facing Torontonians, he said his experience as the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities makes him an ideal candidate to address the city’s ongoing housing crisis.
“There are big issues to tackle across the city,” said Erskine-Smith. “Housing obviously is a passion of mine across my politics, and I’m hoping to make a difference on the housing file – but there are so many other files though, from climate action environment, and most importantly frankly, just making city services work effectively for constituents and for our community.”
Erskine-Smith served as the Liberal MP for Beaches—East York from 2015 to 2026. He was Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities from December 2024 to May 2025.
Erskine-Smith’s transition to municipal politics comes following a slew of political moves first ignited by his decision to eventually resign as MP to seek nomination as the Liberal candidate to run in the upcoming provincial byelection for the neighbouring riding of Scarborough Southwest.
His move to represent the provincial Liberals in a different riding faced backlash from other candidates seeking the Liberal nomination in Scarborough Southwest, who argued that he would be running in a community less familiar to him.
Scaling down from federal to municipal politics, some of Erskine-Smith’s competitors for the councillor seat have already taken to social media to criticize his decision. Also running for councillor in Beaches—East York in this October’s municipal election are Jaana Syeda Ali, James Dann, Natalie Johnson, Tycen Legg, Kevin Morrison, Adam Smith, Austin Vieira, Jeff Wahl, Devin Wilkins, and Jennie Worden.
“Beaches—East York isn’t a consolation prize,” said Johnson in an email release. “The election for this seat has been in the calendar for a long time: long before Nate decided to leave Beaches-East York and run in Scarborough Southwest. After two failed attempts at Queen’s Park, he’s circling back to Beaches—East York to try to settle for City Hall. This ward is not a backup plan, and the residents of Beaches—East York deserve a councillor who chooses this community first, not one who turned to the council race as a last resort.”
Dann said on his Instagram page prior to Erskine-Smith registering that the position of city councillor should not be used as a “stepping stone” to other political positions.
“Beaches–East York deserves a councillor whose whole focus is Beaches–East York,” said Dann. “I’ve spent my whole life here, and my career taking care of this place. This ward isn’t a stepping stone to somewhere bigger, and it isn’t a runway. It’s home — where we live, raise our kids, and get up for work every morning.”
In a statement sent to Beach Metro Community News on the afternoon of Aug. 19, Worden said she welcomed all candidates stepping forward to run for councillor in Beaches-East York.
“Running is a commitment I take very seriously. And I want to welcome and congratulate everyone who has put their name forward,” she said.
“Our communities deserve focused, committed leadership, and a vigorous, respectful conversation about the future of Beaches-East York – and about how City Hall can make life more affordable, accessible, and connected for all of us.”
In response to accusations that his move for the councillor seat was a last-minute decision, Erskine-Smith told reporters that his goal is to serve the east end community.
“It’s no surprise that I’ve had twists and turns in politics over the last few years, and at the end of the day, if you want to make a difference and you believe in public service, you step up where you’re asked to step up and you answer the call where you’re called to serve,” said Erskine-Smith.
Raising two children in the Beaches-East York community, he said that serving the community at the municipal level is the most “sustainable” option at this point in his life.
“There’s nothing more important to me than my two kids and my wife,” said Erskine-Smith. “But I also love serving the East End of Toronto where I was raised, and where I’m raising my family. So getting to serve the community and honestly, just being present and hyper local and hyper responsive – I hope it will be a very rewarding four years not only for me, but for our community.”
