Erskine-Smith to register today for run at Beaches-East York councillor seat
The former MP for Beaches-East York has announced he will be running for the position of councillor in the ward.
Nathaniel Erskine-Smith is expected to register this morning (Wednesday, Aug. 19) to run for Toronto Council in Ward 19 Beaches-East York.
His announcement ends weeks of speculation as to whether he would seek the council seat after officially stepping down as MP for Beaches-East York on July 7.
Beach Metro Community News is at Toronto City Hall this morning to hear more from Erskine-Smith on his reasons for running for council.
The race for the Beaches-East York council seat is already a crowded one and Erskine-Smith is the 11th candidate in the race. The seat is an open one as incumbent Beaches-East York Councillor Brad Bradford is now running for mayor and will not seek re-election as the local councillor.
Also registered to run for council in Beaches-East York are Jaana Syeda Ali, James Dann, Natalie Johnson, Tycen Legg, Kevin Morrison, Adam Smith, Austin Vieira, Jeff Wahl, Devin Wilkins, and Jennie Worden.
As news broke last night about Erskine-Smith’s intentions, some of the candidates already registered took to social media to comment.
Johnson pointed to Erskine-Smith’s unsuccessful bid for the Ontario Liberal nomination in Scarborough Southwest earlier this year, as well as his earlier bid to become leader of the Ontario Liberal Party. She called his move to seek the council seat “a backup” plan.
“Beaches—East York isn’t a consolation prize,” she said. “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 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.”
Please visit Beach Metro Community News later today for more on this developing story.
