Nate Erskine-Smith enters Toronto council race in Beaches–East York before Friday deadline
The former federal MP and housing minister is filing nomination papers to represent his former federal constituency, joining a race that lost its incumbent when Brad Bradford chose to run for mayor.
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Nate Erskine-Smith, the former federal MP for Beaches–East York, is running for Toronto city council in his old constituency, filing his nomination papers before Friday's municipal election deadline.
Eskine-Smith, 42, was first elected to Parliament in 2015 with nearly 50 per cent of the vote, unseating NDP MP Matthew Kellway. He was re-elected in 2019, 2021, and 2025. In late 2024, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appointed him housing, infrastructure and communities minister. When Mark Carney became PM in March 2025, Erskine-Smith kept the role until the May election, when Carney removed him from cabinet.
Before seeking council office, Erskine-Smith attempted to run for the Ontario Liberal Party leadership in 2023, narrowly losing to Bonnie Crombie on a third ballot (Crombie: 53.4%, Erskine-Smith: 46.6%). Earlier this year, he pursued the party's nomination in the Scarborough Southwest provincial byelection but came up 19 votes short. An appeal of that loss was rejected by a party panel.
Beaches–East York is one of two Toronto wards without an incumbent this election. Brad Bradford, who represented the ward since 2018, chose to run for mayor instead. As of publication, the ward had 10 other candidates including former broadcast journalist Natalie Johnson, arts and community activist Jennie Worden, and former bureaucrat James Dann. Nominations close Friday at 2 p.m., and the municipal election is set for October 26. HighOnCity reported in June that Erskine-Smith was considering a run for city office.
The facts
Who is Nate Erskine-Smith?
Nate Erskine-Smith, 42, is a former federal MP for Beaches–East York who was first elected to Parliament in 2015 and re-elected in 2019, 2021, and 2025. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appointed him housing, infrastructure and communities minister in late 2024, a position he held until May 2025.
When is the Toronto municipal election?
The Toronto municipal election is set for October 26, 2026.
Why is the Beaches–East York seat open?
Brad Bradford, who represented Beaches–East York since 2018, chose to run for mayor instead of seeking re-election to city council.
How many candidates are running in Beaches–East York?
As of publication, 11 candidates are running in Beaches–East York, including Nate Erskine-Smith, former broadcast journalist Natalie Johnson, arts and community activist Jennie Worden, and former bureaucrat James Dann.
