Liberal MP Nate Erskine-Smith seeks advice on next steps following nomination loss

Liberal MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith makes his way to caucus on Parliament Hill, Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

TORONTO — Liberal MP Nate Erskine-Smith is asking supporters for advice on what his next steps should be, with his potential bid to become Ontario Liberal leader in doubt following a nomination loss.

Erskine-Smith was vying to represent the provincial party in the upcoming Scarborough Southwest byelection but lost a nomination race last weekend.

He had said he wanted to run in Scarborough Southwest ahead of an intended bid for the party’s leadership, but now says that is “much less likely,” after he failed to secure the nomination.

But Erskine-Smith still intends to resign his federal seat in Beaches-East York this summer, so he is appealing to supporters through an email blast for feedback on what his next move should be, saying for now he is reflecting on it with his team.

“I would welcome your advice and feedback on what those next steps should be,” he wrote Friday to supporters.

“Whatever comes next, thanks for your support over the years. Politics can be maddening, but it’s still one of the most important ways to make a difference.”

Erskine-Smith has appealed the nomination result that saw Ahsanul Hafiz win by a slim margin, alleging voting irregularities, though Erskine-Smith says even if the result is overturned and a new race is called, he won’t stand as a candidate.

He said there were 34 more ballots counted than the number of recorded voters, many people who couldn’t state their address and claimed to have “just lost” their driver’s licence, and people who used Amazon orders as proof of address.

Interim Liberal Leader John Fraser has said he stands by the integrity of the process.

The Ontario Liberal Party’s arbitration committee is set to hear Erskine-Smith’s appeal on Wednesday evening.

Erskine-Smith’s email also told supporters that if they attended the Scarborough Southwest nomination meeting they should pass along any relevant information for the arbitration committee to consider.

As well, he asked supporters for contributions to help eliminate debt incurred for the nomination race and leadership exploration.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 15, 2026.

Allison Jones, The Canadian Press