Former federal cabinet minister Nate Erskine-Smith is running for Toronto city council in Ward 19 Beaches-East York, joining a crowded field of candidates seeking the open seat in the Oct. 26 municipal election.
Erskine-Smith confirmed with CityNews that he will join the race and has filed his nomination papers ahead of Friday's deadline for municipal council candidates in Toronto and across Ontario.
In a statement about his council run, posted on his website, Erskine-Smith said he has "faced a series of twists and turns in politics" but that his desire to make the biggest difference he can is driving his ambition to return to public service.
The 42-year-old former lawyer represented the area in the House of Commons for a decade. He was first elected in 2015 with nearly 50 per cent of the vote, defeating NDP incumbent Matthew Kellway, and won re-election in 2019, 2021 and 2025.
From Ottawa to city hall
In late 2024, then-prime minister Justin Trudeau appointed Erskine-Smith as housing, infrastructure and communities minister. Prime Minister Mark Carney kept him in the role after taking office in March 2025, but dropped him from cabinet shortly after that year's federal election.
Erskine-Smith ran for the Ontario Liberal Party leadership in 2023, finishing second to Bonnie Crombie on the third-round ballot with 46.6 per cent of the vote to her 53.4 per cent.
Earlier this year, he sought the Liberal nomination in the upcoming Scarborough Southwest byelection, losing by 19 votes. CityNews reported that his appeal, which alleged irregularities in the nomination vote, was rejected by a party panel.
Erskine-Smith said his council campaign will focus on advancing housing solutions, defending Toronto's waterfront and enhancing city services.
An open seat
Ward 19 is one of two Toronto wards with no incumbent on the ballot. Brad Bradford, who represented the area since 2018, is instead running for mayor.
The ward is roughly bounded by Coxwell Avenue to the west, Lake Ontario to the south, Victoria Park Avenue to the east and Sunrise Avenue south of Eglinton Avenue East to the north.
Eleven candidates are now vying to be the next Ward 19 councillor, according to the City of Toronto's candidate list. Among them are former broadcast journalist Natalie Johnson, arts and community activist Jennie Worden and former public servant James Dann.
