Nate Erskine-Smith challenges Scarborough Southwest nomination loss

Liberal MP Nate Erskine-Smith has appealed his narrow Scarborough Southwest nomination loss as Ontario Liberals review the vote.

Liberal MP Nate Erskine-Smith has formally challenged his loss in the Ontario Liberal nomination race for the upcoming Scarborough Southwest byelection, filing a notice of appeal with the provincial party on Tuesday.

The move keeps alive a dispute over a closely watched local contest that had broader implications for Erskine-Smith’s expected bid for the Ontario Liberal leadership. He lost the nomination on Saturday to Ahsanul Hafiz by a narrow margin and later raised concerns about the process, including alleged voter ID issues.

The Ontario Liberal Party is defending the integrity of the nomination vote while sending the appeal to its arbitration committee. Interim leader John Fraser said in a statement that he has “complete confidence” in the party’s process and in the committee’s work.

“The committee will review the appeal carefully, fairly and swiftly, consistent with our rules and procedures,” Fraser said.

Erskine-Smith’s team confirmed Tuesday that the appeal had been filed but offered little further comment. The federal MP represents nearby Beaches-East York and had entered the Scarborough Southwest race as part of a planned move into provincial politics.

His run had drawn criticism from some other nomination candidates, who objected to what they viewed as an attempt to use the riding as a path toward the provincial leadership. Erskine-Smith has also suggested the party establishment was trying to block his nomination, an allegation the party denies.

It remains unclear whether the nomination loss, if it stands, will change Erskine-Smith’s leadership plans or his stated intention to leave federal politics. When he entered the race, he said he would resign his federal seat once the byelection was called, describing himself as “all in” for Ontario.

The Scarborough Southwest seat has been vacant since February, when former NDP MPP Doly Begum resigned and later won a federal seat for the Liberals. Premier Doug Ford has not yet called the byelection, though it must be called by the summer.

The NDP has nominated Fatima Shaban, who previously ran federally in the riding. The Progressive Conservatives have not yet named a candidate. For now, the next step is the Liberal arbitration committee’s review of Erskine-Smith’s appeal.