Watch out Mr. Ford. Here comes Nathaniel Erskine-Smith MP, from Toronto’s Beaches-East York electoral district, to run for the leadership of Ontario’s liberals. He is my kind of liberal. He speaks his mind. He believes in the right of individual liberals to disagree with the party on issues. He is neither a maverick nor unpredictable. He is an honest person, a thinking person and a caring person.
It was wonderful to hear that he is going to seek the Scarborough seat of MPP Mitzie Hunter when she resigns so she can be on the ballot for the Toronto mayoralty. They are two people following their dreams. They are both highly qualified for the positions they seek. Mitzie Hunter brings specific knowledge of Toronto housing needs and of Queen’s Park and the Ontario government’s responsibilities to cities. Erskine-Smith brings a wider scope to the Queen’s Park liberal leadership.
The member of parliament for Beaches-East York would be able to takeover as leader from day one if he has already won a seat at Queen’s Park. He would be a formidable opponent for Ontario premier Ford. He would bring a strong support to Medicare in the face of the pressures for-profit medicine is causing for nursing in our hospitals.
The only regret is that liberals have to wait until December 2 to find out the winner of the liberal leadership for Ontario. Other candidates are welcome and liberals across Ontario will have a chance to meet them over the summer and fall. Nathan Erskine Smith is certainly an excellent first to declare.
-30-
Copyright 2023 © Peter Lowry
Complaints, comments, criticisms and compliments can be sent to:
And a small apology: When travelling, I usually try to have commentaries ready to run ahead of my trip. That should not include running two on the same day. Now I have to get things back on track.