Nate Erskine-Smith formally resigns as Beaches-East York MP, byelection must be called by Jan. 3
Posted July 8, 2026 3:03 pm.
Last Updated July 10, 2026 3:40 pm.
After announcing weeks ago that he’ll leave federal politics, Nate Erskine-Smith has formally resigned as the Liberal MP for the east Toronto riding of Beaches–East York.
According to a statement issued by Elections Canada, the agency was informed on Tuesday that the seat was vacant.
Under federal rules, Prime Minister Mark Carney must call a byelection anytime between July 18 and Jan. 3. The earliest a byelection can be held is Aug. 24, and byelection campaigns must last between 36 and 50 days.
First elected in 2015 and re-elected in 2019, 2021 and 2025, Erskine-Smith served on various committees as a backbench MP.
However, he was named by former prime minister Justin Trudeau as housing, infrastructure and communities minister at the end of 2024. Erskine-Smith continued in that role after Prime Minister Mark Carney was sworn in. After the 2025 election, he was dropped as a minister during a mid-May 2025 cabinet shuffle.
Erskine-Smith, who ran for the Ontario Liberal Party leadership in 2023 and lost to Bonnie Crombie, attempted to run in a yet-to-be-called provincial byelection in the riding of Scarborough Southwest. He lost a May nomination race held by the Ontario Liberal Party.
As for what comes next for Erskine-Smith, he didn’t publicly confirm his plans.
The Liberals are planning to choose a candidate on July 18, with at least four potential contenders indicating an interest in succeeding Erskine-Smith, including former Toronto mayor John Tory’s son.
As of Wednesday, three other federal vacancies across Canada also require byelections.
