Why Nate
is Running
How the OLP
Can Win Again
How Nate
Will Lead
Serious Leadership.
For a change.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT
Politics done
differently.
Nate’s a different kind of politician. He’s consistently worked across party lines to get things done, and shown that politics can be done differently.
Nate serves as the Liberal Member of Parliament for Beaches-East York, elected three times since 2015. He has a track record of strong grassroots organizing, hard work, and integrity. He has earned a reputation for an independent streak and willingness to speak his mind.
CBC News’ Aaron Wherry has written about Nate’s independence and different approach, Althia Raj has written about his voting record and philosophy on free votes, and The Star’s Susan Delacourt has written about the idealism he brings to the job.
You can read more about his advocacy and parliamentary record here, including his work to deliver stronger climate action, support low-income workers, and treat drug use as a health issue. You can also find his Uncommons podcast here.
Endorsements
Catherine McKenna
Former MP and Minister of the Enivornment and Climate Change, Ottawa Centre
“We need ambitious climate leadership in Ontario now. While Ontarians are living with wildfires, floods and extreme heat exacerbated by climate change, Premier Ford made it free to pollute, cancelled renewable energy projects while locking in more fossil fuels, and handed over parts of the Greenbelt to his developer friends. It’s time for a change. I’ve known Nate Erskine-Smith for almost a decade and he has consistently shown strong leadership on climate – his ambitious climate plan is about building a cleaner, healthier Ontario that is a leader in the clean economy future.”
Mary-Margaret McMahon
Member of Provincial Parliament, Beaches - East York
“Nate exudes honesty and integrity with a no nonsense approach to issues both big and small. Nate represents our riding with commitment, clear headed leadership and passion that will translate seamlessly to his role as leader of the Ontario Liberal Party.”
Karen McCrimmon
Former MP and Current Member of Provincial Parliament,
Kanata - Carleton
“I re-entered politics because I believe our Liberal team is best positioned to fight for universal healthcare and a system that works better for patients. Nate has a plan to do exactly that and the natural leadership abilities to inspire others to work together for change. I’m thrilled to endorse him.”
Policy & Platform
Nate in the News
Frequently Asked Questions
The 2023 Ontario Liberal Leadership Election is our first election using a one-member-one-vote system with preferential ballots. We know you may have questions about these new rules. We're here to help.
Who can become a member of the Ontario Liberal Party?
When and where will voting take place?
Voting for the Ontario Liberal Party Leadership Election will take place on Saturday, November 25, 2023, and Sunday, November 26, 2023. The voting will be conducted in-person for almost all constituency associations, student clubs, and women’s clubs. Members from Algoma–Manitoulin, Kenora–Rainy River, Kwiietinoog, Mushkegowuk–James Bay, Parry Sound–Muskoka, Timiskaming–Cochrane will vote by mail.
Members from Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, Lambton—Kent—Middlesex, Perth—Wellington, Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, Thunder Bay—Atikokan, or Thunder Bay—Superior North who’s home address is further than 55 KMs straight-line distance from the association’s LEV location will vote by mail.
We will update our How to Vote page with voting locations by the end of October.
How is a leader selected in the Ontario Liberal Party?
The leader of the Ontario Liberal Party is selected through a one-member-one-vote ranked-ballot system. This system ensures that every member’s vote contributes to the final outcome. The process involves several counts, where points are allocated to candidates based on the first preference votes they receive. This continues until a candidate receives more than 50% of the total points, at which point they are elected as the Leader.
What's new in the 2023 Ontario Liberal Leadership election?
New to the Ontario Liberal Party 2023 election is the one-member-one-vote system. In this system, each member votes within their riding association and Ontario Young Liberal or Women’s group. The vote each member casts is translated into a percentage of a point. This point value is determined based on the number of members in the organization and the total ballots cast. This new system ensures a fair representation of all members’ preferences across the province.
How are points allotted in the Leadership Election?
In the Ontario Liberal Party Leadership Election, points are allotted to different groups within the party. Each constituency association is allotted 100 points, each Ontario Young Liberal student club is allotted 50 points, and each Women’s Liberal Club is allotted 5 points.
How are these points used in the first count of votes?
During the first count, the first preference votes for each Leadership Candidate are counted within each group (constituency associations, student clubs, and women’s clubs). The points allotted to each group are then awarded to the Leadership Candidates in proportion to the number of first preference votes they receive within that group.
What happens to these points in subsequent counts?
In subsequent counts, the points allotted to each group remain the same. However, the candidate with the fewest points in the Provincial Total (the sum of all points from all groups) is eliminated. The votes for the eliminated candidate are then redistributed among the remaining candidates based on the next preferences indicated by the members. This process continues until a candidate receives more than 50% of the points of the Provincial Total, at which point they are elected as the Leader.
When will the new leader be announced?
The new Leader for the Ontario Liberal Party will be announced on December 2nd, 2023 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (South Building).
Tickets are available here.
How can I learn more about the candidates?
During the election, the Ontario Liberal Party will host five debates around the province. Here, you can learn more about Nate Erskine-Smith.
The Ontario Liberal Party Leadership Debates will be held:
- WATCH PAST DEBATE – Thunder Bay
- WATCH PAST DEBATE – TMU Democracy Forum
- WATCH PAST DEBATE – Stratford
- WATCH PAST DEBATE – Toronto
- Wednesday, November 8 – Ottawa – 7:00 PM
- Sunday, November 19 – Brampton – 1:00 PM
These debates will be live streamed, and links to debates will be added when they are made available.
Any resident of Ontario who is at least 14 years old, supports the ideals of the Ontario Liberal Party, and is not a member of any other provincial political party in Ontario. Membership is available at no cost. The Qualifying Date to be a member and be eligible to vote in the 2023 Ontario Liberal Leadership race was September 11, 2023. Registration to be eligible for the election is now closed, but we encourage you to register with the Ontario Liberal Party!
Voting for the Ontario Liberal Party Leadership Election will take place on Saturday, November 25, 2023, and Sunday, November 26, 2023. The voting will be conducted in-person for almost all constituency associations, student clubs, and women’s clubs. Members from Algoma–Manitoulin, Kenora–Rainy River, Kwiietinoog, Mushkegowuk–James Bay, Parry Sound–Muskoka, Timiskaming–Cochrane will vote by mail.
Members from Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, Lambton—Kent—Middlesex, Perth—Wellington, Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, Thunder Bay—Atikokan, or Thunder Bay—Superior North who’s home address is further than 55 KMs straight-line distance from the association’s LEV location will vote by mail.
We will update our How to Vote page with voting locations by the end of October.
New to the Ontario Liberal Party 2023 election is the one-member-one-vote system. In this system, each member votes within their riding association and Ontario Young Liberal or Women’s group. The vote each member casts is translated into a percentage of a point. This point value is determined based on the number of members in the organization and the total ballots cast. This new system ensures a fair representation of all members’ preferences across the province.
The leader of the Ontario Liberal Party is selected through a one-member-one-vote ranked-ballot system. This system ensures that every member’s vote contributes to the final outcome. The process involves several counts, where points are allocated to candidates based on the first preference votes they receive. This continues until a candidate receives more than 50% of the total points, at which point they are elected as the Leader.
During the election, the Ontario Liberal Party will host five debates around the province. Here, you can learn more about Nate Erskine-Smith.
The Ontario Liberal Party Leadership Debates will be held:
- WATCH PAST DEBATE – Thunder Bay
- WATCH PAST DEBATE – TMU Democracy Forum
- WATCH PAST DEBATE – Stratford
- WATCH PAST DEBATE – Toronto
- WATCH PAST DEBATE – Ottawa
- WATCH PAST DEBATE – Brampton
These debates will be live streamed, and links to debates will be added when they are made available.
An additional debate hosted by TVO’s Steve Paikin can be seen here.
In the Ontario Liberal Party Leadership Election, points are allotted to different groups within the party. Each constituency association is allotted 100 points, each Ontario Young Liberal student club is allotted 50 points, and each Women’s Liberal Club is allotted 5 points.
In subsequent counts, the points allotted to each group remain the same. However, the candidate with the fewest points in the Provincial Total (the sum of all points from all groups) is eliminated. The votes for the eliminated candidate are then redistributed among the remaining candidates based on the next preferences indicated by the members. This process continues until a candidate receives more than 50% of the points of the Provincial Total, at which point they are elected as the Leader.
The new Leader for the Ontario Liberal Party will be announced on December 2nd, 2023 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (South Building).
Tickets are available here.
