Erskine-Smith Out of Leadership Race

Toronto News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jun 26, 2026 · 1m

Nate Erskine-Smith has dropped out of the Ontario Liberal leadership race, clearing the path for rivals like Rob Cerjanec and Lee Fairclough to step up as Ford’s next challenger. His exit, seen as a major shake-up, underscores the party’s urgent need for a unifying figure who can tackle soaring living costs and rebuild trust with voters. While Erskine-Smith may pivot to Toronto City Council, the Liberals are now racing to finalize their next leader — with ballots cast online through November and results announced November 21. The stakes? A fresh start and a credible opponent for Premier Doug…