Tensions are rising inside the Ontario Liberal Party after federal MP Nate Erskine-Smith questioned the fairness of the party’s recent Scarborough Southwest nomination race, prompting a sharp response from interim party leader John Fraser.
Speaking Monday, Fraser strongly defended the integrity of the nomination process and challenged Erskine-Smith to provide evidence if he believes the contest was unfair.
“I know it was fair,” Fraser told reporters. “If somebody’s saying that it’s not fair, then prove it.”
The heated nomination battle concluded Saturday when businessman Ahsanul Hafiz narrowly defeated Erskine-Smith to become the Ontario Liberal candidate for the upcoming Scarborough Southwest provincial byelection.
Following the loss, Erskine-Smith publicly raised concerns about voter identification issues and suggested the party establishment actively worked against him behind the scenes.
“They were all out for our opponents, and they were working very hard to prevent us from being successful,” Erskine-Smith said.
Fraser rejected those claims, insisting the party establishment was not targeting the Beaches-East York federal MP.
“Nominations are hard fought. People get involved, that’s what happens. But no, this party establishment is not against him,” Fraser stated.
The Scarborough Southwest nomination became one of the most closely watched internal Liberal races in Ontario because it was widely viewed as a potential launching pad for Erskine-Smith’s anticipated bid for the provincial Liberal leadership.
Erskine-Smith previously ran for the Ontario Liberal leadership in 2023, finishing second to former leader Bonnie Crombie. Since Crombie stepped down earlier this year following a disappointing election result, the leadership position has once again opened up.
Although Erskine-Smith has signalled for months that he intends to seek the leadership, he has not yet confirmed whether losing the Scarborough Southwest nomination will affect those plans.
The Scarborough Southwest seat became vacant earlier this year after former NDP MPP Doly Begum resigned to successfully run federally for the Liberal Party of Canada.
The provincial byelection has not yet been called by Premier Doug Ford, though provincial law requires it to take place before the summer.
Meanwhile, Hafiz says his focus is now entirely on winning the riding for the Liberals in what is expected to be a competitive byelection campaign.
“I am very excited to win a very hard-fought nomination race,” Hafiz said Monday. “Now I’m more concentrated on the byelection and how we can turn that riding red.”
Hafiz, who built his career operating Domino’s Pizza franchises in London, Ontario, said Scarborough remains deeply personal to him because it was where he first settled after immigrating to Canada nearly 25 years ago.
The nomination battle has also exposed broader divisions within the Ontario Liberal Party as it prepares for a leadership race later this year, with several prominent figures already considering bids to replace Crombie and rebuild the party ahead of the next provincial election.