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Liberal MP Erskine-Smith loses nomination battle for Ontario provincial byelection

The business owner won a ranked-ballot contest after local candidates formed coalitions to block Erskine-Smith, and he may face a challenge to the result.

  • Business owner Ahsanul Hafiz won the Ontario Liberal nomination in Scarborough Southwest, defeating federal MP Nate Erskine-Smith in a heated contest for the upcoming byelection.
  • The local campaign grew tense as other candidates, including lawyer Qadira Jackson, formed coalitions to block Erskine-Smith, who sought the nomination as a launchpad for his Ontario Liberal leadership bid.
  • Hafiz won by 19 votes on the third ballot, though Erskine-Smith suggested he might challenge the results, citing concerns about voters with "ID issues" and membership rejections.
  • While Erskine-Smith promised a full debrief before deciding next steps, the Ontario Liberal Party praised the event's "incredible" energy as it aims to win back the riding from the NDP.
  • The status of Erskine-Smith's leadership run remains unclear following this loss, as the party prepares for a summer byelection and selects a new provincial leader on November 21.
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  • 60% of the sources lean Left
60% Left

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1059theregion.com broke the news on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
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