John Tory Jr., the 47-year-old son of former Toronto mayor John Tory, is seeking the federal Liberal nomination in the riding of Beaches-East York. The riding's current Liberal MP, Nate Erskine-Smith, is stepping down after an unsuccessful bid for the Ontario Liberal leadership and a subsequent decision to resign his federal seat this summer.
A familiar name enters the race
Tory Jr., a pilot and aviation executive, acknowledged that his surname carries recognition but emphasized that voters care more about his platform. “When I meet with people, and I’m out in the community, and I give my name, there’s obviously a moment of recognition,” he told TVO.org. “But people are not terribly interested in who my family is or who I am in terms of who I’m related to. They’re interested in what I can do for them.”
This will be Tory Jr.’s first election campaign. He is a married father of three children, aged 13, 16, and 18, and his priorities include education and health care. “I want those public institutions to be strong for them. And so, to me, that’s a Liberal government,” he said.
Why the Liberal Party?
Despite his father’s history as a Progressive Conservative—Tory Sr. led the Ontario PCs from 2004 to 2009 and served as Toronto’s mayor from 2014 to 2023—John Tory Jr. said he has long identified as a Liberal. “I have known myself, and my friends and family have known me, to be a Liberal for a long time,” he told TVO.org. “I can’t put a date on it, but as I got older, and started raising a family.”
Tory Sr. resigned as mayor in 2023 after revealing an extramarital relationship with a younger former staff member. He has since confirmed he will not run to reclaim his old job.
How the seat became open
Nate Erskine-Smith, the current MP for Beaches-East York, ran for the Ontario Liberal leadership but lost. He then attempted to switch to provincial politics in Scarborough Southwest, but his campaign was marred by allegations of voting irregularities. After an unsuccessful appeal, Erskine-Smith announced he would resign his federal seat this summer and is now considering a run for Toronto city council.
The nomination process remains uncertain. Prime Minister Mark Carney recently bypassed nomination meetings in other ridings, appointing candidates in University-Rosedale (Danielle Martin) and Scarborough-Southwest (Dolly Begum), both of whom won their byelections easily. It is unclear whether a similar appointment will occur in Beaches-East York.
Tory Jr. on his father’s influence
When asked about his father’s political guidance, Tory Jr. said his dad “has been an adviser to me throughout my life.” He added, “He’s somebody who understands a lot about politics, and he gives me the same advice that I think he gives to other people—which is just to say that it’s really about how sure I am in what I’m saying, and in my message, and in what I’m trying to do. It’s not about what he may have done.”
Regarding his father’s pride, Tory Jr. noted, “I think he’s proud of the fact that his time in public service has inspired one of his children to put their name forward and seek elective office, and to try to make a difference.”
