John Tory Jr. has withdrawn his bid to secure the Liberal nomination for the Beaches–East York riding, citing the campaign's tight timeline and the strong support of other candidates.
In a statement released Monday, the 47‑year‑old said the limited time available and the established community ties of his rivals made a realistic path to success unlikely.
He pledged full backing for the eventual nominee and committed to concentrating his efforts on ensuring the Liberal party wins the upcoming byelection.
The decision comes after Tory Jr. had planned to contest the seat currently held by outgoing Liberal MP Nate Erskine‑Smith.
He noted that while his father has been a conservative for most of his life, he and his family have long identified as Liberals, a stance that has only strengthened over time.
Expressing gratitude, he thanked family, friends, and community members for their support, patience, and willingness to listen to his vision.
Tory Jr. is the son of former Toronto mayor John Tory, who served as mayor from 2014 to 2023 and led the Progressive Conservatives provincially in the early 2000s.
Erskine‑Smith’s nomination loss and subsequent appeal rejection have prompted his resignation from Parliament, setting the stage for a byelection that has yet to be scheduled.
He remains committed to the party’s success, stating he will focus on helping the chosen candidate secure the seat and join the federal Liberal caucus.
The Beaches–East York byelection is one of four vacant federal seats, with an announcement deadline of January 3, 2027.
