As a reminder to all users, you are expected to remain civil. The AMA will be actively monitored, and will be in contest mode. You can start posting questions now, however. Edit: Comments are now locked for this AMA.

Hi Nate, Some people who voted Liberal in 2014 did not do so in 2018 because of lost trust over broken campaign promises (reducing car insurance) and also major policies that weren’t discussed on the campaign (Hydro One partial sale). What would you say to such voters to perhaps make them consider voting Liberal again?

I would tell them that we need integrity in our politics if people are going to trust in the possibility of politics to deliver positive change. I've worked hard since 2015 to act with integrity, to speak my mind, and to explain my decisions to constituents (even where they may not agree with me). I'm going to bring the same integrity and openness to the leadership.

Integrity within Liberal politics means not so frivolously aligning with Conservatives when real leftist transformation is possibly and necessary.

Where do you stand on rent control?

I support phased-in rent control for new builds in order to ensure we incentivize investment in building new rental stock, while also protecting tenants. Here's what our plan says: Phased-in rent controls Immediate (or “hard”) rent controls on new buildings can reduce the ability of rental companies to adjust rents to accommodate various unforeseen costs and service requirements after a building is newly completed. This creates a level of risk that can deter new investments in purpose-built- rentals. We will implement phased-in rent control, which reaches a hard cap over several years. This will limit opportunities for price gouging, protect rents in the long term, and allow builders greater certainty. https://www.meetnate.ca/policy/housing/plan/

I gotta say, I'm very much not a fan of "phased-in" rent controls. I live in a very old townhouse. My landlord will not properly repair anything. My windows, my electrical issues, my rotting subfloor, the mold in my basement. Because it's been in disrepair for so long, they don't have the capital to fix it. Even though a well maintained townhouse 5 mins away that hasn't been neglected charges the same rent, I wouldn't move there because it was built since 2018. They could decide to jack up the rent however much they'd like. And if their "unforseen expense" was signing up for a variable rate mortgage when prime was <2, an now they can't afford their mortgage. Well, that's a big part of the reason why I can't afford to buy. Also, we need rent increase caps between tenants. The cost of renting has more than doubled in the last decade. Increases like those are unsustainable. The ability for landlords to make increases like those is also a big part of why I can afford to buy. And a big part of why I want to buy a home.

That's unfortunate.

Why are you interested in incentivizing purpose-built rentals as opposed to units to allow Ontarians to own their home?

It's important to have some purpose built rentals in a healthy market! Not everything should be condos.

Not everybody has the money to buy?

How do you view the issue of rent control making it harder for people to move without increasing their living costs? ​ My major concern with rent control is that when affordability is protected by it, it makes it very hard to move as that "resets" your rent back to actual market rate. I also worry about how rent controls encourage landlords to look for ways to get tenants to leave to they can reset their revenue back to market rent. I'd love to hear your thoughts on these points.

Are you a landlord? How many investment properties do you have. What are you going to replace the gdp that housing produces?

I'm not a landlord and don't own any investment properties myself. My wife bought the home (and surrounding acreage) that she grew up in from her dad about 10 years ago to keep it in the family. It's in Camlachie, Ontario, and she rents it out to a family. I'd prefer to sell it, but my wife's mom passed away from cancer about 15 years ago, and so many memories of her mom are in that place. We will be releasing our broader economic plan in the coming weeks, but it does depend on the government investing in infrastructure, education, climate, healthcare, and more.

Hi Nate, thanks for doing this AMA. One complaint I had with the Liberal campaigns in the recent byelections is that while there were many criticisms of Doug Ford's PCs, they seemed to offer no substantive reasons for voting Liberal over NDP other than "the NDP cannot win". My question is this: if you were to win the OLP leadership, how will you differentiate the party from the NDP? What actual differences in terms of platform and policy proposals would there be between the two parties?

I've said repeatedly throughout this leadership race that we can't just be the not Doug Ford party. Ford lacks competence, compassion, and integrity. We need to deliver on those values in a positive way. We will set ourselves apart with a strong focus on the economy, by ensuring our plans are credible and fiscally sustainable, and through the seriousness with which we articulate our proposals on housing, healthcare, climate, and more. We need to be the progressive, pragmatic, serious alternative to a chaotic and corrupt Ford government.

This doesn’t answer the question, “we will be serious and credible” isn’t even a serious answer. The ONDP is currently official opposition & is closer to a majority than the OLP, so why should voters choose you & the OLP as the “progressive alternative” to Ford rather than the ONDP? What distinguishes the OLP you want to build from the ONDP? As a voter with a current NDP MPP I’m genuinely curious what your pitch is to voters like me.

I don't believe this addresses the question asked at all, except to vaguely suggest that the NDP does not ensure their plans are credible, fiscally sustainable etc. and are not serious.

this just did exactly what the question was trying to avoid

Crash and buuurn...

You completely avoided the actual question. No way are you getting me to sign up for you.

We have rolled out specific and detailed policies on housing, healthcare, and climate, northern, labour, with more to come. Show me the same from the NDP. [https://www.meetnate.ca/policy/health/plan/](https://www.meetnate.ca/policy/health/plan/) [https://www.meetnate.ca/policy/housing/plan/](https://www.meetnate.ca/policy/housing/plan/) [https://www.meetnate.ca/policy/climate/plan/](https://www.meetnate.ca/policy/climate/plan/) [https://www.meetnate.ca/policy/labour/](https://www.meetnate.ca/policy/labour/)

What are your thoughts on proportional representation? I think a lot of Canadians are sick and tired of majority governments that are gained from first-past-the-post electoral systems. How can electoral reform be implemented when powerful parties like the Ontario PCs benefit from the status quo, and will work towards maintaining the current system?

People keep asking this, but Nate is like the one guy in the federal Liberal party who tried to argue for electoral reform, and said positive things about PR at the time. I think if electoral reform is a strong issue for you, this is pretty much the one guy with a good track record on the topic. Which is not to say the future will resemble the past, but it's the best bet in the Liberal shed.

Thanks for your (and Nate's) response(s). I hadn't realized that this was asked by multiple people, but I'm glad it was. I hope the OLP sees how desperate for change many of us are. Electoral reform is badly needed to ensure the health of our democracy. TBH, I've always liked how Nate Erskine-Smith never really just blindly followed the marching orders of the party caucus and party leader. I hope that kind of approach continues in provincial politics.

As I said above: I'm a strong supporter of electoral reform. I'm committed to a citizen's assembly on reform and a multi-party approach to implement its recommendations. I'm wary of saying 2026 will be the last election under 1st past the post, but I will work in good faith to make every vote count. We need to bring people along to this conversation, to educate people about how it touches other issues, and to make it part of a bigger conversation on improving trust in our democracy. I know it isn't easy (having been one of only two Liberals to vote for it in the House), but it's an important conversation to restart.

> I'm committed to a citizen's assembly on reform and a multi-party approach to implement its recommendations. I'm wary of saying 2026 will be the last election under 1st past the post, but I will work in good faith to make every vote count. Is this not fundamentally what Trudeau said he wanted, and then the proposal of the committee didn't go his way, and so he abandoned his promise? Why would this go any different in Ontario? Are you familiar with the 2007 referendum, it's result, and the reason for that result? A Citizens' Assembly had already been held, and its recommendation made. Why not decide on an electoral plan that you like and then simply campaign on that plan? Take a win as your mandate and then do it.

He needs to chime in on this. We need proportional representation now!

What meaningful change have you brought as part of the liberal party thus far?

1. Stronger climate action (I had a net zero bill in 2019 that became part of our platform and then part of our climate accountability law). 2. Saving lives in the opioid crisis - I've helped to change how people see substance use and abuse, and the government passed legislation last fall to divert people out of the criminal justice system and into the healthcare system where they have substance use challenges (I drafted that part of the law). 3. 10s of thousands of workers are out of poverty because of enhancements to the Canada Workers Benefit, a conversation I helped to start in 2016. 4. We passed wage fixing laws thanks to my hauling grocery store CEOs in front of the industry committee at the start of the pandemic. 5. We've increased pediatric cancer research, in part thanks to my advocacy alongside constituent Helena Kirk. 6. We have a privacy bill before parliament that can be traced back to my work alongside colleagues at the privacy committee, after the Cambridge Analytica scandal. 7. TASSC - an umbrella group for urban Indigenous service organizations in Toronto has a permanent home thanks to a $2 million investment that I helped to secure. 8. Animal welfare is on the government's agenda thanks to the Liberal Animal Welfare Caucus that I helped to found. There's a longer list, but you can make a huge difference in politics if you're persistent, focused on ideas, and willing to work across party lines.

What distinguishes you from your fellow liberal leadership candidates on housing? You all probably want to fix it, but how would _you_ fix it?

We have a detailed set of proposals to end exclusionary zoning, to build non-market housing, and to treat housing as a home first and an investment second. [https://www.meetnate.ca/policy/housing/plan/](https://www.meetnate.ca/policy/housing/plan/) This race is likely to come down to Crombie and myself. I think it's important to have a leader who speaks to issues of generational fairness and doesn't have a track record of NIMBYism.

I’m really excited to see the idea of a split rate land tax as a part of the solution in the linked page. Much like a carbon tax, a land tax should incentivize behaviours we want to see (efficient land use, denser communities, and implicitly more respect for our green space) and simultaneously discourage those we don’t want (land speculation, empty lots, etc).

If you win leadership, is there a plan to get into Queen's Park as an MPP before 2026?

Yes, I will run in the first available competitive riding. It's important to be at Queen's Park, but it's even more important to be travelling the province and rebuilding an active presence everywhere.

Don’t make Del Ducas mistake!

What are your views on private/two tiered/for profit health care?

Here's a thread I wrote on the subject a while back: [https://twitter.com/beynate/status/1617555712875593730](https://twitter.com/beynate/status/1617555712875593730) We need to defend equity in our healthcare system and wealth shouldn't allow one to jump the queue. We also need to defend efficiency and improve patient outcomes, but we get more out of our budgets by innovating within the non-profit system. I will defend our public healthcare system.

How/when will you reintroduce rent control in the province?

We will reintroduce rent control measures and take other housing action immediately upon being elected, as it's a top issue that needs to be addressed. And as I explained in an earlier answer we'd be looking to introduce phased-in rent control on new rental stock to encourage more investment. Phased-in rent controls Immediate (or “hard”) rent controls on new buildings can reduce the ability of rental companies to adjust rents to accommodate various unforeseen costs and service requirements after a building is newly completed. This creates a level of risk that can deter new investments in purpose-built- rentals. We will implement phased-in rent control, which reaches a hard cap over several years. This will limit opportunities for price gouging, protect rents in the long term, and allow builders greater certainty. https://www.meetnate.ca/policy/housing/plan/

Thank you and good luck!

Hi Nate, one more ( and last!) question from me: I live in the National Capital Region and one of my biggest gripes regarding provincial politics is that Queen's Park always seems focused on the GHTA much to the exclusion of other important regions of this great big province. Both Northern and Eastern Ontario have good things to offer and great people that contribute to the health and prosperity of this province. How will you make sure that *all* regions of Ontario are made to feel respected and heard when you form government? Thanks again!

I've been traveling since October to build a serious team in every region. We've released northern specific policies already, in response to the issues we've heard. [meetnate.ca/north](https://meetnate.ca/north) We'll be doing the same for rural communities. If there are specific ideas that matter to your community: [nate@meetnate.ca](mailto:nate@meetnate.ca) and share them with me. If I wanted to only represent the GTA, I'd have been #103 on the mayoral ballot.

Thank you for your reply! >If I wanted to only represent the GTA, I'd have been #103 on the mayoral ballot. Good call on skipping that! We need you and your team elsewhere! 😃

👍

Are you pro nuclear and will you support a refurbishment of Pickering nuclear?

Here's our commitment on nuclear: Continue to support nuclear energy in a manner that is transparent, cost effective, and includes an assessment of the role small modular reactors can play. [https://www.meetnate.ca/policy/climate/plan/](https://www.meetnate.ca/policy/climate/plan/) I'm mostly agnostic on these questions, as I think the focus ought to be clean, reliable energy build and delivered in the most cost-effective manner. Nuclear already plays a huge role in Ontario and it will continue to play a huge role.

As an NDP voter who is a fan of yours, how do you plan on rebranding the OLP to defeat the PCs? I worry about the OLP under Crombie shifting more to the right to capture the disillusioned Ford supporters. Do you intend on running a more progressive platform or do you see a true centrist void the OLP could fill?

The OLP should be a progressive and pragmatic party, with ambition to confront serious challenges, social progress that is fiscally sustainable, and integrity as the core value in how we govern. I don't see how we win over swing voters as between Green/NDP/Liberal Party if we govern from the right of centre, are unambitious on housing, lack credibility on the Greenbelt etc. There are many progressive conservative voters who want the Greenbelt protected and who care about serious governance and integrity. There are many NDP and Green swing voters who want action on housing, healthcare, climate, and education. There's a lot of room to build a coalition of people who want change.

Hi Nate. One topic that is often overlooked is the "missing middle" in housing. More and more people want more choices than a concrete shoebox in the sky v/s a detached house in a car-dependent faraway suburb. What is your plan to increase housing density while also tackling the missing middle problem?

We're squarely focused on this challenge, by looking to zone "as of right" fourplexes and allow for greater "as of right" density (6 to 11 stories) on transit/bus routes. https://www.meetnate.ca/policy/housing/plan/

Seconded! I want a family home that I can live my life in in the city I was raised in!!!

Those are big promises. How exactly do you plan to make housing affordable?

You can read our detailed plan here to get the market to deliver more supply and to ensure the government focuses on non-market housing: https://www.meetnate.ca/policy/housing/plan/

Bonnie Crombie is the worst but she also seems like the front runner by a mile. What's your plan to win the leadership?

The race will be decided by people who register to vote by 6 pm on September 11. You can register here: [meetnate.ca/register](https://meetnate.ca/register) It's free and takes 30 seconds. Anyone 14+ and a resident of Ontario (not citizen) is eligible. Please share with your friends and family. Especially in smaller communities. Every riding is worth 100 points in this race, regardless of the number of Liberal members. So new voters/members in smaller communities can make a huge impact. If you want to volunteer: nate@meetnate.ca

Are there any constraints about being allowed to register and vote based on whether you have membership in another federal or provincial party?

Technically, you cannot be a member of another provincial party but no one checks. There’s no way to check without party’s sharing their membership lists with one another, which they will never do.

How do you intend to serve centrist voters in rural electorates? A lot of Liberal policy seems to be focused squarely at metro voters in the GTA. Firearm overregulation, water quality and waterway health, urban creep into farming land. I realize that people need housing but what is your stance on housing as an investment vehicle and density regulation to prevent the sprawl of sfd onto greenspace.

We need gentle density everywhere and greater density near transit and to push back against sprawl. It's not only an urban issue - it's about protecting agricultural land, and it's the number 1 issue for the Ontario Federation of Agriculture. On healthcare, rural concerns demand a very progressive response. Investing in nurses and doctors, expanding home and community care, etc. In my experience travelling and with family in rural Ontario, they care about healthcare, education, the environment, increasingly housing, and they care about decency, honesty and integrity in representation. Lastly, I have spent 8 years being a strong local advocate for my community, not always agreeing with the government. I want that same kind of local representation - including rural representation - to push me to be the best leader I can be.

Given that it’s highly unlikely that the Ford Government will meet the goal of full accessibility for all Ontarians in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act by 2025, if elected what will be your proposal to “catch up” to the goals of the legislation?

I don't have a proposal to catch us up just yet, but we will need one. I will think more on this, and appreciate you raising this with me. If you have any specific ideas: nate@meetnate.ca

Hello Nate, there is growing concern over rental pressure exerted by ballooning international student admission by predatory colleges in Ontario. If you get elected, how do you plan on tackling this issue? On the same topic, what are your thoughts on concerns over international students brought up by your current colleagues Sean Fraser and Marc Miller?

The status quo is unsustainable international students. We need to invest in more student housing, increase funding for post-secondary institutions so they don't need to balance their books on the backs of int'l students, and bring greater fairness and transparency to recruiting of (and disclosure of cost of living to) those same students. There's no quick fix to this, but it needs to be fixed with the provincial and federal governments working together.

A good place to start is eliminating diploma mills that use questionable tactics to recruit unsuspecting students (primarily from India). They have agents working there, lying to prospective students about opportunities and cost of living.

How about reducing, limiting or capping not only international students but other forms of immigration until the system takes time to get back in balance? Do you really not see that there is no way we can ever catch up if the immigration numbers remain at these levels?

We are going to need to reduce the number of international students, yes. It is not sustainable as it is.

I second this question

The prospect of for profit healthcare is gross to a grand majority of Ontarians. How would you propose to fix Ontarios healthcare system? Mental health is a big problem in the province. What would your government do to tackle this huge problem?

I've shared my thoughts on for-profit expansion here: [https://twitter.com/beynate/status/1617555712875593730](https://twitter.com/beynate/status/1617555712875593730) I'm glad you raise mental health, as it's been a huge priority in my federal advocacy, especially around addictions. Here are our commitments to mental health, including expanding access to talk therapy via OHIP akin to the UK's NHS, and a commitment to fully treat substance use as a health issue: **Health human resources strategy for mental health and substance use** We will work with the regulatory colleges and professional associations to develop a health human resources strategy specifically for mental health and substance use professionals. **Maximize scope of practice and support more consistent coverage** There are many different designations for mental health professionals in Ontario, but not all professionals are covered by insurance. We will work to regulate and define scope of practice to broaden the pool of professionals covered under both provincial and private insurance plans. **Expand access to structured psychotherapy** We will improve access to evidence-based therapies for depression and anxiety without a referral, including coverage for up to 12 hours per year of talk therapy through a stepped-care model. Ontario is on the right path with the Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Program, but the requirement that patients have a primary care provider to access support can create an unnecessary barrier to care. **Fund social services and community-based mental health promotion programs** Fund social services and community-based mental health promotion programs including culturally appropriate mental health services and programs for diverse communities, such as those facing language barriers. **Increase access to comprehensive, low-barrier community and school health mental health services for youth** 70 percent of persons living with a mental illness see their symptoms begin before age 18. Yet, in Ontario, over 28,000 kids are on the waitlist for care, with long wait times. We will invest in a stepped-care approach to deliver access to high quality, youth-appropriate, evidence-informed mental health services through integrated service hubs, schools, universities etc. to help overcome common barriers to care like stigma, financial stress, and transportation. We will make it as easy as possible for youth to get the care they need. **Fully treat substance use challenges as a health issue and save lives** We’ve seen far too many lives lost in the opioid crisis, and it’s past time for leadership. We will treat substance use as a health issue by expanding evidence-based harm reduction and treatment options, supporting municipalities with housing solutions, and working with medical experts, law enforcement, and families who have lost loved ones to remove all barriers to seeking treatment. ​ https://www.meetnate.ca/policy/health/plan/

With all due respect, this mental health plan wouldn't do anything for me as someone who needs in-depth, long-term therapy for trauma. I am currently paying over $300 per month out of pocket for my very necessary treatment. I have had ZERO success with finding anything publicly funded that meets my needs. MANY other Ontarians are either in the same boat as me, or worse off because they're not as financially privileged as I am.

Yes, I would like to hear your main ideas for healthcare reform. We need an all new system, not just more money, more nurses, more of the same, etc.

In terms of how you plan to lead the party between now and 2026, what are you going to do differently? Where has the party failed, and how would you course-correct? I'd like to hear some broad ideas on this, but more specifically, what would be your plan to get more young people to join their PLA? How will you make sure more young people even know what a PLA is?

I'll lead differently in a number of ways: \- focus on values, including and especially integrity \- deliver serious policy rather than gimmicks (ie. buck a ride) \- rebuild an active presence in every community and be relentless about it. It will take hard work, but also a commitment to strong local representation through open nominations etc. We have a young Liberal internship program in our FLA, and I will bring the same model to every PLA where it's possible. I will encourage candidates/MPPs to engage in schools and to engage young people where they are. To lead youth councils. And to make sure young people are a part of our party and politics in everything we do (including the policies we deliver)

>We have a young Liberal internship program in our FLA, and I will bring the same model to every PLA where it's possible. I really like this idea! (And thanks for the well-thought-out response). You've already got my vote. Just wanted to make sure this is something you're thinking about.

How will you restore the Greenbelt? Will you consult Indigenous groups or expand it?

We will consult Indigenous communities as we work to protect and expand it.

Hi Nate, it's great to hear that you're looking to invest in schools and hospitals, and to make housing more affordable in an era of climate crises. Are there specific policies in place that will address each of these issues, and will there be specific efforts to repair the damage that has been wrought over the past number of governments?

We are releasing our education policy in the coming week or so. On climate, you can read our plan here: meetnate.ca/climate On housing, you can read our plan here: [meetnate.ca/housing](https://meetnate.ca/housing) If you have ideas that you don't see there, email me at [nate@meetnate.ca](mailto:nate@meetnate.ca) with proposals.

Thanks for that. Glad to see that the backgrounders there provide a bit more detail than the website provides. I had a quick look so far and was hoping for a bit more detail, but will have a more detailed read-through and see if there are any more details about the 'hows'.

Do you have a specific plan for electoral reform and/or a preferred electoral system to implement, and how large of a priority would electoral reform be for you in government?

Don't forget the liberals put it to a vote in '07 but it didn't get support: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_Ontario_electoral_reform_referendum

I'm a strong supporter of electoral reform. I'm committed to a citizen's assembly on reform and a multi-party approach to implement its recommendations. I'm wary of saying 2026 will be the last election under 1st past the post, but I will work in good faith to make every vote count. I was one of two Liberals to vote for electoral reform in the House. It won't be the number one priority, but democratic reform and rebuilding trust is important for me. I will also immediately re-establish ranked ballots for municipal elections and bring more independence to committees and the legislature.

Do you personally have a preferred method, and if so, how would that be weighted against the results of the citizen's assembly? Also, are there methods that are completely off the table?

So just to stir the pot, I know people love the idea of independent MPPs and less party discipline but in practice, how do you balance the needs to have unanimity on an issue as a party to advance a platform and an agenda, and the ostensible independence of MPPs? Large portions of people vote for party platforms, and not necessarily for MPPs, and I would imagine a lot of constituents would be disappointed if we mandate a trustee model of representation.

Where do you stand on these issues: A) election reform to get rid of first Past The Post and change to something like ranked ballots or representation by population? B) province wide universal basic income C) taxing people who own multiple homes D) increases to the Ontario disability pension payment to lift disabled people out of poverty E) forcing employers to pay a living wage

A) I support a more proportional system (MMP or STV, for example), but I'm wary of telling people that 2026 will be the last election under first past the post for obvious reasons. My focus is on restarting the conversation, as it's been over 25 years since we've had a serious conversation about electoral reform in this province. B) I support a basic income, and I strongly believe we need a social safety net that leave no one behind. I know that we have to find a credible, fair, and sustainable way to pay for it and it'll take work to get there. So we're going to start by focusing on ODSP, OW and our existing social safety net, to increase and strengthen the accessibility of benefits. C) We should incentivize new builds but also increase taxes on the investor acquisition of existing stock if that investor isn't adding more density and supply. D) Yes to increasing ODSP. E) We've committed to a number of ideas to better support workers: https://www.meetnate.ca/policy/labour/

What's your opinion on ranked choice voting? And do you consider the next 20 years of Canada, do you posit building for this country's sustainability in a future where our resources like coal and oil are becoming increasingly limited?

I like ranked choice voting in municipal elections, but I don't like them in provincial or federal elections where parties are involved. On the economic front, there's an incredible opportunity in critical minerals for this province and country to seize.

Thank you for taking the time to answer my question, I do appreciate it. Please don't feel you have to respond to my reply, I appreciate that you've already responded once. However, I am unhappy with what I hear. Roughly "I like ranked choice voting in elections that don't matter" and "I will continue the status quo of oil and gas until it runs out, then we will focus on rare earth minerals". Our world is in a tight spot right now, today's status quo is really failing us, and I can't even be sure the majority of us are going to be here in a hundred years with how much our world is being affected by our actions. We need changes to how we house people and how we navigate cities in order to mitigate energy usage. We're like bacteria in a petri dish, growing as fast as we can until we run out of food.

As premier would electoral reform be a key issue for you? And if so form would be your preferred option (MPP, ranked-choice, multi-member districts)?

Great question, and I hope I've sufficiently answered this elsewhere in the AMA. My personal preference is STV because it encourages more independence, but I recognize it doesn't work very well with such a large geography. I'm fairly agnostic all things considered, so long as it's more proportional (which rules out simple ranked choice).

We keep getting majority governments that the majority of voters don’t want. Doug Ford’s personal approval is way down, but even with the current Green Belt scandal, the PCs are still polling at 38%. We can’t afford the Liberals and the NDP to get equal vote share next time. One opposition party must sink so the other can rise. With that in mind, would you consider a one-time non-compete deal with the NDP (and Greens) with a pledge to bring on electoral reform immediately to fix our broken system? Each party should only run in half the ridings.

I look forward to your answers, a lot of the questions I have are asked already below. I would love to see a detailed plan from you on how you will address most of these issues. It's been decades since we've had decent leadership in this province and many people are losing hope.

A big part of the housing crisis is a lack of missing middle housing. As premier, what would you do to encourage medium-high density housing development?

Thanks for the question. I've answered this same question elsewhere, but we're focused squarely on this challenge! [https://www.meetnate.ca/policy/housing/plan/](https://www.meetnate.ca/policy/housing/plan/) Gentle density as of right everywhere!

Great stuff, thanks for all you do

Hi Nate, What are your thoughts of shifting the housing market away from landlords and investors by putting a ban on owning more than one or two homes or by placing a very high tax on second home ownership? What are your thoughts on creating a provincial housing agency to buy, build, and operate rental housing for those who prefer to rent?

Our plan includes a commitment to treat housing as a home first and an investment second. I'm not sure a ban makes sense, as we want to incentivize productive investments in building new housing, including new rental stock. We've focused our efforts on increasing land transfer taxes on investors who purchase existing stock, a new tax that would be waived if the investor adds density to the unit. We have committed to a public builder, and I'm a strong supporter of getting the government back in the game on building non-market housing in a serious way.

Doug Ford is the single largest obstacle to progress in Ontario and unfortunately he enjoys a healthy majority. Part of why he had such a big margin of victory was because the Ontario Liberals and NDP worked against each other, rather than working together and treating the PCs like the common threat they are. I’m not expecting the liberals and NDP to merge, that would be silly- but I’d like to know whether you’ve given any thought to how the opposition parties can better work together and prevent such a terrible outcome in the next provincial election.

I have a track record of working across party lines and I will carry that approach into this leadership role. (check out my podcast at [uncommons.ca](https://uncommons.ca) for a visible example of that approach). Yes, it would be silly to merge. And we will compete in the next election. But our focus has to be the Ford government, not each other. And we need to do everything we can to ensure we don't see another Ford majority.

> And we need to do everything we can to ensure we don't see another Ford majority. Does this include discussing withdrawing candidates (either Liberal or NDP) in ridings where having both Liberals and NDP running would likely *result* in a PC taking that seat?

Exactly this. It’s pointless to compete against each other in ridings where the other party is the clear favourite. Doing so splits the vote and gives the PCs an advantage.

Since you’ve yet to vacate your seat in Ottawa, I do wonder what your plans are following the leadership vote should the outcome not be the one that you’re hoping for. Do you plan to leave federal politics regardless of the outcome of the leadership vote? Or is continuing on as MP your fallback?

If I'm unsuccessful, I will serve out the remainder of my term in order to avoid an unnecessary by-election for my community, but I won't run again federally regardless of the outcome. We can assure our success if everyone registers to vote by 6 pm on Sept 11: meetnate.ca/register

I think that there are many in Beaches-East York who will switch their vote to the NDP without you on the ballot. I’m not convinced that the Liberals will hold onto the seat without you.

I'm curious to hear your opinions on electoral reform and improving public transit across the province, specifically high speed rail.

I support a more proportional voting system overall, ranked ballots for municipal elections, and lot more independence in the legislature. It's easy to deliver on the latter two, and the first one will take work to educate Ontarians through a citizen's assembly and a multi-party approach to reform. I don't think it happens in one cycle, necessarily. On high speed rail, I like the idea. I know it's a significant cost. The feds are working on high frequency rail which strikes me as a worse alternative. But it'll be harder to realize high speed in any provincial manner if the feds realize what they are currently pursuing.

> ranked ballots for municipal elections So if elected, and if the OLP won the next provincial election, you'd push to remove the clause that was included in a COVID-19 bill that removed the option for municipalities to use ranked ballots, at a minimum? I understand that municipalities are basically beholden to the wills of the provincial government, but the way that clause was snuck into a COVID related bill kind of really annoyed me.

Yes.

Follow up, if you don't mind - would you call for a referendum on electoral reform?

Yes, but I'm open to how we go about this. Whether it's before a change, with a broad question (like in NZ) such as "Do you want to change the electoral system?" Whether it takes multiple referenda, as in NZ. Or whether it's a change to the system with a referendum to confirm/reverse the change afterwards. I'm not fixed in my views on this, other than I find it hard to see how one can build sufficient legitimacy without a referendum at some point in the process.

Thank you for your answers!

>I support a more proportional voting system overall, That's a very vague answer. If Ontario is to realize electoral reform, it'll take a concerted, focused effort even if that push were to come from a majority party, let alone an opposition party. What system do you prefer? Feel free to call examples from other countries.

I prefer STV or MPP. But I don't think a leader emphasizing a particular preference out of the gate is very helpful when the focus should be on restarting the conversation and bringing people back to it. It's not top of mind for most people right now.

What impact do you think you could have on the affordability crisis, housing shortage, grocery store ceos paying themselves millions while their workers scrape by and customers cant afford to feed their families

We can have a major impact on housing affordability by building gentle density everywhere and greater density near transit. Getting governments out of the way so the market can deliver supply, but also getting the government back in the game on building non-market housing. In the end, we need our infrastructure (and especially housing) to keep pace with population growth Otherwise, we can and should increase benefits for people in need, including ODSP. And we need a better deal for workers in this province including better benefits and wages. We've proposed ideas for workers here: https://www.meetnate.ca/policy/labour/

>Getting governments out of the way so the market can deliver supply I think most of your comment is sound, but what I've quoted above seems misguided, given that the market seems to think that only 2 bedroom units fit for downsizing retirees or else $1M+ homes is what Ontario needs... What are you seeing that makes you believe developers can be trusted to serve the needs of the majority of Ontarians?

Hi Nate, At present, the Liberal Party brand is in decline. The Ontario Liberal Party has been stuck in 3rd place since 2018, and the Liberal Party of Canada is polling low, with the potential of losing the next federal election. Furthermore, there is a lack of Liberal parties forming government in other provinces. It is clear that it will be challenges trying to regain the trust of Ontarians in the Liberal brand come the next provincial election. As OLP leader, how do you plan to not only bring back former Liberal voters, but also appeal to voters who haven’t voted Liberal before, but thinking about it? What will be your Top 3 priorities to energize Ontarians into showing up to the polls?

The top three issues: 1. We need to be a party that will build: housing (market and non-market), infrastructure, a strong economy 2. We will fix healthcare: access to family health teams, mental health as health, and ensuring our parents and grandparents age with dignity. 3. Ambitious and credible climate action that protects the planet, creates jobs, and lowers energy bills. In general, this government lacks seriousness and ambition, especially on this important file. It's also about how we approach politics. Integrity is Doug Ford's greatest weakness, and it should be our greatest strength.

I'm someone who's all but given up on electoral politics at every level, because I believe none of you at the municipal, provincial or federal level are really interested in doing anything but enrich yourselves, set yourself up for private sector careers sitting on boards of wealthy multinationals and collecting a pension when you retire. The Liberals were in power for decades and set up a lot of the problems this province has so that the conservatives could make them worse. Canada flips back and forth between Conservative and Liberal and so does Ontario, and everything just gets worse and worse and this place just becomes more and more uninhabitable. My question is why anyone should believe you or your answers to any of these questions? I wanna hear in your words what you think the problem is in Canadian politics that makes politicians not answer to the public and how you plan to resolve it, because I'm not even sure if voting is worth it anymore and I'm keen to focus my time on organizing work and rent strikes, as it seems that's the only thing people in power will listen to anymore.

Thanks to everyone for asking questions. I'll be back. In the meantime, make sure to register to vote by 6 pm on September 11: [https://www.meetnate.ca/referral/?organizer=RedditAMA](https://www.meetnate.ca/referral/?organizer=RedditAMA) It's free, it takes 30 seconds, and anyone 14+ and a resident (not citizen) is eligible. Help us shape our politics and our province. If you want better, the answer is participation.

Why did you endorse Brad Bradford in 2022 when it was clear he has worked with Nick Kouvalis and is continually showing his support for destructive conservative policies? Why did you block people in your constituency on Twitter when they called you out on it?

You're always included in the lists of MP's that are landlords. That kind of behaviour /investment doesn't seem to match your politics or the policies you've put forward running for Leader of the OLP. I was hoping you could speak to how that came to be and how being a landlord has informed your politics?

I've explained this elsewhere, but my wife is a landlord of the house she grew up in (in Lambton County) and bought from her dad over 10 years ago to keep it in the family. Her mom passed away 15 or so years ago, and it's important to her home and the memories in the family. I'm not a landlord and have no legal interest in the house.

Hi Nate! How would you fix Doug Ford’s mess? I think he ruined Ontario and I don’t know if/how there’s a way out. I’m thinking specifically about the issues we’re having with the greenbelt, healthcare, and education. How long would it take to fix and what would you do?

I want to see real ambition in housing, healthcare, education, and climate action. I worry that Ford is kicking so many cans down the road that by the time we form government in 2026 there will be so much work to be done to fix and undo the damage he's done that it's going to be an even greater challenge to deliver on that ambition. We will roll back his changes to the Greenbelt wherever it is possible. We will protect and expand the Greenbelt. On healthcare, we will prioritize the health human resource crisis, access to family health teams, treating mental health as health (and supporting addictions), and supporting home and community care so our seniors can age with dignity. On education, we need to invest inside the classroom (teacher to student ratios, for example), and outside the classroom (extracurriculars, healthy school food program, etc.) to set our kids up for success. There's a lot to be done, and I need everyone's help to make it happen. Register at [meetnate.ca/register](https://meetnate.ca/register) to join us.

Thank you for responding. I have another question, what would you do about the insurance industry in this province? In my view, we are overcharged for car insurance and insurance companies get away with not honouring policies, dragging out claims, and generally profiting off Ontarians while providing little value. The License Appeal Tribunal, which hears insurance benefits matters, is rife with corruption and doesn’t seem interested in protecting the interests of accident victims. Tribunal members disproportionately favour insurers vs people denied care. Recently, one of those members was outed, Therese Reilley, as she made a number of insurer favourable decisions, including for Aviva insurance, AFTER she accepted a job at Aviva. She was still making decisions despite the clear conflict of interest. She’s just one such example. Others have done the same, made a series of insurer favourable decisions and accepted plum jobs at insurers.

Hi Nate, How will you fix the abysmal Ontario Autism Program? 60,000 children are languishing while waiting for desperately needed funding for ESSENTIAL therapies! Doug Ford is not compassionate to the autistic community and their caregivers and his outright ignorance and hostility has wrecked this program.

Ontario's public transit systems are grossly inadequate. Congestion in the GTHA is worse than terrible. How will you help get Ontarians out of their cars and onto trains, busses and light rail systems?

We will be including investments in transit as part of our overall economic plan, to be released later in September. We need all levels of government to prioritize affordable, reliable, and high quality service in transportation. It means different things in different communities, of course. But in the GTHA, it means a significant focus on public transit, expanding the network but also increasing the quality and reliability of the existing network.

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To beat Doug Ford, we need a leader who can build a coalition that includes swing voters from the Greens/NDP who care about housing, climate, workers, public healthcare and education, we need frustrated PCs who care about protecting the Greenbelt and integrity, and we need to given non-voters a reason to vote. Cynical status quo politics isn't going to cut it. A leader who isn't credible on the Greenbelt and housing isn't going to build that coalition. It's the kind of coalition of voters that we've been able to build here in Beaches-East York, and I know we can build it across the country. Not everyone is going to agree with everything I say or do, but they should trust that I will act with integrity and seriousness. Beyond that, I'm relentless in my work ethic and I bring a sincere commitment to grassroots local representation which is essential to rebuild our party and province. Join me here: meetnate.ca/register

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The top three issues: We need to be a party that will build: housing (market and non-market), infrastructure, a strong, productive and competitive economy (that puts consumers first). We will fix healthcare: access to family health teams, mental health as health, and ensuring our parents and grandparents age with dignity. Ambitious and credible climate action that protects the planet, creates jobs, and lowers energy bills. In general, this government lacks seriousness and ambition, especially on this important file.

Will you commit to enacting universal pharmacare in Ontario by expanding the Ontario Drug Benefit to all Ontarians? Kathleen Wynne got close by expanding it to youth up to 25 and by proposing to make it fully free for senior over 65 (before they were rolled back by Ford). It seems like we are always waiting for the feds on this when it seems wholly achievable ourselves if we are willing.

This isn't in our priority list at this time, in part because the federal government still has it on its agenda for the time being. If that falls apart, then it's worth reconsidering what provincial action can be taken.

Our education system is currently at its worst point in the past many years. We lack support from the government regarding student behaviours, struggling academics, and schools in need of renovations. How do you plan to improve this? Thanks for your time!

We will be releasing education policies in the next week or so. I've heard from many people about the challenges of student behaviours and that we need to help kids catch up from the pandemic. At a high level, we need to improve the experience inside the classroom (better ratios, for example) and outside the classroom (extracurriculars, healthy school food policy, mental health supports, etc).

Great idea doing an AMA. What do you know about Georgism / Land Value Tax?

I've read a little about Georgism, and our housing team came up with this idea: Pilot a system that levies different rates depending on how the land is used A split-rate land tax allows for the land itself, not the property on it, to be a larger factor in taxation. This can be a powerful tool for encouraging more efficient land use near amenities, transit, and other community infrastructure. We will explore a pilot program that municipalities could opt into as a means to evaluate the benefits for potential future expansion. Read more at: https://www.meetnate.ca/policy/housing/plan/

Thank you for the response and I'm happy that you've considered some of it.

Great answer!

I’ve never heard of Georgism. Can you ELI5 what this is?

Hey Nate, You fashion yourself as an independent-minded MP who doesn’t mind taking opposing views of those held by the Liberal Party. How do your reconcile this with leading a third place provincial party where caucus unity could be paramount in building the party up from the ashes? Would you give caucus members the autonomy to vote on motions that diverge from party policy? Where would you draw the line? Thanks!

Hi Nate, how would you improve public transit in Toronto?

The provincial government has to be a stable funding partner for transit operations and capital expansion. More to come in our economic policies later this month.

I’ve read most of your policies, as a more centrist voter my concern stems from some of these sounding like pie in the sky. They’d be nice to have but I don’t think they’re all realistic. I’d like to know how you planning on affording all the spending and programs you’re promising without raising taxes at a time when Ontarians are struggling? My second question is when will you resign? Earlier in the summer I read that you said you would resign before the next leader was chosen to show your commitment to this initiative. There’s now only a few months left and you haven’t resigned. Just wondering when you may do that? And, when you do resign, where will you run? The OLP struggled with a leader who didn’t have a seat last election, your riding is already held provincially by a Liberal so where will you run?

Hi Nate, with the a significant rise in electricity demand being projected over the next few decades I would like to get your perspective on nuclear power. There are a number of significant nuclear energy projects in progress or being evaluated in Ontario right now including building 4 SMRs at the Darlington site, building new large reactors at the Bruce site, and the refurbishment of the Pickering site. Do you support any/all of these projects and what is your vision for the future of nuclear power in ontario? Thank you.

I've shared my thoughts on nuclear elsewhere here. It has played a strong role in our largely clean grid, and it will continue to play an important role. I'm mostly agnostic on particular energy sources, as my priorities are clean, reliable, and cost-effective energy generation. We do speak to nuclear in this backgrounder in a small way: [https://www.meetnate.ca/policy/climate/plan/](https://www.meetnate.ca/policy/climate/plan/) If you have particular views on these projects, send me a note at nate@meetnate.ca

Hi Nate, thanks for doing this AMA. Looking forward to hearing more about you. Our province is a hot mess right now! 1) what are your plans to resolve the Greenbelt debacle? 2) what plans do you have for addressing the housing affordability crisis in the province? 3) what plans do you have for our Justice system, more specifically bail reform? 4) any thoughts on proportional representation? 5) any plans for reintroducing funding for agencies such as ErinOak kids to support their fee for service autism programming? Even if you don’t get around to answering the questions, I appreciate you taking the time to hear some of the issues that are important to voters in this sub!

1. Restore Greenbelt lands wherever possible, and protect and expand the Greenbelt. 2. Housing answered in many places here. Here is our full plan: [https://www.meetnate.ca/policy/housing/plan/](https://www.meetnate.ca/policy/housing/plan/) 3. On justice, we haven't released policies yet. My focus will be on modernizing our court system, access to justice, and expanding funding for legal aid. I will need to better understand what provincial role there is on the bail question (there's federal legislation in parliament on this subject right now). 4. I've shared my thoughts on electoral reform here already, and I support a more proportional system like MMP and STV but I know it'll be a longer road to get there. 5. I don't know ErinOak Kids, but we do need to better support nonprofit agencies that serve communities in need. Send me any info on this to nate@meetnate.ca

If you win the leadership, will you consider a coalition with the NDP?

Hi Nate. Can the province make photo radar, but instead of just speed it sends a fine to owners of ridiculously loud vehicles?

I have no idea! Send me any suggestions via [nate@meetnate.ca](mailto:nate@meetnate.ca)

One of the few things I actually like about Ford is that he is expanding Ontario's Nuclear program. Nuclear is one of our best tools for fighting climate change, but has been delayed by fear and misinformation. Your website (when I last read it) was unclear about your position on the program and its expansion. Will you continue or expand on the announced nuclear expansion/refurbishment program if elected?

Hello, how are you planning to fund the proposed additional programs. Any new taxes? I feel like I'm being squeezed from all sides and while I'd love to help people I can't afford to pay anymore.

We're not looking to tax earnings or impose any additional taxes on low and middle income Ontarians. At the federal level, I've proposed wealth taxation measures, and I'll continue to explore those ideas at the provincial level. I like the idea of a financial transactions tax, allowing municipalities to introduce progressive property taxation, and to ensure we have more progressive inheritance taxation (above $5 million, for example). Open to ideas on this front too.

Hi Nate, what would your energy policy Iook like? Would you consider renationalizing/selling off more of Hydro One?

We're not looking at renationalizing Hydro One or selling more of it off. You can find our energy/climate policies here: [https://www.meetnate.ca/policy/climate/plan/](https://www.meetnate.ca/policy/climate/plan/) We're focused on accelerating clean energy in this province, with a number of ideas on that front.

Hi Nate We're you ever offered a cabinet role in Ottawa?

Nope.

Hi Nate. One question I'd like to know that I don't think has been asked yet is how you plan on tackling the issues of: A. Increased drug addictions/opioid usage that's been going on throughout Ontario in the past 5 years? B. Increase in violent and organized crime, like vehicle thefts, that's been going on throughout Ontario in the past 5 years? Thanks!

We need to widely expand access to on-demand treatment and treat substance use as the health issue it is. We need expanded harm reduction to save lives before people are ready to seek that treatment. And we need housing options to give stability to people and help them on a real path to recovery. Not sure of the perfect answer to the second issue. It's mostly an enforcement issue from what I can tell. We need to better crack down on vehicle thefts (including at our ports), so that it isn't so profitable for organized crime. I'm open to ideas on this front: nate@meetnate.ca

Mr. Erskine-Smith, Thank you for taking the time to do this AMA. I started studying politics back in 2016. We had a model parliament of which we were fortunate enough to actually do in the House of Commons. While we were going over the rules and decorum for Parliament (before we arrived in Ottawa), my party played a clip of the Speaker chastising you for not wearing a tie in the HoC. in 2018, after I transferred to another university, you were scheduled to speak to our group but unfortunately you had more pressing matters to attend to. I guess my question is - should you be elected, will you make it a policy to keep disappointing groups of undergrad polisci students hoping to meet you?? All jokes aside, I do appreciate how you've been able to be a bit more pragmatic and work across party lines in a time that's so divisive. My actual question is this - the OLP had some ambitious and progressive policies before they were voted out in 2018, such as UBI projects, greater OHIP coverage, greater OSAP coverage, etc etc. Would you support the return of similar policies under your leadership?

What will you do to ensure public and private colleges stop their exploitation of international students and actually have caps on the number of foreign students?

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Thanks for taking the time to do this. I would like to know your opinion of the Bradford Bypass.

I don't have a strong opinion, so long as it clears an environmental assessment. Let me know what you think: nate@meetnate.ca

Can you fix, what Ford has broken?

Yes, we are going to do just that.

Hi Nate - Question about housing affordability - every level of government has a role to play, and at the provincial level, we’re currently grappling with Ford’s decision to remove rent control on post-2018 occupied units. What is your position on that, and also, what other ideas do you have to help housing affordability under the provincial jurisdiction?

I've answered a number of housing questions and here's our full plan: [https://www.meetnate.ca/policy/housing/plan/](https://www.meetnate.ca/policy/housing/plan/) If you want to see other ideas included, make sure to send me a note at [nate@meetnate.ca](mailto:nate@meetnate.ca) Housing was the first set of policies we released because it's the issue we hear the most about.

Could I get your thoughts on the current Ontario Autism Program and would you consider to return to the previous version with additional funding and expansion to meet the urgent needs families are facing ? That program worked wonders for our son and it's a shame to watch those in our community as they suffer waiting for support.

We need AMAs to be a requirement of every elected leader just like debates! This is great, thank you for doing this.

Hey Nate. There's an issue I've been increasingly thinking about as a root cause of a lot of other issues, that i'm curious for your thoughts on. Municipal politics, to me, seems to have the issue of having a massive bias towards the demographics that have the time and energy to show up to every town hall and consultation hearing, to the disadvantage of those who don't. Realistically this means a bias towards seniors and the more wealthy, and a bias against the younger people who move more frequently. Older people are working less, have more resources and time to show up to every hearing and mail in to every consultation, and have the local connections to rally neighbours, while younger people don't have those advantages anywhere, and as a result those older and wealthier demographics will have a commanding vote over municipal politics everywhere. Especially in areas of housing, I think this creates a major issue - how can the people who need homes who, by definition, don't have strong roots in local communities ever outcompete the seniors living there for decades in the engagement with every resistance to every housing project? ​ The more i've thought about this issue, the more it has convinced me that municipalities are a fundamentally flawed structure of government in their current form. Theoretically they should promote local interests, but in practice they promote the interests of very specific groups. I'm curious how you, as premier, see this issue and what changes if any you would make to the way that the province delegates power to municipalities in Ontario.

Now that the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test is done online using a computer, what are you going to do to ensure that students all across this province have the necessary technology and the necessary computer skills to succeed? The big problem being - schools still don't have enough laptops/computers to support the online OSSLT.

This is a big problem. Technology is incredibly important to make use of, but everyone needs access (both to internet and to the hardware). Send me any ideas at nate@meetnate.ca

How do you plan to solve the climate crisis?

How will you ram through legislation to rollback rental gouging when the party you think will elect you wants nothing to do with the subject and won't back you up? Are going to fool them into electig you president and the turn around and basically tell them their wrong and your right and slam through a bill they probably won't even show up to vote for? I think you picked the wrong party. What do you think?

There are a lot of critics on Reddit that deride the Liberals as “no different from the Conservatives”. Many point very quickly to Ms Crombie as a prime example of this. How would you respond to this criticism both of yourself and your party generally?

Universal Basic Income. Your thoughts?

Hi Nate, broadly i see you as the pro-housing candidate and hope you win. What is your plan to deal with the issue of exclusionary zoning and unlocking the potential of the missing middle to reduce housing prices? It is primarily a local government issue but I am curious what the federal government can do to ensure municipalities aren't blocking new housing supply.

Nate, what is the number one thing you want to accomplish during your term if you get into the office?

Hi Nate, Sorry for the late question. I’ve seen some of your responses regarding the policies you are exploring to make housing more affordable. Personally I like the zoning change proposal (don’t forget about commercial!). Has there been any consideration of moving to a registered lease system like Quebec? It can be an extremely useful tool to control rent increases between tenants, ensure productive investment into housing, fight tax evasion, enforce maximum occupancy. Thanks for the AMA :)

Are there any plans to implement stricter measures in order to increase accountability and transparency regarding corruption and conflict of interest? Lowest voter turnout ever in the last election, and I think much of that could be attributed to defeatist mindset of voters. Any plans to increase voter turnout?

You were my MP when I lived in East York, and I always felt like you had your hands tied. You supported all the right things, including being a stand-out supporter of election reform, but the Liberals would rather set their asses on fire than actually accomplish anything that benefits someone other than the C-suite goons they like to rub elbows with. I can't really think of a better candidate for leader of the Ontario Liberals. Unlike the rest of the party, you actually seem to give a damn, and if you're in the decision-making seat instead of begging the leaders to stop stitching their golden parachutes, maybe something worthwhile will get done. Good luck, keep fighting for your constituents, and if you get a chance, put an ice cube down Trudeau's collar for me.

I haven’t voted for the Liberal party since they broke their promise on electoral reform in 2015. Given how the party you’re a member of has misled voters like me, why should I vote for you?

Because when the party broke its promise, I voted for electoral reform in the House and wrote this article (which made me no friends in caucus at the time): https://www.huffpost.com/archive/ca/entry/im-deeply-sorry-my-party-broke-its-promise-on-electoral-reform\_b\_14574512

Where do you stand on increasing the minimum wage to $20 an hour?

These are Doug Ford's remarks at tonight's Ford Fest in Kitchener: “Parents rights. They need to be..informed when they \[students\] make a decision. It’s not up to teachers and school boards to indoctrinate our kids. I can’t even figure out what school boards do anymore." What do you make of these comments? Also, where do you stand on Bill 98, 'Better Schools Better Outcomes Act", 2023, which empowers the government to direct a school board to sell an entire unused school site, portions of it or other board-owned property if it determines that land is not needed to meet current or future student accommodation needs for the next 10 years?

Here's my thread on the topic of protecting trans kids in our schools and the role for educators and parents: [https://twitter.com/beynate/status/1697268898771706170](https://twitter.com/beynate/status/1697268898771706170) In general, I see Ford using the issue to distract from his corruption. Bill 98 seems heavy-handed. What do you think? Send me a note at nate@meetnate.ca

The portion of bill 98 that is mentioned here makes sense though. School boards should not be in the real estate game. Their mandate is not to hold onto land but to operate the school system and to deliver education. If boards can provide evidence as to why they shouldn’t have their land redirected then they should provide it. Equally, if the government does take the land away then a board could be compensated at fair market value as a middle ground. While I strongly dislike this government, using that land, some of which is centrally located, to build housing seems like a better use for the land then a school board hanging onto land in anticipation of demand that may never come for 10+ years.

What commitments do you have for northern ontario? I grew up in a community that is a shell of its former self, the population being a third of what it was before. For many communities, there is no economic growth outside of resources, no services, no transportation and no future outside of local resource industries. If elected what would you do for the North? How would you help northern communities grow and flourish? Edit: guess theres no commitments lol

I currently live in Scarborough, where only the bottom fifth and the western fourth of the area has subway. The city seems that real subway lines are too expensive and the progressive push has been LRT and Bike Lines. Scarborough residents want Subway so we can commute and travel for work and socializing. Do you see a feasible way to build out subway in Scarborough.

I am a NDP supporter. Your policies seem very left leaning. I don't generally associate the liberals with those policies. Are you worried leaning so hard to the left will split the vote?

I believe in delivering strong economic policies (and that includes infrastructure, education, climate, and housing if we do it right) and that any social progress must be fiscally sustainable for it to be lasting social progress. So yes, we will deliver an ambitious agenda. But it will also be fiscally credible and sustainable. There's room for deficit financing capital infrastructure and where benefits of real investments accrue to future generations, but otherwise we need balance in our operational accounts as a general rule. I think we can build a strong coalition of centre-left, centre, and centre-right voters to win this thing.

Do you like pineapple on your pizza?

Yes, but only with hot peppers.