Canadian Member of Parliament Brings Global Political Insight to Emerson Classroom

When a sitting Canadian Member of Parliament (MP) visited a Political Communication class at Emerson College, it wasn’t a ceremonial visit — it was an extension of the curriculum.

Political Communication students had the opportunity to engage directly with an international elected official during a February 18 campus visit by the Honourable Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, who has represented the federal district of Beaches–East York in Ontario since 2015. In a candid, wide-ranging conversation, Erskine-Smith met with students to answer questions and reflect on his experiences as both a political candidate and a sitting MP.

The visit was part of the Global Political Communication class taught by Communication Studies Associate Professor Vincent Raynauld. Raynauld, a Canadian-American scholar, said he was eager to introduce students to a different political landscape and broaden classroom discussions beyond a U.S.-centric lens.

“It’s very important to offer diversity of political thought,” said Raynauld. “It’s amazing to have a person with a different perspective be able to broaden our students’ thoughts.”

For students studying how political candidates craft and communicate their messages, Erskine-Smith’s insights offered a real-world case study. The MP, who also hosts the Uncommons Podcast, spoke about modern campaign strategies—including digital platforms and podcasting—and the importance of appealing to a broad constituency across ideological lines.

When Raynauld asked whether there was a “secret sauce” behind his YouTube channel, Erskine-Smith provided his guiding principles: be interesting, be authentic, and don’t dumb things down.

He impressed upon students the importance of authenticity in effective political communication, particularly when forging connections with constituents.

“Relatability is a funny thing. My team would sometimes tell me, ‘It’s great that you do all these explanatory things, but we want to see more of you,’” said Erskine-Smith.

During a Q&A session, Emersonians were eager to pick the MP’s brain on various topics,   particularly to get a Canadian perspective on the growing tensions between Canada and the U.S.

Erskine-Smith was asked whether there is an element of guilt from Canadians using American products or buying from American businesses. 

“Absolutely. Micro-decisions—like choosing to buy Canadian—happen everyday due to the erosion of this relationship,” replied Erskine-Smith.

The MP was asked whether there are party-line distinctions in the response to these growing tensions, to which the MP explained that boycotting America is a nearly universal Canadian sentiment. 

Erskine-Smith provided advice on the best way for Americans to demonstrate concern regarding growing tensions to their Canadian neighbors.

“The best way to show that you care is by participating and getting involved in politics at home,” said Erskine-Smith.

By engaging directly with an international lawmaker, students were able to expand their understanding of political communication beyond national borders—an experience that reflects Emerson’s commitment to connecting classroom learning with global perspectives.

“It’s very interesting to have a Canadian politician’s perspective on global politics, particularly after [Canadian Prime Minister Mark] Carney’s speech in Davos,” said Makeighly dos Santos ’26, referencing Carney’s recent speech at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland.

Taraneh Moeini ’26 added that the visit was a great opportunity for students. 

“I thought it was really cool that we have a school that is capable of hosting something like this,” said Moeini. “It’s important to have the option and opportunity to widen our perspective.”