Elizabeth Joan Smith

Elizabeth Joan Smith (January 5, 1928 – February 9, 2016) was a politician in Ontario, Canada. She was a Liberal member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1985 to 1990 who represented the central Ontario riding of London South. She was a cabinet minister in the government of David Peterson.

Joan Smith
Ontario MPP
In office 1985–1990
Preceded by	Gordon Walker
Succeeded by	David Winninger
Constituency	London South
Personal details
Born	Elizabeth Joan MacDonald (1928-01-05)January 5, 1928 Calgary, Alberta
Died	February 9, 2016(2016-02-09) (aged 88) London, Ontario
Political party	Liberal
Spouse(s)	Don Smith (deceased)
Children	7
Occupation	Children services

Background

Smith was educated at St. Michael's College in the University of Toronto, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy.[1] She was the founding member of Mme. Vanier Children's Services and Diocesan Catholic Social Services in London, Ontario, and served on the board of governors for the University of Western Ontario. In 2001, Smith received a Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Western Ontario. Smith lived in London, Ontario. Her husband Don Smith was the co-founder of EllisDon, an employee-owned construction services company that was incorporated in 1951 in London, Ontario. She and Don raised seven children.[2] She died in London after suffering a head injury in St. Lucia in February 2016. She was 88.[3]

Politics

In 1976, Smith was elected to council for London City Council. She served as alderman for nine years and was a controller for two of those years.[1] She was elected to the Ontario legislature in the 1985 provincial election, defeating Progressive Conservative incumbent Gordon Walker by 6,683 votes in the constituency of London South.[4] She was re-elected by an increased majority in the 1987 election,[5] and appointed to cabinet as Solicitor General on September 29, 1987.[6]

Smith was forced to resign her office on June 6, 1989. She had received a telephone call in the middle of the night from a constituent worried about the safety of a missing brother, and telephoned the police to express her concern. The opposition argued that this was an improper act, in that Smith's position as Solicitor-General could result in the case receiving preferential treatment.[1] Thomas Walkom wrote a newspaper column about this matter, entitled "Even decent politicians may need to resign".[7]

Smith later served as Chief Government Whip. In the 1990 provincial election, she lost to NDP candidate David Winninger by 5,651 votes.[8] She attempted a comeback in the 1995 election but finished third, behind Winninger and PC candidate Bob Wood.[9]

Cabinet positions

Ontario Provincial Government of David Peterson
Cabinet post (1)
Predecessor	Office	Successor
Ken Keyes	Solicitor General 1986–1989	Ian Scott
Special Parliamentary Responsibilities
Predecessor	Title	Successor
Doug Reycraft	Chief Government Whip 1989–1990	Shirley Coppen (NDP)
Bob Mitchell (PC)	Chief Government Whip 1985–1987	Doug Reycraft

References

1. Carey, Elaine (June 7, 1989). "The rise and fall of Joan Smith". Toronto Star. p. A26.
2. French, Orland (April 5, 1985). "icky parochial politics". The Globe and Mail. p. 7.
3. Miner, John (February 9, 2016). "Former Ontario Solicitor General Joan Smith has died". London Free Press.
4. "Results of vote in Ontario election". The Globe and Mail. May 3, 1985. p. 13.
5. "Results from individual ridings". The Windsor Star. September 11, 1987. p. F2.
6. "Wrye gets new cabinet job". The Windsor Star. September 29, 1987. p. A1.
7. Thomas, Walkom (May 29, 1989). "Even decent politicians may need to resign". Toronto Star. p. A15.
8. "Ontario election: Riding-by-riding voting results". The Globe and Mail. September 7, 1990. p. A12.
9. "Summary of Valid Ballots by Candidate". Elections Ontario. June 8, 1995. Archived from the original on March 4, 2014. Retrieved 2014-03-02.

External links

• Ontario Legislative Assembly parliamentary history (archived)