Todd Smith (politician)

Smith was born and raised in Riverview, New Brunswick. A graduate of Loyalist College, he worked for more than 16 years on the radio with Quinte Broadcasting's CJBQ, Mix 97 and Rock 107, eventually becoming the news director for Quinte Broadcasting.[1]

Smith ran in the 2011 provincial election as the Progressive Conservative candidate in the riding of Prince Edward—Hastings. He defeated Liberal incumbent Leona Dombrowsky by 3,130 votes.[2][3] He was re-elected in the 2014 provincial election defeating Liberal candidate Georgina Thompson by 4,107 votes.[4] He was again re-elected in the 2018 provincial election with 48 per cent of the vote, some 8,161 votes ahead of runner up Joanne Belanger of the NDP. [5]

During his first term of office, Smith introduced several private member's bills. In November 2011, he proposed the Local Municipality Democracy Act which would have restored municipal zoning authority over green energy projects in Ontario. The bill was defeated after first reading.[6] In May 2012 he introduced the Electronic Commerce Amendment Act with Liberal MPP Yasir Naqvi. It would have allowed for the use of electronic signatures on real estate transactions. When the legislature was prorogued on October 15, the bill was removed from the order paper along with all other business. It was reintroduced on March 6, 2013, and it passed second reading on March 21 before being adopted by the government as a part of the 2013 budget.[7]

While serving as an Opposition MPP in the Ontario Legislature, Smith spent time as his party's critic for the small businesses and red tape reduction, the Pan-Am and Parapan-Am Games, citizenship and immigration, the Hydro One Sale, natural resources and forestry, and energy.[8]

In 2018, Smith briefly considered running to succeed Patrick Brown as leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party.[9] Citing family and financial reasons, he decided not to seek the position.[10]

As the PCs formed the government during the 42nd Parliament of Ontario in 2018, Smith was appointed to cabinet as Minister of Government and Consumer Services while serving concurrently as Government House Leader. On Nov. 2, 2018, Smith was assigned the role of Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, while maintaining his role as Government House Leader.[11] On June 20, Smith was moved to the portfolio of Children, Community, and Social Services as part of an extensive cabinet shuffle. [12]

• Official website
• Ontario Legislative Assembly parliamentary history (archived)