Larry Smith (Canadian politician)

The Honourable
Larry Smith
Senator from Quebec (Saurel)
Assumed office
May 25, 2011
Appointed by Stephen Harper
Preceded by Himself
In office
December 18, 2010 – March 25, 2011
Preceded by Jean Lapointe
Succeeded by Himself
Personal details
Born (1951-04-28) April 28, 1951
Hudson, Quebec
Political party Conservative
Spouse(s) Leesa[1]
Children Brad, Wes, Ashley[1]
Residence Hudson, Quebec[1]
Alma mater Bishop's University (B.A.)
McGill University (B.C.L.)
Profession Athlete, businessman
Larry Smith
Career information
Status Retired
CFL status National
Position(s) RB
College Bishop's
CFL draft 1972 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1
Drafted by Montreal Alouettes
Career history
As player
1972–1980 Montreal Alouettes
Career highlights and awards

Larry W. Smith, CQ (born April 28, 1951) is an athlete, businessperson and member of the Canadian Senate.

Education

He graduated from Bishop's University with a degree in economics before going on to be a professional player in the Canadian Football League. Smith earned a Bachelor of Civil Law from McGill University in 1976, having undertaken his studies for law while playing pro football.

Football career

Smith later became the league's eighth commissioner and oversaw the league's ill-fated attempt to expand to the United States.[2] Smith then oversaw the re-location of the Baltimore Stallions to Montreal, where they became the Montreal Alouettes for the CFL's 1996 season. After resigning as commissioner, Smith served as president of the Alouettes from 1997 to 2001 and again from 2004 to 2013.

Business career

He was president and publisher of the Montreal Gazette newspaper from 2002 to 2004. He has also held positions with Industrial Life Technical Services, John Labatt, Ltd., and Ogilvie Mills, Ltd.

Political career

He considered running for leader of the then new Conservative Party of Canada in 2004 and was widely reported by Canadian press at the time to be on the verge of entering the race before finally announcing he would not be a candidate.[3]

On December 18, 2010, he was summoned to the Canadian Senate on the advice of Prime Minister Stephen Harper and sat as a Conservative. Following his appointment to the Senate, Smith announced his intention to seek the nomination to run as a Conservative candidate in Lac-Saint-Louis in the next federal election.[4] When asked in a television interview why he accepted the appointment while intending to run for a Commons seat, Smith complained that he was taking a "dramatic, catastrophic" pay cut by serving as a senator,[5] a remark for which Smith has been criticized.[6]

Smith was defeated in his attempt to enter Parliament, placing third behind the incumbent Liberal MP and the NDP candidate, and it was announced on May 18, 2011, he would be re-appointed to the Senate.

Personal life

Smith has three children, two sons and a daughter. One of his sons, Bradley, is a former receiver for the Toronto Argonauts and the Edmonton Eskimos, while his daughter, Ashley, was formerly married to CFL placekicker and punter Damon Duval.[7]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Larry Smith". Montreal: Montreal Alouettes. Retrieved December 21, 2010.
  2. ↑ Berkovich, Karlo (April 3, 1998). "Ex-CFL head has worries for all pro sports". Waterloo Region Record. p. C2.
  3. ↑ McClintock, Maria (November 17, 2003). "Lord knows, time is not right' N.B. Premier won't run for fed leader". Toronto Sun. p. 21.
  4. ↑ "Tories hope Smith's star appeal will bring victory in Montreal". Globe and Mail. Canada. December 21, 2010. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  5. ↑ "'Catastrophic' pay cut to be senator: Smith". CBC News. December 22, 2010. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Larry Smith criticized for salary comment". CTV News. December 23, 2010.
  7. ↑ "Duval and Popp at odds". Montreal Gazette. November 7, 2007.
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