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Joy Smith

Joy Ann Smith (born February 20, 1947) is a Canadian politician. She served in the Manitoba legislature between 1999 and 2003, and was elected to the Canadian House of Commons in 2004.

Smith was born in Deloraine, Manitoba, and holds a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Manitoba (as well as a music degree from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto). She worked as a teacher for 21 years before entering political life, and in 1986 received the Hedley Award for Excellence in Research. During the 1990s, Smith served as a liaison for private and home-schooling groups.

In 1996, Smith published a book entitled Lies My Kid's Teacher Told Me. A follow-up book entitled Tools of the Trade was issued a few years later. Smith has also worked as an entrepreneur, and was the owner of Gem Records for a time. In 1996, she was nominated for Manitoba's Woman Entrepreneur of the Year award.

Smith was elected to the Manitoba legislature in the 1999 election as a Progressive Conservative, in the south-central Winnipeg riding of Fort Garry. Smith's victory was one of the closest in the provincial campaign; she defeated New Democrat Lawrie Cherniack by a margin of 4436 votes to 4406, and was subsequently named as the Progressive Conservative critic for education.

Smith has been an opponent of gay rights throughout her political career. She formulated the provincial Tory policy against adoption rights for same-sex couples, and recently campaigned for her federal seat on a platform against same-sex marriage.

Fort Garry was a top NDP target in the 2003 election, and Smith was defeated by New Democrat Kerri Irvin-Ross by 3852 votes to 3765. Neither the NDP nor its social-democratic predecessors had ever won the riding before.

In the federal election of 2004, Smith campaigned as a Conservative candidate in the north-end Winnipeg riding of Kildonan—St. Paul (she had previously been nominated as a candidate of the Canadian Alliance, before that party merged with the Progressive Conservative Party). She narrowly defeated Liberal Terry Duguid, 13582 votes to 13304.

Smith was given no critic responsibilities by Conservative leader Stephen Harper. Given that she represents a marginal riding, some have interpreted this as indicating a lack of confidence by her party in her abilities as a parliamentarian. However, it should be noted that Harper did appoint Smith to the position of Manitoba Caucus Chair.

In 2004, Smith was selected to be part of the Canadian delegation assigned to observe a court-ordered repeat of the second round of the Presidential election in Ukraine.

Smith is a social conservative, and has been described as being on the right-wing of her party.

Last updated: 08-02-2005 11:42:58
Last updated: 08-18-2005 14:44:04