Scott Smith
Encyclopedia
Scott Smith is a politician in Manitoba
, Canada
. He was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba
from 1999 to 2007, and was a cabinet minister in the government of Gary Doer
. Smith is a member of the New Democratic Party
.
, Manitoba, and worked as a firefighter for twenty years before entering provincial politics. He was elected to the Brandon City Council in 1995
, defeating an incumbent councillor in the city's seventh ward. He also ran for Mayor of Brandon in a by-election
two years later, and finished third against Reg Atkinson
in a close three-way contest. Smith continued to sit as a councillor during the mayoral campaign, and was re-elected without opposition in 1998
. While on council, he served as chair of Brandon's poverty task force, grants review committee and taxi review committee.
, defeating longtime Progressive Conservative
MLA and sitting Minister of Education and Training James McCrae in the division of Brandon West. The NDP won a majority government
provincially, and Smith entered the legislature as a backbench supporter of Gary Doer
's government. He served as Legislative Assistant to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Mines.
Smith was promoted to cabinet on January 17, 2001 as Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs
, with responsibility for administration of the Liquor Control Act. In this capacity, he defended his government's support for rent control
over opposition from landlord groups. He increased the maximum rent increase from 1.5% to 2% for 2002, but lowered it to 1% for 2003.
In May 2002, Smith introduced legislation giving investors the right to seek financial compensation from advisers who mismanage funds through violations of the Manitoba Securities Act. Maximum compensation was set at $100,000. This legislation was the first of its kind in Canada. Smith also introduced legislation to protect customers from negative option billing
, and reformed provincial laws concerning reverse mortgage
s.
As Minister responsible for the Liquor Control Act, Smith indicated that his government would not expand the number of private wine stores in the province. He oversaw a tax break for Manitoba's microbrewery
industry in April 2001, when the Manitoba Liquor Control Commission reduced its mark-up rates.
In June 2001, Smith announced that Manitoba's liquor laws would be reformed to allow liquor stores, beverage rooms, vendors and private clubs to open on Sundays. Municipalities were allowed to pass by-laws exempting themselves from the legislation. Due in part to extra revenue from this change, the Manitoba Liquor Control Commission's net profits increased by $4.7 million in the 2001-02 year.
Smith was appointed to the influential Treasury Board of cabinet on March 24, 2001, replacing Oscar Lathlin
. Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, he was appointed to an all-party task force on provincial security. In December 2001, he introduced steps to prevent the spread of false or forged birth certificates.
Minister of Transportation and Government Services
Premier Gary Doer shuffled his cabinet on September 25, 2002, and appointed Smith as Minister of Transportation and Government Services with responsibility for Emergency Measures and administration of the Manitoba Lotteries Corporation Act.
In October 2002, Smith instructed drivers of the province's fleet vehicles to purchase environmentally-friendly ethanol
fuel in areas where it was reasonably available. He said that the Doer government wanted to see ethanol made more widely available across the province, and hoped his decision would provide an incentive for retailers. Provincial ethanol purchases increased dramatically in the last three months of the year. Smith also unveiled two hybrid electric cars for the provincial fleet in December 2002, and said that he planned to double the number of environmentally-friendly vehicles in provincial service.
In February 2003, Smith introduced a plan to have the Trans-Canada Highway
twinned as far as the Saskatchewan
border over a period of four years. The plan was conditional on financial aid from the federal government. In the same year, he joined with federal cabinet minister Rey Pagtakhan
to announce significant upgrades to Manitoba's highway system.
Smith also introduced a number of measures to improve driving safety in Manitoba. In September 2003, he indicated that repeat drunk drivers would be required to install ignition-interlock devices in their cars, requiring them to pass a breathalyzer test before the car could be started. He introduced tougher penalties for seatbelt violations, and sought to introduce high-technology drivers' licenses with biometric information.
Smith announced in November 2002 that the Doer government would expedite the tendering process for provincial capital construction, indicating that 80% of projects would be tendered by January. Many contracts had not been not tendered until the spring or early summer in previous years, and some in the industry complained that the delays led to market confusion.
Smith was also in charge of the provincial government's efforts to maintain economic viability for the financially troubled port city of Churchill
in northern Manitoba. The government pledged one million dollars to find new markets and new products for the city in early 2003.
Smith presided over a memorial ceremony for the victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks at the International Peace Garden in September 2003. He drew attention to his own background as a firefighter in paying tribute to those who died in the New York City
attacks.
Minister of Industry, Economic Development and Mines
Smith was re-elected in the 2003 provincial election
, winning an unexpectedly easy victory over former Brandon Mayor Reg Atkinson. He was promoted to Minister of Industry, Economic Development and Mines on November 4, 2003, retaining responsibility for Emergency Measures and the Manitoba Lotteries Act. He was also given responsibility for the Liquor Control Act a second time.
Smith helped oversee the controversial expansion of Manitoba's pharmaceutical sector, and defended local retailers who profited from the sale of medicine to American buyers.
Smith also worked with Manitoba beef farmers through the summer of 2004, in an effort to purchase a new slaughterhouse with thorough Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
testing procedures. The value of Canadian cattle had declined dramatically in previous months, when the American border was closed to trade after BSE was found in a single Canadian cow. Many farmers argued that a more comprehensive testing system would be necessary to reopen the American border.
As Minister of Mines, Smith oversaw the expansion of Manitoba's burgeoning gold sector. The province announced $1.4 million in tax credits for the mining industry in spring 2004.
Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Trade
Smith was promoted again on October 12, 2004 to Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Trade. He retained responsibility for Emergency Measures, Lotteries and the Liquor Control Act, and also became minister responsible for International Relations Coordination.
Shortly after his appointment, Smith announced that the Doer government would not proceed with a series of controversial changes to the provincial Planning Act. Farmers and environmental groups had criticized the changes, arguing that they would remove municipal oversight from the expansion of hog farm
s. Smith argued that the proposed changes were no longer necessary, due to the Water Protection Act being developed by his government. He introduced a revised set of changes in 2005, which received cautious support from advocacy groups.
In November 2004, Smith introduced an amendment to the City of Winnipeg's charter allowing the city to provide business tax relief for selected neighbourhoods. Previous rules had mandated a uniform rate for the entire city. The following year, Smith introduced greater property tax flexibility for all Manitoba municipalities. He introduced the Capital Region Partnership Act in the same period, requiring Winnipeg and the surrounding municipalities to cooperate in the development of regional lands.
The federal government distributed gas tax revenues to the provinces in 2005, and gave provincial governments discretion over how the monies would be divided. Following discussions with the Association of Manitoba Municipalities
, Smith announced that the money would be distributed to different parts of the province on a per capita basis. Representatives from major cities brought forward an alternate proposal, wherein 90% of the funds would be made available on a per capita basis and 10% put directly toward public transit in urban centres.
Smith approved the Doer government's proposal to create the Waverley West
subdivision of Winnipeg in April 2005, notwithstanding concerns that his membership in the government created an inherent bias. In time, the suburb is expected to become larger than Brandon. In 2006, Smith announced $200,000 for emergency programs in north and west-end Winnipeg.
Smith and the Broadcasters Association of Manitoba introduced a new public emergency notification system in late 2003, ensuring that details of an emergency will be conveyed by radio and television within 15–30 minutes of its occurrence.
In November 2003, Smith designated Selkirk
as the first city in Manitoba to have exceeded its emergency preparedness requirements. In March 2005, he introduced legislation allowing Manitoba to sign mutual agreements for emergency preparedness with other provinces, American states, and countries. He also coordinated flood relief for various parts of Manitoba over a period of several years.
Smith served as acting Highways Minister in the summer of 2006. He indicated that Manitoba would consider raising its speed limit to 110 km/hour for selected twinned highways, putting Manitoba policy in line with American states and other provinces.
Minister of Competitiveness, Training and Trade
After another cabinet shuffle on September 21, 2006, Smith was designated as Minister of Competitiveness, Training and Trade
while retaining responsibility for Lotteries and the Liquor Control Act. He continued to defend Manitoba's pharmaceutical industry against criticism from the Canadian Pharmacists Association, arguing that Manitoba companies have a proven track record of providing a safe and secure product to buyers. Smith presided over a continued expansion in Manitoba's manufacturing sector, with Statistics Canada reporting the creation of 3,000 new jobs in January 2007.
Smith announced modernizing reforms to the Liquor Control Act in late 2004, giving private wine stores the right to sell drinks such as brandy
and cognac
. He also indicated that Manitobans would be allowed to re-seal half-empty wine bottles ordered in restaurants, and bring them home. Most restaurateurs supported this change.
Smith defended the use of Video Lottery Terminal
s as a source of government revenue, and rejected a 2003 proposal from Progressive Conservative MLA John Loewen
to phase out most terminals from the province. Loewen argued that the machines brought a huge social burden upon Manitoba; Smith responded that the province had taken steps to combat gambling addiction and was introducing machines with responsible gaming software. He also noted that Manitoba received $232 million annually from lottery revenues, and argued that the money was necessary to fund social programs.
Smith rejected a proposal to allow Automated Teller Machine
s into casinos in January 2004, although he approved a plan to allow Sunday gambling in hotels, bars and lounges.
In April 2004, Smith indicated that his government would review a Manitoba Lottery Corporation regulation that mandated English as the only language permitted at gambling tables (Manitoba recognizes English and French as official languages). As a short-term measure, he announced that both of Winnipeg's casinos would hire a French-speaking card dealer.
The Manitoba Lotteries Corp. posted a profit of $146.2 million for the first half of 2006, a $6.4 million increase over the previous year.
Prior to the 2007 provincial election
, Smith was the only member of Gary Doer's cabinet to openly contemplate running for the party leadership after Doer retires. A Winnipeg Free Press
writer argued that many party members considered him to be too right-wing for the position.
2007 election
Smith was narrowly defeated by Progressive Conservative candidate Rick Borotsik
, a popular former mayor, in the 2007 provincial election
. He was the only New Democratic Party incumbent to lose his seat in the election.
's bid to become leader of the federal New Democratic Party
in 2003.
. Expenditure entries refer to individual candidate expenses.
Manitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. He was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba
Legislative Assembly of Manitoba
The Legislative Assembly of Manitoba and the lieutenant governor form the Legislature of Manitoba, the legislature of the Canadian province of Manitoba. Fifty-seven members are elected to this assembly in provincial general elections, all in single-member constituencies with first-past-the-post...
from 1999 to 2007, and was a cabinet minister in the government of Gary Doer
Gary Doer
Gary Albert Doer, OM is a Canadian diplomat and politician from Manitoba, Canada. Since October 19, 2009, he has served as Canada's Ambassador to the United States...
. Smith is a member of the New Democratic Party
New Democratic Party of Manitoba
The New Democratic Party of Manitoba is a social-democratic political party in Manitoba, Canada. It is the provincial wing of the federal New Democratic Party, and is a successor to the Manitoba Co-operative Commonwealth Federation...
.
Early life and career
Smith was born and raised in BrandonBrandon, Manitoba
Brandon is the second largest city in Manitoba, Canada, and is located in the southwestern area of the province. Brandon is the largest city in the Westman region of Manitoba. The city is located along the Assiniboine River. Spruce Woods Provincial Park and CFB Shilo are a relatively short distance...
, Manitoba, and worked as a firefighter for twenty years before entering provincial politics. He was elected to the Brandon City Council in 1995
Manitoba municipal elections, 1995
The 1995 Manitoba municipal elections were held on October 25, 1995 to elect mayors, councillors and school trustees in various communities throughout Manitoba, Canada.-Brandon:...
, defeating an incumbent councillor in the city's seventh ward. He also ran for Mayor of Brandon in a by-election
By-election
A by-election is an election held to fill a political office that has become vacant between regularly scheduled elections....
two years later, and finished third against Reg Atkinson
Reg Atkinson
Reginald C. Atkinson is a businessman and politician in Manitoba, Canada. He was the Mayor of Brandon, Manitoba from 1997 to 2002, and campaigned for the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba in 2003.- Early life and career :...
in a close three-way contest. Smith continued to sit as a councillor during the mayoral campaign, and was re-elected without opposition in 1998
Manitoba municipal elections, 1998
The 1998 Manitoba municipal elections were held on October 28, 1998 to elect mayors, councillors and school trustees in various communities throughout Manitoba, Canada.-Brandon:...
. While on council, he served as chair of Brandon's poverty task force, grants review committee and taxi review committee.
Government backbencher
Smith was first elected to the Manitoba legislature in the 1999 provincial electionManitoba general election, 1999
The Manitoba general election of September 21, 1999 was held to elect Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Manitoba, Canada....
, defeating longtime Progressive Conservative
Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba
The Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba is the only right wing political party in Manitoba, Canada. It is also the official opposition party in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.-Origins and early years:...
MLA and sitting Minister of Education and Training James McCrae in the division of Brandon West. The NDP won a majority government
Majority government
A majority government is when the governing party has an absolute majority of seats in the legislature or parliament in a parliamentary system. This is as opposed to a minority government, where even the largest party wins only a plurality of seats and thus must constantly bargain for support from...
provincially, and Smith entered the legislature as a backbench supporter of Gary Doer
Gary Doer
Gary Albert Doer, OM is a Canadian diplomat and politician from Manitoba, Canada. Since October 19, 2009, he has served as Canada's Ambassador to the United States...
's government. He served as Legislative Assistant to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Mines.
Cabinet minister
Minister of Consumer and Corporate AffairsSmith was promoted to cabinet on January 17, 2001 as Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs
Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs (Manitoba)
The Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs is a former cabinet position in the government of Manitoba, Canada.The position initially emerged from the offices of Provincial Secretary and Minister of Public Works in the late 1960s...
, with responsibility for administration of the Liquor Control Act. In this capacity, he defended his government's support for rent control
Rent control
Rent control refers to laws or ordinances that set price controls on the renting of residential housing. It functions as a price ceiling.Rent control exists in approximately 40 countries around the world...
over opposition from landlord groups. He increased the maximum rent increase from 1.5% to 2% for 2002, but lowered it to 1% for 2003.
In May 2002, Smith introduced legislation giving investors the right to seek financial compensation from advisers who mismanage funds through violations of the Manitoba Securities Act. Maximum compensation was set at $100,000. This legislation was the first of its kind in Canada. Smith also introduced legislation to protect customers from negative option billing
Negative option billing
Negative option billing is a business practice in which goods or services are provided automatically, and the customer must either pay for the service or specifically decline it in advance of billing....
, and reformed provincial laws concerning reverse mortgage
Reverse mortgage
A remortgage is a form of equity release available in the United States. It is a loan available to seniors aged 62 or older, under a Federal program administered by HUD. It enables eligible homeowners to access a portion of their equity...
s.
- Liquor Control Ac
As Minister responsible for the Liquor Control Act, Smith indicated that his government would not expand the number of private wine stores in the province. He oversaw a tax break for Manitoba's microbrewery
Microbrewery
A microbrewery or craft brewer is a brewery which produces a limited amount of beer, and is associated by consumers with innovation and uniqueness....
industry in April 2001, when the Manitoba Liquor Control Commission reduced its mark-up rates.
In June 2001, Smith announced that Manitoba's liquor laws would be reformed to allow liquor stores, beverage rooms, vendors and private clubs to open on Sundays. Municipalities were allowed to pass by-laws exempting themselves from the legislation. Due in part to extra revenue from this change, the Manitoba Liquor Control Commission's net profits increased by $4.7 million in the 2001-02 year.
- Other responsibilitie
Smith was appointed to the influential Treasury Board of cabinet on March 24, 2001, replacing Oscar Lathlin
Oscar Lathlin
Oscar Lathlin was a politician in Manitoba, Canada, and was a cabinet minister in the New Democratic Party government of Gary Doer.-Life and career:...
. Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, he was appointed to an all-party task force on provincial security. In December 2001, he introduced steps to prevent the spread of false or forged birth certificates.
Minister of Transportation and Government Services
Premier Gary Doer shuffled his cabinet on September 25, 2002, and appointed Smith as Minister of Transportation and Government Services with responsibility for Emergency Measures and administration of the Manitoba Lotteries Corporation Act.
- Transportatio
In October 2002, Smith instructed drivers of the province's fleet vehicles to purchase environmentally-friendly ethanol
Ethanol
Ethanol, also called ethyl alcohol, pure alcohol, grain alcohol, or drinking alcohol, is a volatile, flammable, colorless liquid. It is a psychoactive drug and one of the oldest recreational drugs. Best known as the type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages, it is also used in thermometers, as a...
fuel in areas where it was reasonably available. He said that the Doer government wanted to see ethanol made more widely available across the province, and hoped his decision would provide an incentive for retailers. Provincial ethanol purchases increased dramatically in the last three months of the year. Smith also unveiled two hybrid electric cars for the provincial fleet in December 2002, and said that he planned to double the number of environmentally-friendly vehicles in provincial service.
In February 2003, Smith introduced a plan to have the Trans-Canada Highway
Trans-Canada Highway
The Trans-Canada Highway is a federal-provincial highway system that joins the ten provinces of Canada. It is, along with the Trans-Siberian Highway and Australia's Highway 1, one of the world's longest national highways, with the main route spanning 8,030 km...
twinned as far as the Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of . Saskatchewan is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota....
border over a period of four years. The plan was conditional on financial aid from the federal government. In the same year, he joined with federal cabinet minister Rey Pagtakhan
Rey Pagtakhan
Rey D. Pagtakhan, PC is a Canadian physician, professor and politician. He was a cabinet minister in the governments of Jean Chrétien and Paul Martin, and served as a member of parliament from 1988 until his defeat in the 2004 election....
to announce significant upgrades to Manitoba's highway system.
Smith also introduced a number of measures to improve driving safety in Manitoba. In September 2003, he indicated that repeat drunk drivers would be required to install ignition-interlock devices in their cars, requiring them to pass a breathalyzer test before the car could be started. He introduced tougher penalties for seatbelt violations, and sought to introduce high-technology drivers' licenses with biometric information.
- Government Service
Smith announced in November 2002 that the Doer government would expedite the tendering process for provincial capital construction, indicating that 80% of projects would be tendered by January. Many contracts had not been not tendered until the spring or early summer in previous years, and some in the industry complained that the delays led to market confusion.
Smith was also in charge of the provincial government's efforts to maintain economic viability for the financially troubled port city of Churchill
Churchill, Manitoba
Churchill is a town on the shore of Hudson Bay in Manitoba, Canada. It is most famous for the many polar bears that move toward the shore from inland in the autumn, leading to the nickname "Polar Bear Capital of the World" that has helped its growing tourism industry.-History:A variety of nomadic...
in northern Manitoba. The government pledged one million dollars to find new markets and new products for the city in early 2003.
Smith presided over a memorial ceremony for the victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks at the International Peace Garden in September 2003. He drew attention to his own background as a firefighter in paying tribute to those who died in the New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
attacks.
Minister of Industry, Economic Development and Mines
Smith was re-elected in the 2003 provincial election
Manitoba general election, 2003
The Manitoba general election held on June 3, 2003 was held to elect Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Manitoba, Canada. It was won by the New Democratic Party, which won 35 seats out of 57. The Progressive Conservative Party finished second with twenty seats...
, winning an unexpectedly easy victory over former Brandon Mayor Reg Atkinson. He was promoted to Minister of Industry, Economic Development and Mines on November 4, 2003, retaining responsibility for Emergency Measures and the Manitoba Lotteries Act. He was also given responsibility for the Liquor Control Act a second time.
Smith helped oversee the controversial expansion of Manitoba's pharmaceutical sector, and defended local retailers who profited from the sale of medicine to American buyers.
Smith also worked with Manitoba beef farmers through the summer of 2004, in an effort to purchase a new slaughterhouse with thorough Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
Bovine spongiform encephalopathy
Bovine spongiform encephalopathy , commonly known as mad-cow disease, is a fatal neurodegenerative disease in cattle that causes a spongy degeneration in the brain and spinal cord. BSE has a long incubation period, about 30 months to 8 years, usually affecting adult cattle at a peak age onset of...
testing procedures. The value of Canadian cattle had declined dramatically in previous months, when the American border was closed to trade after BSE was found in a single Canadian cow. Many farmers argued that a more comprehensive testing system would be necessary to reopen the American border.
As Minister of Mines, Smith oversaw the expansion of Manitoba's burgeoning gold sector. The province announced $1.4 million in tax credits for the mining industry in spring 2004.
Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Trade
Smith was promoted again on October 12, 2004 to Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Trade. He retained responsibility for Emergency Measures, Lotteries and the Liquor Control Act, and also became minister responsible for International Relations Coordination.
Shortly after his appointment, Smith announced that the Doer government would not proceed with a series of controversial changes to the provincial Planning Act. Farmers and environmental groups had criticized the changes, arguing that they would remove municipal oversight from the expansion of hog farm
Intensive pig farming
Intensive piggeries are a type of factory farm ' specialized in the raising of domestic pigs up to slaughter weight...
s. Smith argued that the proposed changes were no longer necessary, due to the Water Protection Act being developed by his government. He introduced a revised set of changes in 2005, which received cautious support from advocacy groups.
In November 2004, Smith introduced an amendment to the City of Winnipeg's charter allowing the city to provide business tax relief for selected neighbourhoods. Previous rules had mandated a uniform rate for the entire city. The following year, Smith introduced greater property tax flexibility for all Manitoba municipalities. He introduced the Capital Region Partnership Act in the same period, requiring Winnipeg and the surrounding municipalities to cooperate in the development of regional lands.
The federal government distributed gas tax revenues to the provinces in 2005, and gave provincial governments discretion over how the monies would be divided. Following discussions with the Association of Manitoba Municipalities
Association of Manitoba Municipalities
The Association of Manitoba Municipalities is an organization of municipal governments in the province of Manitoba, Canada. All municipalities in Manitoba are members....
, Smith announced that the money would be distributed to different parts of the province on a per capita basis. Representatives from major cities brought forward an alternate proposal, wherein 90% of the funds would be made available on a per capita basis and 10% put directly toward public transit in urban centres.
Smith approved the Doer government's proposal to create the Waverley West
Waverley West
Waverley West is a planned suburb in the southwestern corner of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It was approved by the government of Manitoba in 2005, and is scheduled to be constructed over a twenty-year period....
subdivision of Winnipeg in April 2005, notwithstanding concerns that his membership in the government created an inherent bias. In time, the suburb is expected to become larger than Brandon. In 2006, Smith announced $200,000 for emergency programs in north and west-end Winnipeg.
- Emergency Measure
Smith and the Broadcasters Association of Manitoba introduced a new public emergency notification system in late 2003, ensuring that details of an emergency will be conveyed by radio and television within 15–30 minutes of its occurrence.
In November 2003, Smith designated Selkirk
Selkirk, Manitoba
Selkirk is a city in the western Canadian province of Manitoba, located about 22 km northeast of the provincial capital Winnipeg on the Red River, near . As of the 2006 census, Selkirk had a population of 9,515....
as the first city in Manitoba to have exceeded its emergency preparedness requirements. In March 2005, he introduced legislation allowing Manitoba to sign mutual agreements for emergency preparedness with other provinces, American states, and countries. He also coordinated flood relief for various parts of Manitoba over a period of several years.
- Other responsibilitie
Smith served as acting Highways Minister in the summer of 2006. He indicated that Manitoba would consider raising its speed limit to 110 km/hour for selected twinned highways, putting Manitoba policy in line with American states and other provinces.
Minister of Competitiveness, Training and Trade
After another cabinet shuffle on September 21, 2006, Smith was designated as Minister of Competitiveness, Training and Trade
Minister of Competitiveness, Training and Trade (Manitoba)
The Minister of Competitiveness, Training and Trade is a cabinet minister in the province of Manitoba, Canada. The position was established in 2006, combining responsibilities from the portfolios of Industry, Economic Development and Mines, Intergovernmental Affairs and Trade and Advanced...
while retaining responsibility for Lotteries and the Liquor Control Act. He continued to defend Manitoba's pharmaceutical industry against criticism from the Canadian Pharmacists Association, arguing that Manitoba companies have a proven track record of providing a safe and secure product to buyers. Smith presided over a continued expansion in Manitoba's manufacturing sector, with Statistics Canada reporting the creation of 3,000 new jobs in January 2007.
- Liquor Control Ac
Smith announced modernizing reforms to the Liquor Control Act in late 2004, giving private wine stores the right to sell drinks such as brandy
Brandy
Brandy is a spirit produced by distilling wine. Brandy generally contains 35%–60% alcohol by volume and is typically taken as an after-dinner drink...
and cognac
Cognac
Cognac is a commune in the Charente department in southwestern France. It is a sub-prefecture of the department.-Geography:Cognac is situated on the river Charente between the towns of Angoulême and Saintes. The majority of the town has been built on the river's left bank, with the smaller right...
. He also indicated that Manitobans would be allowed to re-seal half-empty wine bottles ordered in restaurants, and bring them home. Most restaurateurs supported this change.
- Lotterie
Smith defended the use of Video Lottery Terminal
Video Lottery Terminal
A Video Lottery Terminal or VLT is a gaming machine that allows gamblers to bet on the outcome of a video game.A VLT is similar to a slot machine, in that each terminal is a stand-alone device containing a random-number generator...
s as a source of government revenue, and rejected a 2003 proposal from Progressive Conservative MLA John Loewen
John Loewen
John Loewen is a businessman and politician in Manitoba, Canada. He served in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba from 1999 to 2005 as a member of the Progressive Conservative Party, and campaigned for the Canadian House of Commons in 2006 and 2008 as a Liberal...
to phase out most terminals from the province. Loewen argued that the machines brought a huge social burden upon Manitoba; Smith responded that the province had taken steps to combat gambling addiction and was introducing machines with responsible gaming software. He also noted that Manitoba received $232 million annually from lottery revenues, and argued that the money was necessary to fund social programs.
Smith rejected a proposal to allow Automated Teller Machine
Automated teller machine
An automated teller machine or automatic teller machine, also known as a Cashpoint , cash machine or sometimes a hole in the wall in British English, is a computerised telecommunications device that provides the clients of a financial institution with access to financial transactions in a public...
s into casinos in January 2004, although he approved a plan to allow Sunday gambling in hotels, bars and lounges.
In April 2004, Smith indicated that his government would review a Manitoba Lottery Corporation regulation that mandated English as the only language permitted at gambling tables (Manitoba recognizes English and French as official languages). As a short-term measure, he announced that both of Winnipeg's casinos would hire a French-speaking card dealer.
The Manitoba Lotteries Corp. posted a profit of $146.2 million for the first half of 2006, a $6.4 million increase over the previous year.
- Leadership ambition
Prior to the 2007 provincial election
Manitoba general election, 2007
The Manitoba general election held on May 22, 2007 was held to elect Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Manitoba, Canada. It was won by the New Democratic Party, which won 36 seats out of 57. The Progressive Conservative Party finished second with nineteen seats. The Liberal...
, Smith was the only member of Gary Doer's cabinet to openly contemplate running for the party leadership after Doer retires. A Winnipeg Free Press
Winnipeg Free Press
The Winnipeg Free Press is a daily broadsheet newspaper in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Founded in 1872, as the Manitoba Free Press, it is the oldest newspaper in western Canada. It is the newspaper with the largest readership in the province....
writer argued that many party members considered him to be too right-wing for the position.
2007 election
Smith was narrowly defeated by Progressive Conservative candidate Rick Borotsik
Rick Borotsik
Rick Borotsik is a politician in Manitoba, Canada. He served as Mayor of Brandon from 1989 to 1997, was a member of the Canadian House of Commons from 1997 to 2004, and was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba in 2007...
, a popular former mayor, in the 2007 provincial election
Manitoba general election, 2007
The Manitoba general election held on May 22, 2007 was held to elect Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Manitoba, Canada. It was won by the New Democratic Party, which won 36 seats out of 57. The Progressive Conservative Party finished second with nineteen seats. The Liberal...
. He was the only New Democratic Party incumbent to lose his seat in the election.
Federal politics
Smith supported Bill BlaikieBill Blaikie
William Alexander "Bill" Blaikie, PC is a Canadian politician. He has been a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba since April 2009, representing the Winnipeg division of Elmwood as a member of the New Democratic Party of Manitoba, and Minister of Conservation and Government House Leader...
's bid to become leader of the federal New Democratic Party
New Democratic Party
The New Democratic Party , commonly referred to as the NDP, is a federal social-democratic political party in Canada. The interim leader of the NDP is Nycole Turmel who was appointed to the position due to the illness of Jack Layton, who died on August 22, 2011. The provincial wings of the NDP in...
in 2003.
Trivia
- Smith defeated Winnipeg Mayor Sam KatzSam KatzSamuel Michael Katz, OM is the 42nd mayor of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He is also a businessperson and a member of the Order of Manitoba.- Life before mayorship :...
in a friendly competition in the 2006 Winnipeg marathon. Smith finished the 26-mile marathon in three hours and fifty-four minutes, while Katz took four hours and thirty-seven minutes.
Table of offices held
- Ashton was designated as Minister of Intergovernmental AffairsMinistry of Intergovernmental Affairs (Manitoba)The Minister of Local Government is a cabinet minister in the province of Manitoba, Canada. The position was created in 1999 as the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs. The portfolio was designated as Intergovernmental Affairs and Trade from November 2003 to September 2006, when responsibility...
. - Mihychuk was designated as Minister of Industry, Trade and MinesMinistry of Industry, Economic Development and Mines (Manitoba)The Minister of Industry, Economic Development and Mines is a former ministerial position in the province of Manitoba, Canada.The position was created in 1999 as the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Mines, taking in responsibilities from other departments...
.
Electoral record
All provincial election information is taken from Elections ManitobaElections Manitoba
Elections Manitoba is the non-partisan agency of the Government of Manitoba, responsible for the conduct of provincial elections....
. Expenditure entries refer to individual candidate expenses.