Larry Smith (Canadian politician)

(Redirected from Larry Smith (Canadian football)) Canadian politician

The HonourableLarry SmithCQ


Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
In office April 1, 2017 – November 5, 2019
Prime Minister	Justin Trudeau
Preceded by	Claude Carignan
Succeeded by	Don Plett
Senator from Quebec (Saurel)
Incumbent
Assumed office May 25, 2011
Nominated by	Stephen Harper
Appointed by	David Johnston
Preceded by	Himself
In office December 18, 2010 – March 25, 2011
Nominated by	Stephen Harper
Appointed by	David Johnston
Preceded by	Jean Lapointe
Succeeded by	Himself

Personal details
Born	(1951-04-28) April 28, 1951 (age 73) Hudson, Quebec, Canada
Political party	Canadian Senators Group
Other political affiliations	Conservative
Spouse	Leesa
Children	Brad, Wes, Ashley
Residence(s)	Hudson, Quebec, Canada
Alma mater	Bishop's University (B.A.) McGill University (B.C.L.)
Profession	Athlete, businessman
Football career
Career information
Status	Retired
CFL status	National
Position(s)	Running back
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
2× Grey Cup champion (1974, 1977)

Larry W. Smith, CQ (born April 28, 1951) is a Canadian athlete, businessperson and member of the Senate of Canada. He served as Leader of the Opposition in the Senate from April 2017 until November 2019.

Education

Smith graduated from Bishop's University with a bachelor's degree in economics. He was the first overall selection of the 1972 CFL Draft and went on to play nine seasons in the Canadian Football League, all of them as a running back with the Montreal Alouettes. Smith earned a Bachelor of Civil Law from McGill University in 1976, having undertaken his studies for law while playing pro football.

Football management career

Smith became the Canadian Football League's eighth commissioner in 1992 and oversaw the league's ill-fated attempt to expand to the United States. 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 in 1997, Smith served as president of the Alouettes until 2001 and again from 2004 to 2010.

Smith was announced as a member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame 2023 class on March 16, 2023, in the builder's category.

Business career

Smith 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

Smith 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 declaring he would not be a candidate.

On December 18, 2010, Smith 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. 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, a remark for which Smith has been criticized.

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.

The Conservative Senate Caucus elected Smith its leader on March 28, 2017; Smith defeated Senators Linda Frum and Stephen Greene for the position, and took office on April 1, 2017. He served until November 5, 2019, when he was succeeded by Don Plett.

On August 4, 2022, Smith left the Conservative caucus to join the Canadian Senators Group. Smith clarified that he would remain a member of the Conservative Party.

Personal life

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

References

^ "Larry Smith". Montreal: Montreal Alouettes. Archived from the original on September 10, 2011. Retrieved December 21, 2010.
Berkovich, Karlo (April 3, 1998). "Ex-CFL head has worries for all pro sports". Waterloo Region Record. p. C2.
"Solomon Elimimian, John Bowman headline 2023 CFHOF class". Canadian Football League. March 16, 2023.
McClintock, Maria (November 17, 2003). "Lord knows, time is not right' N.B. Premier won't run for fed leader". Toronto Sun. p. 21.
"Tories hope Smith's star appeal will bring victory in Montreal". Globe and Mail. Canada. December 21, 2010. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
"'Catastrophic' pay cut to be senator: Smith". CBC News. December 22, 2010. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
"Larry Smith criticized for salary comment". CTV News. December 23, 2010.
"Senator Larry Smith elected leader of Senate Conservatives". CBC News. March 28, 2017. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
Dickson, Janice (November 5, 2019). "Tories elect Don Plett as new Opposition Leader in the Senate". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
Major, Darren (August 4, 2022). "Quebec senator leaving Conservative caucus but says he will remain a member of party". CBC News.
"Duval and Popp at odds". Montreal Gazette. November 7, 2007. Archived from the original on November 23, 2007.

External links

v t e Montreal Alouettes 62nd Grey Cup champions
Jimmy Jones Don Sweet Rudy Florio Phil Price Johnny Rodgers Tony Proudfoot Steve Ferrughelli Ward Smith Wally Buono Wayne Conrad Barry Randall Glen Weir Joe Critchlow Peter Dalla Riva Chuck Zapiec Marv Luster Art Edgson Dan Yochum Gary Chown Ian Mofford Sonny Wade Keith Eaman Dickie Harris Gene Gaines Larry Sherrer Mike Widger Larry Smith Doug Mitchell Ray Watrin Dave Braggins Ed George Carl Crennel Gordon Judges Junior Ah You Pat Bonnett Jerome Gantt Jake Zumbach Doug Smith Head coach: Marv Levy

Montreal Alouettes 62nd Grey Cup champions

Head coach: Marv Levy

v t e Montreal Alouettes 65th Grey Cup champions
Barry Ardern Dwayne Crump Gerry Dattilio Horace Belton Chuck McMann Dickie Harris Pat Bonnett Larry Smith Dan Yochum Marvin Davis Peter Dalla Riva Ray Watrin Barry Randall Joe Barnes Ian Mofford Bob Gaddis Tony Proudfoot Les Strayhorn Clifton Alapa Brock Aynsley Wally Buono Gary Chown Rick Galbos Gabriel Grégoire Jim Burrow Randy Rhino Vernon Perry Junior Ah You Doug Smith Chuck Zapiec Glen Weir Gordon Judges Carl Crennel Wayne Conrad Sonny Wade John O'Leary Don Sweet John Beaton Max Huber Andy Hopkins Head coach: Marv Levy

Montreal Alouettes 65th Grey Cup champions

Head coach: Marv Levy

v t e Montreal Alouettes team presidents
Léo Dandurand (1946–1957) Ted Workman (1957–1967) Joe Atwell (1967–1969) Sam Berger (1969–1976) David Berger (1976–1979) Sam Berger (1979–1981) Rene Forte (1981–1982) George Allen (1982) Sam Etcheverry (1982–1983) None (1983–1986) Norm Kimball (1986–1987) No team (1987–1995) Jim Speros (1996–1997) Larry Smith (1997–2001) Skip Prince (2001–2003) Larry Smith (2003–2013) Mark Weightman (2013–2016) Patrick Boivin (2016–2020) Mario Cecchini (2020–2023) Mark Weightman (2023–present)

Montreal Alouettes team presidents

Léo Dandurand (1946–1957)
Ted Workman (1957–1967)
Joe Atwell (1967–1969)
Sam Berger (1969–1976)
David Berger (1976–1979)
Sam Berger (1979–1981)
Rene Forte (1981–1982)
George Allen (1982)
Sam Etcheverry (1982–1983)
None (1983–1986)
Norm Kimball (1986–1987)
No team (1987–1995)
Jim Speros (1996–1997)
Larry Smith (1997–2001)
Skip Prince (2001–2003)
Larry Smith (2003–2013)
Mark Weightman (2013–2016)
Patrick Boivin (2016–2020)
Mario Cecchini (2020–2023)
Mark Weightman (2023–present)

v t e CFL commissioners
Sydney Halter (1958–66) Keith Davey (1966) Ted Workman (1967) (interim) Allan McEachern (1967–68) Jake Gaudaur (1968–84) Douglas Mitchell (1984–88) Bill Baker (1989) Roy McMurtry (1990) (interim) Donald Crump (1990–91) Phil Kershaw (1992) (interim) Larry Smith (1992–96) John Tory (1996–2000) Michael Lysko (2000–02) David Braley (2002) (interim) Tom Wright (2002–06) Mark Cohon (2007–15) Jim Lawson (2015) (interim) Jeffrey Orridge (2015–17) Jim Lawson (2017) (interim) Randy Ambrosie (2017–present)

CFL commissioners

Sydney Halter (1958–66)
Keith Davey (1966)
Ted Workman (1967) (interim)
Allan McEachern (1967–68)
Jake Gaudaur (1968–84)
Douglas Mitchell (1984–88)
Bill Baker (1989)
Roy McMurtry (1990) (interim)
Donald Crump (1990–91)
Phil Kershaw (1992) (interim)
Larry Smith (1992–96)
John Tory (1996–2000)
Michael Lysko (2000–02)
David Braley (2002) (interim)
Tom Wright (2002–06)
Mark Cohon (2007–15)
Jim Lawson (2015) (interim)
Jeffrey Orridge (2015–17)
Jim Lawson (2017) (interim)
Randy Ambrosie (2017–present)

v t e Current members of the Senate of Canada
Presiding officers: Speaker: Raymonde Gagné Speaker pro tempore: Pierrette Ringuette
AB	■ Fridhandler ■ LaBoucane-Benson ■ Simons ■ Sorensen ■ Tannas ■ K. Wells
BC	■ Busson ■ Greenwood ■ Martin ■ Woo 2 vacancies
MB	■ Adler ■ Gagné ■ McCallum ■ McPhedran ■ Osler ■ Plett
NB	■ Boudreau ■ Cormier ■ Hartling ■ Kingston ■ McNair ■ Poirier ■ Quinn ■ Richards ■ Ringuette ■ Ross
NL	■ Manning ■ Marshall ■ Petten ■ Ravalia ■ D. Wells ■ White
NS	■ Aucoin ■ Bernard ■ Cordy ■ Coyle ■ Cuzner ■ C. Deacon ■ Kutcher ■ MacDonald ■ Prosper ■ Surette
ON	■ Al Zaibak ■ Ataullahjan ■ Black ■ Boehm ■ Boniface ■ Boyer ■ Burey ■ Cardozo ■ Clement ■ Dasko ■ M. Deacon ■ Dean ■ Harder ■ McBean ■ Moncion ■ Moodie ■ Omidvar ■ Pate ■ R. Patterson ■ Senior ■ Varone ■ Yussuff 1 vacancy
PE	■ Downe ■ Francis ■ MacAdam ■ Robinson 1 vacancy
QC	■ Audette ■ Brazeau ■ Carignan ■ Dagenais ■ Dalphond ■ Forest ■ Galvez ■ Gerba ■ Gignac ■ Gold ■ Housakos ■ Loffreda ■ Massicotte ■ Mégie ■ Miville-Dechêne ■ Moreau ■ Oudar ■ Petitclerc ■ Saint-Germain ■Seidman ■ Smith ■ Verner ■ Youance 1 vacancy
SK	■ Arnot ■ Batters ■ Klyne ■ Muggli ■ Wallin 1 vacancy
Territories	NT ■ Anderson NU ■ Karetak-Lindell YT ■ Duncan
■ Independent Senators Group (41) ■ Canadian Senators Group (18) ■ Progressive Senate Group (14) ■ Conservative (12) ■ Non-affiliated (10) vacant (9)

v t e Canadian Football League Draft number one overall picks
McNichol McFarlane Fracas Bruce Hughes Sigurdson Stacey Mitchell Wood Scott Wydareny Mitchelson Young Turek Barrett Eben Strong Holm Donnelly L. Smith Sopatyk Halsall Scully Berryman Riley Kirzinger Powell Barrow Cosec Kirkley Dobrovolny Balkovec Benjamin Warnock Groenewegen Lee Wilcox Millington Mazzoli Covernton Burke St. Germain Nütten Blair Folk Fleiszer Meier St. James Schultz Gauthier Morley W. Smith Robédé Braidwood Bauman Barker Rottier S. Williams Muamba Heenan Gaydosh Lavertu Mateas St. John Ekakitie Chapman S. Richards J. Williams Burt T. Richards Bull Dublanko

Canadian Football League Draft number one overall picks

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