Biography
Smith has a diploma in Urban Design from Fanshawe College, a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Waterloo, and a degree in Public Administration from the University of Western Ontario. He worked as a senior planner in the city of London, Ontario after graduating, and was also a planner in the neighbouring township of Westminster. He also served as president of the Middlesex Progressive Conservative Association.
Smith was elected to the Ontario legislature in the 1995 provincial election, defeating Liberal Doug Reycraft by about 5,000 votes in the Middlesex riding (incumbent New Democrat Irene Mathyssen finished third). Smith served as a backbench supporter of Mike Harris's government for the next four years.
He ran for re-election in the redistributed riding of Elgin—Middlesex—London the 1999 election, and was generally expected to win—however, he lost to Liberal Steve Peters by just over 1,000 votes. He ran against Peters again the 2003 election, and lost by over 11,000 votes.
He is currently chair of the Fanshawe College Board of Governors. Smith endorsed Frank Klees for the leadership of the Ontario PC Party in 2004.
Read more about this topic: Bruce Smith (Ontario Politician)
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