WARMINGTON: Tributes pour in for Sen. David Smith
Joe Warmington
Published:
February 27, 2020
Updated:
February 27, 2020 8:21 PM EST
Senator David Smith at the Politics and Pen dinner held at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier on Wednesday, April 20, 2016, in support of The Writers' Trust of Canada. (Caroline Phillips/Ottawa Citizen)
There’s nobody in politics who didn’t like Sen. David Smith.
Even those who he battled with politically couldn’t stay angry for long.
That was one of his charms. That was one of his weapons.
As a result, tributes are pouring in from all sides of the spectrum for the politico known simply as Smitty, who died Thursday at 78.
“I am deeply saddened by the passing of my good friend, senator David Smith,” said Paul Godfrey, executive chairman of Postmedia, who worked closely with Smith as metro chairman.
Smith was a Toronto city councillor who later went on to be a Liberal MP, cabinet minister and a senator.
It didn’t stop the more conservative leaning opponents from cherishing and respecting him.
“He was a very prominent Liberal and adviser to Pierre Trudeau, John Turner and Jean Chretien, as well as dozens of others, including non-Liberals, but was loved by politicians of all political stripes because he was straight up and honest,” said Godfrey. “When we were both at city hall in the 1970s, no one had my back more than Smitty. He was loyal, reliable and trustworthy.”
Senator David Smith is seen here at Ottawa Airport in 2006. (Mike Carroccetto/The Ottawa Citizen)
And he came from an era when politicians used compromise to get things done.
Toronto Mayor John Tory said Smith didn’t let things go off the rails to satisfy partisan pride.
“There are lots of really shrewd political operators. And there are lots of people in politics who are genuinely fun to be with. There aren’t many who are both. David Smith was one of those,” Tory said. “He was as intense a partisan as anyone could be (and) I have a few lash marks to show for it. Yet there was no one you could have more fun being with and no one you could work more easily with if there was a problem to be solved.”
“It is a brand of political activism that seems to be less popular today but in his memory we should be working to bring it back!” Tory added.
Now that would be a legacy worth pushing for.
“I loved David Smith because he practised loyalty, was honest and told you at times what you did not want to hear in order to protect you from making a mistake. Every political party needs a Smitty,” said Godfrey. “They broke the mould when they made him.”
Added Tory: “He took his politics and his own public service seriously but never himself. The original happy warrior. My fondest memories will come from the dinners and receptions where he would regale everyone with his rich treasure trove of political stories, always told with a twinkle in his eye.”
He was like a peacemaker.
Former Liberal party president Stephen LeDrew said Smith’s biggest edge was his humanity, humility and humour.
“When I was president of the Liberal party, I was guiding it between the sitting PM (Chretien) and the presumptive PM (Martin), and everyone was angry,” said LeDrew, who can laugh about it now.
Along came David Smith to the rescue.
“It was Smitty who sagely told me, ‘Stephen, if both sides want to kill you, you must be doing the right thing,’” LeDrew said. “He was a smart and loyal guy.”
LeDrew just had lunch with him last week and said he was the same sharp Smitty as he always was.
Godfrey, Tory and LeDrew all asked that loving condolences be passed along to Smitty’s wife Heather and family — wanting them to know in the passing of Sen. Smith, Canada lost a legend.
jwarmington@postmedia.com
http://torontosun.com/news/local-news/warmington-tributes-pour-in-for-legendary-senator-david-smith
Joe Warmington
Published:
February 27, 2020
Updated:
February 27, 2020 8:21 PM EST
Senator David Smith at the Politics and Pen dinner held at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier on Wednesday, April 20, 2016, in support of The Writers' Trust of Canada. (Caroline Phillips/Ottawa Citizen)
There’s nobody in politics who didn’t like Sen. David Smith.
Even those who he battled with politically couldn’t stay angry for long.
That was one of his charms. That was one of his weapons.
As a result, tributes are pouring in from all sides of the spectrum for the politico known simply as Smitty, who died Thursday at 78.
“I am deeply saddened by the passing of my good friend, senator David Smith,” said Paul Godfrey, executive chairman of Postmedia, who worked closely with Smith as metro chairman.
Smith was a Toronto city councillor who later went on to be a Liberal MP, cabinet minister and a senator.
It didn’t stop the more conservative leaning opponents from cherishing and respecting him.
“He was a very prominent Liberal and adviser to Pierre Trudeau, John Turner and Jean Chretien, as well as dozens of others, including non-Liberals, but was loved by politicians of all political stripes because he was straight up and honest,” said Godfrey. “When we were both at city hall in the 1970s, no one had my back more than Smitty. He was loyal, reliable and trustworthy.”
Senator David Smith is seen here at Ottawa Airport in 2006. (Mike Carroccetto/The Ottawa Citizen)
And he came from an era when politicians used compromise to get things done.
Toronto Mayor John Tory said Smith didn’t let things go off the rails to satisfy partisan pride.
“There are lots of really shrewd political operators. And there are lots of people in politics who are genuinely fun to be with. There aren’t many who are both. David Smith was one of those,” Tory said. “He was as intense a partisan as anyone could be (and) I have a few lash marks to show for it. Yet there was no one you could have more fun being with and no one you could work more easily with if there was a problem to be solved.”
“It is a brand of political activism that seems to be less popular today but in his memory we should be working to bring it back!” Tory added.
Now that would be a legacy worth pushing for.
“I loved David Smith because he practised loyalty, was honest and told you at times what you did not want to hear in order to protect you from making a mistake. Every political party needs a Smitty,” said Godfrey. “They broke the mould when they made him.”
Added Tory: “He took his politics and his own public service seriously but never himself. The original happy warrior. My fondest memories will come from the dinners and receptions where he would regale everyone with his rich treasure trove of political stories, always told with a twinkle in his eye.”
He was like a peacemaker.
Former Liberal party president Stephen LeDrew said Smith’s biggest edge was his humanity, humility and humour.
“When I was president of the Liberal party, I was guiding it between the sitting PM (Chretien) and the presumptive PM (Martin), and everyone was angry,” said LeDrew, who can laugh about it now.
Along came David Smith to the rescue.
“It was Smitty who sagely told me, ‘Stephen, if both sides want to kill you, you must be doing the right thing,’” LeDrew said. “He was a smart and loyal guy.”
LeDrew just had lunch with him last week and said he was the same sharp Smitty as he always was.
Godfrey, Tory and LeDrew all asked that loving condolences be passed along to Smitty’s wife Heather and family — wanting them to know in the passing of Sen. Smith, Canada lost a legend.
jwarmington@postmedia.com
http://torontosun.com/news/local-news/warmington-tributes-pour-in-for-legendary-senator-david-smith